Dangote Women Network raises N20m for IDPs

Members of the Dangote Women Network recently raised over N20 million during a charity walk aimed at creating awareness on the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by insurgency in the North-East.
The charity walk, led by the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and other senior executives, drew participation from over 500 women across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Dangote Flour, chief driver of the charity walk, Halima Dangote, expressed sadness at the deplorable living conditions of IDPs and called for help from Nigerians to ameliorate the pain of the victims who, she noted, had suffered untold hardship. Halima Dangote mentioned the various intervention initiatives by the Dangote Foundation, which she said were in excess of N5 billion. But she stated categorically that more had to be done to bring lasting relief to IDPs, especially women and children.
She commended members of the Dangote Women Network for their unwavering support, commitment, sacrifice and financial contribution to the victims of insurgency in the North-East and the IDPs through the initiative. She added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our women for their donations and contribution towards making the charity walk a success.”
She further appealed to all public-spirited individuals and organisations to rise up to be counted at this time of hardship for the IDPs. The funds raised, she assured, would be used to provide mosquito-repellant blankets, food items and warm clothing for the IDPs, especially with the harmattan season approaching.
Dangote applauded the initiative, even as he stressing the significance of giving back.
He noted: “Giving back is the key to success. No humanitarian assistance is too small to render to people in need. I, therefore, encourage you to give back, and that gesture would never be in vain.” He also pledged his full support to the women’s network, and encouraged them to do more.
In her closing remarks, the CEO of the foundation, Ms Zouera Youssoufou, announced the foundation’s readiness to contribute to peace and security in all parts of Nigeria; she described the gesture as a huge success that would go a long way in touching the lives of many.