News
Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Pledges Support for Nigeria’s Economic Reforms
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pledged support to Nigeria’s economic reform efforts during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Riyadh on Monday.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic Summit, focused on enhancing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in areas such as oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure, and the establishment of the Saudi-Nigeria Business Council.
A key topic discussed was Nigeria’s proposal for a $5 billion bilateral trade agreement with Saudi Arabia.
In 2022, the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) made a significant move by investing $1.24 billion to acquire a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri, one of Nigeria’s top agricultural firms.
Talks are now underway to increase SALIC’s stake in the company, with the hope that this investment will help Olam become one of the world’s largest agro-allied businesses.
Crown Prince Mohammed praised President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting that they mirrored his own steps to stabilize and develop Saudi Arabia when he first became Prime Minister.
He assured Nigeria of his continued support and vowed to motivate his team to push forward the various collaborative projects discussed.
Present at the meeting were several key Saudi officials, including the Minister of National Guard, Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, and the Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.
Meanwhile, the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, which took place in Riyadh on November 11, 2024, reinforced Nigeria’s commitment, along with other member states, to the Ministerial Committee tasked with engaging global leaders to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
The committee, led by Saudi Arabia, also includes foreign ministers from Nigeria, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Indonesia, Palestine, and Jordan.
The summit’s final resolution called for intensifying efforts to end the violence in Gaza and Lebanon.
It emphasized the importance of international cooperation to support the Palestinian cause and protect the sovereignty of Palestine, particularly East Jerusalem, which was reaffirmed as the eternal capital of Palestine.
Leaders also condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, describing them as crimes against humanity, and expressed unwavering support for Lebanon’s stability and security.
APC chieftain Joe Igbokwe has pointed fingers at Nigerian traders for the continued surge in food prices across the country. In a Facebook post on Saturday, the outspoken supporter of President Bola Tinubu’s administration accused traders of being too greedy to reduce their prices.
He added that even as statistics suggest that the cost of food is starting to drop, traders have refused to comply. Furthermore, he expressed frustration, saying the refusal to lower prices shows a deeper problem of selfishness among citizens. According to him, Nigerians are their own worst enemies, driven by greed and a habit of taking more than they need.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to travel to Rome this Saturday to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The invitation came directly from Pope Leo XIV, who emphasized the importance of the president’s presence during this significant moment for the Church and a world facing many challenges.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, will be officially installed as the 267th Bishop of Rome on Sunday, May 18, at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
President Tinubu will be accompanied by key Catholic figures, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Archbishop Lucius Ugorji of Owerri, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja, Archbishop Alfred Martins of Lagos, and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah of Sokoto.
Notably, Pope Leo XIV has a special connection to Nigeria, having worked at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s. After the ceremony, President Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja on Tuesday, May 20.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged Nigerians to preserve their culture and ensure it doesn’t fade away with time. Speaking through his deputy, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, at the 2025 World Egungun Festival grand finale held in Ibadan, Makinde emphasized the importance of keeping traditions alive.
The event took place at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in the Oke Ado area and was graced by top dignitaries including Chief Lekan Alabi, who represented the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Osun State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ojo Abiodun, Prince Adeola Adelakun of Oje Parapo Worldwide, and Oyo State’s own Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun.
Makinde stressed that culture and tourism are key focus areas for his administration, and his government is committed to supporting efforts that will keep local traditions thriving. He added that by investing in cultural events and heritage, the state can boost its economy through tourism and increase revenue. He said, “We must not let our culture die. I’m glad to see young people taking part in this celebration, not just the elders.”
-
Entertainment8 hours agoLauren Sánchez Celebrates Bachelorette Party in Paris with Close Friends
-
News8 hours agoJoe Igbokwe Accuses Nigerians of Causing Their Own Hardship
-
Sport8 hours agoAmorim Says Man U Were Not Aggressive Enough in 1-0 Defeat to Chelsea
-
Sport8 hours agoAdemola Lookman Makes Serie A Team of the Season Again for Atalanta
-
Sport1 hour ago“Ronaldo Missed Al-Nassr Game Because of a Cold” — Pioli Says
-
Sport1 hour agoAdemola Lookman Nominated for Serie A Player of the Month for May
-
Entertainment1 hour agoTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sequel Delayed Until 2027
-
Entertainment6 hours agoUriel Says She’d Be Jealous if She Dated Burna Boy: “He Would Make Me Cry”