189 Nigerians in Saudi Arabian prisons –Envoy

The Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Foaud RaJeh, has disclosed that 189 Nigerians are currently being held inside various prisons in his country. He therefore sought exchange of prisoners that will see the Nigerians returning to their country to serve their prison terms. A statement on Friday by Umar Sani, spokesman of Vice President Namadi Sambo, quoted Rajeh as speaking during a courtesy visit on the Vice President inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The ambassador said upon resumption in Nigeria, he met with some stakeholders who raised the issue of security and that he was looking forward to a move towards information sharing and training. He added that he noticed that the  Saudi Arabian Government had offered 220 scholarships for Higher Education and Bachelors’ degrees to Nigerians on Islamic studies and Arabic knowledge. He said he had ensured that the figure was increased to 750 for both genders in courses like Medicine, Engineering and Agriculture amongst others. The envoy added that businessmen from Kogi and Sokoto states amongst other states had attracted Saudi investors to engage in a business relationship of up to $3bn in areas related to sugar and agriculture. Sambo was quoted as calling for an increased bilateral ties between Nigerian and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He noted that both countries have had long-standing diplomatic ties. He therefore stressed the need for the establishment of a bi-national commission by the two countries.  He also reminded the Saudi ambassador of the desire of President Goodluck Jonathan to visit the kingdom early next year. The Vice President expressed his support to the Saudi authority’s request for greater cooperation in socio-economic and security situations and appreciated the support of the Islamic Development Bank to Nigeria. He also informed the envoy that Jonathan has approved the opening of a branch of the IDB in Nigeria.