The Anambra State Pilgrims Office has welcomed the lifting of the suspension on Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC).
The Executive Secretary of the NCPC, Rt. Rev. Stephen Adegbite, announced the lifting of the ban on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from Jerusalem, following an assessment of the security situation in the Holy Land.
Adegbite said the decision followed three days of monitoring in Jerusalem, which, according to him, showed that the city was sufficiently peaceful and safe for Christian pilgrims.
He, however, said Nigerian pilgrims would, for security reasons, enter Israel through Ben Gurion Airport, while travel through Jordan remained temporarily suspended.
Reacting to the development, the Senior Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Pilgrimages, Mr. Odira Ezeh, described the announcement as welcome news to Christians in the state and across Nigeria.
Ezeh said the Anambra State Pilgrims Office had commenced preparations for the resumption of pilgrimage activities and urged prospective pilgrims to comply with the travel and security guidelines issued by the NCPC.
He assured Christians in Anambra that the state government remained committed to supporting safe and properly organised pilgrimages under the Soludo administration.
Ezeh also urged prospective pilgrims to take advantage of the opportunity while praying for lasting peace in Jerusalem, Nigeria and other parts of the world.
He further expressed hope that pilgrims from Anambra would undertake the journey safely and return home with renewed faith and positive experiences.
