The Aliko Dangote Foundation has provided 25,000 bags of rice to support residents of Bauchi State during the Ramadan season. The donation, aimed at easing economic hardship, was distributed on Tuesday in Bauchi.
Speaking at the event, Ahmed Hashim, a representative of the Dangote Foundation, said the rice would be given not only to the less privileged but also to some other members of the society. Each bag contains 10 kilograms of rice and is meant to assist families observing the Ramadan fast.
Hashim noted that providing food aid during Ramadan has become a tradition for the foundation. “This is the second edition. Last year, all the local government areas in Nigeria through their state governments were given one million bags of Nigerian rice of 10 kg. This year again, we are doing the same thing,” he said.
He further explained that when states were contacted about the initiative, Bauchi was the second to respond after Kano. The foundation has been making efforts to support people not just through food donations but also in other sectors like healthcare and education.
“This was the foundation’s token contribution apart from what the state governments were doing to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially amidst economic crunch,” Hashim stated.
Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajara Wanka, also spoke at the event. She appreciated the foundation’s efforts, noting that the distribution plan was designed to reach as many people as possible.
She disclosed, “Out of the 25,000 10kg bags of rice, 500 would be distributed to each of the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.”
Additionally, she said 10,000 bags would be given to mosques and churches to support those fasting, including members of the Christian community. Another 5,000 bags were set aside for key stakeholders in the state.
The Dangote Foundation has been actively involved in various humanitarian projects across Nigeria. Apart from food relief, it has contributed to medical care, built hostels in universities, and played a role in addressing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
