By Abuja, Nigeria
Nigeria has agreed to partner the State of Israel in strategic areas such as security, health, technology among others.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated this when the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman paid her a courtesy visit in her office, at the Tafawa Balewa House, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media (Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs), Dr. Magnus Eze, the discussion cut across defence and intelligence, economic cooperation, consular, religious tourism, bilateral and multilateral relationships, among others.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said Nigeria has so much to learn from Israel in the area of border security management in view of the current fight against insurgency and terrorism in the country.
Eze said Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that these would be possible if Nigeria-Israel Joint Commission was operationalised.
“These kind of initiatives are very significant because we have a problem regarding to first responders. For me, it’s just the beginning of integrating ambulance culture in Nigeria,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
In his response, Ambassador Freeman stated that Israel was desirous of strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria, noting that the move is strategic as the most populous country in Africa.
Ambassador Freeman disclosed that his country was already working with the Federal Ministry of Health for the donation of fully-equipped ambulances to Nigeria.
“We want to donate 50-60 ambulances to Nigeria; starting with about three or four. This is a significant package to save lives. We will also make arrangements to train the people that are going to man them,” the Ambassador stated.
