Uja intimated the acting ambassador that the commission targets
about 20,000 to 25,000 pilgrims in the 2016 pilgrimage exercise.
Nadav Goren discussing collaboration with leaders of the United Methodist Church of Nigeria
The Acting Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Nadav Goren, has pledged to boost the existing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the State of Israel, according to a statement.
The
statement signed by Mr Celestine Ogugua, Head of Media, Nigerian
Christian Pilgrims commission (NCPC), and made available to newsmen
Thursday in Abuja, said that Goren made the pledge when he paid a
courtesy visit to the NCPC boss, Rev. Tor Uja.
It
said that the diplomat informed Uja that the reason for his visit was
to have an introductory meeting to strengthen the cooperation.
The
statement quoted the ambassador as saying that he would have a meeting
with all consular officers in NCPC and the Israeli Embassy, on how to
fast track visa issuance to pilgrims.
It stated
that the acting ambassador also welcomed the agricultural initiatives
being canvassed by NCPC, in which youths on pilgrimage would have the
opportunity of learning from Israel's rich experience.
It
said that he assured NCPC’s boss that the Bilateral Air Service
Agreement (BASA) with the State of Israel would be given accelerated
push through the legal department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Aviation.
According to the statement, Uja
informed the ambassador that he recently had fruitful discussions with
officials of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on pilgrimage
issues, especially on visa.
``We have the leaders of the pilgrimage movement in Nigeria and they should be given one year visa.
``This will help in the organisation of pilgrimage if visas are issued to last for at least one year.
Uja intimated the acting ambassador that the commission targets about 20,000 to 25,000 pilgrims in the 2016 pilgrimage exercise.
It said that NCPC boss also urged the Israeli authorities to step up the issue of direct flight from Nigeria to Israel.
``We believe that if the BASA agreement is activated, it will reduce the long hours on board.
``We will love to reduce the cost of pilgrimage so that more people can go on pilgrimage,’’ Uja was quoted as saying.
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