About 3,500 pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Imo states, among others, are to be airlifted from Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo, for this year's Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel.
The Secretary of the Nigerian Pilgrims Welfare Commission, Abuja, John Okpara, who disclosed this on Friday when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Godswill Akpabio in Uyo, said this was due to the modern and standard facilities at the airport, which had made it one of the best in the country.
Okpara, who described the airport as world-class and a model in terms of best practices and standards, further stated that Christian pilgrims from some neighboring states would be airlifted this year from the airport to Greece and Rome for the same pilgrimage.
He announced that the commission had successfully negotiated a rebate with the Federal Government, which had ensured a reduction by 12 per cent (N358,000) to Rome and 23 per cent (N425,000) to Greece respectively. He said pilgrimage had restored family values as well as shaped leadership attributes.
The Punch