President Goodluck Jonathan will on Wednesday (today) embark on a Christian pilgrimage to Israel.
This was contained in a statement by the
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben
Abati, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Abati said contrary to media reports
that the President would be traveling with 19 state governors and about
30,000 Nigerians, Jonathan would be accompanied by four ministers.
While describing the reports on the
bogus number of entourage as a misrepresentation of facts, the
presidential spokesman gave the names of those in the President’s
entourage to include Senator Emmanuel Paulker; Minister of Agriculture,
Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe;
Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen; Minister of State (Foreign
Affairs), Prof. Viola Onwuliri; and the National Security Adviser, Col.
Sambo Dasuki.
The statement read in part, “While the
President may meet and interact with some other Nigerians who are
already on pilgrimage to Israel, reports in the media that he is leading
19 state governors and about 30,000 Nigerians to Israel are 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.
“It is entirely fortuitous for some of
these Nigerian pilgrims therefore that their visit to Israel this year
will coincide with President Jonathan’s.
“President Jonathan is expected back in Abuja early next week.”
Abati said the President would meet with
President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members
of the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset.
He said talks between Jonathan’s
delegation and Israeli government officials would focus on the
enhancement of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Israel.
The bilateral talks, according to Abati,
will focus on areas including trade, economic development,
infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, communications, culture,
education and tourism.
PUNCH
No comments:
Post a Comment