…FCT Minister, Kogi Gov applaud ADF
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and the Kogi State Government have received food donations from the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), as part of the N16 billion Annual National Food Intervention Programme launched last month.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, Senior Special Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Hajiya Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, announced that 10,000 bags of 10kg rice were donated to the FCT for onward distribution to the poor and vulnerable.
She explained that the intervention programme by the Aliko Dangote Foundation is aimed at supporting governments at all levels to cushion the effects of economic hardship in the country.
According to her, the intervention programme debuted in 2024, when the company donated food items worth N15 billion to all 774 Local Government Areas across Nigeria.
She noted that the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is passionate about giving back to society, especially to the needy.
Speaking at the event, Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike—represented by Ango Abdullahi Suleiman—commended the gesture, expressing appreciation to Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
The Minister stated that Mr. Dangote has contributed enormously to Nigeria’s economic development and assured that the food items will be distributed fairly to reach the targeted poor.
Meanwhile, in Kogi State, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hajia Rabietu Okute, confirmed the receipt of 40,000 bags of 10kg rice from the ADF.
She noted that the food items were distributed to the poor and vulnerable in accordance with the directive of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, who mandated the committee to ensure fair and transparent distribution across the state.
The Commissioner said the distribution was officially flagged off on March 26, 2025.
“We shared the 40,000 bags of rice through the 21 Local Government Areas. The LGAs further distributed the products to the 239 wards,” she said.
She added that a 12-member committee per Local Government Area was set up, with the state government mobilizing them to reach out to vulnerable groups including the union of persons with disabilities and the 23 orphanages in the state.
Commending the initiative, Mrs. Okute described the intervention as a genuine act of compassion and philanthropy.
“On behalf of the people and government of Kogi State, we want to thank the Aliko Dangote Foundation, and specifically Alhaji Aliko Dangote himself, for this food support. We are grateful and happy. It means a lot to us. May God continue to support him and his businesses,” she said.
Responding on behalf of the Foundation, General Manager, Community Affairs/Special Duties at Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, who supervised the distribution in Kogi, said the food donation will further strengthen the bond between the company and the state.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, also reiterated that the Annual National Food Intervention Programme is part of the foundation’s commitment to supporting government efforts in fighting hunger and poverty.
She stressed that Mr. Dangote remains committed to philanthropy and to ensuring that hunger is reduced to the barest minimum in Nigeria.
