TheCable

The Aliko Dangote Foundation has donated 150 fully kitted operational cars to the Nigeria police force.

Speaking during the formal handover of the cars in Abuja, Dangote explained that the gesture was informed by the fact that security is essential to economic development.

Africa’s richest man said his foundation may donate another batch of vehicles if they are well maintained. He said the donation was aimed at strengthening the Nigeria police.

“Considering the challenges government faces in meeting the entire needs of the populace for necessities like health, education and security, various Public Private Partnerships (PPP) initiatives have been developed,” he said.

“These are partnerships where the private sector collaborates with the public sector to provide services.”

According to him, the foundation has been active in the four areas of health, education, economic empowerment and disaster relief, and had expended upwards of N10 billion annually.

The federal government, through Yemi Osinbajo, vice-president, lauded the foundation for the gesture and expressed the government’s appreciation to Dangote.

Osinbajo said Dangote is a rare entrepreneur who has done so much to grow the economy of Nigeria.

“There have been a lot of talks on private-public partnership, but as we can see Alhaji Dangote is walking the talk,” he said.

“The donation of 150 cars to the Nigerian police force is laudable and we thank Aliko Dangote foundation for this rare gesture, that is characteristic of the person of Aliko Dangote.

“He has shown over the years to be an entrepreneur with a difference, a man that gives willingly to the poor.”

Ibrahim Idris, inspector general of police, said the donation was the biggest ever made to the police by a private sector operator.