The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donates humanitarian aid and empowerment support to orphans and vulnerable children in Kwara State, strengthening social welfare efforts and promoting long-term self-reliance among beneficiaries.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the intervention is delivered under the Orphan Support Project and goes beyond routine welfare, focusing on skills acquisition, education, healthcare, and livelihood support for orphaned children across the state.
Available data shows that Nigeria has an estimated 16 to 18 million orphans, with a significant number living in Kwara State. In response, the Saudi government collaborates with the Kwara State Government to address the growing social and economic challenges faced by vulnerable children and households.
The initiative, Mediaplusng.com reports, is funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and implemented by the Abubakar As-Sidiq Philanthropic Home. The project is designed to meet immediate humanitarian needs while equipping beneficiaries with practical skills to support independence and dignity.
Under the programme, beneficiaries receive vocational training in tailoring, catering, information and communication technology, computer hardware maintenance, welding, and tricycle operation. Empowerment tools are also provided to enable participants to immediately apply their skills and generate income.
Speaking during the programme, a representative of the Saudi Arabian government, Farid AbdulRazaq-Salman, explains that the initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian service and sustainable development. He notes that empowering orphans with skills and education remains key to breaking cycles of poverty and dependence.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Abubakar As-Sidiq Philanthropic Home, Bayo Ojiwusi, says the project is carefully structured to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and measurable impact. He adds that beneficiaries are selected without religious or ethnic bias, ensuring equal access to support for Muslims and Christians alike.
Representing the Kwara State Government, the Commissioner for Social Development, Maryam Imam, commends the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for what she describes as a meaningful and well-targeted intervention. She says the programme aligns with the state’s social development agenda and demonstrates the value of international humanitarian partnerships.
Commissioner Imam emphasizes that the project addresses both short-term welfare needs and long-term empowerment, describing it as a model intervention that other development partners can replicate. She assures that the state government will continue to provide an enabling environment for similar initiatives.
Beyond skills training, the project also delivers food items, medical support, educational materials, and payment of school fees to orphanages and selected beneficiary households. These interventions, officials say, help stabilize families while children remain in school and access basic healthcare.
One of the beneficiaries, Bunmi Enimola, expresses gratitude for the support, describing the training and assistance as life-changing. She says the opportunity provides hope, confidence, and a pathway to economic independence.
The Kwara State Government reiterates its readiness to collaborate with faith-based organisations, corporate bodies, local partners, and foreign governments to expand empowerment programmes for orphans and vulnerable children across the state.
Officials stress that the intervention reflects a shared commitment to humanity, noting that aid distribution under the project shows no religious discrimination, as both Muslim and Christian beneficiaries receive equal support.
The humanitarian partnership between Saudi Arabia and Kwara State continues to draw praise, with stakeholders describing it as a strategic investment in human capital, social stability, and the future of vulnerable children in the state.
