Buhari orders immediate action on Nigeria, Israel BASA
In order to ensure a perfect bi-lateral relationship and pilgrimage operation by Nigerian Christians to the Holy land in Israel, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate activation of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed in 2013 with the State of Israel.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, John Kennedy Opara, disclosed this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja, at the departure of Niger, Kaduna and Adamawa pilgrims to the Holy Land under the NCPC Easter pilgrimage programme.
According to the NCPC boss, the activation of BASA would enable the pilgrims to fly direct to Israel thus reducing the long hours of flight.
Mr. Opara during the occasion, commended the governor of Niger State, Alhaji Sani Bello for being the first governor from the North Central to sponsor pilgrims to Israel for the Easter pilgrimage.
He hinted that apart from the spiritual benefits of the Holy pilgrimage, the Commission was partnering with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture to train the pilgrims on Agriculture under the skill acquisition and leadership training programme of the Commission.
He stressed that the Commission is using pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth.
He further commended President Muhammadu Buhari, who according to him, “has made it possible for us to be flying by now.”
He enjoined the intending pilgrims to conduct themselves well while in the Holy land and should come back as change agents.
His words: “Be good Ambassadors of Nigeria”.
Mr. Opara further urged the intending pilgrims from Niger State to uphold the governor in prayer while in Israel. He posited that “it takes a man who loves God to do what the governor is doing, God will honour you”.
In his remarks, the governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello commended the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission for initiating the skill acquisition and leadership training for pilgrims.
His words: “I am impressed by the Commission for this initiative”.
The governor was highly elated that about 100 of his pilgrims would benefit from the Agricultural Enhancement Scheme of the Commission.
He assured his intending pilgrims that they were in safe hands as the Executive Secretary of NCPC, John Kennedy Opara “is up to the task”.
The governor also admonished them to be good Ambassadors of Nigeria and Niger state while in the Holy Land.
He cautioned them to avoid the temptation of defecting in Israel. He advised them to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and all the leaders of the nation.
NCPC flagged off the 2016 Easter pilgrimage to Israel on 20th March, at the pilgrims’ camp of the Port-Harcourt International Airport. This year’s Easter pilgrimage is the fourth edition since inception.
