The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi, has stated that Saudi Arabia has delivered 98 projects in Nigeria valued at $47,194,210 in food security, health, early recovery, sanitation and hygiene education and charitable assistance.
Alghamdi who was speaking during the handover of 50 tons of dates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said this shows the commitment of the Kingdom in providing 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 describing Nigeria as a friendly and brotherly nation, he said the two countries have strong cultural and religious ties that would soon evolve into a business one.
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He went on to state that the dates are part of annual humanitarian and relief assistance presented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to some friendly countries, among which is Nigeria.
“Furthermore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centers (KSRelief) carried out a medical diagnostic campaign in Abuja, Kano and Lagos in the last quarter of 2023, in which different medical procedures were offered free of charge to Nigerians.
“This and more represent the commitments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in strengthening the bilateral relations between our two countries at all levels, and the Kingdom is committed to continue to provide all necessary humanitarian relief and aid to Nigeria.
On his part, Deputy Director, Middle East and Gulf Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Murtala Jimoh, stated that Nigeria’s bilateral relationship with Saudi Arabia is set to go beyond religious pilgrimage to include business and economic ties.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has handed over the 50 tonnes of dates donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for onward distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of natural disasters across the country.
Speaking at the official presentation of the dates fruits, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa, expressed confidence in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which he believes knows better, in terms of distribution to the needy.
“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 said while presenting the item.
