Oyo State Government, on Wednesday, began the second phase of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery, with the distribution of 10kg bags of rice to 30,000 residents.
The presentation of the food items was performed by the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Musibau Babatunde, who doubles as the secretary of the Safer Committee.
The event was held at the Local Government Training School, Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.
He explained that the distribution of the food items was aimed at alleviating poverty among the residents, saying the items would also improve the welfare of the residents, especially the socially disadvantaged groups in the state.
Babatunde stressed that the beneficiaries were drawn from the 33 local government areas of the state, and they included widows, the underprivileged, people living with disabilities, the aged and other vulnerable people.
“This ceremony is a symbolic presentation of rice that was given to the state by the Aliko Dangote Foundation. The state is already in the second phase of the Safer, which has been put together by the governor of the state to alleviate poverty and improve the welfare of the residents.
“This is part of the strategic partnership the state is forming with the private sector.
“This initiative will cut across socially disadvantaged groups in the state, from the physically challenged to the vulnerable groups and the elderly.
“We are expecting about 30,000 beneficiaries and we are going to ensure it touches all the local government areas in the state,” He promised.
Earlier, the Head of Operations, Aliko Dangote Foundation, Lagos, Edero Ejiro, said, “The initiative to distribute one million bags of 10kg rice to the vulnerable, widows, underprivileged and people going through hardship across the country, started in 2024.”
He commended Makinde for supporting the poorest of the poor, the needy and the vulnerable in the state, stressing that the Aliko Dangote Foundation would complement the efforts through the donations of food materials for nutritional and economic empowerment.
He added, “Our Chairman, Aliko Dangote, came up with this initiative last year, that we should distribute one million bags across the nation. We did it last year and we are also doing it now.
“So, I am here to deliver the package to this state. I want to also state categorically that the Foundation has been in existence for over 30 years and we are grounded in three key areas, including empowerment, nutrition and education.”
In his vote of thanks, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters, Olufemi Timothy, appreciated Makinde and the donor, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, for their support to the needy.
