By Hauwa Ali
An octogenarian Nigerian business tycoon, Alhaji Aminu Dantata and his nephew, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, have collectively donated N2.5 billion to aid victims of the recent floods in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Aged 96, Alhaji Dantata, personally led a delegation from Kano to the Government House in Maiduguri on Tuesday, where he announced his donation of N1.5 billion.
During his visit, he expressed deep sympathy for the victims and extended his condolences to Governor Babagana Zulum and the people of the state, particularly those who lost loved ones in the disaster.
“The suffering caused by this flood is a tragedy we must not ignore,” Dantata said, urging Nigeria’s elites and political leaders to act with compassion and responsibility in times of crisis. He also called for peace and unity, both in Borno and across the country.
This act of generosity comes just days after Alhaji Aliko Dangote, one of Africa’s wealthiest individuals, donated an additional N1 billion to support relief efforts in Borno.
Governor Zulum, visibly moved by the visit, expressed his gratitude. “The people of Borno deeply appreciate this magnanimous gesture, especially from a 96-year-old elder statesman. His compassion offers a beacon of hope during this time of grief,” Zulum stated.
The donations are expected to provide much-needed relief for the thousands of displaced residents in Maiduguri, as authorities continue to grapple with the aftermath of one of the most devastating floods in the state’s recent history.
