The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has assured that no Nigerian pilgrim to Israel will abscond during the 2025 pilgrimage.

Adegbite gave the assurance in a statement after leading a delegation of House of Representatives members and ground handlers to a meeting with Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement, signed by Mr. Celestine Toruka, Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations at NCPC, was released on Tuesday in Abuja.

The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Jerusalem, focused on strengthening ties between Nigeria and Israel.

“I am assuring that the Commission will maintain zero abscondment of Nigerian pilgrims in Israel and uphold transparency in its dealings,” Adegbite was quoted as saying.

He thanked the Ministry for its support in providing a safe environment for Nigerian pilgrims and noted the participation of about 100 House of Representatives members in the Executive Pilgrimage, describing it as a milestone that should continue in the future.

Responding, Tania Berg-Rafaeli, Director of the West and Central Africa Division at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commended Adegbite for his leadership and praised Nigerian pilgrims for their good conduct.

She also pledged to work with the Nigerian Embassy in Israel and NCPC to deepen bilateral relations, adding that a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between both countries could be considered. (Nigerian Tribune)