Overview
Israel Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Uriel Palti, has said there was need for Israel and Nigeria to have confidence in the safety of their citizens in both countries. Palti, who stated this when he was hosted to a dinner by a law firm, Kenna Partners, in Lagos recently, expresses his heartfelt appreciation to the Nigerian people for the hospitality so far shown on him, stating that himself and wife felt at home with the warmth with which Nigerians received them. He added that the experience was the same when he visited the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.
He noted that Israel was one of the most important countries to Nigeria, stating that his job was to “strengthen that relationship in terms of trade and commerce.” The Israeli envoy revealed that he had already met various Nigerian leaders within his short stay in the country.
The newly-appointed ambassador commended the law firm for Kenna Partners and spoke glowingly of the Israel Embassy’s long-standing relationship with the firm. In the same vein, the wife of the ambassador, Professor Ayelette Palti, stated that they really felt at home in Nigeria and expressed their desire for greater collaborations between Nigeria and Israel. She added that for this to materialize, perceptions from both sides must be changed. She added that it would be wise to also improve cultural relations.
The envoy’s wife then spoke briefly about her pet project aimed at caring for autistic children – a project which she intended to work on with the medical service providers in Nigeria.
In the opening remarks, a former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Christopher Kolade, welcomed Palti and his family to the country and expressed satisfaction at the cordial relationship that existed between Israel and Nigeria. He assured them of a more conducive environment in which to discharge their duties, as he shared some of his experiences and memories as the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Kolade advised that there should be continued collaborations between the two countries and wished them success in assignment. The event had distinguished dignitaries such as Professor Pat Utomi, Managing Director of Sahara Energy, Mr. Tonye Cole and his wife, Sylvia in attendance.
Other guest in attendance included the Company Secretary of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Olajumoke Bakare, Mr. Folu Ayeni, Vice-Chairman, Tantalizers Plc and its Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Bose Ayeni. Also in attendance were the Managing Director of First World Communities, General Tunde Reis (rtd.), Managing Director of JNC International, Mrs. Claire Omatseye, Dr. Kenny Acholonu, Managing Director of Bio-Organics Limited also graced the event; as did Mr. Pollie Okonkwo, Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Partners and Senior Associates of Kenna Partners amongst others.
