Dangote Donates N1bn to Maiduguri Flood Victims
By Patience Ikpeme
Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) and the National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Aliko Dangote, has donated N1 billion to support the victims of the recent devastating floods in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In addition, the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), which Dangote also chairs, pledged another N1billion to aid the relief efforts.
During an on-the-spot inspection of the flood-affected areas on Friday, Dangote, who is also the President and CEO of Dangote Industries Limited, expressed his deep sympathy for the victims, describing the disaster as “mindboggling.”
He emphasized the urgent need for intervention, stating, “I am moved with pity; I have never seen a disaster of this magnitude before. The state needs urgent help and intervention from well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders.”
Dangote called for collective efforts from corporate organizations and individuals to assist in rebuilding the damaged infrastructure, including roads and houses, adding that the government alone cannot address the extent of the destruction. He appealed to fellow Nigerians to provide relief and help restore the lives of those affected by the disaster.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, commended Dangote’s generosity, noting that his continuous contributions have significantly impacted the development of the state. Zulum also called on other Nigerians to follow Dangote’s example and offer support in the face of such a tragedy.
The flood, which has displaced over one million people and claimed 30 lives, has left a trail of destruction across Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State.
The Director-General of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Barkindo Mohammed, provided updates on the relief efforts, noting that as of Thursday, SEMA had evacuated 3,683 people in an ongoing rescue operation. “The search and rescue operation is still ongoing,” he added, explaining that various resources, including boats, canoes, and military personnel, are being used to reach those in need.
According to Mohammed, around two million people have been affected by the flood, and 14 official camps have been established to house the displaced. Several informal camps have also been set up. The Federal Government has provided N3 billion in relief funds to Borno State, which Governor Zulum has directed to SEMA for immediate use. He also mentioned that this assistance extends to other flood-affected local government areas across the state.
In a bid to address the aftermath of flooding on a national scale, the Dangote-led PCFRR has been actively involved in relief efforts. The committee, co-chaired by Dangote and renowned lawyer Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, was established following the 2012 floods. Last December, the committee distributed relief materials worth N1.5 billion to flood victims across Nigeria.
With this latest round of donations and relief efforts, Dangote’s continued leadership in flood relief and rehabilitation highlights his unwavering commitment to helping Nigerians recover from natural disasters, providing much-needed support for communities in crisis.
The ongoing efforts in Maiduguri serve as a call for solidarity and urgent action from all sectors to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the floods and rebuild the impacted regions.
