2024 Christian pilgrimage to cost N4.9m –NCPC
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has announced that intending pilgrims for the 2024 pilgrimage exercise to Israel, Jordan and other holy sites will be expected to pay N4.9 million each.
It, however, announced that the figure might come down if the expected financial intervention from the Presidency is received to support the operations and the exercise, as was the case with Hajj exercise.
Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, disclosed this to journalists at a press conference, in Abuja, on Friday.
He said that preparations for a seamless 2024 pilgrimage exercise has been completed and assured that the 2024 pilgrimage exercise would go on as planned, adding that plans are being made for the participation of 40,000 to 50, 000 persons in this year’s pilgrimage exercise.
He said: “Ahead of this year’s Christian pilgrimage to Israel, NCPC recently convened a seven-day retreat/pre-visit for special pilgrimage leaders, managers and other stakeholders in Nazareth, Israel with the theme: Enriching Christian Pilgrimage Experience for Satisfaction.
“Although the objective of the pre-visit/retreat was to enhance the experience of Christian Pilgrims from Nigeria as well as to take far-reaching decisions on issues including abscondment, we also agreed on new things to incorporate into the pilgrimage.
“The key decision is that NCPC is set to incorporate Agricultural skill acquisition especially for youths into the pilgrimage experience. This is with a view to getting first-hand knowledge of Israel’s globally acclaimed agriculture sector and how to replicate it in the country. “We see a lot of potential benefit in ensuring that our people tap into the Israeli ecosystem and its value chain. We also had several engagements with relevant Israeli individuals and government representatives as regards the 2024 pilgrimage exercise.”
