The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Tor Uja has disclosed that the Commission would hold Farmers Pilgrimage Conference in July this year. He made this disclosure over the weekend at an official dinner in Abuja organized for the visiting Israeli Special Envoy to Africa, Mr. Gideon Behr, and the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Guy Feldman.
He explained that the Farmers Conference would be done in junction with the Israeli Agricultural experts. He stressed that Israel has advanced its agriculture to the extent that it has become one of the best in the world.
He further explained that Nigeria has the potentials to be great in Agriculture but needs the collaboration of Israeli agricultural experts to achieve this.
Rev. Uja explained that the idea of having the Farmers pilgrimage this year is to expose Nigerian farmers to the agricultural technology of Israel.
The NCPC boss stated that Nigeria is a friend of Israel and Nigerians love the nation Israel. He therefore canvassed for increased partnership between the two countries. His words, “it is important to build on what we have.”
Rev. Uja stressed the need for Bilateral Air Service Agreement with the State of Israel (BASA) to be signed so that Nigerian pilgrims could fly directly to Israel, thereby saving time on board.
He stressed that pilgrimage should help to increase the spirituality of pilgrims. He called on Church leaders to engage themselves with biblical principles and avoid things that do not have any bearing to Christian faith.
The NCPC boss also hinted that the Commission had entered into a development partnership with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to promote pilgrimage in Nigeria and promote peace in the country.
In his remark at the event, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Guy Feldman stated that Israel as a nation has been blessed with milk and honey though it is a country that is 65 percent desert. He admitted that Nigeria has what it takes to be great in all spheres.
He explained that a week ago Israel celebrated her 69th independence anniversary in grand style with the children of IDP’s in the North East state of Adamawa. He also revealed that the Israeli government had offered 100 of them scholarships.
Also in his brief remark, the Special Envoy to Africa, Mr. Gideon Behr prayed profusely for the well-being of Nigeria. He said he would like to see the private companies in Israel do business with their counterparts in Nigeria and would like to see that pilgrims continue to come to the Holy land on pilgrimage.
The official dinner was organized by NCPC in honour of the two Envoys. Some members of Board of NCPC and top management staff joined the Executive Secretary, Rev. Tor Uja in hosting the two Envoys.
