Aliko Dangote Foundation Extends Food Intervention to Host Communities in Ogun State
By Patience Ikpeme
Over 30 host communities of Dangote Cement Ibese Plant, as well as those in Itori and Ijebu-Igbo, were in a celebratory mood as the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) distributed over 3,000 bags of rice to less privileged residents.
The initiative is part of the foundation’s National Food Intervention programme, designed to provide food security for vulnerable populations.
The distribution was carried out at key locations, including the palaces of the Aboro of Ibese, Oba Rotimi Mulero, and the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo. In Ijebu-Igbo, beneficiaries gathered at the palaces of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo and the Sopenlukale of Oke-Sopen to receive their bags of rice.
Community leaders were full of praise for Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of the Foundation, for his generosity in addressing food scarcity and reducing hardship among the people.
While overseeing the distribution in Ibese, Oba Mulero explained that the initiative is specifically aimed at reaching the elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups facing challenges due to the current economic climate.
He noted that the food distribution is a continuation of a long-standing collaboration between the host communities and the ADF and Dangote Cement, particularly in areas of empowerment and capacity building. He acknowledged the consistent corporate social responsibility efforts of the ADF toward its host communities.
“We were all here last year, and we are here again this year, for the distribution of food items,” Oba Mulero said. “On behalf of the community, I want to express our gratitude to the management team of the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this gesture. We will continue to pray for the organization to flourish. Last year, I referred to this exercise as ‘Operation Feed the Nation,’ which we saw years ago in this country. We are witnessing Alhaji Aliko Dangote reintroduce this program with this yearly rice distribution exercise. We are proud of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Dangote Group, and the Aliko Dangote Foundation.”
He further remarked, “With this act of goodwill, God will continue to strengthen the managements of Dangote Foundation and Dangote Cement, especially the Ibese plant. You can see that our people have turned out in their thousands, waiting to get the item; when we started sharing, you saw the smiles on their faces.”
Earlier, Victor Edero, a representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, explained that the food intervention was designed to complement the government’s efforts to ensure food security by distributing food items across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria. He noted that the economic downturn has made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic staples like rice, making such support vital. Mr. Edero added that the foundation prioritizes its host communities, particularly Ibese, which hosts the cement factory, and other communities in the area.
He also confirmed the Foundation’s dedication to reaching its target audiences—the vulnerable, downtrodden, and aged—while asking for a fair and equitable distribution to ensure all targeted beneficiaries receive their share.
Beneficiaries who received the aid commended the initiative, stating it was a clear example of how public-private partnerships can be utilized to ease people’s burdens and promote inclusive development.
In Itori, the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo, thanked Alhaji Dangote for considering his community for the program, especially as the cement plant in the area is still under construction. He pledged that his people would provide all necessary cooperation to ensure the plant starts operations smoothly.
The monarch described the construction of the plant as the fulfillment of a long-held promise to his people, which would ensure a notable company is established in his domain to provide employment and boost the community’s economy.
It was reported that under its National Food Intervention Programme, the Aliko Dangote Foundation had distributed 40,000 bags of 10kg rice across all twenty local government areas of Ogun State last week.
