The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated 100 tonnes of dates to the federal government of Nigeria as part of its annual humanitarian relief efforts.

A statement from the Saudi Embassy on Monday indicated that the donation to Nigeria is a gift from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

It said that Amb. Faisal Al-Ghamdi, the ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Nigeria, donated the dates during an official ceremony.

The kingdom conveyed its commitment to humanitarian causes.

The embassy said the initiative was facilitated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in support of vulnerable Nigerian families and in an effort to strengthen the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.

The statement said that the envoy “expressed his profound gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed Abdulaziz Al Saud for their unwavering support in providing aid to Muslims and underserved communities worldwide.”

It quoted Mr Al-Ghamdi as emphasising that Saudi Arabia remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering Islamic solidarity and providing relief to those in need.

“Ambassador Al-Ghamdi explained that this year’s distribution included 50 tons of dates for Abuja and another 50 tons for Kano, continuing Saudi Arabia’s tradition of assisting Nigeria through humanitarian donations,” the statement indicated.

According to the embassy, the donation represented the Kingdom’s broader mission to uplift Muslim communities, alleviate suffering, and promote unity, particularly during significant religious periods such as Ramadan.

It assured the federal government that it would, in collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian organisations, ensure the proper distribution of the dates so that the items get to the most vulnerable families across Nigeria.

Mr Al-Ghamdi reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria across multiple sectors, but with special attention to humanitarian and Islamic affairs.

“The Kingdom’s continued efforts in supporting food security and welfare initiatives exemplify its role as a global leader in charitable and humanitarian endeavours.

“Through its Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia seeks to expand its contributions to international humanitarian causes, highlighting its dedication to fostering peace, stability, and prosperity worldwide,” the statement said.

Saudi Arabia has been a longstanding partner in providing humanitarian aid to nations across the globe, including Nigeria.

The donation to Nigeria further reinforces the commitments and underscores the depth of the decades-long partnership between the two countries.

(NAN)