The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja has donated 50 tonnes of dates to the Nigerian government for distribution to internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi stated yesterday in Abuja, during a symbolic presentation to the Deputy Director, Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Murtala Jimoh, that his country would continue to assist Nigeria in dealing with its humanitarian crisis.
Alghamdi stated that the donation was in addition to the 50 tonnes of dates previously delivered in Kano State, totaling 100 tonnes of dates.
He said: “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 at different fields, the most recent is the execution of Et’am 3 Initiative in March 2024 through distribution of food baskets to 5,606 beneficiaries in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno and Abuja, at the cost of $400,000.
“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.
“Today’s handover of dates is part of annual humanitarian and relief assistance presented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque-May Allah Protect him-to a number of friendly countries, among which is Nigeria, so that it can reach the needy families all over the world.
“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 aids to Nigeria, for the betterment and interest of the brotherly and friendly Nigerian people.
“Finally, it is worthy to note that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had delivered 98 projects in Nigeria valued at $47,194,210 in food security, health, early recovery, sanitation and hygiene, education and charitable assistance,” he said.
On his part, Murtala Jimoh, said the items would be handed over to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, for onward distribution.
“This donation of 50 tons of dates from King Salman, humanitarian health and relief center means a lot to us because the dates are actually meant for internally displaced persons and victims of disasters, natural disasters across the country, particularly in the high DP camps.
“We took delivery of these 50 tons of dates last week in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and we are here this morning for symbolic handing over.
“It goes a long way to demonstrate all their relationship between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is not the first time. This gesture has been extended to us. It has been done over a period of time, and it’s not only on the dates.
“This is not the fire has been time that food materials were supplied to the affected people across the internally displaced person camps. in Nigeria.
“We really thank the Saudi Arabian government, particularly the custodian of two holy mosques for this kind gesture.”