The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards have held a strategic meeting to map out plans for a safe, orderly, and spiritually rewarding 2026 pilgrimage.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Celestine Toruka, Director of Media and Public Relations, NCPC, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The 2026 Christian pilgrimage would take faithful to Israel and Jordan.
Addressing State Chairmen and Executive Secretaries of the State Pilgrimage Boards, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, said that the safety and welfare of Nigerian pilgrims remained the commission’s top priority.
Adegbite noted that no financial consideration outweighed human life.
Reflecting on the 2025 exercise conducted amidst the Middle East conflict, he assured stakeholders that the commission would closely monitor the security situation in Israel before commencing any airlift operations.
“Safety of pilgrims is paramount. We will not succumb to pressure to fly during war. We will monitor the security situation in Israel before airlift.
“The life of a Nigerian is bigger than money spent; we will continue to remain united because we have God,” he said.
The executive secretary disclosed that the 2026 main pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel was scheduled to run from the first week of November to the last week of December 2026.
He called for unity, prayers, and deep cooperation among stakeholders to achieve greater milestones during the upcoming exercise.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Conference of States, Bishop David Moradeyo, commended Adegbite’s swift and decisive leadership during the 2025 Middle East crisis, which ensured the safe return of all Nigerian pilgrims.
Moradeyo also lauded the management and staff of the commission for their dedication, urging continued synergy between the state boards and the NCPC to build on past achievements. (NAN)
