Israeli Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Harps on Innovative Technology As Panacea For Development.

By Ferdinand Olise

The Deputy Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Sharren Haskel, has underscored the importance of innovation, technology, research and entrepreneurship, especially where it concerns young people.

Speaking in Abuja at a Press Conference at the Innova8 Hub, Haskel said investing in Nigerians in the Israel’s iFAIR programme is a bridge building for collaboration.

“Israel is a country known for its entrepreneurship, for its innovators, for its innovation. It is the ultimate startup nation. Nigeria has a young, innovative, exciting population”,she said.

The Israel’s iFair programme is an avenue for entrepreneurs to find their aspirations, stick to their dreams and soar high in their enterprise, innovation and research.

Under the visionary collaboration between the Embassy of the State of Israel in Nigeria, the iFAIR programme has become a blazing trail that ignites the flames of enterprise across the nation, positively shaping young Nigerian innovators and entrepreneurs, providing them with mentorship and skills from Israelis and Nigerians so that they can develop their business, build the Nigerian economy, provide jobs so that young Nigerians can observe and harness their future within Nigeria, and not to look abroad for their future.

Haskel also underscored the need for adequate investment in innovative technology as a means of addressing insecurity. While briefing Journalists on the sidelines of a high-level bilateral engagement during her working visits to Nigeria, she said Israel’s investment in Nigeria through the Innovation Fellowship for aspiring Inventors and researchers, iFARE, and other platforms have further deepened collaborations between Nigeria and Israel.

According to her, Israel is collaborating with Nigeria in various fields, which she said is evident in its bilateral relationship with Nigeria, and will continue to deepen relations with Nigeria through people-to-people, parliament-to-parliament, and government-to-government levels.

She further stated that Nigeria is a place of incredible inspiration, where there is an opportunity for the wonderful, creative, and inspiring people of Nigeria to harness their skills with innovative technology, and make their dreams come true.

“This is is not just about developing for yourself, but for your country as well”, she added.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Mr. Sonny Echono, commended Israel’s support towards advancing innovation in Nigeria in order to drive national growth.
He noted that government patronage through sustained funding, and citizen support in harnessing innovative products in Nigeria will help boost revenue, and re-invest in product development.

In his welcome address, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Michael Freeman, said that they work hand-in-hand to enhance research and innovation by supporting researchers and entrepreneurs through the iFAIR programme, and providing them with best possible services and hands-on support to develop technology solutions.