NEWS
ADF Spreads Palliatives To 10 States
The 2025 Food Intervention Programme of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has spread to 10 states.
Biztellers reports that some of the states already touched by the annual initiative include Kano, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Lagos, Abuja, Katsina, Borno and Gombe.
A statement from the ADF in Lagos on Monday has it that more states are to receive their deliveries this week.
It averred that “Over one million Nigerians from the 774 Local Government Areas will receive a 10kg bag of rice each from the Aliko Dangote Foundation, in a programme which is worth N16 billion. The hunger-alleviating initiative was flagged off in Kano by the Chairman of the Foundation, Aliko Dangote, for the 2025 intervention process.”
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Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Zouera Youssoufou, noted that the Food Intervention Programme is in its second edition, and described it as a way of supporting governments’ efforts and giving back to Nigerians, especially the needy and the vulnerable in the society.
Youssoufou, while fielding questions from journalists on the sideline of the flag-off in Kano, said the exercise reflects the concerns and compassion of Alh Dangote on the plight of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
On her part, a Trustee of the Foundation, Mariya Aliko Dangote, said the intervention is part of the Foundation’s response to the current economic challenges in the country, adding that it is expected to create some relief for the poor families.
Representative of the Foundation during the flag-off in Bauchi State, Ahmed Hashem, assured that the Foundation would not rest on its oars, adding that 25,000 bags of 10kg rice were delivered in the State.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu Wanka, explained further that each of the 20 LGAs will receive 500 bags of the rice, while 10,000 bags would be allocated to mosques and churches, considering that the Christians are also observing the annual Lenten fasting period, while the remaining 5,000 bags will be shared to some critical stakeholders.
During the weekend, the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, commended the Foundation, adding that 30,000 bags of 10kg rice were delivered to the State.
He assured that beneficiaries would be carefully selected by a government committee for the distribution of the food items.
Similarly, in Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed profound gratitude for the 30,000-bag donation from ADF, saying that the distribution would commence immediately to ensure timely relief for the people.
The Emir of Keffi, Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, also lauded the intervention, offering prayers for continued prosperity for the Dangote Industries Limited.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, had applauded Dangote’s many initiatives to ameliorate Nigerians’ sufferings and praised him for showing compassion for the needy.
Dr. Hamzat, who received the ADF delegation led by its Trustee, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote and Managing Director of the Foundation, Youssoufou, on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s consistency in spreading love and charity across Lagosians, which he described as one of the important aspects of the Ramadan and Lent season.
Sanwo-Olu said the gesture of distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice shows that the leadership of the Foundation prioritise the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.
The Governor 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 various parts of the world, and it is a tough time to be in a position of leadership.”
According to the Group Chief Branding and Corporate Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, the distribution of food items by the Foundation is being coordinated through state governments to ensure that the nationwide assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries effectively.
“This monumental intervention reinforces the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s dedication to humanitarian service, offering much-needed respite to millions grappling with economic hardship across Nigeria,” Chiejina said.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has inaugurated three new governing councils for Institutions and Agencies in the state.
The establishments with newly governing councils are Persons with Disabilities, Edo University, Iyamho and Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) Service Commission.
After inaugurating the three groups in the new Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City, Okpebholo charged the new appointees to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
The Governor said the task for the newly-inaugurated bodies is enormous and charged them to discharge their duties and responsibilities according to the law governing the State.
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“We are all here because of this event today as my administration has carefully selected those we are inaugurating today to collaborate with us to pilot the affairs of the State and contribute to its development.
“We have carefully selected great minds to run the affairs of Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission believing they will bring the needed change required to develop Edo State,” he said.
To the members of the Governing Council Edo State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, led by the chairman, Theophilus Egbodion, the Governor said that despite their challenges, his administration would not discriminate against anybody.
“There is no discrimination in this administration. We are all one working to achieve our common goal, which is to develop Edo State. The situation you find yourselves is not made by you but caused by circumstances and with you in our Government, we will relate with others very well. You are not disabled in mind as I promise to work with you as all your requests will be looked into.”
For the governing council of Edo State University Iyamho, led by Prof. Olusegun Akinyinka, the Governor, said the members chosen by his administration were a well-calculated move to bring credible people with proven characters to govern and move the school forward.
“Your choice is deliberate as we believe that with your experience, the school will do very well. As we inaugurate you today, the university will experience a new dawn such that the school will assume an enviable height,” he stated.
Okpebholo said the task ahead of the newly-inaugurated members is enormous and “I charge you to discharge your duties and responsibilities according to the law governing the State. I want to thank and welcome you to the fold.”
Responding, the chairmen, Edo State House of Assembly Service Commission, Hon. Ezehi Igbas; chairman Governing Council Edo State commission for persons with disabilities, Egbodion; and Chairman Governing Council of Edo University, Iyamho, Prof. Olusegun Akinyinka thanked the Governor for finding them and their team worthy of the appointments and promised to support and collaborate with the administration to succeed.
The Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) in Rivers State have been thrown into a state of anxiety following a directive from the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), ordering them to submit reports detailing the activities of their councils over the past two years.
The directive, issued through a letter from Dame Dr. Itong Awani, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, mandates that the reports be submitted by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The sudden call for accountability has unsettled many LGA heads, particularly given the political backdrop in Rivers State.
Following the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the 2024 local government elections, suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara had directed the HLGAs to take over local government administration.
READ MORE:Lawyer Petitions Court To Declare Rivers Sole Administrator’s Appointment Null
Now, the administrator’s demand for a comprehensive report has sparked speculation about potential changes in the councils’ leadership.
The letter, which only became public on Wednesday, outlined specific areas the reports must cover. According to the directive, HLGAs must provide: Introduction/Preamble, Functions of the Council, Number of Staff on Nominal Roll (categorized by cadre), Sources of Revenue Generation, Activities, Ongoing, and Completed Projects in the Past Two Years, Achievements of the Council, Challenges and Recommendations.
The letter emphasized the urgency of compliance, stating: “His Excellency, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has directed that all Heads of Local Government Administration should submit the report of their councils to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs.
“I am also to inform you that all submissions using the format listed below should reach the office of the undersigned on or before Wednesday, 26th March, 2025, for onward transmission to the office of the Sole Administrator, Government House, Port Harcourt for further necessary action.”
Additionally, the directive instructs LGA heads to highlight the challenges faced by their councils and provide recommendations on how to address them.
A fire outbreak on Tuesday night severely damaged a two-storey commercial building on Iweka Road, near Ochanja Main Market in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday, the Anambra State Fire Service said it received a distress call at around 9:35 p.m. and immediately dispatched firefighters to the location.
Fire Chief Chukwudi Chiketa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the cause of the fire was yet to be determined.
READ ALSO: Billions Lost As Fire Razes Kano Market, Recycling Hub
“We don’t know the exact cause of the fire, but we were called to respond, and we did,” he said.
He further disclosed that four shops, mainly dealing in furniture materials such as leather and foam, were affected.
“These shops contained furniture materials such as leather, foam, and other items,” he added.
The firefighting team worked tirelessly through the night, eventually withdrawing from the scene around 3:05 a.m.
In the aftermath, residents and traders gathered at the site, attempting to salvage whatever remained of their goods.
Okpebholo Inaugurates Three Governing Councils
Kunle Remi, Wife Welcome First Child After Challenging Journey
Rivers Sole Administrator Orders LGAs To Submit Two-Year Reports
Fire Ravages Two-Storey Commercial Building In Anambra
State Of Emergency Resonates In Edo State
