The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Abuja commemorated the Kingdom’s 94th National Day with a ceremony that emphasized the strengthening trade relationship between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, which has now reached $600 million. The event took place at the residence of His Excellency Faisal bin Ebraheem Alghamdi, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Nigeria, and was attended by government officials, diplomatic representatives, and business leaders.
Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam, represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the event. In his address, Abdussalam reaffirmed the Kano State government’s commitment to enhancing partnerships with Saudi Arabia, particularly in trade, health, and education. He stated, “Kano State will continue to collaborate with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to improve our trade relations, health sector, and educational opportunities for our people.”
The Deputy Governor expressed gratitude for Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, specifically acknowledging the Kingdom’s support in sponsoring the separation surgery of conjoined twins from Kano. “We deeply appreciate Saudi Arabia’s assistance, especially in sponsoring the separation surgery of the Kano conjoined twins. This act of generosity has made a profound impact on our community,” Abdussalam remarked.
Ambassador Alghamdi praised the growing economic ties between the two nations, noting, “Our trade volume with Nigeria stands at $600 million, a reflection of the deep and growing partnership between our countries.” He highlighted the numerous bilateral agreements that have been established to promote cooperation in education, trade, and diplomacy.
Additionally, the ambassador referenced Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian contributions to Nigeria, including the successful separation of the Kano conjoined twins, marking the 56th such surgery performed by Saudi doctors. He congratulated the family of the twins, emphasizing the Kingdom’s pride in contributing to such vital medical interventions.
Ambassador Alghamdi also pointed to Saudi Arabia’s role in facilitating the pilgrimage for thousands of Nigerian pilgrims and providing 260 scholarships to Nigerian students. He discussed the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at driving sustainable development and economic growth, which includes fostering global partnerships, particularly with Nigeria.
In closing, the ambassador reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Nigeria and promoting mutual prosperity. The celebration of the National Day not only underscored the historical ties between the two nations but also set the stage for future collaboration in various sectors.
