Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has donated a total of 430 million naira ($2.7 million) to flood victims in Kogi State.
The cement king through his philanthropic foundation gave 150 million naira cash ($950,000) with food supplies and relief materials worth 50 million naira ($337,000) to the northern state badly ravaged by a flood that left many dead, thousands homeless and properties worth millions, destroyed.
Dangote also disclosed plans to enable 21,000 women of the flood victims get back on their feet through petty trading, stating 230 million naira ($1.36 million) had been set aside to support beneficiaries with 10,000 naira ($67) each.
The beneficiaries, who would be embursed next month, are to be selected a thousand each from different local governments of the state.
At a state ceremony in Lokoja, the state’s capital, Dangote said his donation was to complement the effort of the Kogi state government in giving respite to flood victims and resettling them as soon as possible.
“Obviously, the government alone cannot shoulder this onerous responsibility of bringing relief to the victims. The private sector and public-spirited individuals should join hands with the government to assist the victims of this national disaster that has ravaged about 21 states of the federation,” he said.
Governor Wada who with the philanthropist, visited victims at their temporary camp at St. Luke’s Primary School, Adankolo, stated that the donation was the largest the state had received for the victims.
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