 |
| Alhaji Aliko Dangote |
By Salisu K Ismail
Aliko Dangote Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its National Rice Relief Programme, aimed at distributing over 1,000,000 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and FCT in Nigeria from March to early April 2024. This initiative is a crucial step towards alleviating the ongoing economic challenges faced by our nation.
“The rice distribution programme will commence in Kano and Lagos States with flag-off ceremonies before expanding to all the other 36 states and the FCT over the next two weeks,” the statement said.
In his remarks at the flag-off of the programme in Kano State on Saturday, 23rd March 2024, the Chairman of Aliko Dangote Foundation and Group President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, emphasised the importance of compassion and generosity during the holy month of Ramadan. He stated, "Our distribution of rice symbolises our commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of our humanity."
Mr. Dangote said the ADF was disbursing 120,000 bags of rice in Kano alone.
Kano, with over 20million people is the most populated state in Nigeria, and the commercial nerve of the North.
The disbursement is being handled by the Kano Hisbah Board.
“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, “ the statement from the company said.
Additionally, it is distributing 10,000 iftar meals throughout the month of Ramadan in Kano Municipality. These are complementary to the foundation’s daily bread relief programme that has been providing over 32,000 family-size loaves of bread across Kano and Lagos States every day since 2020 following the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is noteworthy that, Dangote’s efforts in nutrition strengthening in Nigeria extend well beyond the foundation’s food relief programmes and nutrition activities. The Dangote Group has been actively investing in food fortification across the Nigerian food industry, including through its iodized salt, vitamin A fortified sugar, and research into micronutrient fortification of staples like rice, wheat, and bouillon cubes.
Over the past decade, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has consistently provided direct humanitarian relief in response to unrest and conflict in the North-East region of Nigeria, as well as food relief to displaced communities in the North-West region. Its wider work over the last 3 decades spans nutrition and health, education, and economic empowerment, not only in Nigeria but also in Africa and the rest of the world through various policy, programme and project initiatives. In addition to carrying out direct interventions, the foundation works with federal, state and local governments, international development partners and institutions, local communities, and other philanthropists to deliver on its mission.
The Foundation urges all well-meaning Nigerians to extend their support and assistance to those who are less privileged or disadvantaged in society. It is only through sincere collective action and social responsibility that we can find lasting solutions to issues of inequality and poverty.
We further urge governments at all levels to intensify their efforts to improve the economic environment of Nigeria through the implementation of policies and initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction. By creating a conducive environment for private enterprises to thrive, governments can stimulate investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship, which are essential for sustainable development and prosperity.
Moreover, strengthening the Nigerian economy will empower individuals to become more self-reliant and economically independent. When people have access to basic nutrition, quality education, training, and income opportunities, they are better equipped to support themselves and their families, breaking the cycle of poverty and dependency.
Meanwhile, speaking on the sideline of the flag-off, Group Executive Director, Commercial, Fatima Aliko Dangote, said the company will not rest on its oars, and would continue to support the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
She said: “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.”
Ultimately, the goal is to build a society where each person has an opportunity to fulfil their potential and lead dignified, prosperous lives. This requires a collective commitment from both individuals and institutions to address systemic challenges, promote social justice, and create an inclusive and equitable society for all Africans.
Established with a vision to improve the well-being of people across Africa and beyond, Aliko Dangote Foundation focuses on nutrition and health, education, and economic empowerment. Through various initiatives, the Foundation strives to create lasting impacts and uplift communities.
AGRIC COMMISSIONER
Dangote Brings Huge Succour To Kano
Kano State Government has commended the Aliko Dangote Foundation, ADF for its robust coordination process put in place to enhance seamless distribution of One Million Bags of Rice in the State.
Speaking in Kano, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Danjuma Mahmud, while describing the National Rice program as a bold step, he said ADF has brought huge economic relief in the state.
The Commissioner also detailed coordination process through the Hisbah Board, assuring that the palliative will get to the intended beneficiaries.
“That is the reason the state security apparatus, Hisba Board is assisting ADF to actualize its objectives.” Mahmud said.
He noted that the people need such assistance especially at Ramadan to boost feeding of Muslims.
The National Rice Distribution is a “huge lift to Kano state and its people.
It will also complement the effort of the state and federal Government in reaching out to the people as Kano is also in the process of distributing food stuff to the people.
Adding that the relationship between Government and Aliko Dangote was further strengthened by an agreement recently, to collaborate on health, education, and infrastructure.
Chairman of the Foundation, Aliko Dangote had launched the Nationwide Rice program to give succour to the less privileged and vulnerable in the Society.
This is in addition to the daily feeding of 10,000 people in Kano state as well as the distribution of Bread to the teaming society to impact their livelihood.
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN KANO HISBAH BOARD
Dangote Commended For Adopting Hisbah Structure, Formulae
The Committee Chairman of the Hisbah Board responsible for the distribution of Dangote Rice Relief Programme in Kano State Dr Mujahid Aminudeen has commended the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) for leveraging and adopting Kano Hisbah structure and formulae in ensuring that the food items reach the target beneficiaries.
Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the flag off at the weekend, Dr Aminudeen said the Hisbah structure is credible and trusted by the people of Kano State.
He said previous arrangement with politicians have been fraught with distraught and lacking in credibility where only party loyalists were considered and prioritized.
In the new arrangement, the Hisbah Deputy Commander said the existing religious and traditional institutions were merely coopted and utilized, while the Hisbah, along with other security outfits coordinated.
According to him, through the traditional leaders, each ward would submit names with phone numbers, home addresses and age of the would-be beneficiaries before cards are issued.
“When the beneficiaries arrive the collecting centres, there phone numbers would be dialled to confirm their authenticity. Also be informed that we have a list for the physically challenged too. We have lists for virtually all the strata of the poor in the Kano society, including member of the Hisbah Board,” he said.
He added that: “Our prayer is that Allah continues to bless the Dangote Group and its founder.”
Palliative: Kano Gov Urges Wealthy Nigerians To Emulate Dangote
…Aged, Widow, Others, Thank Aliko Dangote
Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has urged wealthy Nigerians to emulate Aliko Dangote by supporting the government in the provision of palliative to cushion the harsh economic condition in the country.
Governor Yusuf said this during the flag-off of the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s National Rice Relief Programme, aimed at distributing over 1,000,000 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and FCT in Nigeria from March to early April 2024.
He said: “I do not have enough words to express my heartfelt gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote on behalf of the good people of Kano State.
“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.”
The Governor said his administration has also his administration has also procured grains in large quantity which will be distributed to all the 484 wards across the 44 Local Government areas of the State. We have also designated over 90 feeding centres across the eight metropolitan Local Government Areas were over 90,000 Muslims are being feed with breakfast daily.
Meanwhile, vulnerable, and disadvantaged people in Kano state, have expressed gratitude to the foremost Philanthropist, Aliko Dangote for the distribution of rice to various households in the state.
Apart from Kano, the program implemented through the Aliko Dangote Foundation is a Million Bags of rice planned to grace hundreds of homes in the country.
Recipients of the largesse in Kano, described the gesture as a divine intervention to improve livelihoods.
A cross section, consisting of widows, orphans, vulnerable and the less privileged lamented the current unfavorable situation arising from high cost of foodstuff and other items.
“We can no longer provide three square meals for our families,” said a physically challenge man.
A physically challenged, Rabiu Umar, 55, said apart from water, food is important especially for our little children.
Rabiu said before now he could fend for his family of 12 despite his disability and was a proud father and husband before the high cost of foodstuff.
“The situation has reduced my status as a bread winner to my family,” said another recipient.
Ibrahim Musa, 58, of Unguwa Uku said hunger has dangerous consequences for any society. Hence, his gratitude to God for making it possible for Aliko to undertake the huge project for the benefit of the people of Kano and Nigeria.
“This shows that the son of Kano, Aliko has a large heart and is concerned for his people and Nigeria as a whole.
Nana Aisha, aged 84, said Aliko had shown good leadership qualities since he was young and continues to exhibit same.
“We will continue to pray for his progress and for his businesses to accelerate,” she added.
A visually impaired, Mallam Mohammadu said he was impressed that the Rice program is for the whole Country.
According to him, “hunger is everywhere, we hear stories of food being hijacked and so on, so Dangote has done the right thing for Nigeria.”
Salisu Buhari, 68, from Hotoro, said: “We are grateful to Aliko Dangote because it is not easy to cough out plenty of money to buy so many bags of rice for the people. This gesture deserves commendation.
Malama Asabe, 70, from Katsina state but resident in Kano, said she never had a child in her life, and has depended on friends and relatives for her livelihood.
She said: “But I had to hit the streets to fend for myself because things are becoming too difficult for me”.
A representative of widows, Malama Fatima Mohammed said petty trading could no longer put food on the table for their orphaned children.
While commending Mr. Dangote for the palliative, Mrs Fatima appealed to ADF to focus more attention on orphans.
Dangote Donates 40 Wheelchairs To Physically Challenge Persons In Kano
Managing Director of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, ADF, Mrs Zouera Youssoufou has announced that the ADF was donating 40 wheelchairs to the physically challenge persons who were also beneficiaries of the rice palliative of the programme of the company.
Speaking Mrs Youssoufou said she was making the announcement on behalf of the Group President of the company Aliko Dangote.
Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has urged wealthy Nigerians to emulate Aliko Dangote by supporting the government in the provision of palliative to cushion the harsh economic condition in the country.
Governor Yusuf said this during the flag-off of the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s National Rice Relief Programme, aimed at distributing over 1,000,000 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and FCT in Nigeria from March to early April 2024.
He said: “I do not have enough words to express my heartfelt gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote on behalf of the good people of Kano State.
“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.”
The Governor said his administration has also his administration has also procured grains in large quantity which will be distributed to all the 484 wards across the 44 Local Government areas of the State. We have also designated over 90 feeding centres across the eight metropolitan Local Government Areas were over 90,000 Muslims are being feed with breakfast daily.
0 Comments