The Aliko Dangote Foundation, in partnership with the Niger Government, on Tuesday distributed 25,000 bags of 10kg rice to vulnerable households across the 25 local government areas of the state.
The distribution exercise was inaugurated by the wife of the governor, Hajiya Fatima Bago, at the Government House in Minna.
Bago described the intervention as timely, saying it demonstrated the impact of collaboration between philanthropic organisations and government in supporting vulnerable persons.
She said the donation would provide relief to many households and make the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration memorable for beneficiaries.
The governor’s wife commended the foundation for the gesture and urged officials handling the exercise to ensure that the items reached the intended beneficiaries.
Speaking at the event, General Manager, Dangote Industries Limited, Abuja Office, Mr Ahmed Hashimu said the intervention was aimed at bringing succour to vulnerable households in the state.
Hashimu added that the foundation had continued to implement interventions in critical sectors, including education and health.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Afiniki Dauda, lauded the foundation and urged it to sustain the humanitarian support.
In her remarks, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Idris said such interventions reassured citizens of the government’s commitment to improving their welfare through partnerships with well-meaning organisations.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed appreciation to the foundation and the Niger Government for the support.
NAN reports that symbolic presentations of the rice bags were made to selected beneficiaries at the event.
