Nigeria’s Ambassador to Israel, Mr Enoch Pear Duchi has revealed to the 180 Nigerians on pilgrimage to Jerusalem led by Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, reasons why Nigerian Embassy has yet to relocate to Jerusalem despite its recognition by the United States as Israel’s capital.
US President, Donald Trump, on December 6, 2017, announced the United States recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal and ordered the planning of the U.S Embassy in Isreal from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The highly controversial move that critics say threatens the middle-east peace process drew knocks and kudos from around the world, even as the Isreali government gleefully acceded to the development.
But Duchi who received the Esther Ajayi-led pilgrims upon their arrival to the Holy Land disclosed that Nigerian Embassy will not relocate to Jerusalem but will remain in Tel Aviv until the United Nations (UN) peacefully concluded his discussions with Israel and Palestine.
He said Nigeria has to abide with the UN resolution that is currently working on a two-state solution to end the crisis.
“We are only abiding by the UN resolution that the issue of Jerusalem can only be resolved after the peaceful conclusion of the two state solution and that the last discussion will be done by Israel and Palestine. Until then, Nigeria will remain in Tel Aviv.
Amb. Duchi also said that the embassy is always willing to bring Israeli expatriates to Nigeria to train youths in modern agriculture and ICT.
He said, “The Embassy has been and is still ready to organise with interested Israeli organisations to bring in some Nigerian youth to be trained in areas like cyber-security, Agriculture and other sectors, but we will not want a situation where some people will not return home”.
He said that the Embassy could facilitate bringing some Israeli expatriates to Nigeria to train its youth in various fields of human endeavours once such request was sought. He said for Israel to turn a desert to green, Nigeria has a lot to turn from that country. learn from Israel especially in the area of agriculture. He said He commended Mother Ajayi for her philanthropic works in the world especially in Israel.
In her comment, Reverend Mother Ajayi, who was flanked by her husband Reverend. Apostle Ademuyiwa Ajayi, commended the Nigerian envoy for always supporting the Esther Ajayi Foundation any time the Foundation came to Israel on pilgrimage. Mother Ajayi, who is currently in Israel with other 180 people drawn from Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria for the pilgrims, disclosed that the pilgrims came to the Holy Land.
(Additional report from Seraph News)
Seraph Dayo Oyewo. A Journalist/Social Entrepreneur. He loves meeting new people. Favourite Hymn: Ji Okan mi dide layo
