Flood: Dangote donates N1.5bn to Borno victims, Shettima visits Niger

Admin Mercy4 months ago4 months ago1116 mins

The President of the Aliko Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has donated N1.5bn to victims of Maiduguri flood disaster.

He made it known during a visit to assess the impact on the affected areas in the state.

Dangote stated that the N1bn was allocated to the National Emergency Management Agency to collaborate with the Borno State Government.

Present with Dangote were the governors of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, and Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule.

Speaking during the visit, Dangote said NEMA sent a letter to his company, which then approved funds to address the request.

He said, “NEMA wrote us a letter; so, we sat down and approved N1bn to NEMA to work with the Borno State Government.

“On top of that, the Aliko Dangote Foundation will add N500m. So, that’s N1.5bn.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the Federal Government would continue to provide relief for flood victims in severely affected states.

He said the Federal and State governments, along with the National Emergency Management Agency, are actively working to enhance support for displaced communities.

Shettima gave the assurance during an assessment visit to the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

He noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on effective governance and the welfare of all Nigerians beyond political considerations.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communications, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, revealed details of the engagement in a statement he signed on Friday titled, ‘VP Shettima pledges FG’s continued support to victims of flood, insecurity.’

He said, “We are in here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give the commitment of the federation government to supporting the people of Niger State towards addressing the food challenges caused by the flood and the insecurity that has been bedevilling this part of the country.

“We have come to reaffirm the President’s irrevocable commitment towards ameliorating the sufferings of our people.

“This is a symbolic gesture to assure the government and people of Niger State that the President is poised to assist all states of the federation towards addressing these challenges.”

Shettima recalled that the federal government had already disbursed N3bn to each state to address flooding issues.

He, however, emphasised that it was just the beginning of a more comprehensive support plan, saying, “This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as some States like Borno, Niger, Sokoto, Bayelsa and Jigawa are concerned.”

The Vice President explained that states’ eligibility to receive additional federal government support would be evidence-driven and based on detailed assessments of needs.

“We will do our assessment and be very scientific in our approach. All states that deserve to be supported will be fully supported because governance is about the people,” VP Shettima said.

Earlier, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago, expressed his gratitude to the FG delegation led by the VP for showing solidarity with the state during this challenging time.

The FG’s delegation included the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hadejia, and Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar.

Other dignitaries at the event were the Speaker of Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Daji; Emir of Minna, Dr Umaru Bahago; and members of the State Executive Council, among others.