The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has assured that no Nigerian pilgrim will abscond during the 2025 pilgrimage to Israel.
Adegbite gave the assurance after leading a delegation comprising members of the House of Representatives and ground handlers to a bilateral meeting with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem.
In a statement signed by Mr. Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at NCPC, and released on Tuesday in Abuja, the commission emphasised its commitment to transparency and accountability.
“I am assuring that the Commission will maintain zero abscondment of Nigerian pilgrims in Israel and uphold transparency in its dealings,” Adegbite said.
He expressed gratitude to the Israeli authorities for their cooperation in providing a safe and secure environment for pilgrims and noted the unprecedented participation of about 100 members of the House of Representatives in this year’s Executive Pilgrimage. Adegbite added that the initiative was expected to become a recurring event.
Responding, Tania Berg-Rafaeli, Director of the West and Central Africa Division at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended Adegbite for what she described as visionary leadership and dedication to deepening Nigeria-Israel relations.
She praised Nigerian pilgrims for their good conduct and pledged Israel’s continued collaboration with NCPC and the Nigerian Embassy in Tel Aviv to strengthen bilateral ties. Berg-Rafaeli also hinted at the possibility of a future Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the two nations.
About The Author
