TheCable

Northern governors and monarchs have commended Aliko Dangote for the N15 billion food intervention programme launched to cushion the impact of economic hardship on Nigerians.

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, described Dangote’s action as ”multifaceted philanthropic efforts benefitting the poor and vulnerable populace of the state”.

Alia who was represented by Abah Isaiah, his senior special assistant, appreciated the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) for supporting the state with 20,000 bags of 10kg rice.

He stated that a committee has been constituted to distribute rice palliatives to the poor, vulnerable, and all LGAs in the state, including non-governmental and faith-based organisations.

Alia said the food intervention will aid citizens in IDP camps, commending Dangote for creating thousands of jobs through the cement plant in Gboko.

He added that the job creation and economic activities of the company are precursors to peace and stability.

Alia urged host communities to support Dangote.

“We would do everything possible to make sure that Dangote succeeds in Benue. I also want to urge you to support this company,” he said.

“As you can see, there is a cordial relationship between the Dangote Cement Plc and the host communities. You can see how Dangote staff and host communities have been relating with each other.”

Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, said the intervention will ease economic hardship on Nigerians.

Emmanuel Akabe, deputy governor of the state, who represented Sule, said each LGA was allocated 2,000 bags, apart from Karu and Lafia who were allocated 2,500 bags each.

Akabe described Dangote as the “father of charity in Nigeria”.

Jonathan Kunde, general manager of Dangote Cement Plant Gboko, praised the peaceful and supportive communities over the years and promised more intervention schemes.

Zaki Mande, a monarch and representative of the host communities, pledged the support of the communities to hitch-free mining and production activities.

Muhammad Shaibu, Emir of Tunga in Nasarawa, said the ADF’s national food intervention programme will support the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship on the citizenry.

“The Aliko Dangote Foundation is not only a gift to Nasarawa state, but to all Nigerians,” he said.

Ibrahim Galadima, district head of Tunga, described Dangote as ”God’s gift”.

Anthony Chiejina, spokesperson of the company, said the food initiative is part of the foundation’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian government and populace in overcoming economic challenges.

Ivase Eugene, a representative of ADF, and deputy general manager of social performance and community relations, said the company is sharing one million bags of 10kg rice in all LGAs of the country.

On March 24, Dangote launched a N15 billion food intervention programme.

During the launch in Kano, Dangote said the distribution of food items will run from March to early April, adding that over one million 10kg bags of rice will be distributed across the 774 LGAs of the 36 states of the federation, including the federal capital territory (FCT).