The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) has confirmed its readiness for the 2025 Easter Pilgrimage, with the inaugural flight scheduled for September 14 at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo State.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, disclosed this in a statement signed by NCPC’s Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations, Mr. Celestine Toruka, and made available to journalists on Sunday in Abuja.
Adegbite said the commission had taken necessary steps to ensure a seamless and successful exercise, including an inspection of the pilgrims’ aircraft in Antalya, Turkey. He noted that the aircraft, an Airbus with 350 seating capacity, belongs to Atlasjet, the airline approved by NCPC for the 2025 airlift.
“The physical inspection of the pilgrims’ aircraft is necessary to ensure that the aircraft meets the required specifications as codified in the contractual agreement between the Commission and the air carrier. The Commission cannot afford to compromise on its set standards,” Adegbite said.
He added that one of the policy thrusts of his administration is adherence to due process, stressing that NCPC would stop at nothing to uphold its corporate slogan of “Service and Satisfaction.”
The NCPC boss further expressed satisfaction with the aircraft inspection and optimism that pilgrims would be airlifted safely and comfortably. He thanked the Executive Director of Atlasjet, Mr. Serkan Yazicioglu, for his commitment to serving Nigerian Christian pilgrims.
In his remarks, Yazicioglu assured that the airline would not compromise on service delivery, noting that safety remains its top priority.
He added that the aircraft, equipped with modern in-flight facilities, would arrive in Nigeria before September 14 in preparation for the inaugural flight to Israel and Jordan.
Earlier in August, NCPC had suspended pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan following heightened tensions in the Middle East.
