Bothered with the increasing trend and spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidential Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Committee, set up in 2012 by the Federal Government and led by the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has announced a donation of N1.5 billion to further curtail the virus spread.
Announcing the donation on Wednesday after an emergency meeting, Dangote, who is the Chairman of the committee, said it has become imperative for all well-meaning Nigerians to dip their hands into their pockets and help the Federal Government in fighting this deadly virus that has also claimed 11 lives in Nigeria.
He said: “The reality of the pandemic has set in now in Nigeria and all hands must be on deck to save our country from its attendant crisis.
“So far, so good.
“We need to sustain the momentum and ensure that we curtail the spread.”
The mandate of the committee was to provide support for flood victims and, by extension, similar related disaster relief situation in the country.
It would be recalled that the committee assisted victims of communal clashes and insurgency on several occasions in line with its terms of reference.
In attendance at the emergency meeting were: Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Tunde Lemo, Karami Rabiu and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa among others.
Among the members who supported the decision taken at the meeting but who could not be in attendance were the Co-Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba; Folorunsho Alakija; Prof. Sani A. Lugga; Hajiya Fatimma Wali-Abdurraham; and Hajara Alkali.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government in 2012 set up the committee to raise significant funds to provide reliefs for the flood victims.
At the fund-raising dinner held at the Presidential Villa on November 8, 2012, eminent citizens pledged about N12 billion for the task.
The Federal Government and Dangote made the highest donation of N2.5 billion at the event.
The flood committee had consistently intervened in states across the country that had problems with flood since its inception till date.
Some of the top donors to the committee and the amount donated so far are: Aliko Dangote, (N2.5 billion), Jim Ovia, (N1 billion), Tony Elumeleu (N500 million), Florounsho Alakija, (N500 million), Prince Arthur Eze, (N480 million), Nigerian Governors’ Forum (N150 million) and Flour Mills (N200 million).
Dangote in a goodwill message on the occasion of his 63rd birthday last week said: “If we all work together to combat this virus, then there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“All hands must be on deck to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, and every gesture of support from other stakeholders outside government and the business community in Nigeria and Africa, would go a long way to help tackle this global dimension issue, with its impact felt all over the world.”
He lauded the efforts of the organized private sector, which through the Coalition Against COVID-19 initiative had raised over N21 billion to support government efforts to tackle the pandemic in Nigeria.
Dangote also appreciated the efforts of the government at all levels and those on the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, which currently was ravaging the economic, health and social sectors of the country.
Dangote-led flood committee donates N1.5b to further fight COVID 19 pandemic
