Hardship: Distribution of ADF's Food Intervention Commences in Ebonyi as PWDs Express Satisfaction with Exercise.
Distribution of Aliko Dangote Foundation's national food intervention has been kicked-off in Ebonyi State with People with disabilities commending the operation as inclusive and transparent.
Dangote, a renowned philanthropists and International business mogul, through his foundation has given out one million units of 10kg bags of rice worth over 15 billion Naira to be distributed through Nongovernmental and Charity Organizations, to indigent people and households across the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
In Ebonyi, the lead organization for the distribution is Participatory Development Alternatives (PDA), a non governmental organization based in Afikpo, Ebonyi state.
The distribution was kick-started Tuesday in 3 Local government areas of the state: Afikpo, Ezza South and Ishielu.
In some of the distribution centers monitored, including Airport field, Government Secondary School, Afikpo, people living with disabilities expressed satisfaction with the level of inclusiveness of the programme.
Some of them who spoke to newsmen, including Kelvin Ikoro, Kolavis Ibe and Orieoma Ibiam, acknowledged that they were given priority attention in the distribution unlike in many other previous events.
They appreciated Dangote foundation for the gesture and Participatory Development Alternatives for the transparency in handling the distribution.
Kelvin Ikoro, one of the physically challenged explained: "This is my first time of receiving this kind of treatment.
"As a disabled person, any time we go for something, they always marginalize us.
"But this is my first time of coming for something and the disabled persons are treated first.
"Iam very happy for that and I pray God to bless Dangote and all those involved in this intervention.
Others, Kolavis Ibe and Orieoma Ibiam, called on other well-to-do citizens and philanthropists to emulate the Dangote's gesture.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Chair of Participatory Development Alternatives, Dr. Mark Abani, explained that the Ebonyi share of the intervention amounted to 12,000 bags, shared among the 13 local government areas of the state at about 923 bags per LGA.
He noted that the Dangote Foundation was inspired to embark on the charity project to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who are in the most need, emphasizing that it has no political or religious undertone.
Abani added: "This is because the impact of recent reforms by the government has been profound particularly for vulnerable populations already grappling with poverty and economic instability, including access to basic necessities such as food.
"This is also to draw the attention of the Government, CSOs, corporate bodies and philanthropists to the plight of the poor and excluded people in the state."
Abani further enumerated those eligible to receive the intervention to comprise poor households, women headed households, people with disabilities, aged people covering both Christians and Muslims.
In an interview, Abani further explained that PDA as the lead Organization was working with other NGOs: Better Health for Rural Women Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), Development and Integrity Intervention Goals Foundation (DIG), Initiative for Social Change in Africa (VOFCA), Advocates for Accountability and Inclusion in Africa and the Community Health and Development Initiative (CHAD), to ensure seamless distribution of the food intervention across the 13 local government areas of the state.