Dangote Committee Donates N1bn Relief to Borno
By Patience Ikpeme
The Aliko Dangote-led Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR) has provided emergency relief materials valued at N1 billion to the Borno State Government for distribution to victims of the devastating 2024 flood.
The handover ceremony, held yesterday in Maiduguri, was attended by key stakeholders and government officials. Mrs. Hajara Modu, Secretary of the Presidential Committee, emphasized the committee’s unwavering commitment to assisting flood-affected communities across the country. Representing the co-chairmen, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, Mrs. Modu reaffirmed that the donation fulfilled the committee’s earlier pledge to support victims of the disaster.
In September 2024, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, was severely impacted by catastrophic flooding that submerged approximately 70% of the city. Thousands of residents were displaced, homes destroyed, and essential services disrupted, exacerbating the state’s existing humanitarian challenges. Borno was identified as the most severely affected region during this year’s flood season.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Modu highlighted the donation as part of a larger N2 billion commitment announced by Aliko Dangote. Of this amount, N1 billion was allocated by the Presidential Committee for relief materials, while the remaining N1 billion was donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
Mrs. Modu praised Mr. Dangote’s philanthropic efforts, noting that the PCFRR, established in 2012 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, has continued its operations through his steadfast support.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, expressed profound appreciation for the committee’s intervention. Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Umar Usman Kadafur, the Governor commended the Dangote-led committee and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for their consistent support during critical periods.
“The relief items will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of our people,” Kadafur stated, adding that the state government has set up a dedicated committee to ensure transparent and effective distribution of the materials.
Governor Zulum lauded Dangote’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes, acknowledging the transformative impact of his interventions on the lives of Borno residents.
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, praised the leadership and dedication of Aliko Dangote in addressing Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges. Represented by Abdullahi Adamu Usur, NEMA’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, she described the donation as a testament to the federal government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Items donated included essential foodstuffs such as beans, salt, sugar, tomato paste, and vegetable oil, alongside non-food items like foam mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, and sanitary products.
Borno State Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, also expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing it as a “huge humanitarian gesture.” She noted that the materials would provide immediate relief to thousands of affected families.
NEMA’s Northeast Zonal Coordinator, Sirajo Garba, assured that the agency, in collaboration with stakeholders, had developed a transparent and efficient framework for distributing the relief items.
The relief effort underscores the pivotal role of the Dangote-led Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation in addressing the growing challenges of natural disasters in Nigeria. It also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in mitigating the impact of such emergencies on vulnerable populations.
With these interventions, Borno State is set to rebuild and recover from one of its most challenging flood seasons in recent history.
