The Supervising Minister for Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri, on Monday signed the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Israel on behalf of the Federal Government.

CEOAFRICA gathered that even as the embattled Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah had gone to Israel to facilitate the signing of the agreement, it was Professor Onwuliri who signed it on Monday.

Professor Onwuliri, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Mr. Zeev Elkin signed on behalf of the State of Israel.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, Professor Onwuliri said the agreement would deepen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Israel and would even boost economy, adding that the agreement would further enhance movement of citizens of both countries, including those on pilgrimage.

In her remarks, Oduah assured that the agreement would enhance the transformation efforts at the aviation sector, which, she said, included targeting immediate commencement of daily flights to Israel.

Seeking Israel’s assistance in the fight against terrorism, Jonathan pledged that his administration would continue to actively combat the menace of terrorism, in partnership with all peace-loving countries of the world.