-Follows Dangote’s N430 Million Donation
FOR the embattled people of the flood-ravaged communities of Kogi State came a philantrophic donation of N10 million over the weekend from local businessman Abdulrazak Kutepa.
The news of the donation was disclosed in a Sunday statement made available to journalists by the special aid to Kogi State Governor Idris Wada, Mr. Jacob Edi.
The businessman, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, expressed sadness over the flood disaster which ravaged 457 communities in nine local government areas of the state.
Promising to use his business contacts to encourage more donation like the one he made, he suggested that the sum of N9 million be shared between the displaced persons in nine local governments of the state, while the balance of N1 million should be dedicated to maintaining the resettlement camps in the state.
Kutepa said that his response to the plight of the victims came late because he was out of the country.
Kutepa praised the Governor Wada-led administration for rising to the challenge and promised to team up with the governor to bring succour to the victims.
In his response, Capt. Idirs Wada, who described the flood as `overwhelming,’ said the government had put in place measures to prevent outbreak of epidemic.
He promised that the money and other items would be strictly utilised for the benefit of the affected people.
Wada said a committee, headed by the deputy governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, had been constituted to handle the distribution of the money and materials to the victims.
Mr. Kutepa’s donation follows a much larger sum of N430 million donated by influential businessman Aliko Dangote last week, as a contribution administered by his foundation to complement the effort of the government in providing materials to flood victims and resettling them as soon as possible.
Dangode made this known at a ceremony attended by top government functionaries in Lokoja, the state capital, saying that foodstuff and relief materials worth N50million would be donated to the victims and N150million would be given in cash.
Dangote, who is President of Dangote Group of Industries, said N230million would be shared to women at N10,000 each to boost their businesses.
Dangote said he was touched by the pains of the flood victims, adding that the floods caused the death of some residents and the destruction of property.
According to him, it may lead to the spread of diseases and epidemics.
He said: “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.”
Dangote said his foundation was increasing its philanthropic profile across the world.
Dangote, who was accompanied by his daughter, Hajia Halima, hailed Governor Idris Wada for quickly taking measures that reduced the suffering of the victims.
He praised the Federal Government for its intervention through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), saying the agency dispatched a search and rescue team to Ibaji Local Government Area to rescue victims and donate drugs, clothes and other items.
Kogi State is home to Dangote’s Cement factory said to be one of world’s largest. It also hosts Dangote Academy of Learning and Development, where young local talents are trained to boost the manpower needs of the nation’s industries.
With the governor, the philanthropist inspected some of the flooded areas of Lokoja and visited some victims at their temporary camp at St. Luke’s Primary School, Adankolo.
Wada described the gesture as overwhelming.
The governor noted that it was the largest donation the state had received for the victims.
He said the floods were of historical significance to the people because many of them took things for granted.