The chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has praised Aliko Dangote as he marks his 69th birthday.
Speaking on behalf of the 19 Northern governors, Yahaya said Dangote’s rise from a businessman to a global industrial leader is a source of pride for Northern Nigeria and the entire African continent. He noted that Dangote’s success story continues to inspire young entrepreneurs across the region to believe in hard work, persistence, and innovation.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the governor described Dangote as a strong example of African business success and visionary leadership. He added that Dangote’s achievements have placed Nigeria on the global economic map and demonstrated the potential of homegrown enterprises.
He said through the Dangote Group, Dangote has shown that local businesses can grow into world-class industries. These businesses have helped the economy grow, created thousands of jobs, and strengthened local production in Nigeria and beyond, especially in manufacturing and energy sectors.
Yahaya also praised Dangote’s investments in key sectors such as cement production, petrochemicals, and oil refining. He explained that these sectors are critical to national development and have helped reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported goods.
He noted that projects like the Dangote Refinery and the expansion of cement factories across Africa have improved the continent’s industrial strength and boosted economic competitiveness.
According to him, Northern governors respect Dangote for his contributions to economic growth, job creation, infrastructure development, and efforts to make Africa more self-reliant.
The Forum also commended his charitable work through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, especially in health, education, humanitarian support, and poverty reduction, which have positively impacted millions of lives.
Yahaya prayed for good health, wisdom, and many more years of impactful service for Dangote and Africa.
