Africa’s wealthiest individual, Aliko Dangote, has initiated the distribution of one million bags of rice valued at over N13 billion to individuals in need across Nigeria through his philanthropic foundation.

The foundation is also providing meals for at least 10,000 Muslims observing Ramadan in Kano State. In a statement by Samira Sanusi, an executive at the foundation based in Kano, it was announced that the organization aims to distribute the one million bags of rice across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja to alleviate the hardships faced by many in the country.

Mrs. Sanusi highlighted that this act of generosity is in addition to the regular distribution of 20,000 loaves of bread to residents in Kano and 15,000 to residents in Lagos, a program initiated by the foundation in 2020.

The complimentary meals provided during Ramadan include various dishes such as jollof rice, plain rice with stew, jollof spaghetti, yam, and beans accompanied by chicken and beef. Each meal package also includes a bottle of water and a beverage for individual consumption.

Mrs. Sanusi further mentioned that these meals are distributed at Juma’at mosques, on streets, in prisons, orphanages, remand homes, and various locations within Kano City and its environs.

In addition to the free bread distribution program initiated four years ago, Mrs. Sanusi disclosed that Mr. Dangote has been discreetly providing food assistance to the less fortunate in Kano for over three decades, initially from his mother’s home in Koki and from various cooking venues.

“This feeding program caters to 10,000 Kano residents daily with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a remarkable initiative that has been ongoing for over 30 years,” she stated.