So far, 17 states have received their shares of the over one million 10kg rice, being distributed by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), across the 774 local governments in Nigeria.
Managing director and chief executive officer of the ADF, Zouera Youssoufou said, the Foundation would ensure that all the local governments in Nigeria get their shares of the rice before the end of the Ramadan period.
Youssoufou said the Foundation is partnering with credible NGOs, civil societies, and religious bodies among others to ensure the donations go to the most vulnerable in all the states and local governments across Nigeria.
She said the Foundation is guided by a vision of empowering Africans to achieve their self-actualization and full potential as it believes that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
It would be recalled that the ADF, recently flagged off the distribution of over one million bags of 10kg rice across all the 774 local governments in Nigeria in Kano and Lagos respectively.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, who is also the chairman of ADF, was present at both the flagging-off ceremony in Kano and Lagos, where 120,000 and 80,000 bags of 10kg rice were distributed to both Kano and Lagos states respectively said he has resolved to do all within his powers to assist all the tiers of the government in alleviating poverty in Nigeria.
Dangote said, the food intervention programme, demonstrates the Foundation’s commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity. Dangote said the initiative is a crucial step towards alleviating the ongoing economic challenges faced by our nation.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Kano, the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, urged other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Aliko Dangote by supporting the government in the provision of palliative to cushion the harsh economic condition in the country.
In the same vein, governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the gesture of distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice shows that the leadership of the Foundation prioritises the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.
Group executive director of Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Fatima Aliko-Dangote, noted that the flag-off in Lagos is a follow-up to the 120,000 bags distributed in Kano last Saturday.
“There are many other things the Dangote Foundation is also doing. We are also serving 2,500 breads all over Lagos daily. We started this in 2020 during COVID-19. The foundation has invested in many things. Years back, we gave women some money to be able to invest in their businesses,” she said.
