The Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation has recently delivered relief supplies valued at 1 billion Naira to the Borno State Government to help people impacted by the severe floods that occurred in 2024.
This generous donation was made public by the Dangote Group in a statement released on Wednesday. The relief supplies include both food and essential non-food items. The official handover of these supplies took place during a ceremony in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Tuesday.
Hajara Modu, the Secretary of the committee, reassured everyone that they are dedicated to providing ongoing support to the communities affected by the devastating floods. Modu, who represented the committee’s co-chairmen, Aliko Dangote and Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, emphasized that this donation is part of a promise they made when the floods were at their worst.
In September, Maiduguri experienced massive flooding that affected around 70 percent of the city, which made Borno the most severely impacted state in Nigeria. Many residents lost their homes and thousands were forced to flee, leading to a major disruption of important services in the area.
Modu explained that Aliko Dangote, the founder of the Dangote Group, had previously pledged 2 billion Naira in donations, which includes 1 billion allocated through this committee for relief materials and an additional 1 billion from the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
She highlighted that Dangote is very passionate about helping others. This committee was originally created for a year in 2012 by former President Goodluck Jonathan, and thanks to Dangote’s ongoing support, it has been able to continue its efforts in responding to flood disasters across the country.
Borno State’s Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, who was represented by his Deputy, Umar Kadafur, expressed their appreciation to both the committee and Dangote for their generous and continual support.
In his remarks, Zulum announced that a state committee would be formed to ensure that the relief items are properly distributed to those in need.
He highlighted how Alhaji Dangote’s consistent dedication to helping others has significantly aided recovery efforts, stating that his contributions have positively impacted many lives and helped lessen the effects of disasters in Borno.
Zubaida Umar, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), praised Dangote’s leadership in humanitarian efforts. Umar, who was represented by Abdullahi Usur, NEMA’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, described the donation as a sign of the Federal Government’s commitment to assist under President Bola Tinubu.
The types of relief supplies delivered included food items such as beans, seasoning, and sugar, as well as crucial non-food necessities like mosquito nets, foam mattresses, and sanitary pads.
Zuwaira Gambo, Borno’s Commissioner for Women and Social Development, also commended the assistance, calling it a monumental intervention that will greatly benefit those affected by the floods.
