Oyo and Dangote Foundation Hand Out Grain to 30,000 Local Inhabitants

Oyo State Government has collaborated with the Aliko Dangote Foundation to provide 10kg bags of rice to approximately 30,000 vulnerable residents across the state, as a means of alleviating the effects of economic hardship, with the distribution taking place on a Monday.

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This effort marks the second phase of the Oyo State Government–Dangote Foundation Food Relief Outreach, falling under the state’s Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery initiative, and was held at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

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According to Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, Secretary to the State Government, who was represented by Mr Musibau Babatunde, the programme aims to reduce poverty and improve the welfare of vulnerable groups across the state, including widows, the underprivileged, people living with disabilities, the aged, and other vulnerable individuals.

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The programme's design is to alleviate poverty among residents and improve the welfare of the residents, with the food distribution set to cut across all strata, and beneficiaries selected across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state, as stated by Babatunde.

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Babatunde expressed gratitude to the Aliko Dangote Foundation for their noble initiative, which he believes reflects the state’s sustainable engagement with the private sector, and urged other private sector organisations to support government efforts in addressing poverty and food insecurity.

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Mr Edero Ejiro, Head of Operations at the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Lagos, noted that the intervention is part of the foundation’s nationwide food relief programme, which aims to distribute 30,000 bags of 10kg rice to the vulnerable, widows, and underprivileged in Oyo to cushion the effect of economic hardship.

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The distribution in Oyo is part of several planned interventions across the country, as the foundation continues its partnership with State Governments to address poverty and food insecurity, according to Ejiro.

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Ejiro commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his administration’s commitment to food security and support for vulnerable residents, and stated that the foundation would continue to partner with the state to improve the welfare of the underprivileged.

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Ejiro also applauded the members of the distribution committee for their transparency and diligence during the first phase of the programme and encouraged beneficiaries to extend the gesture to others in need.

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Barr. Ayodele Adekanmbi, Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, expressed appreciation to Makinde and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for supporting vulnerable households through the intervention, in his vote of thanks.

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Two beneficiaries, Adijat Akinsolotu and Muyideen Oyenike, thanked the state government and the Aliko Dangote Foundation, saying the food support would help ease the burden of rising food prices.

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Dignitaries in attendance at the event included the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Olufemi Timothy; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Interfaith, Olufemi Ibikunle; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Relations, Nwosu Innocent; and beneficiaries drawn from the 33 local government areas of the state.