The Oyo State government has commenced the second phase of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) by distributing 10,000 bags of rice to 30,000 residents.
Speaking at the food relief item presentation held at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan, Professor Musibau Babatunde, secretary of the SAfER committee and Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, said the food distribution aimed to alleviate poverty among residents.
He added that the food relief items would also improve the welfare of the residents, especially the socially disadvantaged groups in the state.
According to him, the beneficiaries of the food relief item were selected from the 33 local government areas of the state, including widows, the underprivileged, people living with disabilities, the aged, and other vulnerable people.
He said, “This ceremony is a symbolic presentation of rice that the Aliko Dangote Foundation gave to Oyo State.
“The state is already in the second phase of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), which the governor of the state has put together to alleviate poverty and improve the welfare of the residents. This is part of the strategic partnership the state is forming with the private sector.
“This initiative will cut across socially disadvantaged groups in the state, from the physically challenged to the vulnerable groups and the elderly.
“We are expecting about 30,000 beneficiaries, and we are going to ensure it touches all the local government areas in the state.”
Earlier, the Head of Operations, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Lagos, Mr. Edero Victor Ejiro, said the initiative to distribute one million bags of 10kg rice to the vulnerable, widows, underprivileged and people going through hardship across the country, started in 2024.
He commended Governor Makinde’s administration for supporting the poorest of the poor, the needy, and the vulnerable in the state, stressing that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would complement the efforts through donations of food materials for nutritional and economic empowerment.
He urged the beneficiaries to share with people around them, saying: “I am here to present 30,000 bags of 10kg rice to Oyo State.
