By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has canvassed for cooperation, prosperity and hope in the Middle East instead of crisis. He said this Monday evening in Abuja while celebrating Israel’s 78th Independence Day anniversary.

Ambassador Freeman stressed also that Israel like every state in the region deserves peace which he said was the founding vision of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, who at independence called for peace and cooperation among nations.

According to him, that vision remains central to Israel’s outlook today despite decades of regional conflicts and security challenges.

He buttressed agreements like the Abraham Accords as demonstrations of the benefits of cooperation and peaceful engagement among nations.

In his own words: “The people of Israel deserve peace. The people of Lebanon deserve peace. The people of the entire Middle East deserve peace.

“It is time to stop allowing Iran and other extremists and outside actors to hold the future of our region hostage. Let the people of the Middle East choose cooperation over conflict, prosperity over violence, hope over hatred.”

Freeman further highlighted the gains of Nigeria–Israel relations, through practical investments capable of improving livelihoods and creating opportunities.

Cooperation between both countries, he said, is already yielding results in entrepreneurship, agriculture, healthcare, education and innovation. “We are expanding cooperation in innovation, agriculture, healthcare, security, education and skills development, not because these are acts of charity. They are investments in a shared future.”

He revealed, in addition, that Israel would support a fifth cohort of entrepreneurship programme in 2027, providing young Nigerian entrepreneurs with mentorship and opportunities to grow their businesses.

The ambassador viewed collaboration in agriculture sector as one of the strongest pillars of Nigeria-Israel relations. He used the occasion to present to guests vegetables that were produced by Nigerian farmers using Israeli seedlings and technology.

He also announced Israel’s gift of 3 ambulances to Nigeria.

“Hold that box for a moment and think about what it represents. Not vegetables, possibility. Imagine that success multiplied across Nigeria. Higher yields, stronger rural communities, greater food security, and millions upon millions of lives improved.

“Today, I am also pleased to announce that the first three fully equipped ambulances donated by Israel are on their way to Nigeria.

“These ambulances will help save lives. But they are more than vehicles, they are a symbol of partnership. They are a symbol of what can happen when countries choose cooperation over division and solutions over slogans.”

Freeman expressed hope that the strength of the relationship between Israel and Nigeria would be measured by tangible outcomes rather than official statements.

At the event, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, congratulated Israel on its 78th Independence Anniversary, stressing Nigeria’s commitment to stronger bilateral relations adding that the two countries share common values rooted in innovation, creativity and development.

Musawa said Nigeria’s growing creative economy presents opportunities for deeper collaboration with Israel in technology, innovation, culture and the creative industries to create economic opportunities for citizens of both countries.

By Felix Umande

No fewer than 50 community elders were abducted on Sunday while attempting to negotiate peace with bandits in Zamfara State, local sources and officials have confirmed.

The elders, from Magamin Diddi village in Magami/Faru Ward, Maradun Local Government Area, were reportedly held captive after traveling into the forest for dialogue with the gunmen.

An indigene of the area, Musa Sani, told newsmen on Monday that residents had agreed to seek reconciliation with the bandits to allow them return to their farms this year.

“The people of the community held a meeting and decided to reconcile with the bandits to allow us to go to our farms this year. But unfortunately, the bandits disagreed with the peace accord and decided to kidnap all 50 elders sent to them,” Sani said.

Chairman of Maradun LGA, Bello Dosara, confirmed the incident on Monday but said the community did not inform local government authorities before initiating the reconciliation process.

“We are against reconciliation with bandits, and we have repeatedly warned our people to desist from such dangerous arrangements,” Dosara said. “Everybody knows that Governor Dauda Lawal is against reconciliation with bandits.”

The chairman explained that bandits had recently blocked all roads leading to the community market in anger over the killing of their members by security operatives. He questioned the decision to meet with aggrieved gunmen seeking retaliation.

“I wonder why the community made the mistake of meeting with people who were looking for whom to kidnap,” he added.

Dosara confirmed that 11 of the abducted elders have since been released by the bandits, while the remaining 39 are still being held in captivity.

Zamfara and other northwest states have struggled with banditry, with state authorities maintaining that dialogue with criminal groups undermines security operations and encourages further attacks.

Terkura Vande in Makurdi

International Alert in collaboration with Jireh Doo Foundation, JDF, has engaged 50 participants in Gwer-West Local Government Area, LGA of Benue State, on environmental protection.

Similarly, the communities in council pledged to check the use of inorganic chemicals for fishing purposes, reduce incidences of bush burning and deforestation.

The engagement was held on the occasion of the World Environment Day, WED, celebration in Naka, headquarters of Gwer-West LGA, and was aimed at sensitising communities on the need to protect their environment as climate change challenges set in.

On the occasion of the WED celebration, International Alert and JDF, also planted over 300 different species of trees in Naka and Aondoana communities, as part of its Powering Peace through Climate Action, PPCA.

Speaking at the event, the Senior Project Officer, International Alert, Kengkeng Ati, observed that “We have 50 participants from Aondoana and Naka communities.

“Today we are commemorating the World Environment Day 2026. The International Alert, in partnership with Jireh Doo Foundation is implementing, what we call Powering Peace through Climate Action. And that project speaks to the environment and the theme Now for Climate.”

While he enjoined participants to engage in practices that do not have adverse effect on the environment, Ati explained that the organisation is using peace building as a tool to resolve conflicts in the area.

“We are carrying out the activity locally. All the issues that Gwer-West is going through are not just about conflict but also Climate change and we have a peace building aspect to it.

“This year’s theme talks about climate action and International Alert, a peace building organization is using peace building as a tool to solve the conflict at the climate nexus”, he stated.

In his remarks, Shom Aondohemba Raphael, JDF, Head of Office in the state, pointed out that the day was set aside to call for action and create awareness in communities.

He observed that “it is no longer news that climate change is here to stay. It is evident by the heat waves and erratic rainfalls. It is a clear indication that times have changed.

“So, JDF, in collaboration with International Alert, funded by the Irish Aid are implementing a peace project that spans through Guma, Gwer-West, Agatu and Makurdi LGAs. The aim is to identify climate issues by the community knowing that no one is coming to do it for them. It is about time, the communities take action”, he noted.

Meanwhile, the paramount ruler in the area, the Ter Tyoshin, HRH, Chief Daniel Abomtse, promised to advise his subjects to desist from practices that would have negative effects on the environment.

He was also excited that International Alert and JDF, have decided to engage communities in his domain on the laudable project.

Represented by the Ortar of Mbajinge, Chief Titus Igbanna, the royal father also promised that the communities in the council will plant more trees so as to boost the enviroment.

Abomtse stressed that “We will also warn our children that are in the habit of using chemicals for fishing to desist forthwith. And anyone that is caught in the act will be dealt with. But we are hoping that they will listen to our advise”, he hoped.