Dangote Foundation Brings Timely Relief to 30,000 Oyo Residents

IBADAN, OYO STATE – The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) on Wednesday, June 12, delivered a significant palliative to the people of Oyo State, distributing 30,000 bags of 10kg rice aimed at bringing succour to the needy and underprivileged across the state. This timely intervention comes amidst ongoing economic hardships faced by many Nigerians.

The distribution, which took place at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, saw the food relief packages officially handed over to the Oyo State Government. Mr. Edero Victor Ejiro, Head of Operations, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Lagos, emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Foundation to empower Nigerians through education, nutritional, and economic support.

Speaking at the flag-off of the distribution, Mr. Ejiro highlighted that this effort is a continuation of a nationwide initiative launched in 2024 by Dangote Group Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote. The ambitious program aims to distribute a total of one million bags of 10kg rice to vulnerable individuals, widows, and those experiencing hardship across the country.

“Our chairman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, came up with this initiative last year, that we should distribute one million bags across the nation. We did it last year and we are also doing it now,” Mr. Ejiro stated. He further explained that the Foundation, which has been in existence for over 30 years, focuses on three core areas: empowerment, nutrition, and education.

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The current rice distribution falls under both the nutritional and economic empowerment aspects, complementing the efforts of state governors, including Oyo State, in combating hunger and economic crises.

He expressed confidence in the Oyo State government’s distribution committee, assuring that the rice would reach the intended vulnerable beneficiaries. “We are very sure that the committee in place meant to handle the distribution would do a thorough job to make sure this rice gets to the vulnerable and our target audience,” he affirmed.

Professor Musibau Babatunde, Oyo State’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning and Secretary of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), received the donation on behalf of the state government. He lauded the Dangote Foundation for its commendable initiative, acknowledging its significance in providing much-needed relief to residents. Professor Babatunde, along with other government officials, promptly commenced the distribution, assuring that beneficiaries would be drawn from all 33 Local Government Areas of the state to ensure wide reach.

Early beneficiaries, including Mrs. Omotayo Borode and Alhaji Tajudeen Olapade, expressed profound gratitude to the Aliko Dangote Foundation for its timely intervention, highlighting the positive impact it would have on their households during these challenging times.

This gesture by the Dangote Foundation underscores the role of corporate philanthropy in supporting government efforts and providing direct relief to citizens facing economic strain.