The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission has signed an agreement with two carriers that have been selected to participate in the 2016 Christian pilgrimage exercise.
The signing ceremony took place at the NCPC corporate headquarters in Abuja recently.
NCPC chairman, Primate Nicholas Okoh, admonished the airlines to respect the agreement and avoid court cases, because NCPC represents the Church and would fulfill its duties of meeting up with the agreement.
He also stated that they should ensure that the aircrafts designated to airlift the pilgrims are in good shape, in order to ensure the safety of pilgrims, as the Federal Government has implore the commission to ensure the safety of Nigerians who embark on the exercise.
NCPC executive secretary, Rev. Uja Uja, intimated the selected carriers that the commission is set to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims gets the best treatment and comfort they deserve, and therefore charged the airlines to live up to expectations.
According to him, “NCPC is not indebted to any airline and as such, the favour should be reciprocated.”
While urging them to ensure that Nigeria’s identity is reflected in every activity related to the exercise, even to the souvenirs that would be distributed during the pilgrimage operations, Rev. Uja reiterated that Christian pilgrimage has reached a stage where it should provide returns for the country.
His words, “We have come to a time where Christian pilgrimage must provide a platform for tackling crime and providing returns for the country.”
The cleric also urged Nigerians, especially the youth to see Nigeria as a great country, where great things abound, rather than searching for greener pastures in other countries.
Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, affirmed that her duty is to represent and serve the people, saying, “I am here to ensure that Nigerians get what they deserve.”
She also stressed that the airlines should not jeopardise the agreement and should try to ensure a long lasting relationship between the two parties.
The air carriers selected to participate in the pilgrimage operations are: AtlasJet Nigeria Limited, a Turkish airline and Izy Nigeria Limited, a Nigerian carrier.
