Expected to sign BASAPresident Goodluck Jonathan is scheduled to lead over 30,000 Christian pilgrims to participate in this year Christian pilgrimage which would commence on October 19.
The president, while in Israel, is expected to sign the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the State of Israel.
The president would be accompanied by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, alongside some governors and deputy governors.
This is as the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) promised the safety of the pilgrims that would visit Sinai, in Egypt.
The Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, while briefing journalists in Abuja yesterday, urged all the pilgrims to pray for Nigeria to overcome its security challenges.
“Our belief is that if Nigerians go on pilgrimage and are morally transformed, they would pursue peace and all the enemies of peace would be defeated,” he said.
He added that the commission was fully prepared for the exercise while working with Israeli and Egyptian authorities to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
Opara said the airplanes to be used have been certified by engineers from Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Speaking on security especially due to the restiveness in Egypt, he said the commission was working with Egyptian security authorities.
“The coast is clear, but we if feel any threat at anytime, we would cancel the tours to Sinai. Recall that last year, we cancelled tours to Sinai region because we felt there would be undue exposure,” he added.
Over 30 per cent of this year’s pilgrims are self-sponsored, Opara disclosed.
Source: Thisday
