Strongest hint yet of Nigeria-Israel direct flight in Nov.

• Air Peace chief talks up readiness

The strongest hint yet that direct flight between Nigeria and Israel could happen as soon as November has been given by Yakubu Pam, executive secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) and Allen Onyema, the chief executive of Air Peace.

The direct flight could take off by the end of November, Pam said, while Onyema spoke about the readiness of his airline to kick off direct flight to the pilgrimage country.

Pam, receiving Michael Freeman, the Israeli ambassador to Nigeria, and Onyema, in his office in Abuja, said the commission would promote direct flights to Israel.

“Having a direct flight to Israel by a Nigerian airline will curtail the issue of high expenditure and reduce abscondment,” Pam said.

He added that it would reduce the cost of flight drastically. “Our joy is that our own person, a Nigerian, will be the first to have this opportunity to airlift pilgrims directly to Israel.”

He expressed gratitude to the ambassador for considering it imperative to pay a courtesy visit to NCPC for the first time, barely nine months since assuming office.

“We are very humble to receive you here in your capacity as one who represents the entire country of Israel in Nigeria,” Pam said, while stressing that NCPC was set up primarily to coordinate and supervise the movement of Christians to Israel and other Holy places around the world.

Pam commended the ambassador for his zeal and doggedness in charting a way forward for Christian Pilgrimage and also applauded Onyema for his national humanitarian interventions.

Ambassador Freeman thanked the NCPC boss for all his efforts in advancing the cause of Christian Pilgrimage in Nigeria. He expressed delight over working with the NCPC. “We have a true partnership to grow together,” he said.