Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has assured that there will be no case of abscondment among Nigerian pilgrims during the 2025 pilgrimage.
The assurance was made by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite during a meeting with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In a statement signed by Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at NCPC, in Abuja on Tuesday, Adegbite led a delegation of House of Representatives members and ground handlers to the meeting.
The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Jerusalem, focused on strengthening ties between Nigeria and Israel.
“I am assuring that the Commission will maintain zero abscondment of Nigerian pilgrims in Israel and uphold transparency in its dealings,” Adegbite was quoted as saying.
He thanked the Ministry for its support in providing a safe environment for Nigerian pilgrims and noted the participation of about 100 House of Representatives members in the Executive Pilgrimage, describing it as a milestone that should continue in the future.
Responding, Tania Berg-Rafaeli, Director of the West and Central Africa Division at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended Adegbite for his leadership and praised Nigerian pilgrims for their good conduct.
She also pledged to work with the Nigerian Embassy in Israel and the NCPC to deepen bilateral relations, adding that a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between both countries could be considered.
