Nigeria, Israel to set up joint commission

• Bianca seeks support on food security, fight against terrorism, others

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The Federal Government and the State of Israel have considered the establishment of a joint commission that would drive and enhance the bilateral relations between both countries.

Magnus Eze, the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, disclosed this in a statement.

Receiving the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman at the Tafawa Balewa House in Abuja, Ojukwu emphasised that people-to-people contacts make diplomacy effective, while also looking forward to expanding fronts and closer ties between both countries.

The Minister appreciated Freeman for proposing a high-level dialogue in Abuja between the two countries and assured the envoy that both countries would work assiduously to actualise it.

“Israel is reputable in areas of security and counter-terrorism. We look forward to taking it beyond bilateral relations. We would want Nigeria to benefit from Israel’s technology, especially in the area of food security.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is working diligently to improve the life of the poorest of the poor. The target of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs is working to ensure that the poor have access to food and other humanitarian services.

“So, we hope that we can learn more about drip irrigation technology. You know that rice is a staple food here, so we are open to embracing any technology that will make us have rice in large quantities.

“The $250 million volume of trade you mentioned is nothing. We hope that our prospective investors come to Israel and explore export opportunities to the country. We are calling for more collaborations, we are happy that some are in the area of security.

“We are asking for a joint commission so that we can use it to drive and assess our bilateral relations.

“Also, we hope that there could be some bilateral agreement in the area of Nollywood production. It’s a successful industry in Nigeria and we would like collaboration in this sector,” Ojukwu stated.

She further said Nigeria contributed significantly to religious tourism in Israel, hence the need for Nigerians, who had stayed in the country for five years without criminal records to be granted citizenship. 

The Minister also commiserated with Israel over the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, stressing that it was a big dent on humanity.

She expressed hope that after the current ceasefire, tension would be de-escalated and the remaining hostages released.

“When the October 7 attacks happened, for most people it was traumatic. What happened was a terrible stain on humanity. Nobody could have imagined that that kind of situation could have happened in the 21st century. I think that I will start by extending condolences to the State of Israel. I think that this administration clearly accepts that something happened and when we say never again, we hope that the world will do everything to create a more harmonious structure and ensure initiatives that this kind of mayhem does not happen again.

“Truth is that there’s a humanitarian situation in Gaza, so we are desirous of knowing what the future has for Gaza,” she stated. 

Earlier, Freeman said Israel and Nigeria have had a very interesting diplomatic history.

He expressed Israel’s readiness to deepen trade with Nigeria, while collaborating with her in the areas of security, agriculture, health, education and film production, among others.

He congratulated the Minister on her recent appointment, saying he was upbeat that her coming would enliven the relationship between both countries.

Freeman disclosed that the Nigeria-Israel volume of trade peaked at $250 million before the Hamas conflict and expressed the enthusiasm that going forward, it would improve.

He said: “There is an opportunity for a very strong relationship with Nigeria. We’re looking for how we can build strong bilateral relations in agriculture, water management, education and health.

“With drip irrigation technology, we can grow rice anywhere. By next week, I will display that by planting rice in our farm at the embassy. We hope that Nigeria will take advantage of this advanced technology for rice production.

“We hope to do projects in health; advanced surgeries, and malaria. We are doing well in early education. We also have i-FAIR, the highly innovative entrepreneurship mentorship programme in Nigeria. This is a breeding ground for future business leaders and innovators. We have trained 2,000 persons, but hope to double the number. The aim is to have knowledge transfer to Nigerians without necessarily going to Israel.” 

Freeman also disclosed that there was a film co-production agreement between both countries but was “somewhere stuck in the Nigerian system for over one year now. And I am aware that Israel/Nigeria are currently working jointly on a movie project.”

He further said Israel would be happy to have a high level dialogue with Nigeria; “a practical dialogue that will be positive to us.”

He also briefed the minister on the conflict with Hamas, stressing that Israel had no territorial ambition in Gaza.

“Israel has no territorial desire or ambition. We don’t have any plans of staying in Lebanon. We left Gaza in 2005 and we have no ambition to remain there. But, we can’t allow Hamas to control Gaza,” the Israeli envoy declared.