NCPC boss
commends President Jonathan on Okeke - Assures Nigerians of safety of pilgrims
in Israel
The Executive Secretary of the
Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kennedy Opara has
commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for appointing an ambassador to the
Vatican.
Mr Opara who made this commendation recently
in his office during an interview with newsmen explained that the appointment of Ambassador
Francis Okeke as the first Nigerian ambassador to the Vatican by Mr President
was commendable.
He thanked President Jonathan for
considering it worthy and noble to appoint an ambassador to the Holy See. The
NCPC helmsman, who just returned from the Vatican, was among the Federal
Government’s delegation to the official presentation of letter of credence to
Pope Benedict XVI by the new ambassador.
According to him, the respect and
dignity accorded the Nigerian delegation was wonderful, as special guards of
honour were mounted for the members of the delegation. Mr Opara explained that
one of the benefits of the appointment of a Nigerian ambassador to the Vatican
was that it would help to facilitate all consular issues for effective
pilgrimage activities for Nigerian pilgrims while in Rome.
He stressed that before now the Nigerian
ambassador to Spain used to oversee Vatican as part of the countries under his
supervision which was not too palatable and convenient in terms of prompt
attention to consular matters. Adding that during the NCPC State of Readiness
visit to Rome with chairmen and secretaries of states Christian Pilgrims,
Welfare Boards in September, 2012, that the new ambassador was on ground with
his officials to receive members of the delegation at the Fulmicino Airport,
Rome.
According to Mr Opara, the
Nigerian ambassador to the Vatican, Ambassador Okeke presented a souvenir of
the Nigerian brochure to Pope Benedict XVI after the formal presentation of his
letter of credence at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.
The country for long has a representative of
the Pope, known as Apostolic Nuncio of Nigeria. The appointment of the Nigerian
ambassador to the Vatican was long overdue. With this appointment, Nigeria now
has balanced diplomatic ties with the Vatican. Ambassador Okeke, hails from
Anambra State.
The formal presentation of the letter was
attended by his wife, children, other members of his family and the Federal
Government’s delegation. Meanwhile, Mr Opara has assured Nigerians of the
safety of the pilgrims in Israel who are currently performing the Holy
Pilgrimage.
The NCPC boss disclosed this recently in Abuja
while briefing newsmen in the wake of the face off between Israeli authorities
and the Palestinians. Mr Opara explained that the clarification became
necessary in order to allay the fears being entertained by families whose
relations are on pilgrimage to Israel.
He stated that in line with the
calendar of activities of the commission, the NCPC flagged off the airlift of
intending pilgrims to Israel, Rome and Greece on 25, October, in Lagos with
about 314 pilgrims for the inaugural flight.
According to Opara, since the
flag off this year’s pilgrimage operation, close to 5,000 pilgrims had been
airlifted so far and about 4,000 have returned home safely. In the words of the
executive secretary, “we want to emphasise that our pilgrims are safe and
secure”. He added, “We want to make sure that they are spiritually fulfilled
and satisfied”. Mr Opara further assured Nigerians with these soothing words:
“I want to tell Nigerians that everything is under control, I will continue to
do what it takes to make sure that no lives were lost”, he stressed.
He expatiated that the commission
had put a lot of security measures in place through its Security Sub-Committee
to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. According to him, such security measures
he explained include cancellation of pilgrims’ movement to Sinai and Palestine
areas. He stated that the commission was also in constant touch with the ground
handlers to direct them accordingly as events unfold. Mr Opara was also quick
to state that with the truce brokered between Israeli authorities and the
Palestine through a ceasefire agreement, recently, there was no cause for alarm
as tension and anxiety in the area had relaxed. Mr Opara also affirmed that the
commission had maintained zero abscondment in the last few years and this
year’s exercise would not be an exception
