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Plateau Government, Israel Strengthen Partnership in Agriculture, Technology, Medicine
The Plateau State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Israel in agriculture, technology, and medicine to drive economic growth and development.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang stated this during a courtesy visit by the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, at the Old Government House, Rayfield, Jos. He noted that Plateau and Israel share similar climate and topography, presenting opportunities for collaboration.
The Governor mentioned his administration’s strategic focus on agricultural transformation, aiming to boost food production and position the state as a major export hub.
“In many respects, Plateau State and Israel have similar weather patterns and topography, and we are blessed with abundant natural resources. Our priority is to enhance the agricultural sector, not just for local consumption, but for global exports as well. However, we recognise the challenges in storage and preservation, and we are eager to leverage Israel’s expertise in these areas to maximise productivity,” the Governor stated.
He also emphasised the importance of livestock development, adding that Plateau State stands to benefit significantly from Israel’s advanced techniques in animal husbandry and dairy farming.
In the health sector, Governor Mutfwang reiterated his administration’s plan to establish a Faculty of Medicine at Plateau State University, Bokkos, stressing the crucial role Israeli expertise would play in achieving this vision.
“Developing our capacity for medical tourism is a key priority for us. Plateau State’s favourable climate already offers natural health benefits, but with the right infrastructure, we can become a destination for world-class medical care. Israeli innovation in medical technology will be instrumental in making this a reality,” he added.
On security, the governor condemned the abduction of Israeli hostages by Hamas, drawing parallels with the security challenges in Plateau State. He expressed hope that engagements with the Israeli delegation would provide insights into strengthening security measures in the state.
In his remarks, Ambassador Freeman highlighted Israel’s groundbreaking agricultural technologies, particularly drip irrigation, which has revolutionised farming by increasing crop yields while reducing water consumption.
“Drip irrigation has transformed agriculture, especially in water-scarce regions. For instance, in rice farming, this method cuts water usage from 5,000–6,000 litres per kilogram to just 1,500 litres. Implementing such innovative solutions in Plateau State will enhance food security, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and drive economic development,” Ambassador Freeman stated.
He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and technology transfer, adding that the partnership would unlock new opportunities for growth and prosperity in Plateau State.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment from both parties to explore concrete steps towards implementing these collaborations to ensure long-term benefits for the people of Plateau State.
Lingzhi Global Nigeria Ltd. has announced plans to hold the second edition of the Coffee Festival International Nigeria in Calabar, Cross River State, from October 30 to November 1, 2026, as part of efforts to promote coffee production and expand opportunities across the value chain.
The festival, organised in collaboration with the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria, NACOFTAN, will be held under the theme, “Coffee Sustainability and Empowerment: Focusing on Women and Youth Development,” with emphasis on skills development, community development and job creation.
The Chief Executive Officer of Lingzhi Global, Mrs. Blessing Nanman, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, saying the event would bring together coffee stakeholders, investors and international participants to explore opportunities in farming, processing, packaging, marketing and export.
“Farmers have gone to work. Some processors are already at the verge of breaking through. This is the time where we want to invite all investors, partners and international organisations to support us in the coffee industry,” Nanman said.
She said the maiden edition attracted participants from different countries, while the 2026 festival is expected to draw representatives from about 30 countries. According to her, the event would further define opportunities within the coffee value chain and encourage local consumption of coffee.
Nanman said Lingzhi Global was also expanding its coffee business through the establishment of coffee shops, noting that the outlets had become platforms where communities, families and people from different backgrounds could connect over coffee.
She said Cross River was selected to host the second edition because of its potential for coffee production and the state government’s efforts to expand cultivation through the distribution of millions of coffee seedlings.
Speaking on the forthcoming festival, Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, commended Lingzhi Global for its role in promoting coffee and tea development in the state and for working with stakeholders to strengthen the sector.
He said the company had contributed efforts to improve farmers’ access to seedlings, knowledge and markets, describing its partnership with the state as important to the development of the coffee value chain.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Lingzhi Global, organisers of the International Coffee Festival, and NACOFTAN,” Ebokpo said.
The commissioner said the festival would give Cross River greater visibility as a coffee-producing destination while creating opportunities for women and young people to participate in the industry.
“This is also an opportunity for us to use the festival as a platform to create jobs for our people, particularly women and youths, while providing them with opportunities to learn more and develop their skills,” he said.
Ebokpo said the coffee industry extends beyond farming to processing, packaging and export, stressing that young people could create businesses and develop their own brands by participating in different stages of the value chain.
He said Cross River has about 23,000 square kilometres of arable land suitable for coffee development and has the agro-ecological advantage of producing both Arabica and Robusta varieties. He added that the state plans to distribute at least 30 million coffee seedlings over five years.
President of NACOFTAN, Dr. Hassan Usman, said the festival would provide an opportunity for Nigerian stakeholders to exchange knowledge and technology with international players in the coffee industry.
“The Coffee Festival is not only Nigerian in inclusion, but international. We have people coming from Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya and all the countries. The globe will be around with us,” Usman said.
Usman also commended Lingzhi Global for taking stakeholders across the country and beyond to gain knowledge in coffee processing and marketing, saying the company had played a critical role in connecting Nigerian stakeholders with international opportunities.
He said stakeholders would use the gathering to strategise on strengthening the coffee value chain and changing the narrative around coffee production in Nigeria, while calling for greater participation from government agencies, investors and other stakeholders.
The 2026 Coffee Festival International Nigeria is expected to bring together farmers, processors, roasters, investors, experts and other stakeholders from Nigeria and abroad for three days of knowledge-sharing, networking and promotion of the coffee industry.
The streets of Jos echoed with a simple message on Saturday: peace is everyone’s responsibility.
As part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of Peace, the Women for Positive Peacebuilding Initiative (WOPPI) joined other peace organisations for a peace walk from Old Airport Junction to Secretariat Junction Bridge.
Holding placards calling for unity, dialogue and peaceful coexistence, participants took the message of peace to the streets and into the public space.
This year’s International Day of Peace, observed on September 21, is themed “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.” The United Nations says the theme highlights the role of ordinary people as “everyday architects of peace.” (United Nations Peacekeeping)
For WOPPI Executive Director, Lantana Abdullah, the message is particularly important for Plateau, a state with a history of violent conflicts.
She said peace cannot be left to government or security agencies alone. Every citizen, she stressed, has a role to play.
“Every citizen residing in Plateau or beyond Plateau or in Nigeria must play their part in making sure we sustain and build enduring peace for everyone.”
Abdullah urged citizens to choose dialogue over confrontation, report responsibly and speak up when they see issues capable of threatening peace.
She also challenged negative narratives about Plateau, pointing out that people continue to live, work and build their livelihoods across the state despite its troubled past.
For WOPPI, women must also be at the centre of this process. The organisation works to strengthen women’s voices, train them as mediators and involve them in preventing and resolving conflicts within their communities.
The walk therefore carried more than placards. It carried a reminder: peace is not something people wait for others to create. It is something communities build—one conversation, one intervention and one peaceful choice at a time.
And in the words of this year’s global message, that investment must happen for everyone, everywhere, every day. (United Nations)
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