At 78: Israel Restates Commitment To Peace, Partnership With Nigeria

Israel has renewed its call for peace across the Middle East while unveiling fresh initiatives to strengthen economic, agricultural, and healthcare cooperation with Nigeria.

Speaking at celebrations marking Israel’s 78th Independence Anniversary in Abuja, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said his country remains committed to the vision of peace outlined by Israel’s founding leaders despite decades of conflict and security challenges.

Drawing from a personal family connection to Israel’s founding in 1948, Freeman recalled the words of the country’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, who called for cooperation and peaceful coexistence with neighbouring states at the birth of the Israeli nation.

The ambassador said that vision remains central to Israel’s foreign policy today, arguing that the country has consistently sought peaceful relations despite repeated conflicts in the region.

He pointed to the Abraham Accords as evidence that dialogue and cooperation can transform relationships in the Middle East, creating opportunities for economic growth, innovation and regional stability.

Freeman, however, accused Iran and its regional allies of undermining efforts to achieve lasting peace. He cited recent tensions involving Lebanon and ongoing missile attacks on Israeli communities, saying millions of Israelis had been forced into bomb shelters as hostilities escalated.

According to him, the people of Israel, Lebanon and the wider Middle East deserve a future free from violence and conflict.

“It is time to stop allowing Iran and other extremists and outside actors to hold the future of our region hostage,” he said.

Beyond regional security issues, the ambassador devoted significant attention to growing ties between Israel and Nigeria, describing the relationship as one built on innovation, entrepreneurship and shared development goals.

He announced that Israel would launch a fifth cohort of the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (iFAIR) programme in 2027, providing additional opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs to receive mentorship and business development support from Israeli and Nigerian experts.

The programme, he said, has already helped young innovators transform ideas into businesses capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and addressing societal challenges.

Freeman also highlighted ongoing agricultural partnerships between both countries, noting that Israeli technology and seedlings are already being deployed by Nigerian farmers to improve productivity and food security.

He urged guests to view the agricultural products displayed at the event as symbols of what stronger collaboration could achieve across Nigeria’s farming sector.

“Imagine that success multiplied across Nigeria—higher yields, stronger rural communities, greater food security, and millions upon millions of lives improved,” he said.

In another major announcement, the ambassador disclosed that the first three fully equipped ambulances donated by Israel were on their way to Nigeria. He described the donation as a practical demonstration of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

According to him, the ambulances will help strengthen emergency response capabilities and save lives in critical situations.

Freeman said Israel intends to further expand cooperation with Nigeria in healthcare, education, security, innovation, agriculture and skills development, stressing that such partnerships represent investments in a shared future rather than acts of charity.

Reflecting on Israel’s journey since independence, the envoy highlighted how the country had transformed itself from a resource-poor nation facing severe security threats into a global leader in technology, medicine, cybersecurity, water management and agriculture.

He attributed Israel’s success to its ability to turn challenges into opportunities, saying the same spirit could drive transformative progress through deeper collaboration with Nigeria.

Speeches will not define the future of Israel-Nigeria relations. It will be defined by entrepreneurs who build companies, farmers who increase their harvests, doctors and paramedics who save lives, and young people who refuse to accept limitations,” he said.

The anniversary celebration underscored the growing diplomatic and economic ties between both countries as they seek to expand cooperation in areas critical to development, innovation and regional stability.

The first batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa following renewed xenophobic attacks is expected to arrive in Lagos early Thursday as the Federal Government moves to bring home citizens affected by the violence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that the returnees will depart Johannesburg on Wednesday night aboard an Air Peace aircraft specially designated for the evacuation exercise.

According to the ministry, the flight is scheduled to land at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 5:00 a.m., marking the beginning of what could become a broader repatriation effort should more Nigerians seek to return home.

The government said it has fully funded the evacuation, ensuring that all affected Nigerians are transported back to the country free of charge.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said necessary arrangements have been concluded to receive the evacuees and provide immediate support upon arrival.

He explained that officials from relevant government agencies will undertake documentation and profiling procedures before the returnees are reunited with their families and provided with appropriate assistance.

The arrival of the first batch comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians living in South Africa following reports of fresh xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.

Although South Africa remains home to thousands of Nigerians engaged in business, professional careers and other economic activities, periodic outbreaks of anti-foreigner violence have continued to threaten the security and livelihoods of migrant communities.

Over the years, attacks blamed on xenophobic sentiments have led to deaths, injuries and destruction of businesses owned by foreign nationals, including Nigerians. Similar incidents in 2019 triggered a large-scale evacuation programme by the Nigerian government after widespread violence erupted in parts of South Africa.

The latest evacuation underscores Abuja’s determination to protect its citizens abroad while responding swiftly to emerging threats to their safety.