Over 30 host communities of the Dangote Cement Ibese Plant, as well as communities in Itori (Yewa North) and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of Ogun State, were filled with excitement as the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) extended its National Food Intervention Programme to the less privileged, distributing over 3,000 bags of rice.
The same warm reception was recorded in Ijebu-Igbo, host to Dangote Granite and Mines, where beneficiaries gathered in large numbers at the palaces of the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo and the Sopenlukale of Oke-Sopen to receive the food aid.
The Aboro of Ibese, Oba Rotimi Mulero, and the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akamo, praised Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Foundation, for his generosity and commitment to ensuring food security in the host communities, particularly amid economic hardship.
While presenting bags of rice to beneficiaries in Ibese, Oba Mulero explained that the initiative targets the aged, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups struggling due to the current economic downturn.
He noted that beyond food aid, ADF has maintained a longstanding relationship with host communities, including partnerships with Dangote Cement in empowerment and capacity-building initiatives.
“We were here last year, and we are here again this year. On behalf of my community, I thank the Aliko Dangote Foundation management for this kind gesture. I dubbed this exercise ‘Operation Feed the Nation’—a revival of the national programme we once knew. We are proud of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Dangote Group, and the Foundation,” he said.
“May God continue to strengthen the leadership of Dangote Foundation and Dangote Cement, especially the Ibese Plant. Look around—you can see thousands of our people gathered here, and you saw the smiles when distribution began.”
Speaking on behalf of the Foundation, Victor Edero said the intervention is designed to complement government efforts on food security by distributing food items to all 774 local government areas nationwide.
He acknowledged the impact of rising food prices and economic pressure on everyday Nigerians, stressing that the Foundation prioritizes host communities such as Ibese and Ijebu-Igbo in its outreach efforts.
Mr. Ejiro, also representing ADF, reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to reaching vulnerable groups, especially the elderly and low-income families. He emphasized the need for fair and transparent distribution to ensure all intended beneficiaries are served.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, describing the initiative as a powerful example of public-private partnership addressing grassroots needs and promoting inclusive development.
Earlier, the Olu of Itori, Oba Akamo, thanked Dangote for including Itori in the programme, even though the cement plant in the area is still under construction. He assured the company of his community’s full cooperation to ensure the smooth takeoff of the project.
He also described the plant’s construction as the fulfilment of a longstanding promise to bring a major company to his domain—one that would offer employment opportunities and transform the local economy.
It would be recalled that the Aliko Dangote Foundation recently distributed 40,000 10kg bags of rice across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State as part of its National Food Intervention Programme.
