The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission has changed its pilgrimage destination from Jerusalem and Jordan to sites in Greece and Rome as a result of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to The PUNCH, this was made known by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev Yakubu Pam, on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen, adding that the safety and well-being of the pilgrims is their top priority.
He explained that the commission had suspended the December 2023 pilgrimage to Israel due to the same concerns, noting that after a prolonged wait for the Israel/Hamas conflict, which began on October 7, to be over, he had personally led a research team to assess and inspect accommodation facilities and existing Biblical sites in Greece and Rome.
“I have led NCPC teams to inspect holy sites across Greece and Rome. We have discussed extensively with government and local authorities and security. Accommodation and good hospitality are assured as the very first batch of Nigerian Christian pilgrims visit these places to connect physically with New Testament locations of the gospel and do spiritual exercises, including meditation and prayers for our dear nation.
“Also, arrangements for smooth flight, good meals and local transportation have been concluded for the 2023/2024 main pilgrimage; state governments, state offices of Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards, churches and individuals have been formally informed about the modalities and the N3m cost that only requires some augmentation of payment previously made for the Israel/Jordan trip,” he said.
Pam pointed out that the new pilgrimage sites to visits as Biblical sites include places where Apostle Paul, otherwise known as Saint Paul, passionately propagated the gospel of Jesus Christ, converting polytheists and idol worshippers through extensive physical journeys and tremendous contributions that remain very significant parts of the New Testament to date.
The NCPC equally noted that the new N3m pilgrimage cost covering return flight ticket, hotel accommodation, three-course meal per day, and tours of holy sites in executive luxury buses for six nights and seven days, was exclusive of pilgrims’ travelling allowances while states and private pilgrims were expected to meet up with payments before the last day of January 2024.
President Bola Tinubu, had, however, on Wednesday, approved the appointment of nine members to serve on the board of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this disclosure in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu appoints new board of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission.’
He liste the new appointees to include Colonel Aloche Adole as Chairman, Dr. Stephen Adegbite as Secretary, Mrs Omowumi Ogunlola as member, South-West, Clement Nweke as member, South-East and Prince Wosu as Member, South-South.
Others are Prof. Joseph Mamman as member, North-West, Dr. Toma Ragnjiya, member, North-East, Dr. Simon Dolly, member, North-Central and Raphael Nwankwo representing the Christian Association of Nigeria.
Ngelale stated that the President charged the new appointees to “consider their appointment as an opportunity to serve the nation and, as such, wholly commit themselves to this important purpose.”
