The Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, H.E, Makram Queisi has promised to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Jordan.
He made the disclosure on 2nd April, 2023 in his office in Amman, Jordan while playing host to the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam who paid him a courtesy visit with some of his management staff.
The overtly elated Minister of Tourism told the NCPC boss his country attaches so much importance to the relationship both countries share, stating that the relationship between Nigeria and Jordan was deep rooted.
He stressed he had enjoyed excellent relationship with Nigeria not only on religious matters, but in other areas of life.

He explained their are many holy sites in Jordan and prominent among them were the five important locations for christians approved by the Vatican.
He assured the NCPC boss of his willingness to collaborate with the Commission in the area of cultural exchange, medical tourism, farming agricultural programmes , visa procurement within a short space of time, issuance of multiple visas and ensure the safety of the Nigerian Pilgrims.
According to him,” we are so pleased to have this relationship. I will be glad to pay you an official visit in Nigeria because we need people to reconnect with our history, especially in Africa.”
In his response, the Executive Secretary Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Rev Dr Yakubu Pam hinted that the NCPC Act of 2007, empowers the Commission to coordinate and superintend pilgrimage activities to the holy sites in Israel, Rome and Greece.
He stated that under his leadership he was able to commence pilgrimage exercise to Jordan in 2021. He explained since 2021 about 7,000 Nigerian Christian pilgrims had visited Jordan excluding private sponsored Pilgrims.

He congratulated the Tourism Minister for his well deserved appointment .
In the words of the NCPC boss,” I believe in your tenure, the Ministry of Tourism will move to higher heights”.
He further spoke on the need for cultural exchange between Nigeria and Jordan. According to him,” we are here to build more bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Jordan”.
He solicited for a renewed security control for the Nigerian Pilgrims, especially with a view to discouraging abscondment.
He requested the Jordanian Minister of Tourism to review the duration days for the procurement of Jordanian visas for Nigerian Pilgrims.
He further canvassed for multiple visas for pilgrimage leaders and Nigerian officials to enable them travel to Jordan with ease.

The NCPC boss informed his host that the Commission would strive to leverage on the strength of Jordan by exploring its rich agricultural potentials, investments, farming agriculture for youths, medical tourism for the aged in Nigeria as well as cultural exchange and educational opportunities.
Rev Pam assured the Minister that Nigeria would continue to learn from the inter- faith harmony which had been entrenched in Jordan.

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Nigerian Pilgrim Commission and Jordanian Tourism Ministry Set to Strengthen Bilateral Relations