The Oyo State Government again collaborated with the Aliko Dangote Foundation in reaching out to about 30,000 underprivileged residents of the state with the distribution of 10kg bags of rice to them.
The distribution, which took place on Monday, July 6, at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, is the second in the series of Oyo State Government-Dangote Foundation Food Relief Outreach, which falls under the state’s Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER).
Speaking at the presentation of the food relief items, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, said the programme is aimed at alleviating poverty among residents and improving the welfare of the residents, especially the socially-disadvantaged groups which include widows, the underprivileged, people living with disabilities, the aged and other vulnerable people.
He noted that the food distribution would cut across all strata, with beneficiaries selected across the 33 local government areas of the state.
He also expressed gratitude to the Aliko Dangote Foundation for what he described as a noble and global initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable citizens.
He added that the initiative reflects the state’s sustainable engagement with the private sector, charging other private sector players to always support government efforts in addressing poverty and food insecurity as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Earlier in his speech, the Head of Operations, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Lagos, Mr Edero Victor Ejiro, said 30,000 bags of 10kg rice would be distributed to the vulnerable, widows and underprivileged in Oyo State to cushion the effect of economic hardship.
He noted that the distribution in Oyo State is part of several planned interventions across the country, as the foundation continues its partnership with state governments to address poverty and food insecurity.
Ejiro commended Governor Makinde on his administration’s food security initiative and support to the poorest of the poor, the needy and the vulnerable in the state, noting that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would continue to collaborate with the government to support the underprivileged.
He equally thanked the members of the distribution committee for their transparency and diligence during the first phase of the programme, just as he urged beneficiaries to also share with people around them.
While moving the vote of thanks, the Director-General, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi, appreciated Governor Makinde and the donor, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, for supporting households through the gesture and for their support to the needy and the underprivileged.
Two of the beneficiaries, who spoke with newsmen, including Mrs Adijat Akinsolotu and Alhaji Muyideen Oyenike, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde and the Aliko Dangote Foundation for their support, noting that the initiative would help to cushion the effect of food inflation.
The event had in attendance the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Hon. Olufemi Timothy; Special Assistant to the Governor on Interfaith, Rev’d Olufemi Ibikunle; Special Assistant on Community Relations, Hon. Nwosu Innocent and selected beneficiaries across the 33 local government areas of the state.
