Business
PMB Hails CACOVID for Donating 350 Security Vehicles
…says Coalition made him proud over Covid-19 response
As the private sector-led Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID) winds down, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the initiative of private sector operators, saying the contributions he has received from the Coalition so far has elevated his status among other Presidents of the world.
The President, who spoke in Abuja yesterday while receiving a parting donation of N12 billion security equipment for the Military and the Nigeria Police from the leadership of CACOVID said his government had received so much support from the private sector in addressing social ills in the country.
Items handed over to the President by the Coalition members included 100 Tata 14 ton Troop carriers, 100 Tata 12 ton Troop carriers, 86 Toyota pick-up trucks, 64 Nissan Navara pick-up trucks with their spare parts, 13,000 helmets as well as 13,000 bullet proof vests.
It would be recalled that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had also rated CACOVID as the third largest contributor in the world to the fight against Covid-19 virus, the outbreak of which in 2020 brought the world to its knees.
An excited President Buhari while thanking the CACOVID on behalf of the Military and the Police said: “Today is indeed a very happy day for all Nigerians, and I can happily say that I am the envy of many Presidents in the world. I am exceedingly honoured to be the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at this time.
“I am gratified to have the honour of leading a country whose private sector willingly galvanises itself to raise funds to enthusiastically support government in resolving social ills. I am proud to say that there is nowhere in the entire world, except in Nigeria, where the private sector has voluntarily come together to assist government efforts.
“Thank you for supporting our Administration’s efforts to strengthen the Police and Military as we face the security challenges that all modern nations face”, Buhari added, noting that such a patriotic gesture was proof that nationalistic determination is still alive in Nigeria, in the face of enormous challenges pervading the world and the country.
Speaking while handing over the items, Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Aliko Dangote, a foremost industrialist who initiated the Coalition with the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Herbert Wigwe, explained that the Coalition was winding down with the latest donation.
He listed other business leaders brought together under CACOVID to include Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, Segun Agbaje, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Femi Otedola, Adesola Adedotun, Karl Toriola, Haresh Aswani, Raj Gupta, and John Coumantaros, all of who contributed several billions of Naira each and supported the CACOVID effort with advocacy. In all, according to him, over 100 organisations and private individuals contributed to CACOVID.
Mr. Dangote gave reason for the donation saying that as the worst of the Covid crisis waned in Nigeria, the security situation deteriorated, partly due to economic disruptions caused by the shutdown of the global and national economy.
Therefore, to provide additional response support to the Government, the ADF Chairman said CACOVID embarked on another fundraising effort, which enabled it to purchase the items for the Police and the Military.
Recalling the birth of CACOVID, Dangote explained that the Coalition as a timely response to the outbreak of the deadly covid-19 virus was borne out of the previous experience with Ebola elsewhere in West Africa, which made him to recognise the fact that the potential crisis looming was very serious
“And so together with Herbert Wigwe, we set up CACOVID and drafted our peers in the private sector to join our efforts. The CBN Governor joined our efforts very early and chaired the group. We knew straight away that we had a responsibility to act and support the efforts of Government as quickly as possible to avert disaster”, Dangote noted.
Dangote continued; “In addition to the leadership team, we set up a technical committee to guide our purchasing decisions, which was critical, given the prevailing confusion around testing and treatment options, and the lack of successful models anywhere in the world. Members of that committee included leading Nigerian scientists and public health professionals, the DG of NCDC, DG of the Presidential Task force on Covid-19, representatives of WHO, BMGF and the UN.
“In addition, a core team of select staff members from our organisations manned the initiative’s operations Centre 7 days a week for several months planning, coordinating, and delivering on the various activities of the coalition.”
While enumerating all the supports the Coalition has offered the nation in the last two years, Dangote disclosed that the group mobilised its members and raised N62 billion to provide 39 fully kitted isolation centers in all 36 States and FCT; Testing Supplies for almost 1 million tests; Food for 10 million vulnerable individuals across the country; Oxygen and tanks to the most affected states; Support for vaccines delivery and distribution across the Nation; Support to re-open the economy (Travel Portal, IT, airport scanners/PPE and other support) with communications and advocacy campaigns around prevention and against disinformation.
According to Dangote, the donation marks the end of the CACOVID initiative “as we wind down what has been deemed an example of patriotism, solidarity and efficiency in terms of partnership between the public and private sectors. This is a lesson in the power of collaboration for a worthy cause.
“Thank you to my partners on this CACOVID journey. I would like to especially thank the Presidential Covid-19 team led by SGF Mr. Boss Mustapha for their excellent collaboration. My gratitude goes to Mr. President for your unwavering support and that of your entire Government.”
Also speaking on the activities of CACOVID, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Central Bank Governor, who led the CACOVID Committee told the President he was proud to be part of the Coalition that supported government in its fight against insecurity.
“I am immensely gratified by what CACOVID has achieved in its few years of existence. The nationalist and patriotic drive of my colleagues therein is unmatched anywhere in the world and must be applauded. The Coalition is a good example of what Nigeria must become: a nation of patriotic solidarity of individuals and corporations, and effective collaboration of the public and private sectors,” he said.
Over one million Nigerians nationwide will receive a 10kg bag of rice each, with the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) distributing the staple food as part of the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project.
The initiative, which commenced on Thursday would is estimated at a whooping cost of N16 billion.
During the flag-off of the nationwide distribution in Kano, Chairman of the Foundation, Alh Aliko Dangote, said the distribution of one million bags of 10kg rice to the poor and vulnerable Nigerians in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Nigeria was in line with the core values of his businesses and the ADF.
Dangote, who was represented by his daughter, Mariam Aliko Dangote said, “This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values.”
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He highlighted that the Foundation was kicking off the distribution in Kano State, after which it will proceed to other states, assuring that all arrangements are in place to ensure the food reaches those who need it most in all the LGAs of Nigeria.
Dangote, reputed to be Africa’s wealthiest person opined that food remains a basic human necessity, and this is why the ADF adopted the practice of embarking on a food distribution programme across Nigeria.
“We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state,” he added.
According to Dangote the ADF focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians through support for projects which tackle hunger and water supply problems, strengthen the quality and scope of health and education, and promote economic empowerment at the community level.
“Your excellency, I believe that today’s event will help in tackling hunger and helping the most vulnerable people in breaking their fast. We are playing our role in enhancing the living conditions of our people. I urge other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that will place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians. This job should not be left to the government alone, rather we need a public private partnership that will help us in fighting the scourge.
“I commend the government at all levels for their efforts at addressing the food crisis. I am certain that with time, we shall overcome these challenges, therefore let us support the government to achieve its target of a better life for Nigerians, “he said.
On his part, Kano State Governor, Abba K. Yusuf, who flagged off the National Food Intervention Programme commended the good gesture and said the intervention reflects the unwavering commitment of Alh Dangote in addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo said 120,000 bags of 10kg rice will be distributed across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
He described Alh Dangote as humane, adding that: “A similar event took place last year where he personally oversaw the distribution of food stuff to the poor in this very arena.”
To ensure transparency in the distribution process, he said the state government has set up a committee comprising of relevant ministries, CSOs, religious leaders, departments and agencies, local authorities, the Hisbah Board and security agencies.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the Annual National Food Intervention Project is a way of giving back, and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
She said that Alh Dangote is passionate about philanthropy and committed to ensuring that hunger is wiped out or reduced to the minimum in Nigeria.
“We are going to other states to distribute the products, but we’ve just flagged off in Kano,” she told newsmen on the sideline of the Kano Government House, venue of the flag off.
The Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah Board in Kano, Dr. Mujahid Aminudeen, thanked the ADF for the initiative, urging more Nigerians to emulate Alh Dangote in the humanitarian cause.
He said the Hisbah Board will ensure that the products reach the targeted beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Ahmed, speaking on behalf of others thanked Alh Dangote for his large heart saying the gift would go a long way in reducing food pressures on them especially during the Ramadan while also praying God to continue to help him in his businesses.
Recall that the ADF has been at the forefront of tackling and ameliorating the impact of natural disasters and health challenges in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
The ADF donated N153million to boost Nigeria’s fight against Ebola Virus Disease in 2014, $3million to the African Union (AU) to help combat the scourge, and N66.66 million to install thermal scanning systems and cameras at Nigeria’s 4 international airports.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we donated N2billion to the CACOVID Fund, a Private Sector task force in partnership with the Federal Government, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the sole aim of combating Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
In support for education, we donated a N1.2bn modern business school edifice to the Bayero University, Kano, a fully equipped 2,160-bed capacity hostel complex to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a N300 million building to University of Ibadan Business School.
Beyond the shores of Nigeria, the ADF has also recorded milestones with a donation of $1million, to lift victims of two earthquakes that devastated Nepal.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is under pressure to suspend its recently introduced increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction charges due to the country’s worsening economic conditions.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Marcus Onobun, a lawmaker representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency in Edo State, raised concerns over the policy through a motion of urgent public importance.
He noted that the CBN’s directive not only increases withdrawal fees but also removes free ATM transactions for customers using other banks’ machines, adding to the financial strain on Nigerians.
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According to the new regulations, customers withdrawing from their own bank’s ATMs will still enjoy free withdrawals.
However, those using other banks’ ATMs will now be charged N100 for withdrawals of N20,000 within a bank’s premises. At off-site ATMs, such as those in shopping malls or markets, the charge remains N100, but with an added N500 surcharge.
Onobun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), argued that Nigerians are already struggling with economic difficulties, including high inflation, rising fuel costs, increased electricity tariffs, and multiple banking fees.
He warned that the additional charges could further discourage financial inclusion, particularly among low-income earners, contradicting the CBN’s own agenda.
“The banking sector continues to record significant profits, yet customers are being burdened with more charges without any improvement in service delivery or infrastructure. This is unfair and unacceptable,” he stated.
Following his motion, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the matter to a voice vote, and lawmakers overwhelmingly supported it.
As a result, the House of Representatives called on the CBN to immediately halt the implementation of the policy until further consultations are held with relevant banking and finance committees.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is already emplacing an new naira for crude contract with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, because the initial contract was for six months which expired in March 2025.
This clarification was made in a statement in Abuja by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye on Monday.
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According to Soneye, the NNPC Limited has noted recent reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged unilateral termination of the crude oil sales agreement in Naira between NNPC Ltd. and Dangote Refinery.
To clarify, the contract for the sale of crude oil in Naira was structured as a six-month agreement, subject to availability, and expires at the end of March 2025. Discussions are currently ongoing towards emplacing a new contract.
Under this arrangement, NNPC Ltd. has made over 48 million barrels of crude oil available to Dangote Refinery since October 2024. In aggregate, NNPC Ltd. has made over 84 million barrels of crude oil available to the Refinery since its commencement of operations in 2023.
NNPC Limited remains committed to supplying crude oil for local refining based on mutually agreed terms and conditions.
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