News Investigators/ The State of Israel has recorded the second direct repatriation flight of its citizens from Nigeria.
Israeli Mission in Nigeria described the direct repatriation flight as a milestone in the 60 years of bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel to Nigeria, Yotam Kreiman, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that 45-passengers boarded the flight from Nigeria to Israel.
Mr. Kreiman said that the flight had on-board Nigerian diplomats and citizens on medical urgent matters.
He said that another flight would return to Nigeria, on the same day, with 76-passengers, including Israeli and Nigerian diplomats.
The Deputy Chief of Mission of Israel explained that the flight was put together with the help of Chairman of Air-Peace, Allen Onyeama and some Israeli companies in Nigeria.
“For us, this is a special celebration; we are doing 60-years celebration of the relationship between Israel and Nigeria.
“What is unique about the second repatriation flight leaving today from Lagos-Abuja to Tel-Aviv is that we are strengthening ties by creating a more direct flight in the future.
“We hope to see more direct flights coming up soon where tourists, students, Christians and Muslims can come and visit Israel.
“And, they can go directly in an easier, cheaper and faster way; this is what it means to us.”
According to him, a 16-year-old Nigerian student in need of special blood donation and medical treatment for a brain condition is also on-board the flight to Israel.
He explained that the student’s family member was a match for the blood donation, therefore, his inclusion as a special guest of Israel in the chartered flight.
He noted that despite the challenges posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Israel-Nigeria cooperation was waxing stronger.
He said Israel had donated facemasks and other medicsl supplies to Doctors and Nurses, through partnership with the Ministry of Health, in the bid to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Mr. Kreiman said that Israel, in collaboration with ChabadAid, had also distributed palliatives to IDPs, Mosques and orphanages to cushion the effects of the pandemic. (NAN)
