Presidential committee donates N1bn to Borno

The Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation has handed over relief materials worth N1bn to the Borno State Government to assist victims of the 2024 floods.

The Dangote Group announced the donation in a statement on Wednesday, stating that it includes food and non-food items, and was formally presented during a ceremony in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

The committee’s Secretary, Hajara Modu, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to supporting communities affected by the devastating floods.

Modu, representing the co-chairmen Aliko Dangote and Dr Olisa Agbakoba, emphasised that the donation fulfils a pledge made during the height of the disaster.

“In September, Maiduguri suffered catastrophic flooding, which submerged about 70 per cent of the city, making Borno the worst-hit state in Nigeria. Thousands of residents were displaced, homes destroyed, and essential services disrupted,” Modu said.

She disclosed that Dangote had earlier announced an N2bn donation, with Nbn allocated through the committee for relief materials and another N1bn from the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

“Mr Dangote is passionate about philanthropy. Although this committee was initially set up for a year by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, his support has kept it operational, enabling us to address flood disasters across the country,” Modu added.

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by his Deputy, Umar Kadafur, expressed gratitude to the committee and Dangote for their consistent support.

Zulum announced the establishment of a state committee to ensure the proper distribution of relief items to those in need.

“Alhaji Dangote’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes has been instrumental in our recovery efforts. His interventions have touched countless lives and mitigated the impact of disasters in Borno,” Zulum stated.

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar, lauded Dangote’s leadership in humanitarian efforts.

Umar, represented by the NEMA’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Abdullahi Usur, described the donation as evidence of the Federal Government’s dedication under President Bola Tinubu.

Relief items delivered include food supplies like beans, seasoning, and sugar, as well as non-food essentials such as mosquito nets, foam mattresses, and sanitary pads.

Borno’s Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, praised the intervention, describing it as monumental.

NEMA’s Northeast Zonal Coordinator, Sirajo Garba, assured that a transparent mechanism is in place to ensure fair distribution of them items.