Victims of a recent inferno, physically challenged individuals, and poor families are among the beneficiaries of the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s rice distribution exercise in Taraba and Jigawa States.
According to a statement from the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, 500 bags of rice and 100 mats were distributed to victims of a fire disaster in the Batakashi Community, Garki Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
Penultimate week, a late-night fire outbreak ravaged Batakashi village, destroying more than 45 houses, 35 silos, and scores of livestock, leaving widespread devastation and displacement in its wake.
Speaking during the distribution, Muhammad Murtala, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Jigawa Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said the Aliko Dangote Foundation had provided 40,000 bags of 10kg rice for distribution to poor and vulnerable residents across Jigawa State.
He expressed gratitude to the Foundation, describing the intervention as timely.
Several residents also expressed their appreciation, offering prayers for the donor.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Umar Abdullahi, said the Foundation had brought much-needed relief to the community following the recent inferno.
Another beneficiary, Mr. Usman Auwal, shared similar sentiments, noting that the community had not been the same since the tragedy occurred.
He commended both the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Jigawa State Government for their support and prayed for continued peaceful coexistence among the people.
The Chairman of Garki Local Government Area, Mr. Adamu Kore, who flagged off the distribution, praised the Foundation for its assistance.
He said the palliatives would help ease the hardship faced by members of the community affected by the fire.
“We are very delighted with the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s support and the Jigawa State Government’s assistance. The donation has brought succour to hundreds of families, not only in Jigawa but across the country in general,” Kore said.
Similarly, the Foundation has donated 20,000 bags of 10kg rice to the Taraba State Government for distribution to vulnerable persons.
Representing the Foundation, Bello Dan Musa handed over the rice to the 16 Local Government Council Chairmen and cabinet members of the Taraba State Government.
Mr. Dan Musa emphasized that the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation remains committed to giving back to society, particularly to the poor and vulnerable.
The Taraba State Government was represented by the Chairman of the State Palliative Committee, Saleh Sa’ad.
Overall, the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s Annual National Food Programme is expected to benefit more than one million families.
