Some vulnerable persons in Ogun State, including people living with disabilities, have been given bags of rice by the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) to provide succour during this tough economic period.
About 40,000 bags of 10kg of rice were distributed by the organisation in all the 20 local government areas of the Gateway State as part of its National Food Intervention programme.
The Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, speaking during the flag-off of the distribution in Abeokuta, lauded ADF for the donation, noting that it was in line with his government’s efforts aimed to support residents of the state.
“When corporate organizations engage in initiatives like this, we should highlight them so that others can learn from it. Not everything is about coming, making money, and leaving.
“This is a gesture that should be replicated by every corporate entity because you have to empathize with the people, and I think what the Dangote Foundation has done is to consistently prioritize care for people,” the Governor said through his representative, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
He recalled the crucial roles played by the ADF during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the effect of the disease by providing critical infrastructures, adding that the foundation has also been of tremendous support to the Ogun State security architecture with patrol vans, among other contributions.
He cautioned against the sale of the food items, stating that anyone caught selling them would face consequences and that state will monitor the distribution to be sure those are mean to get them actually get them.
“To our market women, don’t say that someone brought it to you and you are now selling it. The rice is meant to be given to the people free of charge; it is for empowerment,” Mr Abiodun warned
Earlier in her welcome address, the Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Mrs Funmi Efuape, acknowledged the support the Dangote Foundation has given to the state government and the various Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives it has undertaken for its host communities.
On his part, the Head of Operations at Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr Victor Edero, said the group initiated the food intervention programme to help contribute to the federal government efforts for food security so that Nigerians especially the vulnerable have access to the most staple food, rice at this period of global economic downturn.
According to him, ADF focuses on three core areas: health, empowerment, and nutrition and has partnered governments at all levels to provide a lift in all the sectors
The Iyaloja General of Ogun State, Mrs Yemisi Abbas, appreciated ADF for always identifying with the people, but appealed to the foundation to initiate a loan scheme as a form of empowerment to eradicate poverty in the state.
Also, representatives of people living with disabilities, the trade council, and the youth council thanked Mr Aliko Dangote for his magnanimity and also lauded the state government for always seeking ways to mitigate the people’s suffering.