Anambra Pilgrim Office Hails Lifting Of Suspension On Pilgrimage To Israel
The Anambra State Pilgrim Board has welcomed the lift on the ban on Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem from Nigeria.
Mr Odira Ezeh, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo on Pilgrimage and Head of the Pilgrim Office of the Deputy Governor made the commendation in Awka on Saturday.
Bishop (Prof.) Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) announced the lifting of the ban on Aug. 1.
Recall that NCPC suspended all pilgrimages to Israel in March in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
According to the Commission, the suspension which covered both government and privately-organised trips was necessary to protect the safety of Nigerian pilgrims.
Reacting to the development, Ezeh commended the NCPC for restoring the confidence of Nigerians in the journey to Holy Land.
He urged citizens and residents of Anambra to take advantage of the reopened window to plan themselves towards making a journey to Israel for spiritual renewal.
He said the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s government through the Pilgrim Office had put in place measures that would give opportunity to every citizen and an administrative structure that would ensured timely and seamless facilitating of pilgrim matters
He called religious organisations, Non Governmental Organisations, community leaders and individuals who wished to embark on religious pilgrimage to work with his office which was domiciled at the Office of the Deputy Governor.
“We are happy that the suspension on pilgrimage to the Holy Land is lifted, we want to appreciate NCPC for acting in the interest and safety of Nigerians.
“I want to tell our people in Anambra that they can now begin to plan their journey by taking advantage of the robust relationship between the Anambra Pilgrim Office and the NCPC by coming to the Office of the Deputy Governor for proper guidance,” he said.
