N30.5bn Food Relief: Oyo, Dangote Foundation Distribute Rice to 30,000 Residents

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. The Oyo State Government, through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, has handed out 10kg bags of rice to more than 30,000 residents of the state.

The distribution, the second phase of the Oyo State Government-Dangote Foundation Food Relief Outreach, was held at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. It was part of the state's Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery initiative.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Musibau Babatunde, said the programme aimed to alleviate poverty among residents and improve their welfare, particularly among the socially disadvantaged groups, including widows, underprivileged individuals, people living with disabilities, the aged, and other vulnerable people.

'The programme seeks to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of the residents, especially the socially disadvantaged groups,' Babatunde said. 'The food distribution will cut across all strata, with beneficiaries selected across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.'

He expressed appreciation to the Aliko Dangote Foundation for its noble initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable citizens.

Mr. Edero Ejiro, the Head of Operations of the Aliko Dangote Foundation in Lagos, said the intervention was part of the nationwide food relief programme of the foundation.

'The distribution of 30,000 bags of 10kg rice will go to the vulnerable, widows, and underprivileged in Oyo to cushion the effect of economic hardship,' Ejiro said. 'This is part of our several planned interventions across the country, as we continue our partnership with State Governments to address poverty and food insecurity.'

Prof. Adeyemo represented by Mr. Babatunde commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his administration's commitment to food security and support for vulnerable residents, adding that the foundation would continue to partner with the state to improve the welfare of underprivileged residents.

Barr. Ayodele Adekanmbi, the Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, appreciated Makinde and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for supporting vulnerable households through the intervention.

'I want to appreciate the state government and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this gesture,' Adekanmbi said. 'This support will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the economic hardship in our state.'

The state government also distributed food items such as beans, rice, and yams to the beneficiaries.

The distribution was attended by dignitaries such as the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Olufemi Timothy; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Interfaith, Olufemi Ibikunle; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Relations, Nwosu Innocent; and beneficiaries drawn from the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation

The Aliko Dangote Foundation is a philanthropic arm of the Dangote Group, a leading Nigerian conglomerate. The foundation was established in 1994 and is committed to improving the welfare of underprivileged Nigerians.

The Oyo State Government-Dangote Foundation Food Relief Outreach

The Oyo State Government-Dangote Foundation Food Relief Outreach is a joint initiative aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of residents in the state. The initiative was launched in 2022 and is part of the state government's Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery programme.