The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has congratulated Alhaji Aliko Dangote on his 69th birthday, describing him as “a man with high degree of vision, creative thinking, research, innovations and doggedness, whose unflinching commitment to national growth and development has culminated in what is described as Dangote business and industrial empire today”.
He said the foremost industrialist is not just a big industrial player in Nigeria and Africa, but the entire globe, “deepening the creation of wealth and employment generation”.
In his congratulatory message through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Alaafin stated that since Alhaji Dangote Foundation debuted, it has not only blazed a trail in the annals of philanthropy cum charity, but it has also redefined the standard and become a benchmark for a committed passion for philanthropic gestures and charity outreaches.
According to him, “Alhaji Aliko Dangote is famed for being a foremost industrialist, paragon of the entrepreneurial spirit and epitome of philanthropy. Apart from his towering profile as the richest man in Africa and the biggest employer of labour, this quintessential investor is also renowned as a hallmark of philanthropy. His philanthropic milestones through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) is not only legendary and exemplary but unparalleled.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote has always risen to the occasion whenever the needs of philanthropic interventions arise. Aliko Dangote has made transformative contributions to Nigeria’s national growth and development, primarily through industrialization, import substitution, massive job creation, and infrastructure investment.
“As the founder of the Dangote Group, he has shifted Nigeria from a heavily import-dependent economy to a self-sufficient, exporting nation in key sectors like cement, fertilizer, and petrochemicals. Aliko Dangote Foundation has carved a niche through its philanthropic initiatives”.
Oba Owoade pointed out that as a founding member of National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), every keen observer of developments in our polity can attest to the landmark nationalistic and statesmanship roles this Committee has played (still playing) to pull the country from the brinks and stabilise it, whenever it starts teetering towards the crescendo of crisis.
“Alhaji Dangote is inspired by his voracity for philanthropy as a man with a large heart of gold, who understands that wealth without purpose is a liability”.
Alaafin therefore congratulated Alhaji Dangote on his birthday, saying “You are a visionary leader whose dedication and foresight not only continue to drive our dear country to greater heights, but for guiding the country through uncharted waters with grace, wisdom, and unstoppable drive. Here’s to another year of breaking boundaries and setting new benchmarks”.
