By Ngozi Nwankwo
Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, has lifted the ban on Christian pilgrimage to Israel, with immediate effect.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Bishop Prof. Stephen Adegbite, announced this at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem recently.
The Commission had suspended pilgrimage to Israel in February following the escalation of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
“I promised everyone that I will be here to see what is happening in the Holy Land. I have been here in the last three days. The Holy Land is peaceful. Jerusalem is at peace and will continue to be at peace,” Adegbite said.
“Consequently, the ban on Christian pilgrimage from Nigeria to Israel is hereby lifted from today,” he added.
The Executive Secretary said pilgrims would only be allowed to travel through the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
He explained that the Jordan route remains suspended due to security concerns.
“Jordan is not safe at the moment and the Commission cannot take that risk,” he said.
Adegbite also said all previous pilgrims had returned safely and expressed confidence that the 2026 exercise would be hitch-free.
He offered prayers for President Bola Tinubu, the First Lady, government officials, and for peace across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
“Jerusalem is a chosen nation and everyone who sets foot in the Promised Land shall be blessed, and every prayer offered in Jerusalem shall be answered,” he said.
The NCPC boss noted that the 2026 pilgrimage would proceed as “the Lord has always been our shield and buckler.”
