The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) in partnership with the Kwara State Government launched the distribution of 25,000 bags of 10kg rice to indigent families in Kwara State on Tuesday.

The initiative forms part of a nationwide ADF campaign to distribute one million bags of rice across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as a philanthropic effort spearheaded by the foundation’s founder, Alhaji Aliyu Aliko Dangote.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture in Ilorin, Alhaji Ahmed Gobir, ADF’s Team Lead and General Manager, Human Resources at Dangote Cement, stated that while the foundation previously collaborated with NGOs for such distributions, this year’s effort involves state governments to ensure efficient and targeted outreach.

The rice will be distributed across all 16 local government areas of Kwara State, prioritising vulnerable households to alleviate food insecurity. The partnership underscores ADF’s commitment to addressing socio-economic challenges through strategic collaborations with state institutions.

Gobir praised the Kwara state governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, for his administration’s investment in infrastructure development across the state and expressed hope that the rice palliatives will also compliment the government efforts in making live better for the less privileged.

Governor AbdulRasaq who was represented at the event by his deputy , Mr Kayode Alabi, hailed the ADF for what he described as an “acts of compassion” which he said ,will compliment his administration’s commitment to addressing poverty and uplifting vulnerable groups in the society from hardship.

“This rice which will be distributed to indigent families across Kwara state comes at a most crucial time as our Muslim brothers and sisters are observing the scared month of Ramadan. Our Christian brothers and sisters are in the same faith for Lent,” he said.