Dangote-Led Committee Donates N1 Billion Relief Items to Borno State Flood Victims
The Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR), chaired by billionaire philanthropist Aliko Dangote, has delivered relief materials worth N1 billion to the Borno State Government for distribution to victims of the 2024 flood disaster.
The handover ceremony took place in Maiduguri on Tuesday, where Mrs. Hajara Modu, Secretary of the PCFRR, reiterated the committee’s commitment to supporting communities affected by flooding. Representing the co-chairmen, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, she explained that the relief items, which include food and non-food materials, were part of the committee’s promise to provide emergency assistance in response to the devastating floods that hit the state earlier this year.
Borno State experienced one of the most catastrophic floods in September 2024, with Maiduguri, the state capital, submerged by over 70% of its land area. Thousands were displaced, homes were destroyed, and essential services were severely disrupted, compounding the state’s humanitarian challenges.
Mrs. Modu highlighted that the relief effort was part of a N2 billion donation announced by Dangote. She explained that N1 billion was provided on behalf of the PCFRR, while the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) contributed an additional N1 billion.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote has demonstrated unparalleled passion for philanthropy, ensuring that this committee, initially established in 2012 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, continues to respond to flood disasters nationwide,” she said.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by his deputy, Mr. Umar Usman Kadafur, expressed deep gratitude to the Dangote-led committee for its intervention. He revealed that the state government has set up a distribution committee to ensure the relief materials reach those most affected by the floods.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote has consistently supported Borno State through various interventions, helping us recover during challenging times. His contributions have positively impacted countless lives and played a significant role in addressing critical needs,” Governor Zulum said.
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by the Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Abdullahi Adamu Usur, commended Dangote for his leadership in humanitarian interventions. She noted that the relief donation demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The relief items included food staples such as beans, sugar, salt, vegetable oil, and tomato paste, as well as non-food items like foam mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, and sanitary products.
Borno State Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Zuwaira Gambo, described the donation as a major humanitarian intervention, while NEMA’s Northeast Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Sirajo Garba, assured stakeholders of a transparent distribution process.
The PCFRR’s efforts have been widely praised as a vital lifeline for flood victims, underscoring Dangote’s continued commitment to alleviating the impact of disasters across Nigeria.
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