*Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director and CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation, says the Foundation is guided by a vision of empowering Africans to achieve their self-actualisation and full potential, noting every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed

Isola Moses | CinsumerConnect

Dangote Group has disclosed the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s (ADF) distribution of over 1 million 10kg rice to vulnerable Nigerians had reached 17 states cross Nigeria.

Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ADF, said the Foundation would ensure that all the local government areas in Nigeria get their shares of the rice before the end of the Ramadan period.

Youssoufou noted that the Foundation is partnering with credible Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), civil societies, and religious bodies among others to ensure the donations go to the most vulnerable in all the states and local governments across the country.

The Foundation, she stated, is guided by a vision of empowering Africans to achieve their self-actualisation and full potential as it believes that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

It is recalled that the ADF, recently flagged off the distribution of over 1,000,000, (One million) bags of 10kg rice across all the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, starting with Kano and Lagos states respectively.

Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group and Chairman of ADF, was present at the flagging-off ceremonies in Kano and Lagos.

The ADF noted that 120,000 and 80,000 bags of 10kg rice were distributed to both Kano and Lagos states respectively, as Dangote said he had resolved to do all within his powers to assist all the tiers of the Government in alleviating poverty in the West African country.

The President of Dangote Group further emphasised the food intervention programme demonstrates his Foundation鈥檚 commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity. D

The initiative is a crucial step towards alleviating the ongoing economic challenges faced by our nation.

Dangote also stressed the importance of compassion and generosity during the holy month of Ramadan.

He said all stakeholders must play a part in supporting the government to alleviate hunger in the land.

He stated: “Our distribution of rice symbolises our commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity, which are at the core of our humanity.” ADF will spearhead the food intervention programme and will run from March to early April 2024, said the Foundation.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Kano, Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State urged other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Aliko Dangote by supporting the government in the provision of palliative to cushion the harsh economic condition in the country.

Yusuf said: 鈥淚 do not have enough words to express my heartfelt gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote on behalf of the good people of Kano State.

鈥淭his is because the gesture he is offering 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.鈥�

Likewise, Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu of Lagos State said the gesture of distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice shows that the leadership of the Foundation prioritises the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.

Sanwo-Olu said: 鈥淎liko 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.”

While encouraging other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dangote, the Governor said the distribution of rice, to the vulnerable, would support the initiative of the state in addressing the effects of the economic hardship.

In her remarks on the occasion, Fatima Aliko Dangote, Group Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), also noted that the flag-off in Lagos is a follow-up to the 120,000 bags distributed in Kano last Saturday.

Fatima also stated: “We have been doing this for a while but we didn鈥檛 publicise it because our chairman believes this is between him, and God but this year we decided to publicise it so that we can encourage and inspire others to do so.

鈥淭here are many other things the Dangote Foundation is also doing. We are also serving 2,500 breads all over Lagos daily.

“We started this in 2020 during COVID-19. Also in our hometown in Kano, we have been doing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the past 35 years.

“The Foundation has invested in many things. Years back, we gave women some money to be able to invest in their businesses.”

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