A Non Governmental Organization (NGO), known as Love to the World Initiative Bridge Builders has conferred on the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, a ‘Bridge Builder’ Award.
A statement by the group’s regional spokesman, Abubakar Jibrin, in Abuja said that the award was in recognition of Dangote’s “avowed Pan-African posture, laced with his nationalistic approach in locating his industries and his employment policies.”
Jibrin quoted the NGO as saying: “the richest man in Africa and business mogul bagged the award for distinguishing himself in the promotion of peaceful co-existence, poverty alleviation and hospitality across the nation and Africa at large.”
The Chief Executive of the NGO, Josephine Anumbor, said that the award was aimed at mobilizing Nigerians to change from being selfish to becoming selfless and to contribute to national development.
She said that Dangote Industries Limited are a good example of the drive to curb unemployment and uplift Nigerians through various services.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Garba Abari, said the awardee deserved global recognition for giving succour to the less privileged.
“Dangote’s assistance to Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East is exemplary.”
He said that the NGO is a component of government’s “Change Begins With Me” campaign and urged Nigerians to show love, to enable the country to tackle socio-political and economic challenges facing the nation.
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who was the Chairman of the occasion, called on Nigerians to show love to one another.
Represented by his brother, Dauda Gowon, the ex-head of state said that peaceful co-existence, love and unity are non-negotiable in resolving challenges. [myad]
