Presidency denies media reports Jonathan will lead 19 governors to Israel.

The presidency yesterday described as a
“misrepresentation of facts” media reports that
president Goodluck Jonathan will lead 19 states
governors and 30,000 Nigerians on a pilgrimage
to Israel. In a statement in Abuja yesterday, The Special
Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr
Reuben Abati said though the president will leave
for Israel later today for a pilgrimage,
”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”. The statement reads: “President Goodluck
Jonathan will late Wednesday embark on a
pilgrimage to Israel. “President Jonathan will also meet with President
Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and members of the Israeli Parliament,
the Knesset. “Talks between President Jonathan’s delegation
and Israeli government officials are expected to
focus on the enhancement of bilateral relations
between Nigeria and Israel in areas including
trade, economic development, infrastructure,
transportation, agriculture, communications, culture, education and tourism. “The President is also scheduled to meet with the
President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr.
Mahmoud Abbas. “President Jonathan who will be accompanied on
the trip by Senator Emmanuel Paulker, the
Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina,
the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah
Ochekpe, the Minister of Works, Arc. Mike
Onolememen, the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Prof Viola Onwuliri, and the National
Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki will undertake
a tour of some locations in Israel which are
revered by Christians because of their association
with the earthly mission of Jesus Christ. “While the President may meet and interact with
some other Nigerians who are already on a
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” he said