By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 80,000 bags of 10kg rice have been provided for sharing to vulnerable Lagos residents by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, (ADF) as palliatives.
At the flag-off in Alausa, the chairman of the organisation, Mr Aliko Dangote, said the gesture was part of the over one million bags of rice to be disbursed to one million vulnerable people in the 774 local government areas of the country, noting that it is to ameliorate some of the burdens faced by communities across Lagos State.
“While our traditional Ramadan food distribution has been focused on the Muslim Community, we recognise that the current circumstances where a significant proportion of Nigerians across the nation are experiencing severe hardship due to the prevailing high prices of food require that we broaden our program to cover communities of all faiths.
“This is why we are extending the Ramadan initiative to cover all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as a testament to our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values and the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan,” the businessman said.
On her part, the chief executive of the organisation, Ms Zouera Youssoufou, said the foundation was partnering with credible NGOs, civil societies, and religious bodies among others to ensure the donations go to the most vulnerable in Lagos State.
“In times of hardship, it is imperative that we stand together as one nation, one community, extending a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in their time of need as we have done with our female empowerment programme in Lagos State which targeted 40,000 disadvantaged women,” she added.
In his remarks, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State applauded the philanthropist for showing compassion to the needy in the society.
According to him, the gesture shows that the leadership of the foundation prioritise the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.
“Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian that has chosen to be different. You have choices but you have made the right one which is caring for the vulnerable.
“I appreciate Mr Aliko Dangote for extending his kind gestures to the people at the bottom of the pyramid and we are grateful for supporting us in government.
“There is a lot of global disruption in different parts of the world, and it is a tough time to be in a position of leadership,” Mr Sanwo-Olu stated.
Adedapo Adesanya