Rice palliative:  Kano gov urges affluent Nigerians to emulate Dangote 

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has urged wealthy Nigerians to emulate Aliko Dangote by supporting the government in the provision of palliative measures to cushion the harsh economic condition in the country.

Governor Yusuf said this during the flag-off of the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s National Rice Relief Programme, aimed at distributing over 1,000,000 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the 36 states and FCT from March to early April 2024. 

He said: “I do not have enough words to express my heartfelt gratitude to Alhaji Aliko Dangote on behalf of the good people of Kano State. 

“This is because the gesture he is offering today will undoubtedly alleviate the burden of many families facing economic hardship in our state. I urge all other wealthy individuals and businesses in our community to take heed of this noble example set by the Dangote Group and extend similar gestures of support to those in need in our dear state.” 

The Governor said his administration has also procured grains in large quantities which will be distributed to all the 484 wards across the 44 Local Government areas of the State. “We have also designated over 90 feeding centres across the eight metropolitan Local Government Areas where over 90,000 Muslims are being fed with breakfast daily.”

Meanwhile, vulnerable, and disadvantaged people in Kano state, have expressed gratitude to the foremost Philanthropist, Aliko Dangote for the distribution of rice to various households in the state.

Apart from Kano, the program implemented through the Aliko Dangote Foundation is a million bags of rice planned to grace hundreds of homes in the country. 

Recipients of the largesse in Kano, described the gesture as a divine intervention to improve livelihoods. 

A cross section, consisting of widows, orphans, vulnerable and the less privileged lamented the current unfavorable situation arising from high cost of foodstuff and other items.

“We can no longer provide three square meals for our families,” said a physically challenged man. 

The physically challenged, Rabiu Umar, 55, said apart from water, food is important especially for our little children. 

Rabiu said before now, he could fend for his family of 12 despite his disability and was a proud father and husband before the high cost of foodstuff. 

“The situation has reduced my status as a breadwinner to my family,” said another recipient. 

Ibrahim Musa, 58, of Unguwa Uku said hunger has dangerous consequences for any society. Hence, his gratitude to God for making it possible for Aliko to undertake the huge project for the benefit of the people of Kano and Nigeria. 

“This shows that the son of Kano, Aliko has a large heart and is concerned for his people and Nigeria as a whole.”

Nana Aisha, aged 84, said Aliko had shown good leadership qualities since he was young and continues to exhibit the same.

“We will continue to pray for his progress and for his businesses to accelerate,” she added. 

A visually impaired, Mallam Mohammadu said he was impressed that the Rice program is for the whole Country.

According to him, “hunger is everywhere, we hear stories of food being hijacked and so on, so Dangote has done the right thing for Nigeria.” 

Salisu Buhari, 68, from Hotoro, said: “We are grateful to Aliko Dangote because it is not easy to cough out plenty of money to buy so many bags of rice for the people. This gesture deserves commendation. 

Malama Asabe, 70, from Katsina state but resident in Kano, said she never had a child in her life, and has depended on friends and relatives for her livelihood.

She said: “But I had to hit the streets to fend for myself because things are becoming too difficult for me”. 

A representative of widows, Malama Fatima Mohammed said petty trading could no longer put food on the table for their orphaned children. 

While commending Dangote for the palliative, Mrs Fatima appealed to ADF to focus more attention on orphans.