By YANGE IKYAA

The executive secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, has inspected facilities at the Yola International Airport in preparation for the forthcoming 2021 Main Pilgrimage Exercise to Israel, Jordan and Rome.

While meeting with airport officials, Pam said he was in the airport to ascertain the level of their preparedness and to make sure that the facilities are in good shape for the forthcoming pilgrimage exercise.

He revealed Adamaw pilgrims from Adamawa would be the first to be airlifted from Nigeria to Rome, while also explaining that one of the reasons for the meeting was to know the rules and restrictions required for the successful participation of all pilgrims.

The NCPC boss also requested for special assistance from the airport management to allow the commission’s staff into the airport to guide the pilgrims for a smooth and hitch-free operation.

The clergyman commended the efforts of the Governor of Adamawa State had towards ensuring peace and safety of his people.

In his own words, “we must appreciate Governor Fintiri, who is the chief shepherd of the state, because without good leadership there would have been no peace within the state.”

He further praised the elites of the state, to which he said, “where the elites are having political crisis, the enemy of peace steals the opportunity to bombard the state with crisis, but in Adamawa State despite religious, political and ethnic differences, peace has been maintained.”

Speaking at the event, the executive secretary of Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Zidon Love, described the occassion as a noble gathering.

He expressed joy and appreciation to the NCPC head for coming to inspect the airport facilities to ensure that all is in place for the airlifting of pilgrims directly from Adamawa State to holy sites in Europe and Asia.

Earlier, the airport manager, Mallam Dan Musa, who was represented by the airport chief of security (ACOS), Mr. Dali Danawi Jackson, disclosed that there were a few challenges at the airport, but that he was delighted that the state government had promised to address them.

He assured that airport officials would do their best to ensure that the challenges confronting the airport were addressed to enable intending pilgrims to be seamlessly airlifted from the airport.

Mr. Jackson further gave the assurance that the airport officials are ready, with airport perimeters well secured to ensure every pilgrim’s safety.