…disburses 120,000 bags of rice In Kano
…we’ll continue on this path, says Fatima Aliko Dangote
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, launched his food intervention programme in Kano on Saturday. The food intervention programme, which will cost his foundation (Aliko Dangote Foundation ADF) close to N15 billion, started with the distribution of over one million bags of 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and FCT in Nigeria.
Speaking at the official flag-off of the intervention programme, Dangote said the initiative was a crucial step towards alleviating the ongoing economic challenges faced in the country.
He also emphasised the importance of compassion and generosity during the holy month of Ramadan, stressing that all stakeholders must play a part in supporting the government to alleviate hunger in the land.
“Our distribution of rice symbolises our commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity which are at the core of our humanity,” he said.
ADF will spearhead the food intervention programme which will run from March to early April 2024.
For the distribution of the over 1 million 10kg packs of rice across the country, he said, “The modalities for the programme involve collaboration with state and local governments and local community partners to ensure effective delivery of the rice to the most vulnerable across the country, regardless of state, tribe, gender, religion, politics, or other attributes.”
Also speaking, Zouera Youssoufou, MD/CEO of the ADF, said the foundation was also distributing 10,000 iftar meals during this month of Ramadan in Kano Municipality.
She said this was in addition to the Foundation’s daily bread relief programme that is producing and distributing over 32,000 family-size loaves of bread across Kano and Lagos States every day since 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was at the flag-off ceremony, 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.
“I do not have enough words to express my heartfelt gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote on behalf of the good people of Kano State,” Governor Yusuf said.
“This is because the gesture he is offering today will undoubtedly alleviate the burden of many families facing economic hardship in our state. I urge all other wealthy individuals and businesses in our community to take heed of this noble example set by the Dangote Group and extend similar gestures of support to those in need in our dear state,” he said.
In a chat with the press at the programme, Group Executive Director, Commercial, Fatima Aliko Dangote, said the company would not rest on its oars and would continue to support the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
“This programme marks the latest nutrition and humanitarian intervention by the Foundation, continuing its tradition of impactful philanthropy. Since the 1990s, the Foundation has been providing 10,000 cooked meals daily to the vulnerable in Kano State, reaching hospitals, schools, care homes, prisons, mosques, and individuals,” she said.
