The Government of Israel is set to support the establishment of an Innovation Center in Benue State.
This announcement was made by the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi. Ambassador Freeman, who led a delegation to engage in an interactive session with Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia members of his cabinet, and key government agency officials, expressed Israel’s commitment to fostering technological advancement in the state.
Ambassador Freeman revealed that Israel, in collaboration with TETFUND, is working towards the successful launch of the innovation center. He emphasized that the initiative aims to provide training in innovation and skill acquisition, which would contribute significantly to poverty alleviation in Benue State.
Furthermore, he disclosed Israel’s willingness to partner with the proposed #Benue_State_University_of_Agriculture_Science_and_Technology_Ihugh, to acquire cutting-edge equipment for training instructors. This, he explained, would ensure that knowledge and technological expertise are effectively transferred to younger generations. He reiterated his belief that empowering people through education and technology is more impactful than providing direct aid, which may not always be fully appreciated by beneficiaries.
The Ambassador also underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration in achieving development goals. He affirmed his dedication to working closely with Governor Alia and the people of Benue State to drive meaningful change. He expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation during their visit.
In his response, Governor Alia described the meeting as a transformative moment for Benue, noting that Israel’s success in sustainable development serves as a model for the state.
He highlighted Israel’s advanced security systems and called for a partnership in areas such as security technology, intelligence sharing, capacity building for security personnel, and border protection. According to him, a secure Benue is a prosperous Benue, and his administration has already taken proactive measures by establishing the Bureau for Homeland Security to strengthen the state’s internal security framework.
Governor Alia also reiterated that agriculture remains the backbone of Benue’s economy, just as innovation is central to Israel’s agricultural revolution, and expressed optimism that leveraging Israel’s expertise in agricultural technology could transform Benue’s vast arable land into a hub of agricultural innovation.
He extended an invitation to Israeli agricultural experts and investors to collaborate with his administration in areas such as drip irrigation, water-efficient farming techniques, advanced seed technology, crop improvement, post-harvest storage, and value addition to reduce food waste.
The event featured presentations from commissioners and key agency heads in the state, as well as the symbolic draping of the Israeli Ambassador in traditional Tiv attire. Following the meeting, Governor Alia led the Ambassador on an inspection tour of the Bureau for Benue Agro-Industrial Processing and Economic Transformation, Benue State Quality Assurance, and Benue State University, Makurdi, to explore potential areas of partnership.
Kehe Hon,
Information Officer,
Government House Makurdi.
