Otedola, Dangote Fund Cuppy Foundation

• Otedola, Dangote Fund Cuppy Foundation

Business mogul, Femi Otedola has donated the sum of N5 billion to the Cuppy Foundation in support of its intervention in the Northeast.

Cuppy Foundation is the non-profit organisation founded by Otedola’s daughter, Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy.

The Foundation is aimed at improving the welfare of the nation’s vulnerable and marginalized children, focusing on early childhood education and healthcare among numerous other programmes.

Otedola, who was represented by one of his daughters, Tolani, made the announcement during the ‘Gold Gala,’ an event by DJ Cuppy, at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, on Sunday.

Tolani said, “My father, Mr. Femi Otedola, has been at the forefront of supporting worthy causes.

“It is in this spirit that he will be donating the sum of N5bn to the children of Borno, Adamawa and Katsina through the Save the Children.”

Also, Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote made a donation of N100 million.

Dangote, who is DJ Cuppy’s godfather, said: “It gives me great pleasure to be here supporting my brother, Femi. I believe we need more Nigerians to have big hearts to give back to the needy.”

“To Cuppy, I must congratulate you for having a big heart to visit those children in Borno. She spent about four days with them. In the light of this, I am making a donation of N100m.”

DJ Cuppy, an ambassador of the Save the Children UK, launched the Foundation in August 2018, after making a trip to Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to DJ Cuppy, she started the foundation as a way of giving back to the less fortunate.

Vice President Yemi Osibanjo who was the guest of honour at the ceremony told the guest the event must refocus their minds on caring for the poor and malnourished especially in Nigeria.

According to the Vice President, in 2015, Buhari proposed the “largest social investment programme in Africa” of about N500bn annually.

He added, “Yet we are far from where we ought to be. It is obvious that government cannot do it alone.

“So, we don’t (all) need to be billionaires (to do our part). It is time for every one of us to decide to make a difference to ensure that the poor and vulnerable are given a decent life.”

Among the guests were CEO, Save the Children, UK, Kevin Watkins; Mr Femi Otedola, entrepreneur, Hajia Bola Shagaya; Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo.

They also included Senator Gabriel Suswam, Minister of State for Transport, Gbemisola Saraki; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and his daughter Hajia Halima Dangote.

Others were the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paulen Tallen; former Governor of Borno State, Gen Buba Marwa; Group CEO, Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun; and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum.