Saudi Arabia Donates 50 tonnes of dates
Oru Leonard
Date fruit is known by Its Latin (scientific) name as Phoenix dactylifera, Balha’ in Arabic, ‘Dabino’ in Hausa, ‘Ojo’ in Yoruba, ‘Otobiribiri’ in Igbo
It is a natural sweetener, very nutritious fruit with high fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants which promote brain health among other potential health benefits.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through Ministry of Foreign Affairs received fifty tonnes of the highly rated date fruit donated by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.
The gift was handed over to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation on Friday for onward distribution to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and victims of natural disasters across the country.
Speaking at the official presentation of the fruits, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Lamuwa who expressed confidence in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs for equitable distribution of resources believes that the Ministry knows better in terms of reaching out to the needy.
“For us as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have liaised with the Saudi Government, we received these cartoons of fifty tonnes of dates and this is a formal handing over. You see, we have delivered the message to you, and receive them with all gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” The PS said.
Lamuwa recalled that the relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia did not just start with the donation as there has been decades long brotherly bond between the two nations.
He noted that the donation was targeted towards Ramadan due to the significance of dates fruits to fasting but it was however delayed due to logistics challenges.
In his response while receiving the date fruits on behalf of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Permanent Secretary to the ministry, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan assured the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of proper distribution to the intended beneficiaries.
“On behalf of the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, we thank the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and the entire management and staff for this gesture, for being the link for this particular item to be delivered to the Ministry for onward distribution to the needy, in the camps and outside the camps”, Enitan said.
Saudi Arabian government, through King Salman’s Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), has provided necessary humanitarian assistance to Nigeria in different sectors of the economy as part of the country’s continued commitment to alleviate the sufferings of people in distress.
