NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Foreign

S/Arabia donates 100 tonnes of dates to Nigeria

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By Mark Longyen

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 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 tonnes 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.

 

Al-Ghamdi reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria across multiple sectors, but with especial 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.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Saudi Arabia has been a longstanding partner in providing humanitarian aid to nations across the globe, including Nigeria.

 

NAN further reports that the donation to Nigeria further reinforces the commitments and underscores the depth of the decades-long partnership between the two countries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yash

Foreign

S/Arabia rejects Trump’s U.S. Gaza takeover proposal

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By Mark Longyen

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia says it has “unequivocally rejected” Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip, a Palestine territory.

A statement from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saudi Arabia was vehemently opposed to the idea, and would rather continue its efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state.

Saudi Arabia stressed that Palestinians would “not move” from their land and it would not normalise ties with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position on the establishment of a Palestinian state is firm and unwavering.

“His Royal Highness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, clearly and unequivocally reaffirmed this stance during his speech at the opening of the first session of the ninth term of the Shura Council on Sept. 18, 2024.

“His Royal Highness emphasised that Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that,” the statement said.

It further said that the Crown Prince and Prime Minister also reiterated this firm position during the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit held in Riyadh on Nov. 11, 2024.

The ministry emphasised the continuation of efforts to establish a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

The Saudi government also urged more peace-loving countries to recognise the State of Palestine, noting the importance of mobilising the international community to support the Palestinian people’s rights.

According to the ministry, this is in line with the United Nations General Assembly resolutions, recognising Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also reaffirms its unequivocal rejection of any infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, whether through Israeli settlement policies, land annexation, or attempts to displace the Palestinian people from their land.

“The international community has a duty today to alleviate the severe humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian people, who will remain steadfast on their land and will not move from it.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emphasises that this unwavering position is non-negotiable and not subject to compromises,” the statement further said.

“Achieving lasting and just peace is impossible without the Palestinian people obtaining their legitimate rights in accordance with international resolutions, as has been previously clarified to both the former and current U.S. administrations.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Trump had told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, alongside the visiting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the U.S. was mulling the takeover of Gaza.

“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a good job with it too.

“We’ll own it and be responsible for dismantling all of the dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the site, level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings.

“Palestinians living in Gaza would have to be relocated to create the ‘Riviera of the Middle East,’ as they will be housed in Jordan, Egypt and other countries,” he said.

Most of Gaza’s 2.1 million population has been displaced by the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas.

NAN also reports that Trump’s proposal, which was his first major remarks on his Middle East foreign policy has shattered decades of U.S. thinking on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Foreign

Saudi Arabia sponsors Nigerians for lesser Hajj

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By Mufutau Ojo
The Saudi Arabia embassy in Abuja has hosted a farewell ceremony for 20 Nigerians selected for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Guests Programme for Umrah 2025.

A statement issued by the embassy in Abuja said the ceremony held under the leadership of Faisal Al-Ghamdi, the Saudi Ambassador to Nigeria.

It said the initiative highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting Muslims and fostering spiritual connections through pilgrimage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme, initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Al Saud, provides Muslims the opportunity to undertake the lesser Hajj with full sponsorship.

The statement quoted the ambassador as thanking King Al Saud and the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, for their dedication to Islam’s holy sites.

He also praised their exceptional leadership in enhancing the services provided to pilgrims and ensuring that their journey to the sacred sites is both spiritually fulfilling and seamless.

“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince have prioritised the well-being of pilgrims, viewing it as a sacred duty and an immense honour.

” Through this programme and other initiatives, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen bonds of brotherhood among Muslims while ensuring their comfort and safety during their spiritual journey,” he said.

Al-Ghamdi, according to the statement, said the country had invested over 100 billion dollars in the recent expansion and modernisation of the two holy mosques.

According to him, these ambitious projects, encompassing state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced crowd management systems and cutting-edge technology, reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to accommodating the increasing number of pilgrims.

He added that Saudi Arabia was sparing no effort in mobilising resources to improve pilgrimage experience for all Muslims.

Al-Ghamdi also emphasised the importance of adhering to the country ‘s laws and regulations, designed to maintain order and ensure the safety and comfort of all pilgrims.

“The leadership of Saudi Arabia remains fully committed to serving the guests of God.

” This is a responsibility we hold dear, and we continuously strive to enhance the spiritual and logistical aspects of the pilgrimage experience,” he said.

Guests at the occasion expressed appreciation for the opportunity made available through the sponsorship initiative.

NAN reports that the programme provides pilgrims with the opportunity to perform the lesser Hajj, covering all costs, including travel, accommodation and other logistics. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Economy/Business

Nigeria, S/Arabia deepen ties on solid mineral exploration

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By Martha Agas

Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have renewed plans to build the capacity of their geological agencies by leveraging the breakthroughs recorded by Saudi firms in mineral exploration.

Segun Tomori, the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that this was on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,

Tomori said the decision was taken at a closed-door meeting between a delegation from Saudi Arabia led by its Minister of Mining, Bandar Al-Khorayef, and Nigeria’s delegation led by Alake.

He said Alake proposed for both countries to collaborate on areas of economic advantage, urging partnerships based on the sector’s value chain.

Citing Saudi Arabia’s renowned gold market as an example, Alake said Nigeria’s gold refineries could access the Saudi market under protective clauses, guaranteeing expansion opportunities for both economies.

On his part, the Saudi Minister disclosed that its government and the private sector were working together to introduce new technologies for mineral exploration.

He emphasised that new products were showcased at the minerals forum conference to foster business partnerships and raise awareness of their applications.

Alake also met with officials of the Saudi Chamber of Commerce, where he canvassed their investment in Nigeria’s mining sector.

He urged them to leverage the large deposits of lithium and iron ore, which were being processed in Nigeria in line with the value addition policy.

To de-risk their investment, the minister promised to direct the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency, to provide relevant data on their minerals of interest.

According to the minister, the global transition toward electric machines, which use lithium batteries, has positioned Nigeria as a critical supplier of minerals

Tomori quoted him saying, “Partnership with Saudi investors will encourage the export of finished industrial inputs.”

Acknowledging the investment in steel production in Saudi Arabia, the minister cited examples of companies processing iron ore to steel in Nigeria as precedents that could be replicated.

He said that Nigeria was committed to creating an enabling environment for investors to ensure smooth operations in mining projects.

The minister said they included the establishment of laboratories for the separation and analysis of mineral samples, among other facilities.

“Nigeria has the best certified laboratories for minerals in West Africa,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2025 Future Minerals Forum (FMF) with the theme: “Year of Impact,’ was held from Jan. 14 to 16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The meeting was to bolster international collaboration in producing the critical minerals essential for the global energy transition.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen

General News

Saudi crown prince praises Tinubu’s reforms

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By Salif Atojoko

Prince Mohammed Al Saud, the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, has assured Nigeria of support in its economic reform programmes.

The Crown Prince gave the assurance during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman, said in a statement.

He said the two leaders explored potential areas for cooperation, particularly oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure and the constitution of the Saudi-Nigeria Business Council.

“Nigeria wants an agreement with the Saudi government over a proposed five billion dollars bilateral trade facility between the two countries.

“The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) invested $1.24 billion in 2022 to acquire a 35.43 per cent stake in Olam Agri, one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural firms.

“Talks are being held so that SALIC can have more stake in the company.

The Saudi hoped the investment would make Olam one of the biggest agro-allied businesses in the world,” said Onanuga.

He said the Crown Prince commended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting similarities with steps taken to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s stability and development when he became Prime Minister.

“He also assured Nigeria of his support and promised to motivate his team to realise the various areas of partnerships discussed at the meeting,” said the President’s spokesman. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General News

Saudi Arabia ramps up humanitarian efforts in Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan

378 total views today

 

By Mufutau Ojo

As conflict, economic hardship and displacement continue to impact millions of people in Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan,

Saudi Arabia is intensifying its humanitarian efforts to deliver critical aid.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Saudi Arabia is delivering critical assistance through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief).

 

NAN reports that in Gaza, where humanitarian needs have reached critical levels due to ongoing war, KSrelief has launched one of its most extensive relief campaigns to date.

 

A statement issued by the Saudi Arabian embassy in Abuja said over 54 aid planes and eight ships were dispatched to the three locations.

It stated that the planes and ships were loaded with emergency food, medical supplies, shelter materials and other support items.

 

It added that the specific aid resources were 20 ambulances, 30 electricity generators and 10 water tanks, aimed at

providing immediate relief to those affected by the war in Gaza.

 

The embassy noted that KSrelief had distributed 39,200 ready-to-eat meals to help meet immediate nutritional needs for families facing severe food shortages.

 

It explained that the operation included specialised provision and support for displaced individuals, while offering comprehensive response to the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

 

The embassy statement also said that Saudi Arabia had allocated over 80 million dollars to support long-term aid projects in Gaza, channeled through partnerships with international organisations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees.

 

Others, it noted, were the World Food Programme, World Health Organisation and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

 

It also listed the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross as partners.

 

The statement added that in Lebanon where an economic collapse had placed immense pressure on innocent civilians, KSrelief had increased its humanitarian outreach to alleviate hardship.

 

It also said that KSrelief’s 20 aid planes arrived in Beirut, carrying essential food, medical and shelter supplies to provide relief to vulnerable communities.

 

The statement said Saudi Arabia’s aid to Lebanon, managed through KSrelief, also included targeted support for medical facilities.

 

It also said that KSrelief had sent 13 planes and 31 relief vessels, loaded with vital resources to Sudan.

 

It indicated that the aid, totalling over 118 million dollars, underscored Saudi Arabia’s dedication to supporting Sudanese families affected by instability.

 

It added that KSrelief had implemented programmes designed to address Sudan’s food security and health infrastructure needs.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Foreign

Israel-Palestine conflict: Saudi Arabia hosts Global Alliance meeting

379 total views today

 

By Mufutau Ojo

Saudi Arabia Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal bin Farhan, has inaugurated the first meeting of the Global Alliance on implementation of a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 

The coalition, announced last month in partnership with international allies, was to mobilise global support for a viable and sustainable two-state resolution of the conflict.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration of the meeting on Wednesday in Riyadh, underscores Saudi Arabia leadership in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.

 

Opening the meeting, the foreign minister welcomed Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and other international delegations dedicated to the peace-building efforts.

 

He expressed concern at the escalating violence in Palestine and Lebanon, stressing the urgent need for the international community’s intervention to halt actions that threaten regional stability.

 

The minister called for an immediate ceasefire while advocating the release of hostages and detainees as well as the establishment of accountability mechanisms to address ongoing violations.

 

The minister reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for UNRWA’s crucial role in delivering humanitarian aid amid the ongoing challenges in Palestinian territories.

 

He urged the global community to bolster efforts toward preserving the two-state solution as the foundation for long-term peace in the region.

 

The minister outlined the commitment of Saudi Arabia and its regional partners to practical and time-bound steps to resolve the conflict.

 

He emphasised the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state and ending the occupation.

 

The minister reiterated his country’s condemnation of actions undermining Palestinian and Lebanese security.

 

NAN reports that as a follow-up to the developments, Saudi Arabia announced its intention to convene a joint Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on Nov. 11.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

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