The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made a generous donation of 100 tonnes of dates to Nigeria, aimed at alleviating the suffering of distressed citizens. The donation, facilitated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, underscores the close bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
Ambassador Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented the dates in Abuja on Friday, emphasizing the commitment of both countries to strengthening their ties. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s significant contributions to Nigeria, including the implementation of 98 projects valued at over $47 million in critical areas such as food security, health, sanitation, hygiene, education, and charitable assistance.
Murtala Jimoh, Deputy Director of the Middle East and Gulf Division at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, received the donation on behalf of the Nigerian government. He expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that the dates would be distributed to Nigerians in need, particularly victims of natural disasters and those in internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps.
Jimoh further emphasized the expanding scope of the relationship between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, extending beyond religious activities to encompass broader development-focused, economic, and bilateral initiatives. He referenced discussions held during bilateral meetings between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Crown Prince at the Saudi Africa summit, leading to plans for the inauguration of a Nigeria-Saudi Business Council.
The establishment of the Nigeria-Saudi Arabia Business Council aims to foster economic partnerships, investment, trade, and commerce between the two nations. It is envisioned as a platform for advancing mutual interests and promoting sustainable development.
In response to the donation, stakeholders have lauded the humanitarian gesture and emphasized the need for continued collaboration between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to address pressing societal challenges. The donation of dates represents a tangible expression of solidarity and cooperation between the two countries, underscoring the importance of international partnerships in addressing humanitarian needs and promoting global solidarity.
