He provided this assurance while addressing the third batch of pilgrims who arrived in Abuja from various states on Monday. Reverend Pam confirmed that the first flight, scheduled for Tuesday night, will proceed as planned.
He further revealed that both the Federal Government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NCPC, have been closely monitoring the situation in Israel. He added that a final decision regarding the planned visit to Israel will be made after a three-day tour of the holy sites of the Old Testament era in Jordan.
He said, “We have faith but we are not replicating Daniel’s entry into the lion’s den; the Federal Government is monitoring the situation and we are in touch with Israeli authorities so we are quite optimistic.
“A private group of 70 Nigerian Christian Pilgrims just arrived Israel today (Monday) and a batch from Lagos state is returning aboard an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft, the third and last batch for the year will leave on Tuesday night and arrive Jordan the following morning; thus far, there is no cause for anxieties and authorities in both Jordan and Israel are in touch with us.
“Those who genuinely feel some anxieties should note that the ongoing conflict is around Gaza in the very southern part of Israel but all the places that Christian pilgrims visit are in the northern parts of Israel; we now have clean records of no abscondment and pilgrims use the opportunity to collectively pray for Nigeria,” Pam stated.
He said the Federal Government and authorities in both Israel and Jordan are now actively dealing with the issue of pilgrims who leave without permission. Such problems are rare now, and anyone acting suspiciously will be sent back to Nigeria immediately. Those who act as sureties will also have to pay fines.
He encouraged all Christian pilgrims to pray for Nigeria's peace and progress during their nine-day visits to holy sites in Jordan and Israel emphasizing the importance of reflecting qualities like patriotism, forgiveness, and generosity.
