President Goodluck Jonathan will today embark on a pilgrimage to Israel.
Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said in a statement yesterday that Jonathan would also meet with President Shimon Peres of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.
According to Abati, talks between Jonathan’s delegation and Israeli government officials are expected to focus on the enhancement of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel in areas including trade, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, communications, culture, education and tourism.
He said the president was also scheduled to meet with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas.
Abati said Jonathan, who would be accompanied on the trip by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, the Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Professor Viola Onwuliri, and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, would undertake a tour of some locations in Israel which are revered by Christians because of their association with the earthly mission of Jesus Christ.
According to Abati, talks between Jonathan’s delegation and Israeli government officials are expected to focus on the enhancement of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel in areas including trade, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, communications, culture, education and tourism.
He said the president was also scheduled to meet with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas.
Abati said Jonathan, who would be accompanied on the trip by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, the Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen, the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Professor Viola Onwuliri, and the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, would undertake a tour of some locations in Israel which are revered by Christians because of their association with the earthly mission of Jesus Christ.
Stella Oduah is already in Isreal to sign the Air Bilateral Agreement with Israel, the reason she was absent from the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting
He added: “While the president may meet and interact with some other Nigerians who are already on a pilgrimage to Israel, reports in the media that he is leading 19 state governors and about 30,000 Nigerians to Israel is a misrepresentation of facts. Irrespective of President Jonathan’s visit, thousands of Nigerians visit Israel annually during the pilgrimage season which goes on for months and they will undoubtedly do so again between now and early next year.”
President Jonathan is expected back in Abuja early next week.
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