CHRISTIAN PILGRIMAGE HAS RECORDED ZERO ABSCONDMENT – CHANCERY NIGERIA EMBASSY ROME

The Head of Chancery, Embassy of Nigeria to the Holy See, Mr. Basil Okolo, has said that the Embassy has recorded zero rate of asbcondment since the inception of pilgrimage to Rome.

The Head of Chancery, Embassy of Nigeria to the Holy See, Mr. Basil Okolo, has said that the Embassy has recorded zero rate of asbcondment since the inception of pilgrimage to Rome. He disclosed this while receiving the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, during the State of Readiness Visit to Rome, Vatican City.

         He affirmed that generally, Rome-led pilgrimage has always record a huge success. He assured his guest that the Embassy would continue to assist and support the Nigeria pilgrims at all times. According to him, “We will ensure that pilgrims will not face any challenges”. Adding that the Embassy would keep putting in their best to ensure that success is attained”.

In his response, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kennedy Opara, thanked the Chancery for his hard work and commitment towards successful pilgrimage in Rome over the years. In his words, “Rome Embassy is one of the embassies I can say when pilgrims are on ground, I do not lose sleep”.

Mr. Opara affirmed that the perception the Italian Embassy had about Nigerians in terms of abscondment has changed, because “every Nigerian that embarked on pilgrimage to Rome do not only return but return back as change agents”.

He urged the Ground Handlers that would render services to pilgrims in this year’s pilgrimage exercise to ensure that they work hand in hand with the Nigeria Embassy in Rome. He further urged the Chairmen and Secretaries to encourage pilgrims in their various states to visit Rome. According to him, “Our pilgrimage journey starts from Israel and ends in Rome, let us make it a point of duty to encourage our pilgrims to visit Rome, it would keep our faith stronger”.