The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara has charged the Ground Handlers and Air Carriers on the need for continuity in the delivery of excellent services to Nigerian pilgrims.

He gave this charge during the meeting of the NCPC management and National Assembly delegates with Ground Handlers and Air Carriers held in Nigeria Embasy, Tel Aviv, Israel, recently.

Mr. Opara commended the Ground Handlers and Air Carriers for their Services to Nigerian pilgrims over the years and urged them to do more, especially in the areas of improving the local content of pilgrimage by partnering with Nigerians in Israel to ensure that the pilgrims are catered for under the most convenient atmosphere.

He informed on the four pilgrimage programmes the commission runs yearly: The Easter pilgrimage which avails Christians the opportunity to witness the places where Jesus lived before his death and tune their hearts to understand the sacrifices of Christ on the cross; the Youth pilgrimage which brings youths together to the Holy Land to impact them spiritually and empower them economically through skills acquisition; the family pilgrimage which provides an opportunity for families to pray together in the Holy Land as “a family that prays together stays together”; and the Main pilgrimage which usually comes up between October/ December.

The NCPC helmsman affirmed that the Commission has a viable spirituality Committee that works tirelessly to see that the spiritual content of pilgrimage is maintained.

He appreciated the Ground Handlers and Air Carriers for setting up and equipping the clinic in the embassy to meet up with the medical needs of pilgrims and save cost of receiving medical attention in other hospitals which are not usually cost effective.

The Chairman of Nigeria-Israel Cooperation Group and Member of national Assembly, Hon. Gwani Gideon implored the Ground Handlers and their Tour Guides on the need to be accurate in their explanations of the Holy sites during tours in order to avoid contradictions and misinformation.

He commended the NCPC boss and his team for making proper arrangements for the welfare of pilgrims in the Holy Land. He affirmed that the Nigerian pilgrims are very happy with the manner of reception.

Shadia Srour, the Assistant Manager of Tabar Tours expressed her joy over the good conduct of Nigerian pilgrims in the Holy Land. She affirmed that the Israeli government and the entire management of Tabar Tours will be delighted to serve Nigerian pilgrims always.

Among other Ground Handlers and Air Carriers present for the meeting were Scopus World Travel, Tailor Made Tours, and Air First airline.

NCPC Media