Rice fortification is an intervention of the Federal Government of Nigeria aimed at reducing micronutrients deficiency in the country.
Under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and in collaboration with key government ministries, departments and agencies with food and nutrition mandate, the Promoting Rice Fortification in Nigeria (PRiFN) project is supporting the efforts to ensure the production and consumption of fortified rice in Nigeria as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to crash the burden of micronutrient deficiency in Nigeria.
The project is also collaborating with Kano State government in combatting malnutrition in the state.
In a bid to promote the health, wellness, and nutrition of Kano citizens, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, one of the leading restaurants in the region and a major contractor engaged by the Kano State Government for Ramadan feeding, has announced the introduction of rice fortified with essential micronutrients.
The rice, enriched with Zinc, Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamins B12, B1, B3, and B6, aims to address nutritional gaps in the local population.
The Managing Director of Ten to Ten Restaurant, Hajiya Saadatu expressed her enthusiasm about the initiative.
“We are pleased to integrate the Big Bull brand of fortified rice into the Ramadan feeding program this year, at no additional cost to the Kano State Government.
This step ensures that our citizens do not merely break their fast with a filling meal but also receive essential micronutrients that have historically been deficient in the population,” Hajiya Saadatu stated.
She further extended her gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, for entrusting Ten to Ten Restaurant with this significant responsibility.
“Only a government with a deep commitment to improving the lives of its people would make such an investment to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious and decent meals especially in the cause of Ramadan,” she added.
“I pray that the Almighty Allah rewards His Excellency for his visionary leadership and the tremendous strides he has made in uplifting Kano state.”
She appreciated the efforts of TechnoServe and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in linking Ten to Ten with Big Bull for the procurement of the fortified rice brand and urge its adoption in other social intervention programmes (such as school feeding programme) in the State.
The Restaurant has always used the Big Bull rice brand even since the commencement of the Ramadan feeding initiated by His Excellency, the Governor of Kano State but was unaware of the fortified rice brand.
The fortified rice is the same as the unfortified rice we are used to only with much better nutritional value, she added.
The initiative aims to provide citizens with a nutritious and balanced meal during the month of Ramadan, aligning with the state’s broader health and nutrition goals.
The Restaurant remains committed to supporting the well-being of Kano’s population, and this fortified rice initiative is just one example of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance the nutritional value of meals served to the good people of Kano State.
