Dangote Foundation Reaches Out with 30,000 Bags of Rice to Sokoto IDPs, Vulnerable Groups

The Aliko Dangote Foundation has begun the distribution of 30,000 bags of rice to internally displaced persons and vulnerable households in Sokoto State, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of poverty and hardship in the region.

The flag-off ceremony took place at the Government House in Sokoto on Tuesday, with Governor Ahmed Aliyu represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bello Sifawa.

The initiative comes as the state continues to grapple with a high number of displaced persons, estimated by UNICEF to be around 500,000 as of November 2024.

Governor Aliyu lauded the gesture from the Foundation, describing it as a major boost to the state’s ongoing interventions targeted at the poor and displaced.

“This donation is timely and will go a long way in supporting our people who are struggling to survive due to displacement and economic hardship.

We sincerely thank the Aliko Dangote Foundation for always standing with the people,” he said.

He assured that the rice would be fairly distributed across all 23 local government areas of the state through carefully selected committees to ensure transparency and accountability.

Aliyu also appealed to other wealthy Nigerians to emulate the philanthropic spirit of Aliko Dangote, noting that “now more than ever, our people need support from those who are blessed.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Galadiman Gari, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, also praised the Foundation’s consistency in supporting the needy, urging beneficiaries to make good use of the donation.

Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Sadiq Ahmad said the initiative was part of the organization’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility and a response to the increasing economic pressures on vulnerable Nigerians.

“Beyond this current intervention, the Foundation has also empowered 23,000 women in all LGAs of Sokoto and supported physically challenged persons with food items back in 2015,” he said.

Ahmad reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to improving the welfare of the most disadvantaged across Nigeria, saying the focus remains on long-term development and emergency relief.

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