Israeli government said its airlines would soon commence regular direct flights to Nigeria. Israeli tourism minister, Yoel Razvozov disclosed this in Jerusalem, during a meeting with the executive secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Rev Yakubu Pam, during his visit to Israel.
Razvozor noted that the direct regular flights by a Nigerian airline to Israel would offer intending pilgrims from Nigeria the opportunity to visit the Holy Sites in Israel, which would boost their financial strength. He explained that the initial plan was to operate only chartered flights between both countries, adding, however, that the major focus now is to operationalise regular direct flights between the two countries.
In a statement by the head of media and public relations of the commission, Celestine Toruka, the minister affirmed that Nigeria’s current population of 206 million puts the country at an advantage position as the most populous black nation on the African continent.
He added that Christians constitute about 50 percent of the population of Nigeria, hence the country has a reasonable number of intending pilgrims she can boast of. Razvozor commended the bold efforts of the NCPC boss at repositioning the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Israel through pilgrimage, adding that Rev Pam would be making history when the regular direct flights between Nigeria and Israel kicks off.
