The Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission says it is considering the introduction of online examination for the selection of the federal medical team for intending pilgrims to Jerusalem.

 

The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr. John-Kennedy Opara, said this on Saturday in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen during an examination to select members of the team for the 2012 pilgrimage.

 

He said a change in the mode of conducting the examination was imperative to reduce the risk faced by prospective candidates from different parts of the country, who travelled to the FCT to take the examination.

 

Opara, however, said the challenge of inadequate basic infrastructure such as Internet connectivity and other related facilities had delayed the adoption of the online method.

 

According to him, the commission will adopt the method once it is convinced that the facilities are available and can be accessed by candidates.

 

He said that the NCPC was striving to provide equal opportunity to all qualified Nigerians to participate in the examination, adding that there would be no compromise.

 

Opara urged the candidates that sat for the examination to be courageous and have the fear of God above all things.

 

“I want to encourage you as you embark on this exercise to forget that you are medical professionals and put God first.”

 

In his remark, the Chairman of the team, Dr. Michael Arene, said efforts were ongoing to ensure that the track record of zero death was maintained in the 2012 pilgrimage.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that more than 1,000 candidates sat for the examination while only 300 professionals, including doctors, nurses and pharmacists would be selected.