Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Image: Reuters.
The Israeli government said direct flight operations from Israel to Nigeria will start in March to increase trade and tourism between both countries.
Addressing journalists at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem on Tuesday, the Deputy Director-General of the African Department, Sharon Bar-Li, said the route is expected to be very busy and would serve not only Nigerians but also Israelis and some West African neighbors.
“We are going to see a boost because right now, there is no gateway for Israel into Africa”, NAN quoted.
Recalling her stint as Ambassador to Ghana, Bar-Li noted that the lack of a direct flight makes commuting difficult, however, when the Israel-Nigeria route becomes operational, there will be “a huge change.”
She also expects business to flourish as people “will be able to come and go easily.”
Bar-Li described Jerusalem as a free place where both Nigerian Christians and Muslims visit on pilgrimage, adding that she looked forward to welcoming Nigeria's
Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika for the inaugural flight of the Israel-Nigeria route.
“Jerusalem is a sacred place for free religions, not just to Christianity, Judaism, but also to Islam where people come to mount to do little hajj.”
Technology and Agriculture.
Asked if Israel as a global agricultural innovations hub plans to help Nigeria achieve food security, especially in areas devastated by desert encroachment, Bar-Li responded that Israel has so much to offer based on her long range of experience.
In another development, Bar-Li assured that the State of Israel was ready to help Nigeria build its economy through technological innovations and manpower development.
She said towards that end, Israel has set up one of her sustainable development programs, the MASHAV’s Innovative Hub (Innov-Hub) in Abuja for aspiring researchers.
“This is to create cohorts of young entrepreneurs, and a network that can contribute to their economy, and their communities, with Israeli support.
“This is the direction we have been taking for several years in Africa, the MASHAV laboratory outside Abuja," Bar Li said.
Explaining further, the deputy director general, Public Diplomacy at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Emmanuel Nachshon, said, unlike other countries, the Israeli model focuses only on helping countries build their systems through partnership.
“What is unique about Israel is that we have no colonialist past, so it means we come with clean hands. These results are successful and they contribute to humanity,” he said.
Travels. Science and Technology.
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