Saudi Arabia has provided 98 projects in Nigeria totaling $47,194,210 in food security, health, early recovery, sanitation and hygiene education, and charity support, according to Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria.
Alghamdi, addressing during the handover of 50 tons of dates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, stated that this demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to giving relief to the people of Nigeria.
“Over the years, the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), has been providing necessary humanitarian assistance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in different fields; the most recent is the execution of Et’am 3 Initiative in March 2024 through distribution of food baskets to 5606 beneficiaries in Kano, Jigawa, Katsına, Borno and Abuja, at the cost of $400,000.”
While portraying Nigeria as a kind and brotherly country, he stated that the two countries have strong cultural and religious links that will soon blossom into a business relationship.
He went on to clarify that the dates are part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ yearly humanitarian and relief aid to a number of friendly countries, including Nigeria.
Furthermore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centers (KSRelief), held a medical diagnostic campaign in Abuja, Kano, and Lagos in the fourth quarter of 2023, providing free medical services to Nigerians.
“This and other agreements indicate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to improve bilateral relations between our two nations at all levels, and the Kingdom will continue to provide all necessary humanitarian assistance and support to Nigeria.
Amb. Murtala Jimoh, Deputy Director of the Middle East and Gulf Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claimed that Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia will go beyond religious pilgrimage to encompass business and economic connections. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered 50 tons of dates given by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of natural disasters around the country.
Speaking at the official presentation of the dates fruits, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed confidence in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which he believes is more knowledgeable about distribution to the poor.
“As a Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, you know where it pinches more, for us as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have liaised with the Saudi Government, we received these cartoons of fifty tonnes of dates and this is a formal handing over,” Lamuwa stated as he handed over the gift.
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