By Philomina Attah
The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has renewed contracts with its accredited service providers for the 2026 pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agreement, aimed at ensuring seamless operations and efficient service delivery, was signed on Monday at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, signed the pact with the commission’s accredited air carrier and seven ground-handling companies.
Adegbite, while reiterating the Commissioner’s commitment to the safety and welfare of pilgrims, noted that the contract extensions followed due process and received the requisite approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
Addressing the current security situation in the Middle East, the executive secretary said the commission was closely monitoring developments in Israel and neighbouring countries before resuming full pilgrimage operations.
He announced plans to personally undertake a security assessment visit to the Holy Land to ascertain the situation before approving the movement of pilgrims.
“While the commission is committed to facilitating pilgrimage, we will never compromise the safety of Nigerian pilgrims, because every life matters,” he said.
Adegbite reaffirmed the commission’s guiding principle of “Service and Satisfaction,” maintaining that the welfare of pilgrims remained NCPC’s highest priority.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the NCPC Board, and staff for their unwavering support, which he said had continued to reposition the commission for greater efficiency.
The NCPC boss also commended the Federal Government and the accredited air carrier for the successful evacuation of 523 Nigerians stranded during the Feb. 8 Middle East conflict.
He lauded the service providers for their professionalism and urged them to continuously improve the quality of services rendered to Nigerian pilgrims.
Earlier in his remarks, the Board Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Cletus Gotan, commended the NCPC management for entrenching transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in its operations.
Gotan, who was represented by Rev. Simon Dolly, Board Member representing the North-Central, praised the cordial relationship between the commission and the service providers, describing it as a reflection of purposeful leadership and effective collaboration.
He urged the service providers to continue to work together in unity, especially amid the recent security challenges in the Middle East.
Gotan further called on stakeholders to pray for President Tinubu and for lasting peace in Nigeria and the Holy Land to ensure a safe and successful pilgrimage exercise.
A representative, who spoke on behalf of the service providers, pledged their continued commitment to delivering efficient, safe, and quality services to the pilgrims.
They also commended the NCPC management for sustaining a transparent, inclusive, and cordial working environment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi