The Ekiti State Government has commenced the distribution of 10,000 bags of rice to Christian and Muslim communities in the state, a gesture aimed at easing economic hardship during the festive period. The rice, donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, was officially distributed on behalf of the state by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, who emphasized that the donation was targeted at vulnerable members of religious groups in alignment with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s shared prosperity agenda.
Boluwade urged religious leaders to ensure fair and transparent distribution of the food items to the less privileged, warning that any diversion of the rice would not be tolerated. He also lauded both the Aliko Dangote Foundation for the generous donation and Governor Oyebanji for facilitating the distribution across the local government areas. Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Mr. Victor Ejiro from Dangote Headquarters in Lagos said the donation forms part of the foundation’s nationwide food intervention programme to reduce hunger and support government efforts to alleviate poverty.
In their responses, religious leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs expressed appreciation to the state government and the Dangote Foundation for the timely support. Mr. David Fabusuyi of CAN and Alhaji Ahmed Bakare of the Islamic Council both pledged that the rice would reach the intended beneficiaries, especially the downtrodden, and thanked Governor Oyebanji for his continued commitment to the welfare of the less privileged.
