The House of Representatives Nigerian Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus (NPIAC) has pledged to deepen diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Israel.
The Chairman of the caucus, Rep. Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta) made the pledge while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the caucus was determined to promote collaboration in areas of parliamentary exchanges, peace building, agriculture, renewable energy, youth development, technology, and innovation.
Ossai said the caucus would also canvass greater global role for Nigeria and ensure promotion of democracy in Nigeria, support for freedom, peace, social justice, rule of law and electoral integrity.
The lawmaker said that the advancement and development of political, military, culture, education, sports, scientific, and economic ties between Nigeria and Israel were of utmost priority.
Ossai said, “The formal inauguration of the Nigerian Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus will be celebrated under the theme: Stronger Together-Forging Ahead.
“This is to help deepen diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Israel and promote collaboration and cooperation in areas of parliamentary exchanges, peace building, agriculture, renewable energy, youth development, technology, and innovation.
“The caucus will also support cooperation in the areas of aviation, security, ensure better parliamentary exchanges, and promote direct flights between Nigeria and Israel.”
According to the parliamentarian, this is to strengthen economic development, trade, investments, and spiritual fulfilment of Nigerians.
The chairman said that the caucus would deploy the instruments of advocacy, faith-based diplomacy, and policy dialogues to support good diplomatic relations with Israel.
Ossai said that the caucus strongly recognised the spiritual importance of Israel to the Christian faith saying that the rebirth of Israel in 1948, captured the imagination of men and women of faith worldwide.
He said that the caucus would work for legislation that prevented anti-semitism or any sentiments against Israel as a nation and Nigeria as a republic.
Ossai said that the caucus would also support the right of the Jewish people to live in Israel, which defined itself as a Jewish State, in peace and security, with the right to defensible borders.
The lawmaker said that the caucus supported the road to peace as a result of direct negotiations between the parties living in the region, as laid out in International agreement.
The chairman also announced that the caucus would hold its inauguration on Tuesday, Oct. 25 to mark the over 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and the state of Israel in Abuja.
He said that the programme would witness the formal inauguration of over 40 national assembly members drawn from across party lines which would be attended by the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria.
Ossai said that there would be representatives from the executive and legislative arms of government, members of the diplomatic community, religious leaders, lovers of Israel and the general public.
The chairman explained that the Israel Allies Caucuses are parliamentary groups, present in over 50 parliaments worldwide including Canada, the United States Congress and the United Kingdom.
He said that it comprised of parliamentarians from a wide range of political parties, various religious or philosophical convictions, ethnic backgrounds, professional orientations, and interests.
“The caucus deploys the instruments of advocacy, faith-based diplomacy, and policy dialogues to support good diplomatic relations with the State of Israel.
“The modern state of Israel is the fulfilment of the prophetic promises of God not just to the land of Israel but to God’s people all over the world,” he added. (NAN)