The Aliko Dangote-led Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR) has delivered emergency relief materials valued at N1 billion to the Government of Borno State for distribution to persons affected by the 2024 flood in the state.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued to journalists in Lokoja on Tuesday by the committee.
During the handover ceremony held in Maiduguri, the Secretary of the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Hajara Modu, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting flood-affected communities.
Representing the co-chairmen, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, the Secretary stated that the distribution of food and non-food items fulfills the committee’s pledge made during the height of the 2024 flood disaster.
In early September 2024, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, experienced catastrophic flooding that submerged approximately 70% of the city. This event rendered Borno the most severely affected region in Nigeria during this year’s flood season. The disaster displaced thousands of residents, destroyed homes, and disrupted essential services, further exacerbating the humanitarian challenges already present in the region.
Mrs. Modu noted that the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, had announced a total donation of N2 billion.
According to her, N1 billion of this donation was made on behalf of the committee for procuring and supplying relief materials to flood victims in Borno, while the other N1 billion was donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
She described Mr. Dangote as deeply passionate about philanthropy, noting that the committee, originally set up in 2012 by former President Goodluck Jonathan with a one-year mandate, has continued its work addressing flood disasters in the country thanks to Mr. Dangote’s unwavering support.
The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Dangote-led Presidential Committee for its significant interventions in the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Umar Usman Kadafur, the Governor stated that the state government had established a committee to ensure the proper distribution of relief items to flood victims.
He acknowledged that Alhaji Aliko Dangote, through the committee and his foundation, has consistently provided support in various forms to address critical needs in Borno.
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Governor Zulum commended Mr. Dangote for his steadfast commitment to humanitarian causes and for significantly contributing to the state’s recovery efforts during challenging times. He noted that Mr. Dangote’s interventions have positively impacted many lives and mitigated the effects of disasters such as the recent floods.
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, praised Mr. Dangote for providing exceptional leadership in humanitarian interventions across the country.
Represented by the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Abdullahi Adamu Usur, Mrs. Umar remarked, “Today’s handover of relief materials donated by the PCFRR is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
She listed some of the relief items, which include beans, seasoning, salt, sugar, tomato paste, vegetable oil, foam mattresses, guinea brocade, wax prints, blankets, mosquito nets, nylon mats, bathing soap, detergent, children’s diapers, and sanitary pads.
Borno State Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, described the intervention as a monumental humanitarian effort and thanked the Dangote-led committee for their support.
NEMA’s Coordinator for the Northeast Zonal Office, Mr. Sirajo Garba, stated that the agency, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has developed a transparent mechanism for distributing the relief items provided by the Dangote-led committee.
