From Ahmad Saka,Bauchi
The Aliko Dangote Foundation has launched the distribution of (25,000) of 10kg bags of rice to provide relief to the needy across the 20 local Government areas of Bauchi State In the spirit of Ramadan.
Speaking at the flag-off the event in Bauchi Representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation Alhaji Ahmed Hasheem, said the importance of the initiative is to help in addressing challenges faced by vulnerable citizens, particularly during the sacred seasons of Ramadan and Lent.
Hasheem who is The Group general Manager of Dangote Industries Limited, presented the consignment to the Bauchi State government on behalf of the Foundation, saying this was the second edition of the palliative which started last year.
Hasheem said “Every year during Ramadan, we target the less-privileged and ones that are privileged in the sense that through the Dangote Foundation we extend this gesture of giving food to Nigerians.”
“This is the second edition, last year, all the LGAs in Nigeria through their respective state governments were given one million bags of Nigerian rice of 10 kg. So this year again, we are doing the same thing”.
He said that after Kano, Bauchi was the second state to respond when letters to this effect were sent to the states from Abuja to their respective liaison offices.
Hasheem said that Dangote Foundation has also been intervening in the provision of food, medicals, building hostels to universities, faculties, and even contributed a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He described the gesture as Foundation’s token contribution apart from what the state governments were doing, and expressed confidence that the donation would meet the target people.
Hasheem said “We have started this significant effort in Kano and Bauchi is the second state that benefitted we will also go round the remaining 34 states and Abuja.
He said This initiative stems from a deep understanding of the struggles faced by our most vulnerable citizens, especially during Ramadan and Lent. These are periods of reflection and community, but for many, they also bring heightened hardship. By providing this support, we at Dangote Foundation aim to ease their burden and enable them to focus on their spiritual observances.”
Hasheem said we don’t intend to publicize the gesture ,what we have been doing is far far far beyond what you are seeing here ,but since We collaborate with state and local governments to ensure safe and efficient distribution, leveraging established security officials and protocols for beneficiary safety the government deem it fit to publicize the gesture so that the beneficiaries will know.
He said Bauchi was the first State that responded after we wrote a letter to the states about their allocation and commended the Ministry of humanitarian affairs for coming with judicious planning on the distribution of the commodity.
“This Annual National Food Intervention Project is our way of giving back and supporting governments in the fight against poverty ”
State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu Wanka commended the Dangote Foundation for the gesture.
Hajiya Hajara explained that Bauchi State was allocated 25, 000 of rice of 10 kg bags, each of the 20 LGA will receive 500 bags while, 10, 000 is allocated to mosques and churches, considering that the Christians community is also observing the annual Lenten fasting period, while the remaining 5, 000 will be shared to some critical stakeholders.
She praised the initiative, and called on wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dangote’s humanitarian efforts. She assured that the ministry would ensure that the aid reaches those who need it most.
The State ALGON chairman, Alhaji Mahmood Baba Ma’aji Abubakar on behalf of the 20 local governments in Bauchi, commended the Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for extending the gesture to the local government councils of the state.
He said that a few weeks ago, the Governor flagged off similar distribution which was also extended to the local government councils of the state
“We appreciate His Excellency’s wisdom and commitment, sacrifice and service to humanity, and also extended the councils appreciation to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management for identifying with the locals,”
