CHRISTIANS and travel experts have commended the federal government for the successful signing of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA).
They said the treaty will reduce the cost of travelling to the Holy Land on pilgrimage and empower Nigerian airlines to operate the lucrative route.
Aviation consultant and the CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe, said that with the agreement, it will become easier to travel to Israel because the route would become more open.
Aligbe said that with open air route between the two countries, Nigerian and perhaps Israeli airlines may be designated to operate the route, making the fare to the Holy Land cheaper and less stressful.
He also noted that pilgrims could now travel to Israel anytime unlike now when the Christian community in Nigeria plans to travel at certain periods of the year.
At the diplomatic level, Aligbe said that the BASA is an indication that there is a marked improvement in the relations between Nigeria and Israel.
“The BASA agreement between Nigeria and Israel shows that Israel is beginning to have more confidence in Nigeria and there are a lot of bridge building between the two countries, which was not so in the past,” Aligbe noted.
Former President of Cabin Crew Association of Nigeria, Olu Ohunayo, commended the federal government for facilitating the agreement.
He described the agreement as a good one, remarking that it will enhance cheaper fare to Israel.
Nigeria’s major carrier, Arik Air, also commended the BASA agreement, saying it would be willing to operate the route if so designated.
Also, Medview Airline said that it would be willing and eager to operate in the country.
BEFORE embarking on pilgrimage to Jerusalem last Wednesday, President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly ordered a probe into the scandal surrounding the purchase of two bulletproof cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at the outrageous price of N255m and for the use of the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah. Ms Oduah should of course have resigned since last week in order to save the Jonathan presidency embarrassment over the scandal, but public officials in this clime hold on to office tenaciously and are loth to resign their appointments when they fall short of public morality.
Instead of resigning, the Aviation minister has opened up herself to public scorn, and investigations by both chambers of the National Assembly and the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Rather than die down, the scandal expectedly worsened as the minister headed to Jerusalem ostensibly for matters connected with aviation. It was speculated that during the trip she might take the opportunity to get the ears of the president. This column cannot independently confirm that objective. The president it was learnt, however, sensibly avoided meeting the minister in Jerusalem.
Indeed, it would have been better if the president directed someone else to represent Nigeria in the signing of an air agreement between Nigeria and Israel. Given the weight of the allegations against her and the controversy she has triggered, Ms Oduah had no business going to Jerusalem either for secular or non-secular reasons. She ought to have stayed back in Nigeria as a modest form of the deep contrition that ordinarily becomes the office of a minister of any decent country governed by laws, including this federal republic.
President Goodluck Jonathan will today leave for Israel on a pilgrimage.
The president, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, will also meet with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset,during the pilgrimage.
Talks between President Jonathan’s delegation and Israeli government officials, the statement said, are expected to focus on the enhancement of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel in trade, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, communications, culture, education and tourism.
The President is also billed to meet with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas.
Jonathan, who will be accompanied by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof Viola Onwuliri, and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, will undertake a tour of some locations in Israel which are revered by Christians because of their association with the earthly mission of Jesus Christ.
He may also meet and interact with some Nigerians who are already on a pilgrimage to Israel.
The statement, however, denied reports in the media that he is leading 19 governors and about 30,000 Nigerians to Israel.
It said the reports are misrepresentation of facts.
The statement said: “Irrespective of President Jonathan’s visit, thousands of Nigerians visit Israel annually during the pilgrimage season which goes on for months and they will undoubtedly do so again between now and early next year.”
“It is entirely fortuitous for some of these Nigerian pilgrims therefore that their visit to Israel this year will coincide with President Jonathan’s.”
President Jonathan is expected back in Abuja early next week.
Hadur Travel and Tour has unfolded its eight-day package for religious pilgrimage to Israel. The pilgrimage is for those interested in a private spiritual experience. Hadur also said it has a two in one package that involves a tour of Israel and Rome all in a single pilgrimage.
In a release, the head of the travel agency, Mrs. Funke Taiwo, said the tour will start on October 31 and end of November 7.
“Our Israel is aimed at putting together a tour offering a rewarding spiritual pilgrimage packages. It offers a less stressful, easy to manage pilgrimage. It is packaged in such a way that each day counts and the pilgrims have once in a life time spiritual experience,” she said.
According to the release, the pilgrimage kicks off on October 31 with the arrival of the pilgrims at the Ben Gurion International Airport. After the reception at the airport, the group will visit the local basilica built on the location of Simon the Tanner’s house where the impure animals’ vision took place.
The second day starts with a drive to the Yardenit Baptism site located on the banks of the Jordan River. There is also a drive to Haifa, the beautiful Baha’I Gardens to view the unique design, combining geometrical shapes and exquisite detailing with loving conservation of natural and historic landscape features. The pilgrims would then continue for a scenic drive of the Carmel. There will be an overnight stay at Tiberius.
Other itinerary of the pilgrims will include trip across the Sea and a drive around the western shores to visit the pilgrim shrines of the NW shores.There will be a visit to the Mt.of Beatitudes, the scene of the Sermon on the Mount. There will also be a visit to Nazareth and an overnight stay at Bethlehem.
At Bethlehem, the pilgrims will visit the Basilica of the Nativity where there will be the opportunity to kneel at the birthplace of Christ in the Grotto of Nativity. Before living Bethlehem, there will be a visit to the Fields of the Shepherds where the angel of Lord proclaimed the birth of the Messiah, the saviour of the world.
There will also be a trip to Jerusalem, including a tour of the Mount of Olives from where Jesus ascended to heaven after his resurrection from the mount. There is a magnificent view over all ancient and modern Jerusalem, the centre of the biblical world. The upper Room also in Jerusalem will be on the card.
At Jerusalem, a tour through the walls of the old of Jerusalem and walk in footsteps of our lord as he bore the burden of our sins to the cross at Golgotha. We visit the pools of Bethsaida where Jesus healed the man who had been crippled for 38 years. The pilgrim will return back to Nigeria on day 8.
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and the state Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards have begun earnest preparation for the 2013 Christian pilgrimage exercise.
The members of the NCPC board and the state chairmen and secretaries of the Christian Pilgrim Welfare Boards across the country converged for a pre-visit to Israel, Rome and Greece for the inspection of hotels, facilities and biblical sites as well as bid opening and evaluation for interested ground handlers who had earlier submitted their bids for 2013 pilgrimage exercise.
In his welcome address at the Marada Suites, Matanya, Israel, where the chairmen and secretaries were lodged, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), who is also the Chairman of the NCPC Board, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh thanked God for the safe trip he granted all delegates who had come from different states.
He urged the NCPC board members, staff and delegates of the CPWBs to carefully inspect the hotels that would be visited in order to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims are given the best.
The NCPC chairman carefully spelt out the bench- mark and the pre-requisitie for the hotel inspection and advised the delegates not to compromise standards because, according to him, “we want to be sure that the hotels are well checked.”
The last batch of the 2013 Easter Christian pilgrims has arrived in Abuja, bringing to an end the second Easter pilgrimage which began in February.
The exercise was conducted by the National Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC).
The first Easter pilgrimage was introduced in 2012 to give states that could not meet up with the deadline for payment of the October-December pilgrimage the opportunity to benefit from the exercise.
President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Captain Caleb Olubolade, urged the pilgrims to continue to pray for the success of the present administration.
Minister of State 1 Foreign Affairs Prof. Viola Onwuliri thanked God for the safe return of the pilgrims and assured that government would continue to embark on policies that would make its people happy.
Prof. Onwuliri also commended the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara and his workforce for their commitment.
In his remarks, Mr. Opara described pilgrimage as a tool for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth.
He said the Easter pilgrimage exercise would continue to grow in leaps and bounds, even as he urged the pilgrims to live a transformed life by impacting positively on their immediate communities.
A total of 18 states with a combined total number of 3,130 pilgrims were airlifted during the Easter Pilgrimage exercise.
Out of this number, 83 Christians sponsored themselves to the Holy Land.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has flagged off the maiden Easter pilgrimage. The event was held at the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Deputy Speaker commended the leadership of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) for doing a wonderful job. He urged the Executive Secretary to continue striving for excellence by bringing about innovations in the running of the affairs of the commission.
Ihedioha, who was the distinguished guest of honour at the event, congratulated the pilgrims from Benue and FCT for making it to the holy land.
Ihedioha advised the intending pilgrims to be of good conduct and good behaviour while in the Holy land.
During the inspection tour of the ATLASJET Aircraft, the Air carrier used by NCPC for the Easter pilgrimage exercise, RT. Hon. Ihedioha stated that he had examined the Aircraft and was satisfied by the preparations put in place by NCPC.
The House Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, also commended the NCPC for its giant strides.
She stated: “We are very impressed; we have pushed them beyond pilgrimage; we have oversighted them well. The NCPC has done well”.
The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs, Senator Christopher Babajide Omoworare, stated that the NCPC was able to put a lot of caution in place in the choice of the aircraft that would fly the pilgrims.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, stated, in his welcome address, that the pilgrimage to Israel is an injunction. His words: “We affirm the promise of our God that many nations, including Nigeria, shall come to Jerusalem and be blessed Zach 8: 22 – 24. He added that David also stated in Psalms that blessed is the man whose heart is on pilgrimage”
Mr. Opara further affirmed that “NCPC is that bridge between the Christians and the Government to translate these biblical words into concrete reality as far as pilgrimage is concerned”.
The NCPC boss assured that the Commission had concluded all arrangements for a smooth operation as the Ground Handlers were ready in Israel and the Air carriers are also ready to ensure a smooth airlift of the intending pilgrims.
He explained that pilgrims could not go to Rome during this exercise because of the recent development in the Vatican which would lead to the election of a new Pope. He assured that once a government is enthroned in Vatican, the commission would resume normal pilgrimage to Rome.
He averred that it is his hope that God will use the pilgrims as agents of transformation. His words, “I believe that if you go to Israel and become morally and spiritually transformed, you will in turn affect many more people and in less than no distant time, millions will be morally and spiritually transformed and our country will be a better place”.
The NCPC helmsman who intimated that the commission would be airlifting about 3, 000 pilgrims under the Easter pilgrimage exercise and would round off the operation not later than 28 March, 2013. He further stated that the Commission initiated the biannual pilgrimage exercise last year and would commence family pilgrimage next year.
In his own remarks at the event, The Chairman of NCPC, The Most Revd. Nicholas .D. Okoh, stressed that his board had often emphasized on spirituality. He described pilgrimage to Israel as a kind of visual aid and religious education where pilgrims would come in physical contact with the Holy sites. He urged them to shun all evil tendencies and come back rejuvenated and transformed.
The FCT minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide was at hand to bid farewell to the FCT Pilgrims.
Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba, the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, gave the opening prayers while Rev. Williams Okoye gave the exhortations at the colourful event.
The Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine kasujja Prayed and blessed the Aircraft. In his prayer; “God bless those who organize this pilgrimage, May this be a moment of new resurrection, God will protect all who travelled in this Aircraft”.Amen
A total of about 386 pilgrims were airlifted during the first batch of the Easter Christian pilgrimage exercise made up of Benue and FCT pilgrims.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, has said that 2013 Easter pilgrimage exercise would kick off on February 25.
Mr. Opara disclosed this in his office recently while addressing newsmen during a press briefing.
He stated that one of the setbacks witnessed by the commission was the flood incident that prevented 10 states from taking part in the 2012 pilgrimage exercise, adding that arrangement has been put in place to airlift them during the Easter exercise.
He said about 2,650 pilgrims are expected to take part in the exercise and provision has been made for other self-sponsored pilgrims to join in the exercise.
The NCPC boss also affirmed that 2012 Christian pilgrimage was a huge success as the commission recorded zero abscondment. He stressed that the success recorded was possible because of the thorough screening procedure the commission introduced.
He further stated that the aim of the exercise was to enable Christians who go on pilgrimage to encounter God personally which should in turn transform their lives morally and spiritually. In his words: “We want people to go and they will come back spiritually and morally transformed which they will in turn impact on the lives of the people for a better society.”
The NCPC helmsman equally stressed that pilgrimage is not for leisure where comfort is assured, but a spiritual exercise where pilgrims are given the essentials and are allowed to experience life as Christ did as much as possible. According to him, “our pilgrimage is not tourism. It is not a journey for comfort, but a spiritual journey to remind us of whom we are , where we were coming from and where we are going to.It is a journey of a life time.”
The Executive Secretary regretted the death of a pilgrim from Adamawa which he said was most unfortunate. He further stated that but for the loss of one pilgrim, the commission would have recorded a zero-mortality rate during the last pilgrimage exercise. However, he assured that the medical team would always do their best to ensure that zero mortality of our pilgrims is maintained and sustained.
While fielding questions from newsmen in the course of the press conference, Mr Opara spoke on the need for Christians to understand that luxury and comfort are not the basis for pilgrimage exercises, but rather an opportunity to encounter Christ. He was reacting to issues raised regarding a dissatisfied self-sponsored pilgrim during the last exercise. He stated that the issues raised by the complainant were being looked into. He added that looking at the nitty- gritty of pilgrimage package, minimal comfort is all that is needed as the exercise is a spiritual journey and not tourism.
The NCPC boss assured intending pilgrims that the government of Nigeria and Israel would do all within their powers to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the Easter exercise and would not put them in any situation that would endanger their lives.
He called on journalists to partner with the Commission in creating awareness on the importance of embarking on pilgrimage exercise and the positive impact on the people.