'I Want To Be Known As Africa's Biggest Philanthropist' - Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote, says he does not want to be known only as Africa’s richest man, but also as the continent’s biggest and most generous philanthropist.

Speaking at a meeting of Nigeria’s business leaders and philanthropists with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, on Monday in Abuja, Dangote who’s net worth is estimated at over N3 trillion said:

"I set up Dangote foundation in 1994 based on a simple premise; to whom much is given, much is required. That has meant for me, looking at the poor among us, and being compelled to bring some relief. 

I don’t only want to be known as the richest person in Africa, but the biggest philanthropist.I want to use my resources and my voice to help shape a better Nigeria, and I call on fellow business men and women that are here with us, to work in their own ways to join me in this trajectory. 

Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world that experience rapid economic growth without any improvement in poverty levels. More than 60% of the population in the northwest and northeastern part of Nigeria are in severe poverty as we speak today. The situation has been compounded by falling oil prices".

On President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war:

"The war on corruption would ensure more effective service delivery in schools and hospitals. This should enable government to achieve better outcomes for any dollar spent. 

The government is also taking measures to diversify the economy by promoting local production of essential commodities. This might result in short term pains, but in the long run, the economy would benefit from job creation and preservation of scarce foreign exchange".

Present at the meeting with Ban Ki Moon were: Folorunsho Alakija, vice chairman of Famfa Oil; Jim Ovia, founder of Zenith Bank; Tony Elumelu, chairman of United Bank for Africa; John Momoh, founder/CEO of Channels Television; Babatunde Osotimehin, director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and several other dignitaries.