By Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam has said the airlifting of Christian Pilgrims from Jos to Jordan would reduce the hardship being faced by pilgrims from Jos, who usually had to travel under severe risks to Abuja.

A statement by his media aide, Ayuba Pam, quoted, Rev. Pam as stating this while on a Live NTA programme in Jos Network Centre Friday night.

He said the challenge of travelling from far distances to Abuja was exposing pilgrims to dangers of insecurity and health-related issues.

On why Jordan and not Israel, the ES said Jordan has many holy sites as well as Israel.

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He said there are more than 100 holy sites all over the world and by the mandate given to the Commission by the 2007 Act of Parliament that established it.

Rev. Pam said the decision to embark on the Jordan pilgrimage was due to Israel’s insistence on Nigeria to accept her version of the Covid19 vaccination; and the war in Gaza which will provide security challenges to pilgrims.

He said the purpose of pilgrimage is to invoke the spirit of God upon the land and the people and not for mere tourism.

He said just as Moses couldn’t enter the Promised land when he viewed it from Mount Nebo in Jordan, the lesson for the pilgrims to draw from this is for them to strife to make heaven and not otherwise.

On Direct flight to Jordan, the NCPC boss praised the efforts of the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong for mustering the political will to see that pilgrims to the Holy land are airlifted from the Jos airport.