The Aliko Dangote Foundation has commenced the distribution of 30,000 bags of 10kg rice to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable groups in Sokoto State.
The donation was flagged off by the State Governor at the Government House on Tuesday.
According to UNICEF, the number of IDPs in Sokoto State as at November 2024 is estimated to be around half a milllion.
Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Sifawa, expressed appreciation to Aliko Dangote Foundation for the gesture.
He said the donation would go a long way in complimenting Government efforts towards alleviating poverty in the society.
Governor Aliyu called on influential persons in the society to emulate the Chairman of the Foundation, Aliko Dangote, in making things much easier for the people in the country.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the Foundation while listing previous interventions by the Foundation, in giving back to the Society.
He described the programme as timely and impactful in enhancing the people’s livelihoods.
Aliyu promised that the rice would be distributed across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
“To ensure transparency and fairness, committees have been set up to oversee the distribution and ensure the items reach the intended beneficiaries,” he stated.
He called on other affluent individuals to impact development and growth of the economy through exemplary efforts of Aliko Dangote.
Speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by the Galadiman Gari, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, commended the foundation for its continued support to the needy and urged recipients to use the food items judiciously.
Sadiq Ahmad, who spoke on behalf of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, said the donation was part of Corporate Social Responsibility of the Foundation and to cushion the effect of economic hardship experienced by the people.
He highlighted previous interventions by the Foundation in Sokoto State to include food distributions to physically challenged persons in 2015 and the empowerment of 23,000 women across all Local Government Areas.
The Foundation reiterated its commitment to supporting vulnerable populations across Nigeria through humanitarian and developmental initiatives.