Prof. Vincent Anigbowu, the Director General, National Institute for Transformation, has urged Nigerian youths to emulate Israel in their technological innovations.

He made the call on Friday in Jerusalem at the launch of the first skill acquisition programme organised by the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) for Nigerian youths currently on pilgrimage to Israel.

Anigbogwu said that such a step would help toward developing and building the nation.

He added that the programme was not just for pilgrimage and spiritual experience but would expose the youths to the innovative ideas that helped Israel to develop over the years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 130 Nigerian youths were taken to a fish farm that produced 120 tonnes of fish yearly for consumption within Israel.

The director-general said “every year, this farm produces 120 tonnes of fish that is all consumed within Israel.

“We are happy to bring our youths, not just to see how this particular farm has progressed from conventional fish farming that can only produce one kilogramme of fish, but enough to feed israelis.’’

He explained that the skill acquisition programme was self-sponsored, adding that the sustainability was determined by how many people and organisations were ready to sponsor the youths.

He commended the idea of learning and developing the youths to make them entrepreneurs, creators of job and wealth, rather than employment seekers.

He encouraged organisations and family members to help sponsor the youths so as to engage them positively toward nation building.

He said “the idea is to develop our youths and make them entrepreneurs, creators of job and wealth not people that depend for livelihood.

“I call on relatives and organisations to sponsor them so that the youthful energy is diverted positively toward nation building.’’

In his reaction, Uzi Benasher, an Israeli labourer in the fish farm said that the technology was acquired from Heinz company in Holland.

Benasher said that the farm was operated through biological system and the water used was regularly treated to protect the fish against bacteria.

“We got the technology from Heinz company in Holland; we use the biological system to farm and we treat the water to avoid bacteria,’’ Benasher said. (NAN)