By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Aboro of Ibeseland, Mr Rotimi Mulero, has applauded the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) for the distribution of rice to host communities across the country.
The Ogun monarch, while commenting on the rice distribution in his domain by the organisation, said the food item would go a long way to alleviate the sufferings some Nigerians are going through.
The traditional ruler likened the initiative to the Operation Feed the Nation (OFN) programme of Mr Olusegun Obasanjo when he was the Head of State over 46 years ago to revitalize agriculture and ensure food availability for all Nigerians.
The Aboro of Ibese commended Mr Aliko Dangote for his job creation efforts through investments, noting that the rice distribution to his people is like the icing on the cake as the Dangote Cement Ibese Plant sited in the community has absorbed some of the host communities’ indigenes and that the food palliative would go a long way to cushion the effect of the economic hardship.
He pledged the support of the people to the company to ensure it operates in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity so that the firm can continue to benefit the host communities.
“We are grateful to Aliko Dangote. The rice gift is very impressive given the current situation in the country. We really appreciate him.
“What he has done can be likened to Operation Feed the Nation of those days. That is what I will call it. He has done well to decide to feed the people. Everybody is vulnerable now in this country,” he said.
“What Mr Dangote is doing is worthy of emulation by other well-meaning Nigerians. When food is out of the problem equation, the equation is easy to solve.
“We are using this opportunity to thank him for this gesture. You can see the way my people are happily receiving it. We pray to God to continue to uplift him,” the monarch further stated.
The rice distribution to Ogun communities is part of ADF’s N15 billion National Food Intervention programme.
About 40,000 bags of rice will be distributed in the state.
About 17 host communities of the Dangote Cement in Ibese, including Itori, Igbogila, and Ilaro, received their share, with those in Ijebu-Igbo, housing the Dangote Granite Mines to be reached soon.
Recall that in March 2024, Mr Dangote launched the food intervention programme in Kano, promising to distribute over one million 10kg bags across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Adedapo Adesanya