Israel Approves Scholarships and Agricultural Training for Benue Youths to Enhance Food Security

The Government of Israel has approved a package of scholarships and hands-on agricultural training opportunities specifically for youths from Benue State, in a strategic partnership aimed at boosting food security, modernizing farming techniques, and building long-term skills development.

Rev. Fr. Michael Melladadu, Chairman of the Benue State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, disclosed the development while hosting members of the State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, led by Chairman Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, on February 25, 2026.

According to Melladadu, the agreement emerged from high-level discussions he held with Israeli officials during a recent Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem. While in Israel, he explored avenues for collaboration beyond traditional pilgrimage activities, leveraging the country’s global reputation in advanced agriculture, education, and hospitality services.

“I told them I had gone through their profiles and saw they are running hotels, schools and are also deeply involved in farming. So I asked, where do we come in as a state? They asked what we wanted,” Melladadu recounted. He specifically requested scholarship slots in Israeli schools and practical farm training for Benue youths, with the goal of transferring cutting-edge agricultural techniques back home to improve productivity and food security.

Israel has agreed to sponsor five young Benue indigenes during each pilgrimage exercise for apprenticeship-style training on Israeli farms. Arrangements are already underway to select the first batch of beneficiaries.

Melladadu expressed strong confidence that the initiative would significantly enhance agricultural output in Benue, as returning trainees are expected to replicate modern, efficient farming systems across communities. The program aligns with broader efforts to address food insecurity in Nigeria’s “Food Basket” state, where agriculture remains the backbone of the economy but faces challenges from outdated methods, insecurity, and limited access to advanced knowledge.

In related remarks, Melladadu outlined plans to strengthen the financial independence of the Pilgrims’ Welfare Board. He has proposed establishing a modern kindergarten school on part of the Board’s large designated land parcel as a revenue-generating project. The proposal has been presented to Governor Hyacinth Alia, with the chairman stressing the need to reduce over-reliance on government funding.

“It will not be right for this Board to rely solely on government sponsorship. We must create sustainable sources of income to support our operations,” he said. Drawing from his previous experience in Port Harcourt, where a parish-based school generated substantial annual revenue, Melladadu believes a similar model in Makurdi could position the Board for long-term financial self-sufficiency while serving underprivileged children through subsidized access and attracting investor support.

Despite acknowledging infrastructural challenges at the Board’s current office, Melladadu remained optimistic about the future. “Despite the challenges, our dreams are big and we are determined to do better, God willing,” he affirmed.

NUJ Chairman Comrade Bemdoo Ugber congratulated Melladadu on his appointment, describing it as well-deserved and reflective of his record of service and discipline. Ugber also commended Governor Alia for entrusting public institutions to capable hands, noting that the Board has successfully conducted pilgrimage exercises to Jerusalem under Melladadu’s leadership, restoring confidence and renewing spiritual hope among Christians in the state.

The Israel-Benue youth initiative is seen as a promising step toward international collaboration in agriculture and education, with potential to empower a new generation of farmers and contribute to lasting food security gains in Benue State.