Oyo Govt, Dangote Foundation Distribute Food Relief to 30,000 Residents

The Oyo State Government has partnered with the Aliko Dangote Foundation to provide food relief to 30,000 vulnerable residents, as part of a joint effort to mitigate the ongoing impact of economic hardship.

The distribution, which took place on Monday at the Local Government Training School in Ibadan, marks the second phase of the state’s “Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery” initiative. Beneficiaries across all 33 local government areas of the state were selected to receive 10kg bags of rice, with a specific focus on widows, the elderly, people living with disabilities, and other underprivileged households.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, represented by Permanent Secretary Musibau Babatunde, described the initiative as a vital step in addressing poverty and food insecurity. He emphasized that the partnership reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to collaborating with the private sector to improve the welfare of its most vulnerable citizens.

“The programme aims to alleviate poverty among residents and improve the welfare of socially disadvantaged groups,” Babatunde stated. He further urged other private organizations to adopt similar corporate social responsibility measures to support the public sector in addressing food scarcity.

The Head of Operations for the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Edero Ejiro, noted that the exercise in Oyo is part of a broader, nationwide effort by the foundation to support state governments in addressing national food challenges. He commended the Oyo State administration for its dedication to the program’s transparency and efficiency, which were noted during the successful implementation of the initiative’s first phase.

Beneficiaries at the event expressed their gratitude, noting that the support would provide significant relief against the backdrop of rising commodity prices. The event was attended by various state government officials, including the Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi, and representatives of the Governor’s office.