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August 8, 2013

Jonathan to participate in pilgrimage to Israel – NCPC

Jonathan 

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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