<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Federal Government and two corporate organisations, including Dangote Cement Plc. and Zenith Bank Plc. on Wednesday visited the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to commiserate with him and the State on the recent explosions that rocked Abule Ado-Soba area of the State, which left more than 20 dead, and several injured, with properties worth billions of naira destroyed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Federal Government delegation was led to the State
House, Marina, by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and
Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The minister lauded the prompt response of Governor
Sanwo-Olu to the disaster, saying the joint emergency response efforts helped
tremendously in the search and rescue operations after the explosions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A statement signed by Gboyega Akosile, spokesman for the
governor stated that Farouq told the Governor that apart from coming to deliver
President Muhammadu Buhari&#8217;s condolence message to the people of Lagos, she was
in the State to follow up &#8220;on the on-the-spot assessments and to further
visit the sites and commiserate with the victims.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;I am aware that the State government’s response has
relied on a multi stakeholder approach; with key actors such as the Fire
Service, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency
(LASEPA), NNPC, The Police, Red Cross and Fire services around Badagry, Festac
and private bodies for the solidarity they have demonstrated working alongside
with a view to rendering any assistance and disaster management expertise that
may be required.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Farouq noted that when disasters occur, it is necessary
that all national, sub-national and private assets are utilized to ensure
effective, quick and coordinated response to emergencies as we have witnessed
in the Abule Ado Soba disaster.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">She further stated that the Federal Ministry of
Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development is in Lagos to
provide coordination support to the State Government’s effort.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">She said: &#8220;there is
directive to provide protection to displaced persons through the agencies of
the Ministry, the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally
Displaced Persons and NEMA.&#8221;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The two corporate bodies which came in turns and led by
Emmanuel Ikazoboh for Dangote Cement and Ebenezer Onyeagwu, who is Group
Managing Director of Zenith Bank, met the governor at the State House, Marina,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The two organisations expressed sadness over the
incident, while announcing the donation of N100million each to the N2billion
Fund earlier launched by the State government.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Ikazoboh announced the donation of N100million worth of
cement for reconstruction of the damaged part of Abule Ado, which was affected
by the explosion, while Zenith Bank made a donation of the same amount for the
care of victims of the disaster, even as he pledged for more in the course of
time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Ikazoboh said that the visit to the governor was to
introduce the new management of the company and to commiserate with him on the
sad incident that took place at Abule Ado.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He stated that the management
had directed that N100million worth of cement be donated towards reconstruction
of the explosion site.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://openlife.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Dangote-and-Jim-Ovia.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2656"/><figcaption><strong>Jim Ovia and Aliko Dangote</strong></figcaption></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;We are specifically here to inform the governor of
the change in top management of Dangote, the former Group Managing Director,
Engineer Joseph Makoju has retired and Michel Puchercos took over from him.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;The other reason is to commiserate with the
governor and to pledge our support that we would help in the reconstruction of
the damaged part of the site.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;We have been directed by the management of the
company to make available N100million worth of cement for rebuilding of the
damaged portion of Abule Ado,&#8221; he said.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">On his part, the Group Managing Director and Chief
Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Onyeagwu, told the Governor, that he was
there to reassure the him of the bank’s support in taking care of the people
affected by the explosion as well as commiserate with the State government on
the incident.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">According to him, the Sunday incident initially appeared
like a movie until it was later confirmed. The visit was also to thank the
State government for its prompt approach in handling the traumatic experience,
praying that God would comfort the families of those affected by the explosion.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He announced a donation of N100m.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">&#8220;Zenith Bank is making an immediate donation of
N100million. We hope it would ameliorate the suffering of the victims. We pray
God would console the families of those who died during the disaster. ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked the Federal
Government, particularly President Muhammadu Buhari for granting him audience
in the wake of the disaster. ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He said the State Government had made a move by
immediately relocating the displaced victims to the State&#8217;s internally
displaced persons centre for proper care.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He assured the Minister that the investigative committee
will share necessary information that may be required by the Federal
Government. ;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sanwo-Olu also expressed appreciation for the visit and
the donation by both Dangote Cement and Zenith Bank.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He equally thanked Nigerians, Lagosians as well as other
corporate organisations for their contribution and donations to the N2billion
Abule Ado explosion emergency relief fund, assuring that the funds would be
transparently managed.</p>

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