President of the Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,? has doled out N600m to Kano State Government at the weekend to support its empowerment programme? for women and youth.
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?At a colourful ceremony at the Sani Abacha stadium’s Indoor sport hall, Dangote said the gesture was to complement government’s effort towards alleviating poverty particularly among women in the state.
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Of the total money donated, N440m is to be committed to 44,000 women from across the state that would be given N10,000 each to venture into any business of interest to them, while the balance of N160m is to be committed to youth empowerment.
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In an address at the ceremony, Dangote said that he decided to roll out the financial assistance to the women and youth in view of his desire to alleviate poverty among women.
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“As an indigene of Kano State, I feel I am? duty bound to look back and support less –privileged people particularly women,” Dangote said amidst rousing ovation from the people.
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He later presented a cheque of N500m at the occasion, saying that he would soon forward another cheque of N100m? for the balance of the amount.
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He said, according to the plan by the government, each of the 44 local government areas of the state will select 1,000 women to benefit from the gesture by getting N10,000 each while the youth empowerment scheme will be financed by N160m.
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Dangote’s financial assistance to the state government was the first leap forward by any business man and was received by the people as a giant stride towards alleviating poverty in the state.