Residents of over 30 host communities in Ogun State were full of joy as the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) distributed over 3,000 bags of rice under its National Food Intervention Programme.
The rice distribution covered communities around the Dangote Cement Plant in Ibese, Itori in Ewekoro Local Government Area, and Ijebu-Igbo, where Dangote Granite and Mines operates.
At the distribution points, including the palaces of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo and the Sopenlukale of Oke-Sopen, large crowds turned up to receive the food items, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people living with disabilities, and the poor.
Speaking during the exercise in Ibese, the Aboro of Ibese, Oba Rotimi Mulero, commended Aliko Dangote and his foundation for consistently supporting host communities.
He described the annual food intervention as a modern version of “Operation Feed the Nation,” a government-led food security programme introduced in the 1970s.
“This gesture reminds us of Operation Feed the Nation. Alhaji Aliko Dangote is reviving the spirit of that programme by feeding our people yearly. We are grateful and pray that the foundation continues to flourish,” he said.
Also speaking, the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo, thanked the foundation for extending the support to his community, despite the Dangote Cement Plant in the area still being under construction.
He said the ongoing project would help boost the local economy and bring employment opportunities to his people.
A representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Victor Edero, said the food programme is part of a nationwide effort to combat hunger and support government food security policies, especially at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with high food prices.
He emphasized that host communities are given priority in the rice distribution and urged local leaders to ensure fair and transparent sharing.
Some beneficiaries praised the initiative, calling it a valuable example of how corporate organisations can partner with communities to ease economic hardship and promote development.
It would be recalled that the ADF had earlier distributed 40,000 bags of 10kg rice across all 20 local government areas of Ogun State as part of its wider National Food Intervention Programme.
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