- Accuses Israel of being “a rogue genocidal state”
A pro-Islamic group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), on Wednesday appealed to the Nigerian Federal Government, Stage government and their Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to resist the temptation of doing business with Israel and cease all relations with the Jewish state.
MURIC, in a statement by Professor Ishaq Akintola, its Founder/Executive Director, frowned at a deal between Nigeria and Israel’s Foreign Ministries involving 40 startups in the country, arguing that “any business deal with Israel is a romance with a terrorist state.”
No fewer than 40 startups will participate in the fourth phase of recruitment under the Innovate8 initiative, a technology hub backed by the Israeli government which has so far supported 132 innovators and is aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and venture creation in Nigeria.
Innovate8 serves as a centre for startup incubation, technology transfer, prototype development, and skill acquisition.
It operates as a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation with a mandate to drive socio-economic growth and human capital development through creativity and innovation.
The statement described the startups “as vehicles of deception from a rogue genocidal state.”
According to the statement by MURIC: “Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel-Harpaz, Monday announced her country’s startup initiative in Abuja. Sharren, who spoke in the presence of officials of the Nigerian Foreign Ministry said the initiative will involve forty startups.
“MURIC hereby expresses strong reservations about this deal. It suffers from acute desertification of conscience. It is morally wrong for Nigeria to sign any business deal with Israel at a time the Zionist state is at loggerheads with the rest of the world. Israel has defied the United Nations. The genocidal state mocks all 193 member countries of the UN.
“As we speak, Israel has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians between 7th October and today. Christians have been killed inside churches, children and women form majority of Israel’s victims. Landlocked Palestine is being starved to death. The fundamental human rights violations of Israel are astounding.
“Doing business with Israel at this moment is akin to dancing on the graves of those innocent women and children massacred by a belligerent, war-mongering and recalcitrant state. Every single sheqel from the Bank of Israel is blood money.
“MURIC appeals to the Federal Government, states and parastatals to resist the temptation of doing business with Israel. We charge Nigerians to shun Israel’s money and its genocide-infested businesses. Any business deal with Israel is a romance with a terrorist state.”
Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel-Harpaz said the programme has attracted significant foreign investment.
Haskel-Harpaz commended Nigerian youth for their creativity and resilience, describing the initiative as a bridge-building effort between Israel and Nigeria, not just at the government level but among people.
She said, “With today’s announcement of additional funding from the Tech Fund—amounting to several million more invested into this initiative—we’re excited to open the programme to 40 startups, doubling our previous capacity. These startups can now apply for a new round of support and internships.
“I warmly invite Nigeria’s brilliant and creative minds to seize this opportunity. With space for 40 startups instead of 20, more of the country’s top innovators will have the chance to bring their visions to life.
“To learn the skills on how to develop it and how to produce what they want to advance humanity, and to advance your country. I think that this is part of what we are talking about. The relationship, the government to government, people to people.”
The deputy minister emphasised the broader goal of building stronger connections between nations through shared innovation and collaboration.
The upcoming fourth cohort marks an increase from previous recruitment rounds, each of which selected 20 startups. This phase is being supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Ministry of Communications.
As part of its expansion plans, Haskel-Harpaz also confirmed that discussions are underway to establish a new Innovate8 hub in Lagos.
She described the move as part of ongoing negotiations with the Minister of Communications and Innovate8 to broaden the reach of the initiative across Nigeria.
She said the success of the programme so far shows great potential in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, recycling, building, and fashion, adding that the sky is the limit for innovation in Nigeria.
