The Israeli government has reiterated its commitment to partnering with Nigeria in the creation of one million jobs in the country.
The Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, stated this at an official launch of the third Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) programme, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) is an initiative of the Israeli government that raises a generation of young innovators, inventors and researchers in Nigeria.
i-FAIR, is a 6-months program that enables participants to transform ideas into reality by providing technological and educational tools, platforms, guidance, and mentoring by experts from the state of Israel and Nigeria
Speaking at the launch, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman said the Israeli government supports and buys into President Tinubu’s vision of improving and strengthening Nigeria’s economy by creating one millions job for the country.
Israel is happy to partner with President Tinubu’s administration to achieve growth through digital technology. Israel which is the world leader in digital economy and the world leader in attracting investors and also investing in other places. “That’s why we are very happy to be here, I-FAIR program for innovators and entrepreneurs is exactly one of those program that will help to create the one million jobs in a digital economy that will help to create investment and a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs and Innovators and create more jobs, wealth that will improve Nigeria’s economy ”. Ambassador Freeman said
He added that the third face of the programme focuses on job creation as well as investment
“The first two editions of I-FAIR programme provided young Nigerians with mentorship and tools needed to take their ideas from theories to practical. Many I-FAIR graduates now have various businesses with fellow Nigerians contributing to the economic growth of their fatherland. What you can look at here is a brand new Nigerian businesses, brand new entrepreneurs, every entrepreneur from my conversation with innovations say is that you don’t invest in a company, you invest a person. And so that’s what we are going to see with I-FAIR programme. We are going to see people that we have given them the investment, entrepreneur training, the background and all that they need in order to succeed. I think when you look at I-FAIR program in the next five years, ten years or fifteen years, you will see some the leading businesses and entrepreneurs in the country”. He explained
According to one of the Founding partners, Future Africa, Mr. Iyinoluwa Aboyaji, the collaborations between the two countries has been a fruitful one
“This collaboration between Nigeria and Israel has been extremely fruitful, particularly in the area of helping us to commercialize the research and development that comes out from our University. Specifically, the partnership with the Innov8Hub programme, which is incredible; I am delighted with the President’s mandate for a million jobs in digital economy. It is extremely an important mandate, we are not going to get there without the support and knowledge that comes from collaborative partnership from country like Israel”. Aboyaji said.
Mr. Aboyaji, further called on young people to tap into the innovative programme so as to become successful. “I really want to call on Young people to tap into this with all enthusiasm that it required because the support that we have received from Innov8Hub, the support that we receive from the State of Israel simply cannot get away. Its an unbelievable opportunity for you to take your Innovation and skills to the next level, ofcourse, we are waiting on the other side of the fence for those Innovation that make it through, so that we provide them necessary ventures that are required.” He said.
The i-FAIR3 programm is targeted at creating new jobs, and investment by attracting both internal and external investors So far over one hundred Nigerians have benefitted from the programme.
Olusola Akintonde
