August 8, 2013
Jonathan to participate in pilgrimage to Israel – NCPC
President Goodluck Jonathan will participate in the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage to Israel.
The Executive Secretary, Nigeria
Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John Kenndy-Okpara, said this when he
visited Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State in Lafia on
Wednesday.
Kennedy-Okpara said this was the first
time a Nigeria President would be participating in a Christian
pilgrimage to the Holy land.
He said the president had requested that
pilgrims from Nasarawa State should accompany him considering the
proximity of the state to the Federal Capital Territory.
The NCPC boss said allocation had been
given to the Nasarawa State Government to sponsor 350 pilgrims to
accompany the President on the journey.
Kennedy-Okpara said the Federal
Government had subsidised the exchange rates per dollar to N146 for all
intending pilgrims (both Christians and Muslims) for this year’s
pilgrimage.
He explained that pilgrims to Israel
would enjoy 12 per cent reduction, while those going to Rome and Greece
would have 20 per cent reduction.
According to him, the reduction is to enable pilgrims, who are spiritually-rich but materially-poor, to embark on the trip.
Al-Makura said his administration accorded premium to religious harmony and would continue to promote such virtue.
He said apart from increasing the number
of government sponsored-Christian pilgrims, the state government would
also support them with robust packages to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
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