According to Rev. Yakubu Pam, executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Israeli authorities have agreed to explore 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 further emphasized that Nigerian travelers to Israel should be treated with the same respect and dignity as pilgrims from other nations.
On Friday in Abuja, the executive secretary met with state pilgrimage leaders and managers, including state chairmen and secretaries of State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards and the Federal Capital Territory, to map a new route for the 2021 general pilgrimage to Israel, Jordan, and Rome.
The executive secretary recently paid a visit to Israel, where he met with the Israeli tourism minister and the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria.
The pilgrimage leaders were also told by the NCPC chief executive that the Israeli authorities were in favor of starting direct flights from Nigeria to Tel-Aviv during the pilgrimage and that the activation of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the State of Israel was being discussed.
He implied that Israel takes the fight against the spread of COVID 19 seriously, as evidenced by the fact that it closed its borders on November 29, 2021, to prevent foreigners from entering the country.
Ada Peter
