August 05, (THEWILL) – Videos of rice distribution across many states in Nigeria by Aliko Dangote Foundation currently run on national television. The videos show rural dwellers receiving 10kg bags of rice and expressing their gratitude to the foundation.
Early in the year, the foundation announced the launch of its National Rice Relief Programme, aimed at distributing over 1 million 10kg bags of rice across the 774 local government areas of the country and the FCT, starting from March 2024.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Lagos and Kano recently, the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote said the food intervention programme demonstrates his foundation’s commitment to “upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity,” adding that it is a “crucial step towards alleviating the ongoing economic challenges faced by our nation, to assist the government in alleviating poverty in Nigeria.”
Strikingly, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State said the distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice shows that the leadership of the foundation prioritises the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.
Sanwo-Olu said, “Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian that has chosen to be different. You have choices, but you have made the right one which, is caring for the vulnerable. I appreciate Mr Aliko Dangote for extending his kind gestures to the people at the bottom of the pyramid and we are grateful for supporting us in government. There is a lot of global disruption in different parts of the world, and it is a tough time to be in a position of leadership.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu identified the crucial position of leadership in tough times, caring for the people at the bottom of the pyramid and prioritizing the welfare of the people over pursuit of profit while Dangote spoke about the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity.
These observations show in bold relief the values that government after government in the country ought to adopt in governing Nigerians, even in the area of the distribution of so called palliatives for which billions are often voted but are often trailed by sad stories of diversion, hijack, hoarding and sale in markets.
The point and lesson to take away from the foundation’s example is that the bottom up approach to identifying, engaging and resolving issues of national importance is the simplest and best way to run a conflict-free, people oriented government.
That is what governance is all about. It may sound complex for those who deliberately ignore the available structures and institutions at different strata of society waiting to be harnessed by elected and appointed leaders.
We commend the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this humanitarian gesture and urge governments at all levels to emulate it. For whatever it is worth, the instruction should not be lost: Every policy, projects and programme should not only put the people first but must involve them in the locale, irrespective of their identities and affiliations.
