Aliko Dangote, the president of the Dangote Group, has reportedly spent over N15 billion on a food intervention scheme that serves people all over Nigeria.
His foundation, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, is leading the food intervention programme that was started in Kano on Saturday, according to a statement released on Sunday.
More than a million 10kg bags will be given as part of the intervention throughout the 774 local government units in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.
Speaking at the official launch of the intervention scheme, Dangote noted that the effort is an essential step in easing our country’s ongoing economic difficulties.
“Our distribution of rice symbolises our commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity, which are at the core of our humanity,” he said, emphasising the significance of kindness and generosity during the holy month of Ramadan and the need for all stakeholders to contribute to the government’s efforts to end hunger in the country.
The food intervention programme will begin in March 2024 and last through early April.
Dangote added, “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 ADF’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Zouera Youssoufou, stated during the occasion that 10,000 iftar meals are being distributed by the foundation to the Kano municipality throughout Ramadan.
She added that this is on top of the foundation’s daily bread assistance effort, which since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has produced and distributed over 32,000 family-size loaves of bread throughout the states of Kano and Lagos.
Attending the inauguration ceremony, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf invited other affluent Nigerians to follow in Dangote’s footsteps by aiding the government in providing palliatives to ease the severe economic conditions in the nation.
Yusuf 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 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.”
Group Executive Director of Commercial Fatima Aliko Dangote stated that the company would keep helping Nigerians who are impoverished and in need in an interview with reporters during the ceremony.
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,” he said.
Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s private philanthropic foundation is called the Aliko Dangote Foundation. With the largest endowment by a single African donor, the Foundation has grown to be the biggest private foundation in sub-Saharan Africa. ADF’s wraparound programmes, which are focussed on health, education and empowerment, and disaster assistance, are primarily focused on child nutrition.
