The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has donated 10,000 bags of 10kg rice to vulnerable residents in Enugu State as part of its National Food Intervention Programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at easing the hardship faced by millions of Nigerians amid rising food prices and economic challenges.
The rice donation, which is part of a larger national effort by the Foundation to distribute over one million 10kg bags of rice across Nigeria’s 36 states and 774 local government areas, is valued at N15.5 billion.
In Enugu, the palliative was received by the state government over the weekend, with distribution already underway at the local government level.
The palliatives were formally handed over to representatives from the state’s 17 local government areas during an allocation ceremony held at Michael Okpara Square in Enugu.
Immediately after, trucks began moving out with rice supplies to the various council headquarters.
According to Mr Osinachi Nnajieze, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Legal Matters, each LGA will receive at least 538 bags of rice, which will be distributed directly to the most vulnerable residents.
He stressed that the state government was committed to an equitable and transparent distribution process that aligns with the intentions of the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
“We are so determined to be equitable and diligent in this distribution that I have personally told everyone around me not to expect even one bag.
“None of us is as indigent as the people we are targeting. The aim is to get this rice to those who truly need it, not friends, relatives, or political allies,” Nnajieze stated.
Nnajieze issued a stern warning to local government chairmen and officials against hoarding or diverting the rice for personal use.
“This is not for the privileged. This is for the most economically vulnerable among us. We will not tolerate any abuse of this intervention,” he added.
The State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr Okechukwu Ede, expressed gratitude to the Chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote, for what he described as a timely and impactful gesture.
Ede promised that the rice would be shared fairly across all 17 LGAs without any council being short-changed.
“We are united in our resolve to ensure that every bag gets to the right people,” he assured.
Monitoring the distribution at the square, Peace Daniel, an official from the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legal Matters, said that each local government received an equal share of 538 bags.
The distribution to final beneficiaries will be carried out at each LGA on dates determined by the local authorities.
Mose Anu, a representative from Nkanu West Local Government Area, confirmed receiving the full consignment allocated to his council.
He also stated that preparations were underway for proper distribution to indigent households within the LGA.
Eyewitnesses at the scene observed a steady stream of trucks being loaded with bags of rice and departing to various destinations across the state.
The ongoing food relief operation by the Aliko Dangote Foundation comes at a critical time when Nigerians are grappling with record food inflation and economic uncertainty.
The Foundation’s decision to provide rice palliatives across the country is part of its broader mission to alleviate hunger and improve the living conditions of the most affected populations.
The Foundation is working in collaboration with state governments and credible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure that the donated rice reaches the intended recipients.
This multi-tiered partnership is designed to reduce leakage and ensure accountability throughout the distribution process.
Since its inception, the Aliko Dangote Foundation has focused on large-scale philanthropic interventions, particularly in health, education, and economic empowerment.
With this nationwide food relief initiative, it continues to reinforce its commitment to supporting government efforts to address urgent humanitarian needs.
In Enugu and beyond, the gesture has been widely lauded as a significant step in addressing short-term food insecurity, particularly among those hardest hit by the current economic conditions.
It also reinforces the growing role of private sector-led philanthropy in supporting vulnerable populations during national crises.
As the distribution progresses across the state, Enugu residents and local officials alike remain hopeful that the rice will provide temporary relief while longer-term economic solutions are developed.
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