Dangote spends N15bn on food interventions

It has been revealed that the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has spent about N15bn on food intervention programme with beneficiaries across Nigeria.

According to a statement issued on Sunday, the food intervention programme which was launched in Kano on Saturday is being spearheaded by his foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation.

The intervention will see over one million bags of 10kg bags distributed across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria.

Speaking at the official flag-off of the intervention programme, Dangote said the initiative is a crucial step towards alleviating the ongoing economic challenges faced by our nation.

He also emphasised the importance of compassion and generosity during the holy month of Ramadan, stressing that, all stakeholders must play a part, in supporting the government to alleviate hunger in the land, saying, “Our distribution of rice symbolises our commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity, which are at the core of our humanity.”

The food intervention program will run from March to early April 2024.

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.”

In his comments at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the ADF, Zouera Youssoufou, said the foundation is also distributing 10,000 iftar meals, during Ramadan in Kano municipality.

She said this is in addition to the foundation’s daily bread relief programme, which is producing and distributing, over 32,000 family-size loaves of bread across Kano and Lagos States every day since 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was at the launch ceremony urged other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dangote by supporting the government in the provision of palliative to cushion the harsh economic condition in the country.

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.”

In a chat with journalists at the event, Group Executive Director, Commercial, Fatima Aliko Dangote, said the company would continue to support the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

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.

Aliko Dangote Foundation is the private charitable foundation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote. The Foundation has become the largest private foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest endowment by a single African donor. The primary focus of ADF is child nutrition, with wraparound interventions centred on health, education and empowerment, and disaster relief.