From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) said on Thursday, 13 March 2025, that it has successfully airlifted the 12th batch of intending Christian pilgrims to Israel and Jordan.
NCPC spokesman Celestine Toruka, in a statement, said the flight contained mainly Ogun State intending Christian pilgrims, as well as consular officers.
Also on board the flight, which departed from Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, respectively, were the Chairman of the NCPC Governing Board, Prof. Cletus Gotan, and the six Federal Commissioners on the Board of NCPC.
NCPC Executive Secretary Bishop Stephen Adegbite said the pilgrims are expected to have a glorious and wonderful journey, emphasising the importance of conducting themselves decently and being good ambassadors of Christ and Nigeria.
He maintained that pilgrimage is a sacred journey and must be approached with reverence and respect, urging all pilgrims to shun any negative tendencies that might tarnish Nigeria’s image in the Holy Land.
Bishop Adegbite further reiterated the Commission’s zero-abscondment stance, urging the pilgrims not to consider abandoning their journey. He reaffirmed his belief in Nigeria’s potential, stating that it remains the best nation on earth.
‘We must all join forces to make Nigeria work. I encourage you all to pray for the success of the present administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda,’ he said.
The NCPC boss also urged the pilgrims to align themselves with the theme of the Commission’s 2024 Main Pilgrimage Exercise: ‘Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration’.