The Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) has started the screening of intending pilgrims to Israel to ascertain whether or not they are qualified to perform the pilgrimage exercise.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr John Kennedy Opara, at the exercise over the weekend in Abuja, said every intending pilgrim would have the opportunity to participate in the 2013 pilgrimage, depending on their performance in the basic examination.

"I know you are all prepared. This screening is a normal exercise. If you have taken the examination and have done well, there is nothing that will stop from going to the Holy Land.

"Because the pilgrimage is a Christian exercise, you will be subjected to this basic examination, regardless your status," Mr Opara added.

In his remarks, the Head of Operation, NCPC, Mr Henry Ezike, said the Commission had always screened intending pilgrims for the past four years. "All we are doing is to ensure that the exercise gets better each year."

He added that, "the selection of pilgrims will be done on state basis, which means someone who scores, for instance, 85 per cent may not make it, while an intending pilgrim with 70 from Bauchi will be taken.

He assured that the examination would be marked and the results published on the NCPC website within 48 hours, even as he said only the best of medical personnel would be selected for the exercise.

The candidates were accredited on arrival at the venue of the screening, First Baptist Church, Area 11, Garki, before they were allowed into the examination hall.