The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) on Sunday said it is considering postponing the Easter pilgrimage exercise to Israel due to the coronavirus disease spreading across countries.
Rev Kasali and Mrs Kwaghe
The NCPC made the consideration in Abuja, during the Board and Management retreat, aimed at discussing the operations of the Commission in 2020.
Rev Yomi Kasali, Chairman, NCPC, said that the commission is being proactive to consider the Easter operation due to the coronavirus and the commission is monitoring actively event around the holy lands.
”As a matter of fact, we have suspended Easter pilgrimage exercise and a communique on the suspension would be issued, it has nothing to do with faith, we have to flow with the nation.
”The situation is beyond us and the president has to give us directives as well, we must do things for the interests of Nigerians only.
”For instance Israel is on lock down, if the country we are visiting is on lock down, what can we do? We have to hold on till things improves.
”If Israel says don’t come due to the coronavirus disease, it doesn’t make sense that we start taking our people there. But we will continue to monitor situations and outcomes would be communicated,” he added.
Mrs Esther Kwaghe, Acting Executive Secretary, (NCPC), noted that the Commission would continue to do it’s best to ensure that the pilgrims exercise is carried out effectively without hitches.
Kwaghe the Director in Charge of the Commission added that only desperate people who wants to make it over night tries to escape during pilgrimage.
”Our search light are on to avoid abscondment during pilgrimage and we are working as a team to ensure that as soon as the coronavirus disease is curtailed we will update Nigerians.
NAN reports that the NCPC had earlier in the year announced 18th April as the date to commence the 2020 Easter pilgrimage exercise to Israel. (NAN)
