The executive secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Tor Uja on Monday solicited for the support and assistance of the minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Geoffery Onyema, in the activation of Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) signed in 2013 between Nigeria and the State of Israel.
Uja, who called for the assistance when he paid he visited the minister in his office in Abuja explained that because of the non activation of BASA, pilgrims have to fly for long hours due to absence of a direct flight from Nigeria to Israel. His words,” we will like that you assist us to put this agreement through”.
While appreciating the minister and the entire ministry for their support to Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria, he revealed that NCPC has been in partnership with the ministry for a long time without conflict.
The NCPC boss also commended the good work the Embassies that are critical to our pilgrimage process have been doing.. He equally thanked Mr President for supporting Christian pilgrimage despite the present economic meltdown.
He solicited the assistance of the minister in the area of capacity building for staff of NCPC and pilgrimage operators..His words.” we will like a situation where we can receive some degree of training”.
Rev. Uja told his host that he would want pilgrims who go on pilgrimage to achieve three major objectives:: spirituality, to build a more nationalistic spirit by exposing them on the way and manner the Israelis project their country and defend their critical infrastructure and to expose them to more productive elements of life.
Responding, the Foreign Affairs minister, Dr. Onyema said he considered it a rare pleasure to partner with NCPC. He assured that training of NCPC staff and pilgrimage operators should be explored.
He explained that the spiritual dimension of pilgrimage is very important but should not be an end in itself. He equally posited that pilgrims should be able to add value on their return from Holy pilgrimage.
On the activation of BASA, he canvassed for further dialogue and negotiation between his Ministry and the Ministry of Transportation which also include Aviation in order to make it possible.
