President, business community extol Dangote’s virtues at 60

President Muhammadu Buhari at the weekend hailed the entrepreneurial acumen of businessman Aliko Dangote, who clocks 60 today, even as the President of Dangote Group stated that his faith in Nigeria’s economic potential remained unshaken.
Felicitating with the Forbes’-rated Africa’s richest man, business mogul and philanthropist, Buhari hailed Dangote’s patriotism and kind-heartedness as well as contributions to safeguarding the health of the nation, especially in polio and Ebola interventions.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President joined the business world, Dangote’s friends and family, in congratulating the celebrator.
According to him, the global business mogul remains a shining example of the virtues of choosing entrepreneurship from an early age, treading the path of diligence, perseverance and continuous learning to build some of the world’s largest manufacturing and distribution companies, with household names in Nigeria and beyond.
The statement reads: “As Dangote clocks 60, President Buhari commended the humility, simplicity and cosmopolitan outlook of the entrepreneur who defies ethnic and religious persuasions in extending support to the poor and vulnerable, providing employment opportunities without discrimination, while inspiring and mentoring young Nigerians to greatness.
“The President acknowledged Dangote’s role in bolstering the economy through continuous engagement and counselling of governments on best practices in promoting the ease of doing business.
“He prayed that the almighty God will grant Dangote more wisdom, good health and longer life to serve his country and humanity.”
Speaking with a group of businessmen in his office at the weekend, Dangote said his passion of the nation’s economy has been the impetus underlining his investment decisions.
“Nigeria is the world’s best kept secret”, he told his guests.
Dangote’s birthday will today be commemorated with the planting of sixty trees at the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) site of his proposed world-class Refinery and Petrochemical company.
In a related development, Abdul Ganiyu Abdul Rasaq, former president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) said the diligence, commitment and sense of discipline of Dangote, earned him the Forbes rating as Africa’s richest man.
In a statement issued on Sunday, AbdulRasaq hailed the business tycoon who clocks 60 on Monday.
He also showered encomium on Dangote, saying his interventions in various humanitarian crises in Nigeria and beyond have brought succour to the hapless and downtrodden.
He recalled his footprints as the president of SEC between 2009 and 2014 as well as his continuous invaluable contributions to the Nigerian economy through his chain of businesses which has provided jobs for thousands of Nigerians as the largest private sector employers of labour in the country.
“Dangote patriotism is devoid of ethnic and religious bigotry, thus leading the way in Nigeria’s business community in terms of dedication, productivity, simplicity and humility,” he said.
“I join the business community, friends and families of the business mogul and philanthropist to celebrate him today and pray God Almighty to grant him longer life to enable him serve the society much more.”