According to Rev. Yakubu Pam, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), the Israeli authorities have agreed to investigate the possibility of obtaining a three-month group visa for Nigerian Pilgrims, which would cover the pilgrimage period rather than the current two-week visa policy.
Rev. Pam also emphasized that Nigerian pilgrims visiting Israel should be treated with the same respect and dignity as pilgrims from other countries.
On Friday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary met with the State Pilgrimage Leaders and Managers, which included the State Chairmen and Secretaries of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards and the FCT, to chart a new course for the 2021 general pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, and Rome.
The Executive Secretary recently traveled to Israel, where he met with the Israeli Minister of Tourism and the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria.
The Pilgrimage leaders were also informed by the NCPC Chief Executive that the Israeli authorities are willing to start direct flights from Nigeria to Tel-Aviv during the pilgrimage, promising that the activation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the State of Israel was discussed.
He hinted that Israel, as a nation, is taking the fight against the spread of COVID 19 seriously, and that it has closed its doors on November 29th, 2021, to prevent foreigners from entering Israel. According to him, the ban is in place to “prevent the spread of the COVID 19 Omicron virus, which was recently discovered in South Africa.”
The NCPC chief also stated that the Commission would conduct a State of Readiness visit to Israel and Jordan from the 10th to the 17th of January, 2022, to assess the host country’s level of preparedness and to inspect facilities at Holy Sites and Hotels.
The Executive Secretary expressed his desire to begin a full sensitization tour of state governors in order to solicit support and sponsorship from prospective pilgrims for the 2021 pilgrimage exercise.
The NCPC and State Pilgrimage Leaders unanimously agreed that the 2021 General Pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, and Rome would begin in February 2022.
Most of the pilgrimage leaders who spoke during the meeting praised the Executive Secretary for the positive outcome of his meeting with Israeli authorities and promised to return and begin strong advocacy and sensitization on the importance of fully vaccinating intending pilgrims with the COVID 19 Vaccine.
He informed the State Pilgrimage Stakeholders that the meeting was very productive because it focused on the upcoming 2021 pilgrimage exercise to Israel as well as the issue of COVID 19 protocols.
The NCPC boss stated that the Israeli Minister of Tourism was eager to receive Nigerian pilgrims as soon as possible, but with the caveat that intending Nigerian pilgrims would have to receive the first and second doses of the COVID 19 vaccine.
He also stated that Nigerian Pilgrims would be isolated for 5-6 hours until the results of the PCR test were released.
The meeting was conducted in strict accordance with COVID 19 protocols, and members who were unable to attend participated and contributed virtually.