The Aliko Dangote Foundation has flagged off the distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice to the vulnerable in Lagos State.
The President of Dangote Group and Chairman of the foundation, Aliko Dangote, noted that the gesture was part of the over one million 10kg bags of rice that would be distributed to one million vulnerable people in the 774 local government areas of the country.
Speaking at the flag-off in Lagos, Dangote said the distribution of the 80,000 bags of 10kg rice was another demonstration of the foundation’s commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity.
Noting that the distribution of the rice was in addition to the daily distribution of 12,500 loaves of bread in Lagos, the businessman stressed that with the initiative, the foundation aspired to ameliorate some of the burdens faced by vulnerable communities in Lagos.
In his remarks, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, applauded the many initiatives of Dangote to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians while praising him for showing compassion to the needy in society.
Sanwo-Olu said the gesture of distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice showed that the leadership of the foundation prioritised the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.
The governor noted, “Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian who 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. There is a lot of global disruption in different parts of the world, and it is a tough time to be in a position of leadership.”
Speaking, Dangote said: “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 across the nation 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 36 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 the Holy Month of Ramadan.”
The CEO of the ADF, Zouera Youssoufou, remarked that the foundation was partnering with credible orgnanisations, civil societies, religious bodies, among others to ensure the donations went to the most vulnerable in Lagos.
There have been protests in some states against economic hardship in the country, rising inflation and the high cost of living following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Parts of the ways the government and other stakeholders consider to cushion the effect of the hardship have been through palliative distribution.
In Lagos, the state government on Sunday, March 17, 2024, commenced “Ounje Eko”, food markets, where sales of food items were sold at discounted prices in the five divisions of the state.