🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Israel and Nigeria expand cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, and technology
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Israel is expanding its cooperation with Nigeria across various sectors, including agriculture, innovation, healthcare, security, education, and skills development. Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, announced these initiatives during Israel’s 78th Independence Anniversary celebration in Abuja. He highlighted that Israeli technology and seedlings are already being utilized by Nigerian farmers, with Israeli companies operating in the country. The ambassador also announced the launch of a fifth cohort for an entrepreneurship program and the donation of three fully equipped ambulances to Nigeria. Freeman emphasized that these collaborations are investments in a shared future, driven by the potential of Nigerian creativity combined with Israeli innovation. He noted Israel's transformation from a resource-constrained nation to a global technology hub by turning challenges into opportunities. Nigeria's Minister of Art, Culture and Tourism, Hannatu Musawa, congratulated Israel on its independence and reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in culture, tourism, agriculture, innovation, and the creative economy.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Pope Leo arrived in Barcelona on Tuesday, the fourth day of his visit to Spain, to celebrate mass in the Sagrada Familia Basilica and bless its new tower. This new tower has made the Sagrada Familia the world's tallest church. Before arriving in Barcelona, Pope Leo was in Madrid where he delivered a speech to parliament and held an open-air mass for 1.5 million people. He also thanked thousands of volunteers who assisted with logistics and security in the capital. In Barcelona, Pope Leo is scheduled to visit the city’s Gothic cathedral and lead a prayer vigil in the Olympic Stadium later on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he is expected to meet prisoners and visit an abbey on Montserrat mountain before the mass at the Sagrada Familia. The mass will mark 100 years since the death of architect Antoni Gaudi, who designed the still-unfinished modernist masterpiece. After the mass, Pope Leo will bless the Jesus Christ tower, completed in February, which brought the basilica to its maximum height of 172.5 meters. Full completion of the Sagrada Familia is anticipated in approximately a decade. Pope Leo will then travel to the Canary Islands on Thursday and Friday to meet migrants and volunteers, and to honor those who died attempting to reach the archipelago.
The Kwara State Government has expanded its menstrual health awareness campaign to include students with special needs and other vulnerable groups across the state. This initiative, part of activities marking the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, aims to improve access to menstrual health information and encourage open conversations among young people. The Kwara State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with adolescent-friendly non-governmental organizations, organized the program. Sensitization sessions were held at the Kwara State School for Special Needs and Government Day Secondary School, Fate-Basin, involving students who are deaf, blind, have intellectual disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Oladimeji Buhari, the Adolescent Health Desk Officer, stated that this year's commemoration emphasizes male involvement in menstrual health conversations and targets adolescents with special needs to ensure no one is left behind. The program educates adolescents on menstrual health and hygiene, creating a safe environment for discussion without fear or discrimination. A key objective is to help young girls understand menstruation as a normal biological process and to challenge cultural, religious, and social taboos by involving boys in the conversation. Rasheedat Jubril, Principal of the Kwara State School for Special Needs, commended the initiative, highlighting its importance for girls, especially those with special needs. Participants received accurate information on mens
Activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called on the federal government to extend the demolition of properties used for criminal activities to include the mansions of politicians and public officials who embezzle public funds. Sowore stated on his X handle that looting the public treasury is a severe form of kidnapping, as it deprives millions of Nigerians of essential services such as healthcare, education, jobs, and infrastructure. He argued that if the government believes properties acquired or used for criminal activity should be immediately destroyed, this principle should apply equally to all offenders, including those who steal public funds to build luxurious assets. Sowore's comments follow the Oyo State Government's demolition of a building in Ibadan allegedly used as a kidnappers' hideout, which occurred less than 48 hours after the rescue of Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, sister of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and her twin sons.