June 5, 2025 – The Ekiti State Government has commenced the distribution of 10,000 bags of rice to religious groups across the state. This move is aimed at reducing hunger and supporting vulnerable families, especially during the current festive period. The rice, donated by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, is part of a national food intervention programme to fight poverty and hunger in Nigeria.
Speaking during the distribution on Thursday, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, confirmed that the state received 10,000 bags of 10kg rice. He explained that the food relief is strictly targeted at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, representing the two major religious bodies in Ekiti.
“We got 10,000 bags of 10kg rice from Aliko Dangote Foundation. It was actually meant to be distributed during the fasting period. You know the fasting of Muslims and Christians overlapped, so it was meant for vulnerable Christians and Muslims,” said Boluwade.
The commissioner stressed that the distribution was in line with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s shared prosperity agenda, focusing on providing relief for those who are struggling. He called on religious leaders to ensure that the food gets to the less privileged and not diverted for other purposes.
According to him, “Dangote gave a categorical instruction that we must distribute the rice to vulnerable Christians and Muslims. This is not for the rich or the powerful. This is for the needy. Anyone caught diverting it will face the full weight of the law.”
The Commissioner praised the Aliko Dangote Foundation for the donation and Governor Oyebanji for backing the move, noting that the government is committed to food security and the welfare of its citizens. He said the bags would be shared through the religious organisations down to every local government area in Ekiti.
On behalf of the foundation, Mr Victor Ejiro, an Operations Officer at the Dangote headquarters in Lagos, presented the bags of rice to the state. He explained that the donation is part of Aliko Dangote Foundation’s annual food relief programme, which is done nationwide to support the fight against hunger and food insecurity.
“Aliko Dangote is passionate about giving back to society,” Ejiro said. “This initiative is one way to help households in Nigeria deal with the rising cost of food. We are committed to reducing hunger to the barest minimum, and we hope this intervention brings some relief to people during this festive season.”
The religious leaders who received the rice, Mr David Fabusuyi, Secretary of CAN, and Alhaji Ahmed Bakare, President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ekiti, both expressed appreciation to the Dangote Foundation and the state government.
Fabusuyi noted, “We thank Governor Oyebanji for his consistent efforts in making sure the poor are not forgotten. This rice will help many people this season.”
Bakare also assured the public that the rice will reach the right people. “We know what the people are going through, and we will make sure this gets to the real vulnerable people in our communities,” he said.
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This act of charity comes at a time when food inflation in Nigeria has placed pressure on many homes. The rice donation is expected to provide short-term relief to many in Ekiti.