By Oyebola Owolabi
The chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Aliko Dangote, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola, and Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu have kicked off the distribution of rice palliatives to vulnerable persons in Lagos state.
This is to help cushion effects of the economic hardship on indigents and vulnerable persons.
The 80,000 bags of 10kg rice were donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, under its Food Intervention Programme.
The foundation will be giving out one million 10kg bags of rice across the country. Kano State was the first to receive its share last Saturday.
Dangote described the initiative as another demonstration of the foundation’s commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity.
He promised that the initiative would reach all the 774 local government areas before the end of Ramadan.
Dangote added: “The foundation, in the last 30 years, has been providing support for vulnerable persons during Ramadan. While our traditional Ramadan food distribution has been focused on the Muslim community, we recognise that the current circumstances where a significant proportion of Nigerians are experiencing severe hardship due to the prevailing high prices of food, require that we broaden our programme to cover communities of all faiths.
“This is why we are extending the Ramadan initiative to cover all the states and the Federal Capital Territory as a testament to our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values and the spirit of Ramadan. We will ensure this initiative reaches the entire 774 local government areas before the end of Ramadan. We must stand together in times of hardship, extending the hand of fellowship to one another.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu applauded the many initiatives of Dangote to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians. He also praised him for showing compassion to the needy in the society.
According to the governor, the ‘gesture shows that the Foundation prioritises the people’s welfare beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth’.
“Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian that has chosen to be different. You have choices, but you have made the right one which is caring for the vulnerable. I appreciate Mr. Aliko Dangote for extending his kind gestures to the people at the bottom of the pyramid, and we are grateful for supporting us in government,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Chief Executive of the ADF Zouera Youssoufou said the Foundation is partnering with credible NGOs, civil societies, and religious bodies, among others, to ensure the donations reach the most vulnerable in Lagos State.
She noted that the Foundation is guided by a vision of empowering Africans to achieve their self-actualisation and full potential as it believes that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
“In times of hardship, it is imperative that we stand together as one nation, one community, extending a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in their time of need as we have done with our female empowerment programme in Lagos State which targeted 40,000 disadvantaged women,” she added.
Group Executive Director (Commercial Operations) of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Fatima Aliko-Dangote, noted that the kick-off in Lagos is a follow-up to the 120,000 bags distributed in Kano on Saturday.
“We have been doing this for a while but we didn’t publicise it because our chairman believes this is between him and God. We however decided to publicise it this year so that we can encourage and inspire others to do so.
“There are many other things the Dangote Foundation is also doing. We are also serving 2,500 loaves of bread a day in Lagos. We started this in 2020 during COVID-19. Also in our hometown in Kano, we have been doing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the past 35 years. The foundation has invested in many things. Years back, we gave women some money to invest in their businesses,” she said. (Nation)
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