News Editor
By David Odama
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has flagged off the distribution of thirty thousand bags of ten kilogram rice donated by Dangote Foundation to cushion the hardship Nigerians are going through.
Speaking at the distribution center in Lafia, governor Sule recalled that Dangote Foundation last year distributed one million bags of ten kilogram of rice across Nigeria and they are doing it again this year by distributing another one million bags of ten kilogram of rice to the people.
Sule pointed out that the distribution is done according to population of the people in a state or through special recognition of a state by the foundation.
“First and foremost, let me thank everyone for turning up because, it was only yesterday we took the decision that we are going to start sharing these rice today since I am traveling tomorrow (Wednesday 19th, 2025). The distribution suppose to have taken place next week after everything is well planned and coordinated …
” But because of the rush for me to travel and to ensure that it is done in line with the specific request from Dangote Foundation; that is why we are trying to rush and see that we do it today ” The Governor explained.
“Dangote Foundation last year distributed one million bags of ten kilogram of rice across Nigeria and they are doing it again this year by distributing another one million bags of ten kilogram of rice to the people”.
Sule added that the distribution is done according to population of the people in a state or through special recognition of a state by the foundation.
” I am happy to tell you that only Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Kogi, Borno and the rest have more than Nasarawa state. So Nasarawa is among the top ten states that had actually receiving these rice …
” We thank Dangote Foundation for the recognition of Nasarawa state as we are not one of the most populated states in the country but because Dangote Foundation believe that we have indigent people in the state – that is the reason why we are among the top ten states that had received these …
” Now, every local government area was supposed to receive two thousand three hundred and eight bags equally, that was the way we planned to do it. But in reality, we made a little adjustment to ensure that it gets to the people as government is not taking one bag out of these …
” We have taken ourselves out as a government, however, we have recognized some associations to be recepients of this gesture and theirs had been taken out and it would be given to them right now. JNI is going to get 500 bags, JIBWIS (1) is going to get 500, JIBWIS (2) will get 500, FOWAN will get 250, CAN will get 250, CAN Women Association will get 100, people living with disabilities 150, Security 250, Media/NUJ Correspondent Chapel and the rest will get 250 and Labour Union will get 250 totalling 3,000 bags …
” The rest will be equally shared 2,007 to each of the 13 local government areas of the state. What we did was to take from what we initially allocated to LGA’s to these associations so that, when it gets there, there will be no issue of Police were not given, DSS were not given. That is why we have removed their own and set it aside …
” So that when the rice gets to each local government area, all these associations outlined would not be part of the sharing exercise again but can only help us to supervise as all the sharing would be supervised by the traditional rulers on who’s palaces the distributions will take place while the Chairmen will coordinate the vehicles conveying the rice ” The Governor clarified.
The Governor equally noted that it was only that of Lafia local government area that was displayed at the event. He stressed that the Chairmen of the 13 LGA’s responsibility was to ensure that the rice gets to the less privileged members of the society especially the indigent people in their local government.
The Governor described the month of ramadan as a month of sacrifice where it is more rewarding to give than to receive and appreciated Dangote Foundation for the gesture.
In his opening remarks, the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State Dr. Labaran Shuaibu Magaji said the event is for the distribution of thirty thousand ten kilogram bags of rice donated to the state by Dangote Foundation.
Magaji pointed out that government appointees has been given the responsibilities of ensuring that the rice gets to the desired destinations which is the homes of the less privileged members of the society as no government officials are allowed to take a bag from the rice been shared.
On his part, the Head of Community Relations Dangote Foundation Abdullahi Rilwan said in consonance with the philanthropic gesture of their Chairman Aliko Dangote as well as his recognition of the hardship Nigerians are going through, has taken it upon himself to reach out to as many indigent people he can especially at this season.
” We are here as part of the foundation to witness the flag-off of subsequent distribution of what we allocated to Nasarawa state under the guidance of His Excellency Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule which the state has taken exclusive responsibility for the distribution …
” So, ladies and gentlemen, we appreciate your presence and we hope you will find the little we are giving immensely important to the communities and individuals ” Rilwan noted.
