As Israeli ambassador leaves

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the State of Israel, Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu, yesterday presented her Letter of Credence to the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, officially commencing her diplomatic mission in the country.

Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Ufochukwu conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people of Nigeria to the Government and people of Israel.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening the long-standing friendship between both nations.

The ambassador identified trade and investment, agriculture and food security, technology and innovation, defence and security cooperation, and healthcare, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges, as key priority areas during her tenure.

President Herzog, while welcoming the Nigerian envoy, expressed Israel’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria to advance shared interests, particularly in innovation and counter-terrorism.

Meanwhile, Nigeria and Israel have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in security and defence, agriculture and food security, technology and innovation, healthcare, as well as expanding trade between both countries.

The renewed commitment was made during the valedictory visit of the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Commending the ambassador for his successful tour of duty, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said his tenure had further strengthened relations between the two countries and laid a solid foundation for his successor.

She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to deepening collaboration with Israel in critical areas such as counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, information sharing, security financing and capacity building for security personnel.

In his remarks, Ambassador Freeman reiterated Israel’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in innovation, agriculture, healthcare, security, education and skills development.

Describing Nigeria as an “amazing country” with warm and welcoming people, the envoy said sustained engagement remained essential to unlocking the full potential of the relationship between both nations.