Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Aliko Dangote Group has donated N1.5 billion to victims of the Maiduguri flood disaster.
Dangote made the announcement during an assessment visit to some of the affected locations in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday, August 13, 2024.
Accompanied by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state, Dangote said out the amount, N1 billion was given to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Borno State government.
“I just want to clarify, we have this flood committee. NEMA wrote us a letter; so we sat down and approved N1 billion to NEMA to work with the Borno State government.
“On top of that, the Aliko Dangote Foundation will put additional N500 millions so that’s N1.5 billion. Thank you,” he said.
Gov Sule also announced the donation of unspecified number of trucks of relief materials to support the Borno state government.
Responding, Governor Babagana Zulum praised them for generosity and love towards the people of Borno.
“Not everyone that has money has the heart to give, Aliko Dangote has been helping our people, this is not the first time. I pray that Allah will reward you with Aljannah.”
“I would like to thank my brother, Gov Abdullahi Sule, who came along with Aliko Dangote to visit us at this trying moment.”
Earlier, the World Health Organisation (WHO) promised to assist the Borno State government to mitigate the impact of the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri which affected many communities and left over 30 persons dead.
Speaking during an assessment tour of the situation in Maiduguri Friday, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Mulombo, lamented the impact of the flood, saying that about 14 health facilities have been cut off by the flood, while some laboratories were also affected.
Mulombo said the communities need help, adding that WHO will help the state government to manage the unprecedented crisis.
He said: “The sudden flooding has displaced many communities from their homes. We were shocked about what happened. We came to see first hand and find out what the needs are to support the state and the Federal Government to address the sudden challenge. Climate change is real, we are seeing the devastation.”
Mulombo commended the state government for showing leadership and the state commissioner for health, Prof. Baba Mallam gGana, for responding very fast to the situation, adding that from his observation, there is a coordinated response.
The Commissioner for Health, Gana, who conducted Mulombo round the city, noted that the flood has never happened at this scale in Borno State.
Explaining the incident, the commissioner said that the flood came from the Alau Dam, which provides water to Borno State.
He said that about 70 per cent of Maiduguri has been submerged underwater.
According to him, the flood has cut off a lot of healthcare facilities and personnel, adding that the state is collaborating with partners to address the situation.
The commissioner said the immediate need is to provide shelter and food for displaced people, provide health care services and later find out why the dam broke down.
He commended the UN system for coordinating the response, adding that the state is working with all the partners to save lives and provide vaccinations where necessary.