NCPC BOSS SENSITIZES EYN ON ‘WIN A TRIP TO ISRAEL’

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), John Kennedy Opara, has encouraged Christians to key into the ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ Programme of the Commission which affords many Christians the opportunity to go on Pilgrimage at no cost to the federal or state government. He disclosed this at Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa Nigeria (EYN) also known as Church of the Brethren in Nigeria 64th annual convention held recently at Jos, Plateau State.

The NCPC boss explained that the Commission decided to introduce ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ in order to relief the Federal and State government from sponsorship of Christians to the Holy Land on pilgrimage. In his words, "Win a Trip to Israel is at no cost to the Federal and State Government". He added "this innovation will make pilgrimage more accessible and affordable".

He further explained that in order to win a trip to Israel, an individual had to purchase a ticket at the cost of 500 naira which would qualify him/her to participate in the raffle draw; the lucky winners would travel to Israel from the money drawn from the sales of the tickets.

Mr. Opara informed that the Commission runs four pilgrimage programmes in one calendar year namely: Easter Pilgrimage, which holds between March-April, Youth Pilgrimage which commenced last year and was held between June and July, Family Pilgrimage in August and Main Pilgrimage in October-December.

He further informed that skills acquisition programme and leadership training had been introduced into the youth pilgrimage programme. He urged church leaders to support youths to be part of the Youth Pilgrimage so that they can benefit from the skills acquisition, which would in turn develop the country and better their lives.

The NCPC helmsman intimated about the Commission's Pilgrims' Saving Scheme which enables intending pilgrims to save for pilgrimage at their own pace.

He further intimated that the Commission has been given approval to build a 15 storey edifice in the central business district called 'Mini Israel' to enable Christians enjoy the Holy Land experience here in Nigeria, adding that the project will be built on transfer arrangement with private sectors.

The President of EYN, Dr. Samuel D. Dali, thanked the Executive Secretary and his management team for coming to enlighten them more on the activities of the Commission and urged his members to participate in the ‘Win a Trip to Israel’ Promo. He added that through this scheme more Christians would visit the Holy Land.