Director, Media Trust Group, Malam Mannir Dan-Ali handing over N10 million Cheque to Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Media Trust Group, owners of Daily Trust, Weekend Trust , Aminiya, Trust TV and Trust Radio, said it has raised over N200 million through fundraising and spent it on humanitarian interventions in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
The Director of Media Trust Group/ Daily Trust Foundation, Malam Mannir Dan-Ali, disclosed this during a sympathy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri.
He also announced N10 million donation for the victims of recent flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri city and its environs, the state capital weekend when he commiserated with the people and government of Borno State.
Malam Dan-Ali, who was accompanied by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the company, Malam Ahmed Shekarau, noted that the flood disaster has shocked everyone who saw what happened to Maiduguri city.
“I don’t think there is anybody in the world, not just in Nigeria, who would not be touched by what he saw happened.
“And, from all accounts, anything close to it only happened 30 years ago and not on this scale.
“Basically, we are here to express our sympathy with what has happened to Borno State, the people and the government,” Shekarau said.
Dan-Ali added that the existing relationship between Media Trust and Borno State Government has been a long standing one while assuring that it would be sustained at all times.
“Borno is us, and we are Borno. So anything that affects Borno affects us and we will always be there.
“That’s why at one time Borno hosted one of our printing presses, and now that we are into TV, it also has one of our important offices right here in Maiduguri”, Shekarau said.
Dan-Ali further recalled how Media Trust organized a fundraising account to support victims of Boko Haram insurgency, at the recovery stage.
“Borno has been part of us, because even after the Boko Haram, we are the only media house that organised a fundraising, and raised well over N200 million and we applied it here.
“We give scholarships to future prowess, to girls, we sank quite a number of boreholes within Borno State, and the last signature project we just finished in Yobe state is Dukumari primary healthcare that has been rehabilitated by the Daily Trust Foundation” the Chairman said.
Dan-Ali added that he was baffled by an interview with the former Chief Executive of the Chad Basin Development Authority (CBDA), who said the quantity of water in Alau Dam may not be enough for the people in the state after the flood disaster.
“So there must be plan to build another dam, weather by the federal government, Borno State or some joint effort,” Dan-Ali said.
Responding, Governor Babagana Zulum said the existing relationship between Media Trust Group, has been quite long standing and most be sustained.
“We are elated by your presence, and be rest assured you that the money would be spent judiciously,” Zulum said.
