Dangote donates relief materials to Benue crisis victims

Dangote Group has donated 12 trailer loads of relief materials worth N40m to the Benue State Government for distribution to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs.
The materials, according to the group, are meant to support the ongoing effort of the state government to bring succour to the victims of the recent crisis that affected some parts of the state.
Speaking at the occasion for the formal handing over of the items to the displaced persons in Makurdi,

President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said: “We have a very cordial relationship with our host communities in Benue, and it is only natural (that) we identify with them at a time like this. What has happened is unfortunate and we empathise with all the affected people.”
Dangote, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Mr. Joseph Makoju, said that it was unfortunate that the crisis happened, adding that the insurgency was diversionary to the government’s effort at bringing the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
He said: “Governor Gabriel Suswam’s administration has done a lot to improve the well-being of the good people of Benue State through massive upgrade of infrastructure, empowerment of rural farmers and funding of the educational sector. The infrastructural development in Benue State has been significant and his love for his people is unparalleled.”
He said the relief materials was part of his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, programme in the state that covers – health, education, women and youth empowerment and disaster relief.
He said in Gboko alone, the group has over the years built blocks of classrooms, constructed water boreholes and provide electricity in communities around the cement plant.
Dangote added that the company gives annual scholarship grants running into millions of naira to the Gboko community.
While thanking the donor, Governor Gabriel Suswam, who inspected the relief items, said he was overwhelmed by the donation.
He expressed the state’s appreciation, lauded the CSR activities of the group and urged other corporate bodies to emulate the deeds of the organisation by giving back to the society.