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  • Dangote Foundation gives rice to 10,000 Bayelsa families

    Dangote Foundation gives rice to 10,000 Bayelsa families

    The Aliko Dangote Foundation has flagged off the distribution of 10,000 bags of rice, each weighing ten kilograms, to vulnerable households, people living with disabilities and the less privileged in Bayelsa State.

    Deputy Governor Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who represented the Governor, Senator Douye Diri at the event commended Aliko Dangote for his philanthropic gesture and lucrative partnership with the state government in agriculture by accepting to be the off taker of the rice been cultivated in the state.

    He said: “The Bayelsa State government has a very lucrative and viable relationship with the Dangote Group; we want to thank Alhaji Aliko Dangote for the relationship that he has established with us.

    “We want to thank Dangote in the area of been a off taker for our rice production.  We are also looking forward to the issue of building a mill by the farm clusters and settlements

    “We want to commend Dangote for conquering greed through his philanthropic virtues in the past 30 years. I want to urge us to emulate his acts of giving.”

    Speaking during distribution exercise, the Head of Operations, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Edero Victor Ejiro, said the initiative is part of the foundation’s annual National Food Intervention Project, which aims to support over one million disadvantaged Nigerians across the country.

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    He stated that the foundation will be distributing 10,000 bags of 10kg rice to the vulnerable population in the state.

    He pointed that the Foundation’s distribution is across the 774 local government areas in the country and is intended to cushion the effects of the hardship currently being experienced in the country.

    His words: “We are here to present 10,000 bags of 10kg rice to the people of Bayelsa. The Aliko Dangote Foundation has been in existence for over 30 years and has been helpful in the areas of empowerment, nutrition and education.

    “This distribution of rice is to support and complement the food security initiative that is been put in place by the various state governments and the rice distribution is across the 774 local government areas in the country. Our target beneficiaries are market women, the vulnerable, physically challenged people, widows and artisans.

    “We have seen the template that the state government wants to use to distribute the rice and we are impressed with what we saw, and we believe that they are going to do a thorough job by distributing the rice to the needy and vulnerable in our midst.

    “This programme is to support families, support people in the grassroots to alleviate and back up synergy with the state government.”

    Also speaking the Chairman Bayelsa State chapter of Joint National Association of People with Disability, (JNAPWD), Ekpomokumor Mayor, expressed appreciation to the Aliko Dangote Foundation for reaching out to them by putting food on their table in these trying times and commended the Bayelsa State government for selecting them to be part of the beneficiaries. With the flag off, the distribution exercise now shifts to the eight local governments in the State where the various councillors will ensure that the rice gets to the intended targets in their wards.

  • 1m Nigerians to benefit in Dangote Foundation’s N16b food programme

    1m Nigerians to benefit in Dangote Foundation’s N16b food programme

    From Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) came yesterday cheery news.

    Over one million Nigerians nationwide will receive a 10kg bag of rice each.

     The foundation  launched the 2025 Annual National Food Intervention Project valued at N16billion at the  Kano State Government House.

    At the ceremony ,the Foundation’s  Chairman, Mr. Aliko Dangote said the distribution of one million bags of 10kg rice to the poor and most vulnerable Nigerians in the 774 local government areas is in line with the core values of his company and the Foundation.

    Dangote, who was represented by his daughter Marya Aliko Dangote said: “This annual initiative, which embodies compassion, solidarity, and shared responsibility, is part of our response to the current economic challenges facing our nation. It reflects our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values.”

    He said the Foundation was kicking off the distribution in Kano State, after which it will proceed to other states, while ensuring that the food reaches those who need it most in all the local government areas .

    Mr. Dangote, who is Africa’s wealthiest person, said food remains a basic human necessity, and this is why the Aliko Dangote Foundation adopted the practice of embarking on a food distribution  across the states.

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    “We are collaborating with state governments to ensure that the food reaches the most vulnerable individuals in each state,” he added.

    ‘’Ladies and gentlemen, our Foundation focuses on improving the living conditions of Nigerians through support for projects which tackle hunger and water supply problems, strengthen the quality and scope of health and education, and promote economic empowerment at the community level

    “Your excellency, I believe that today’s event will help in tackling hunger and helping the most vulnerable people in breaking their fast. We are playing our role in enhancing the living conditions of our people. I urge other industrialists and firms to lend a helping hand in combating hunger through programmes and initiatives that will place food on the tables of vulnerable Nigerians. This job should not be left to the government alone. Rather, we need a public private partnership that will help us in fighting the scourge.

     ‘’I commend the government at all levels for efforts in addressing the food crisis. I am certain that with time, we shall overcome these challenges, therefore let us support the government to achieve its target of a better life for Nigerians, “he said. 

    Kano State Governor Abba  Yusuf , who kicked off the annual  project, said the intervention reflects the unwavering commitment of Mr. Dangote in addressing poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

    The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gworzo, said 120,000 bags of 10kg rice will be distributed across the 44 local government areas of the state.

    He described Mr. Dangote as humane, adding that: “A similar event took place last year where he personally oversaw the distribution of food stuff to the poor in this very arena.”

    To ensure transparency in the distribution process, he said the state government has set up a committee comprising  relevant ministries, CSOs, religious leaders, departments and agencies, local authorities, the Hisbah Board and security agencies.

    Speaking to reporters, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, said the Annual National Food Intervention Project is a way of giving back, and supporting governments in fighting poverty and hunger in Nigeria.

    She said Mr. Dangote is passionate about philanthropy and committed to ensuring that hunger is wiped out or reduced to the minimum in Nigeria.

    “We are going to other states to distribute the products, but we’ve just flagged off in Kano,” she told reporters on the sideline of the Kano Government House venue .

    The Deputy Commander-General of Hisbah Board in Kano, Dr. Mujahid Aminudeen thanked the Aliko Dangote Foundation for the initiative, urging more Nigerians to emulate Mr. Dangote in the humanitarian cause.

    He said the Hisbah Board will ensure that the products reach the targeted beneficiaries.

    Representative of the poor and vulnerable Ibrahim Ahmed thanked Mr. Dangote while praying God to help him in his businesses.

  • Ekiti Muslims laud Dangote Foundation

    Ekiti Muslims laud Dangote Foundation

    The Muslim leaders in Ekiti have expressed their gratitude to the management of the Dangote Foundation for the gesture during Ramadan.

    President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ekiti state, Alhaji Hammed Bakare, who successfully supervised the distribution of the Dangote Foundation’s largesse in collaboration with committee members to all the 16 local government councils, described the gifts as timely given the present economic reality.

    He said despite logistical problems, the food items, initially intended for distribution before the end of Ramadan, have now reached their destinations.

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    He remarked that the initiative had set precedent for future philanthropic endeavours.

    Alhaji Bakare remained optimistic that the generosity will inspire both Muslim and non-Muslim benefactors to continue the tradition of giving as commanded in the Holy Quran.

    Also speaking, the state secretary of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Mr Tijani Musa and the representative of the Organisation of Muslim Unity (OMU), Alhaji Saka Akinola expressed gratitude to foundation.

    Representatives of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Ekiti state chapter, Alhaja Taibat Oladunni expressed her appreciation for the fair and inclusive distribution process.

    Alhaja Oladunni said the development not only reflects the Dangote foundation’s vision but also serves as a call to action for affluent individuals to partake in the noble cause of aiding their fellow citizens.

  • Aliko Dangote Foundation distributes 120,000 bags in Kano

    Aliko Dangote Foundation distributes 120,000 bags in Kano

    Aliko Dangote Foundation has launched its National Rice Relief Programme aimed at distributing over 1,000,000 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the Federation from March to early April 2024. 

    This initiative is a crucial step towards alleviating the ongoing economic challenges faced by our nation. 

    “The rice distribution programme will commence in Kano and Lagos States with flag-off ceremonies before expanding to all the other 36 states and the FCT over the next two weeks,” the statement said. 

    At the flag-off of the programme in Kano State on Saturday, Chairman of Aliko Dangote Foundation and Group President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, emphasised the importance of compassion and generosity during the holy month of Ramadan. 

    He stated: “Our distribution of rice symbolises our commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of our humanity.” 

    Dangote said the ADF was disbursing 120,000 bags of rice in Kano alone. 

    Kano, with over 20million people is the most populated State in Nigeria and the commercial nerve of the North. 

    The disbursement is being handled by the Kano Hisbah Board. 

    “The modalities for the programme involve collaboration with state and local governments and local community partners to ensure effective delivery of the rice to the most vulnerable across the country, regardless of state, tribe, gender, religion, politics, or other attributes, “ the statement from the company said.

    Additionally, it is distributing 10,000 iftar meals throughout the month of Ramadan in Kano Municipality. 

    These are complementary to the foundation’s daily bread relief programme that has been providing over 32,000 family-size loaves of bread across Kano and Lagos States every day since 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    The Foundation urged all well-meaning Nigerians to extend support and assistance to those who are less privileged or disadvantaged in society, stating “It is only through sincere collective action and social responsibility that we can find lasting solutions to issues of inequality and poverty.

    “We further urge governments at all levels to intensify their efforts to improve the economic environment of Nigeria through the implementation of policies and initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.

    “By creating a conducive environment for private enterprises to thrive, governments can stimulate investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship, which are essential for sustainable development and prosperity.

    “Moreover, strengthening the Nigerian economy will empower individuals to become more self-reliant and economically independent. 

    “When people have access to basic nutrition, quality education, training, and income opportunities, they are better equipped to support themselves and their families, breaking the cycle of poverty and dependency.”

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    Speaking on the sideline of the flag-off, Group Executive Director, Commercial, Fatima Aliko Dangote, said the company will not rest on its oars, and would continue to support the poor and vulnerable Nigerians. 

    She said: “This programme marks the latest nutrition and humanitarian intervention by the Foundation, continuing its tradition of impactful philanthropy. 

    “Since the 1990s, the Foundation has been providing 10,000 cooked meals daily to the vulnerable in Kano State, reaching hospitals, schools, care homes, prisons, mosques, and individuals.”

    Established with a vision to improve the well-being of people across Africa and beyond, Aliko Dangote Foundation focuses on nutrition and health, education, and economic empowerment. Through various initiatives, the Foundation strives to create lasting impacts and uplift communities.

  • Dangote Foundation boosts Nigeria’s WHO certification

    As Nigeria eagerly awaits her certification as polio free by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has boosted the nation’s efforts to finally end a scourge which had affected thousands of children across the country.

    The organisation, in support for government’s efforts to end polio, has released a detailed report which showed the impact of a partnership agreement on routine immunisation (RI) and polio eradication, which was signed between the ADF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and six Northern States comprising Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Sokoto, Borno and Yobe.

    The 114-page report, which showcased the efforts of the ADF in the fight against polio, was released in Lagos recently. It catalogued RI activities before and after the MoU was signed between the tripartite partners, with a marked upsurge in RI efforts after the MoUs were signed. It also revealed that hundreds of thousands of under-five children, who are most prone to polio, have been successfully immunised against the virus.

    The document, which contains analyses, interviews and pictures, was based on findings obtained from a recent spotlight visit undertaken by the philanthropic arm of the Dangote Group to the six MoU partner states, while tracking the progress made by each of the six states on RI and polio eradication under the partnership agreements.

    The report revealed that the tripartite agreements have helped to strengthen RI and also provided technical, material and financial support to the partner states and their relevant agencies and stakeholders; with resultant rise in RI coverage for eligible children in both rural and urban areas, including those in hard-to-reach and inaccessible communities; and also greater involvement of traditional and religious leaders in the process.

     

     

     

  • Dangote Foundation donates N1b hostel to ABU Zaria

    THE Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) is set to inaugurate a N1 billion hostel it built for the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in Kaduna State.

    The authorities of the university, reputed to be the largest tertiary institution in West Africa, described the Dangote hostel project as a “big relief”.

    It said accommodation is one of the challenges of the sprawling university.

    Its Director of Physical Planning and Municipal Services, Muhammad Aminu Sambo said: “This is a big relief because the university has limited accommodation in relation to the number of students admitted every year. This is one of our nightmares.”

    Addressing reporters, Sambo said of the over 50,000 students admitted yearly, the university could only provide accommodation for about 13,000.

    He hailed Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote, urging other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate him and intervene in the Educational sector.

    ABU’s Chief Architect Yabani Abubakar described the hostel as a monumental intervention, saying it is a set of 10 blocks with 36 rooms each.

    Abubakar, who is also the university’s Chief Physical Planning and Development Officer (CPPDO), said the newly-built Dangote Hostel had been completed and would be inaugurated during the university’s upcoming convocation.

    According to him, as part of his commitment, Dangote visited the hostel recently and directed that new state-of-the-art facilities, like solar power be installed.

    He said the Dangote hostel is located in Phase II section of the main campus and would be initially used as a wholly male hostel from next academic session.

    ADF’s  Managing Director and CEO Zouera Youssoufou said supporting education is one of the foundation’s priorities,.

    She added that the ADF was endowed with a $1.25 billion.

    The National President of Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association, Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora, noted that the contribution of ADF  to the educational sector and the school was unprecedented.

    He said it was for this reason the association conferred a Corporate Award on Dangote.

    ABU’s  Vice Chancellor Prof. Ibrahim Garba said the support was timely as the university had limited accommodation facility for its students.

  • Invest more in water provision, says Dangote Foundation

    The Managing Director/CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, has urged the government, organised private sector and well-meaning individuals to ensure provision of potable water, to tackle malnutrition.

    She spoke in Lagos ahead of the World Water Week holding in Stockholm, Sweden between August 26 and 31, with the theme: “Water, ecosystem and human development”.

    Speaking on the water component of the ADF nutrition programme, Youssoufou said: “Within our flagship nutrition programme, we have a substantial Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) component. We cannot be effective in fighting malnutrition if we don’t provide clean drinking water for our beneficiaries.

  • Monarch Wife’s Abductors reduce ransom to N10m

    Lawmaker pleads for freedom

    The family and residents of Auga community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state are now apprehensive over the abduction of Olori Olukemi Agunloye,wife of the traditional ruler in the town and the driver.

    They have been in gunmen’s captivity since five days ago without any inkling on their whereabouts.

    The kidnappers demanded N20m ransom which had been reduced to N10m according to family sources.

    It was learnt that family members weren’t worried over the health of the wife and her plights in the hands of the abductors.

    However, efforts are going on to rescue the victims as both police and army with community vigilante groups are combing the bush to fish out the miscreants and rescue the victims.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO)for Ikare Division (CSP)Mohamed Mahe is leading the team while survelliance is going on.

    Meanwhile, stakeholders in Akokoland are worried over the incessant kidnapping.

    The spokesman of the community, Alhaji Ibrahim kilani appealed for more government attention on the deplorable roads particularly the Owo-Ikare road, Isua-Ise – Auga -Akunu as criminals always way laid vehicles at the failed spots.

    He called for more police patrol vehicles to complement the existing ones.

    Kilani however warned landlords in the affected communities to be wary of such tenants they allow to settle in their farm which usually constitute criminality.

    According to him, Akoko being a peculiar area needed more security attention, saying local vigilante group must be mobilized to rise to the occasion.

    He commended police for allocating one of the vehicles donated by Dangote Foundation to Akoko for patrol and rise to distressed calls.

    Read Also: Abductors of Ondo monarch’s wife demand N20m ransom

    The lawmaker representing Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Stephen Olemija has decried the abduction of Olori Agunloye and the driver.

    In a statement issued in Akure, the state capital, the former chairman, Akoko Northeast local government urged security operatives to swing into action and fish out the gunmen.

    Besides, he pleaded for the safe release of the duo.

    Olemija urged the Area Commander in Akoko, Razak Rauf to intensify on regular patrol and surveillance of roads in the area to curtail the rising wave of kidnapping and armed robbery.

    He pleaded with members of the public with useful information to locate the whereabouts of the kidnapped victims to report to the nearest police station and other security agencies.

  • UNICEF tasks Bauchi on child mortality rate

    The United Nations International Children’s Fund ( UNICEF ) has tasked Bauchi state government to focus more on evidence-based programme and primary healthcare delivery so as to combat the lingering problem of under-five child mortality rate in the state.

    Speaking during a one-day technical consultative meeting on ending preventable deaths of children in Bauchi state held at Grand Central Hotel in Kano yesterday, UNICEF Nigeria Chief of Health, Dr. Sanjana Bhardwaj, called on health partners and nongovernmental organizations to work with Bauchi state government in its drive to reduce child mortality rate.

    According to her, “we should all come together and be partners with all the people working in Bauchi to really study the data so that we know what can be done and accelerate progress. 

    “One of the things that we have agreed together that Bauchi should do is to really focus on the evidence-based programme. Look at the information and use it to design their programme, get all the resources where they have to get them and make it work.

    “The other thing is to see how we can strengthen the primary healthcare platform and community platform to really reach all the vulnerable children within the localities in the state.”

    She further stated that, “UNICEF is working in partnership with the Bauchi state government; we are also working with the Nigerian government and below the state level—at Local Government Areas, wards and communities to really look at the status of children.

    “We really want to find out why children are dying and what the cause of the deaths is. We also really want to know the status of the overall health of children in Nigeria, including Bauchi state.”

    She said Bauchi has been making significant progress over the past few years, adding that, “we can see the details of improvements on the increased immunization coverage. There is still a lot more to be done.

    This meeting is meant for UNICEF and the state government to come together and to really look at information—analyze them, plan and implement for the survival of children; we try to strive and transform in order to know what need to be done. We also need to fast-track  the programme so as to save the lives of our children.”

    Bhardwaj noted that Nigeria has made some progress by reducing U5 Mortality rate from 201 in 2008 to 128 in 2013 ( NDHS ), “but there is wide disparity in performance among and within states in U5 mortality reduction.

    “Limited progress has been recorded in newborn deaths in the last decade. Bauchi State has made similar progress bringing under 5 mortality rates from 236/1000live birth in 2011 to 161/1000 live births in 2016; just as it made Under-one mortality from 140 in 2011 to 81 in 2016.

    She admitted that, “however, lots of children are still dying from preventable causes necessitating more investments and improved programming that will significantly reduce child deaths.”

    In her remarks, the Bauchi state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Zuwaira Hassan said that the state government is to set up an emergency committee to monitor progress recorded in the fight against child mortality which would be reviewed periodically to ascertain the actual records in every three months.

    According to her, “actually, the state government has already done a lot to reduce under-5 child mortality rate. If you look at the indices, they were worse than this. When you compare 2011 indices with 2016 indices, you will see that a lot has already been achieved.

    “It is just that we are not yet where we want to be. We are being moved and we need to do more. You know that the executive Governor of Bauchi state already has a five-point agenda. The first in the agenda is strengthening Primary Healthcare Delivery; routine immunization, as well as maternal, newborn and child health; and a lot has been done in these areas.

    “The Bauchi state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dangote Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gate, USAID; and the Governor has been fulfilling Bauchi state government counterpart funding. In fact, the state has already redeemed the 2018 counterpart funding which has tremendously helped to boost the immunization programme.”

  • Dangote, Aig-Imoukhuede seek African Union-Private sector collaboration on health

    Africa’s richest man and Chairman of Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the immediate past President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, who is also the Chairman of Coronation Capital and co-chair of Global Business Coalition on Health, GBCHealth, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede have advised that public-private sector collaboration will improve the health sector across Africa.

    At the Africa Business and Investment Forum, a high-level public-private sector dialogue, which was a side event at the recently concluded Assembly of Heads of States and Government of the African Union meeting in Addis Ababa, the two business leaders were seen to be taking bold steps to champion improvements in the health sector across Africa and at the global level.

    Aig-Imoukhuede, who praised the government for taking the private sector seriously said “this is the first time the Africa Union will be engaging the private sector in its work as a partner to further the objectives of the union”.  Calling for collaboration between government and private sector, Aig-Imoukhuede stated that there is a need to leverage the power and resources of the business community for positive impact on global health challenges, and perhaps use the platform to give birth to an ‘African Davos’, which will take place after the AU summit every year and foster collaboration between private sector enablers and public sector drivers. He stated further that “Great things happen when enablers and drivers collaborate”,

    Alhaji Dangote had identified the missing gap in African development as “the need for Africa as a continent to come together”. He added that “the only way to move Africa forward is to think big, dream big and do big things together”. To this end, Dangote Foundation and GBCHealth are catalysing an African Business coalition for health, ABCHealth which will support African business efforts to fight poverty and improve health in Africa, providing a neutral platform to incubate partnerships, drive investments in health and spotlight African business leaders and their work on health.

    “There is strong appetite from African corporates, business leaders, donors and development partners for investing in innovative and scalable health system while the state of the health sector across the continent is characterised by suboptimal outcomes (infectious diseases, malnutrition), poor quality health system, fragmented health market, limited innovation and absence of protection against financial risks for citizens” that is the paradox of the African health sector, said Aig-Imoukhuede.

    In closing his speech, Aig-Imoukhuede urged the private sector to “see health issues not just as doing good, but as a real competitive market, and thus should be at the centre of our economic agenda”, adding that there is a strong rationale for the private sector to play a role in shaping health markets in Africa because good health is good business, therefore investing in health is both a business and social imperative”.

    Dangote and Aig-Imoukhuede are both recognised for their generosity in advancing global and national healthcare, and most importantly for their readiness to apply their intellect and formidable network to address these issues at a regional level. At the country level, both of them are founding conveners of the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), which has been mobilising the private sector, across a coordinated platform, to advance health outcomes and unlock the market potential within the health sector in Nigeria.

    This forum has led to a planned collaboration between ABCHealth, African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA to convene an African private sector summit to broker private sector commitments to health across Africa on the margins of the African Union summit next year. This will serve to set up an African-led business coalition that mobilises a core group of private sector champions to offer their capabilities, resources and expertise, through a coordinated platform, to advance health outcomes and shape health markets.