Buhari hails Dangote on 64th birthday, ‘You’re a key partner, corona warrior’

President Muhammadu Buhari says Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote group, is a key partner and warrior in the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

In a statement on Saturday, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said Buhari gave the commendation in commemoration of Dangote’s 64th birthday.

Dangote Group is a member of private sector-led coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

Buhari said the “corona warrior” has continued to show consistent faith and belief in Nigeria.

He said the burden of the coronavirus pandemic has been lighter for both the citizens and government because people like Dangote provided needed support and cooperation.

“He also commended the President of Dangote group for giving wings to the aspirations of many youngsters and professionals in Nigeria and the rest of the continent, urging him to continue to do more,” the statement said.

“President Buhari added that these exemplary efforts will go down in history and will be remembered by future generations.

“He wished him many more years of healthy life and service to nation and humanity.”

Dangote is one of the three dollar-billionaires in Nigeria, according to Forbes 2021 world billionaires list released on Tuesday.

The industrialist retained the top spot of Africa’s richest person with a net worth of $11.5 billion, making him the 191st wealthiest person in the world.

He owns 85 percent of publicly-traded Dangote Cement through a holding company, and has shares in publicly-traded salt and sugar manufacturing companies.