Saudi Arabia - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Nov, Tue, 2024

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

Ismail Abdulaziz
Nov, Thu, 2024

General News

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

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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

Ismail Abdulaziz
Oct, Thu, 2024

Foreign

Israel-Palestine conflict: Saudi Arabia hosts Global Alliance meeting

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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