Aliko Dangote Foundation has through it's National Food Intervention program commenced the distribution of 12,000 bags of 10kg rice to selected vulnerable households across the thirteen Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State. According to the foundation, the exercise is part of her mission to enhance opportunities for social change through strategic investments that improve health and wellbeing, promote quality education and broaden economic empowerment opportunities.
Flagging off the State distribution exercise in Afikpo LGA on Tuesday 30th April, 2023, the Executive Director of Participatory Development Alternative PDA, the Lead CSO supervising the program, Dr. Mark Abani, said the distribution was a welcome relief to the people of the State, especially the indigents, the aged, people living with disabilities and the Muslim community in all the LGAs in Ebonyi State.
"Aliko Dangote Foundation is giving out one million units of 10kg bags of rice worth over #15billion and it is to be distributed directly through NGOs and Charities across all 774 Local Government Areas of the federation. Ebonyi has 12,000 bags and this is being distributed through the charities directly at about 923 bags per LGA.
"Participatory Development Alternative PDA is the lead NGO for the ADF rice distribution along with other NGOs in Ebonyi State. These include Better Health for rural women, children and internally displaced persons (BERWO), Abraham Foundation, Initiative for Social change in Africa (VOFCA), Advocates for Accountability and Inclusion in Africa, CHAD Initiative, and DIG Foundation. So, we have different partners covering different Local Government and it's rolling. We are handling three LGAs per day. We have arrangements to distribute in all the LGAs within the week, and I will be going round to ensure that the targeted groups are the beneficiaries of the rice across the State"
Dr. Abani further warned against any form of manipulation, stressing that the distribution has nothing to do with politics.
"Aliko Dangote Foundation is concerned about the suffering of Nigerians because of the impact of recent reforms by the government, especially the indigents, the aged, PWDs and those who cannot help themselves. Yes, things are difficult, but there are those who cannot afford what to eat. It is these group of people that Aliko Dangote Foundation is giving 10kg rice each across the LGAs in Ebonyi State. It is not about politics, but care for the needy.
"Other group that will benefit from the rice are the Muslim community because they live here with us and are also affected by the hardship in the country," he concluded.
Over nine thousand (900) persons who were independently selected across communities benefitted from the rice distribution in Afikpo LGA on Tuesday 30th April 2024.
In an interview, some of the beneficiaries, Ikoro Kelvin, Kolaris Ibe, Rose Ibiam, Zara Mohamed among others thanked Aliko Dangote Foundation for remembering them at this period of food scarcity and hardship in the country. They prayed God to reward him and called on other individuals and organization to do same as a way of reducing the suffering people face currently in Nigeria. The people also appreciated PDA for a well coordinated and transparent exercise.
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