As part of its 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Programme, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has distributed 50,000 bags of rice to poor and vulnerable families in Kebbi and Gombe States.
Flagging off the distribution in Aliero Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Thursday, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Special Duties, Zayyanu Aliero, described the gesture as consistent with the values of the Foundation’s founder, Aliko Dangote.
“This is a commendable gesture, especially as it will improve the living conditions of the poor and most vulnerable people in the state. The distribution is a collaboration between the Foundation and the state government to ensure that food reaches the most vulnerable individuals across the 21 LGAs of the state,” he said.
The Commissioner appreciated the Foundation for its continued support, noting this was the second edition of such an intervention in Kebbi.
He explained that 25,000 bags of rice were allocated to the state’s 21 LGAs—20 LGAs receiving 1,000 bags each, and Birnin Kebbi, the most populated, receiving 3,000 bags. The remaining 1,000 bags were designated for additional vulnerable individuals.
He added that the distribution formula included 150 bags for persons with disabilities, 100 bags each for the deaf and blind, 20 bags for persons affected by leprosy, 10 bags for albinos, 120 bags for imams, 100 bags for traditional rulers, 100 bags each for divorcees and the Dan-Agaji group, 150 bags for widows, and 100 bags for other vulnerable groups.
Aliero commended the partnership with ADF, which he said had enabled the state government to effectively reach the most vulnerable through established community structures.
He also highlighted Governor Nasir Idris’ various initiatives to mitigate the economic hardship affecting citizens, stressing that the government remained committed to public welfare.
On their part, Abubakar Jadi (Chairman of Aliero LGA, represented by Aliyu Abubakar), and Atiku Ahmad-Mandiya (Chairman of Gwandu LGA), praised both the Foundation and the state government for supporting the less privileged in their areas.
They encouraged beneficiaries to keep praying for the prosperity of both the state and the nation, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to vulnerable communities.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Anas Gwandu thanked Dangote for the intervention and appealed to other wealthy individuals to emulate the Foundation.
“As I speak, there are over 600,000 people living with disabilities in our communities. They need special care and attention. Interventions like this will alleviate some of the challenges facing the poor, widows, and vulnerable members of society,” he said.
Gombe state distribution
In Gombe State, the rice donation was handed over to the state government by the Foundation. The Chief of Staff to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Abubakar Inuwa Kari, received the items for onward distribution to targeted groups, including widows, orphans, and the disadvantaged.
Speaking during the flag-off, Governor Yahaya—represented by Kari—thanked Aliko Dangote and the Foundation for their sustained support.
He noted that the donation aligns with his administration’s focus on supporting the poor, especially during Ramadan, and assured that the distribution would follow the same framework used in previous successful palliative interventions.
“We already have an established distribution structure with standing committees that have handled previous exercises effectively,” he noted.
The Governor directed that the rice be distributed to a new set of beneficiaries to widen the reach of the palliative effort, urging transparency and accountability from committee members across all LGAs and wards.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Abdullahi Haruna, assured that all food items would reach the intended beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Barr. Sani Ahmad Haruna, Chairman of Gombe LGA, thanked the Foundation for its consistency and pledged that the integrity seen in previous distributions would be maintained.
In their remarks, representatives of beneficiary groups, including Saleh Danburam, Secretary of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Rev. Joseph Shinga, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Abdullahi A. Bello, Acting Chairman of the Association of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and Ibrahim Yusuf, representative of the Gombe Network of Civil Society (GONET).
They all expressed appreciation for the donation, describing it as timely and impactful.
“We thank the Dangote Foundation for recognising our groups and coming to our aid during this critical time,” Saleh Danburam said.
The event concluded with the symbolic allocation of rice to six organisations—JNI, CAN, FOMWAN, PWDs, CSOs, and Hisbah—and the formal handover to government committees for distribution across LGAs, wards, and polling units.
