The Governor of Osun State, Mr Ademola Adeleke, has praised prominent Nigerian businessman, Mr Aliko Dangote, for the distribution of 30,000 bags of rice to economically challenged persons in the state.
Mr Dangote shared the staple food over the weekend through his Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) under the National Food Intervention programme.
Mr Adeleke, while flagging off the distribution, expressed gratitude to the industrialist and philanthropist for the unwavering commitment to the well-being of the vulnerable as well as the fight against hunger and poverty in Nigeria and Africa.
He said the distribution of 30,000 bags of 10 kg size of rice to all vulnerable groups in all the local government areas of Osun state would go a long way in alleviating the food crisis facing them due to the food inflation ravaging the country and Africa at large.
The Governor, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Tola Faseru, saluted Mr Dangote for the effort to support Osun state at this time of economic challenges impacting the vulnerable people in society.
“The distribution of these bags of rice to the indigents is a significant step towards addressing food security and poverty alleviation in the state.
“I must commend the efforts of the foundation again in making life meaningful to this set of people who need food assistance. Together, we can build a prosperous society for all,” he stated.
He assured that many vulnerable groups and their members would benefit from the rice distribution, particularly people with disability (PWD), the aged, motherless babies’ homes, youth groups, farmers, artisans and many more.
The Governor emphasized the need for continuous collaboration with the foundation on initiatives that bring relief to the vulnerable in the country, adding that it is on record that his administration continues to provide relief to the people of Osun via several palliative initiatives.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr Olaniran Akanfe Atidade, described the foundation’s gesture as a significant effort towards food security and poverty alleviation.
A representative of the foundation, Mr Victor Ejiro, in his remarks, said Osun State is “dear to the heart of our chairman and his foundation, hence the need to prioritize the state.”
He added that the foundation has continuously targeted one million vulnerable Nigerians in its Annual National Food Intervention Program.
The 2025 rice distribution programme, according to Mr Ejiro, is targeted at beneficiaries in all the 774 local governments in Nigeria. He added that this is a direct response to cushioning the effect of the harsh economic conditions among the vulnerable.
It was gathered that representatives of various beneficiary groups were presented with their allocation of bags of rice, expressing their appreciation to ADF for the invaluable gesture and support.
Recall that in March 2025, the foundation commenced its 2025 National Food Relief Programme aimed at distributing over one million 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and FCT in Nigeria.