Business
Dangote Cement Pledges Commitment to Host Communities
Leading Pan-African Cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc has expressed commitment to maintaining its partnership with host communities and relevant stakeholders to create enabling environment for sustainable peace and mutual growth of communities within its areas of operations.
Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, Hazard Nawabuddin while giving the assurance, added that the company would continue to strengthen its relationship with the communities through purposeful social investments focused on socioeconomic development, job creation, job training, education, health and more.
He spoke through the Plant’s Head of Admin and Human Asset Development, Abu Sufyan during the opening of a workshop themed “Effective Community and Corporate Relationship Management Skills’’ put together by the Ibese plant for Host Communities’ Representatives and Stakeholders in Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of Ogun State.
According to him, the workshop is an integral part of the institution building and local content development drive of the cement company’s Social Performance, as a socially responsible corporate entity, adding that it will also increase stakeholders’ awareness on roles, responsibilities and expectations towards achieving societal and corporate co-existence.
He said, “The skills that will be imparted at the workshop will be helpful not only in the discharge of duties as community representatives, but also in the personal and business lives of the participants. Hence, I implore you all to see this as an opportunity for self-development and a deliberate investment in your growth and well-being by the Company.”
Nawabuddin expressed the hope that at the end of the workshop, the participants would have been imbued with an enhanced vigour for renewed partnership as everyone would have been better equipped with the expectations, roles and responsibilities of all parties.
“Ultimately, there should be reduced grievances, and elimination of social incidences, protests/crisis, which will create enabling environment for sustainable peace and mutual growth,” he added.
The Plant Director then encouraged the participants to cascade the knowledge from the session to other members of their communities and organizations for better understanding and appreciation of roles as such will also galvanize support from the remaining members of the community.
Community Representative Participants who spoke on their expectation from the workshop said the programme would help in giving them fresh perspectives on their roles as representatives and strengthen their capacity to negotiate with the Company and boost the cordial relationship with the company management.
They commended the management of Dangote Cement Plc for organizing the workshop to coincide with the beginning of the year when the Company will be coming up with their various CRS and Social Investment programmes.
The pull of market forces which moved the hands of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to N880 per litre in Lagos and N935 in Abuja appears to be a source of torture to independent markets.
Biztellers reports that the latest price review on Easter Monday saw NNPC retail outlets in Lagos drop from N925 to N880, while those in Abuja adjusted from N950 to N935.
The NNPC Ltd’s price reduction came barely a week after the Dangote Refinery lowered its ex-depot price from N865 to N835 per litre.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Again, Dangote Cuts Petrol Price To N835 per Litre
In addition, the $20bn refinery also directed its partners like MRS, Heyden, and Ardova to sell a litre of petrol at the rate of N890 instead of N920 in Lagos, N900 in the South West, N910 in the South-South, and N920 in the North East.
Consumers can smile because with the reaction, the NNPC Ltd’s new price in Lagos is N10 lower than what the Dangote Refinery is selling at, which might lead to another reaction, as the price war between the two companies.
Though some NNPC Ltd’s retail outlets were observed selling at the old rate in Lagos, it was gathered that they were given the liberty to exhaust old stock before adjusting to the new prices.
Market sources are of the view that the current price war was ignited by the Federal Government’s implementation of the Naira-for-crude policy.
Gold soared to a record high of $3,500 an ounce on Tuesday, as mounting fears over a potential U.S. recession and escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and the Federal Reserve drove investors toward the traditional safe-haven asset.
The precious metal briefly touched an all-time high of $3,500.10 an ounce before retreating slightly to trade at $3,467.87.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Vatican Discloses Cause Of Pope Francis’ Death
The rally marks the latest in a string of record-breaking gains for gold, fueled by a weakening U.S. dollar, sharp declines across global stock markets, and growing concerns over the health of the world economy.
Market sentiment took another hit this week after President Trump ramped up his trade war with China, slapping fresh tariffs on the world’s second-largest economy and intensifying fears of prolonged economic disruption.
Gold has surged more than 30 percent since the start of the year as investors seek refuge from mounting market volatility.
“The rally reflects ongoing recession fears in the U.S. economy and heightened political tensions, especially as President Donald Trump continues to attack Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell,” said Rania Gule, senior market analyst at trading group XS.com.
Concerns about the Fed’s independence were further stoked Monday, when Trump publicly lashed out at Powell on social media, branding him a “major loser” for not cutting interest rates — a move the president has repeatedly demanded.
The sharp criticism follows Trump’s recent suggestion that he might attempt to remove Powell from his post.
Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF), announced his resignation from the board on Monday, marking a significant moment in the organization’s history.
Schwab, who has been at the helm of the WEF for over five decades, confirmed he was stepping down from his position as Chair and leaving the Board of Trustees with immediate effect.
“I have decided to step down from the position of Chair and as a member of the Board of Trustees, with immediate effect,” Schwab said, noting that the decision comes as he approaches his 88th year.
READ MORE: NNPC Ltd Opens Retail Outlet In Bauchi
His resignation follows his stepping down as executive chairman in 2024, when former Norwegian foreign minister Borge Brende took over the day-to-day operations.
In response, WEF appointed Vice Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe as interim chairman while a search committee was formed to find a permanent successor.
The WEF board lauded Schwab’s immense contributions, acknowledging his “outstanding achievements” over his 55-year leadership tenure.
“At a time when the world is undergoing rapid transformation, the need for inclusive dialogue to navigate complexity and shape the future has never been more critical,” the WEF stated.
“Building on its trusted role, the Forum will continue to bring together leaders from all sectors and regions to exchange insights and foster collaboration.”
Schwab, originally from Ravensburg, Germany, founded the precursor to the WEF, the European Management Forum, in 1971.
The first meeting drew fewer than 500 participants, but over the years, Schwab expanded the gathering into a prestigious platform that now attracts thousands of influential figures.
The Davos summit has become synonymous with global power brokers, offering opportunities for high-level networking, discussion, and collaboration on issues affecting the world.
Under Schwab’s leadership, the WEF grew to include regional meetings and established centers dedicated to pressing global topics such as cybersecurity, climate change, and financial systems.
The organization continues to uphold its mission of “improving the state of the world” by fostering dialogue and cooperation.
However, the WEF and Schwab have not been without their critics. Many argue that the forum has become a venue for corporate elites to exert influence over governments, with the term “Davos Man” often used to describe the affluent attendees.
Schwab has also faced the ire of conspiracy theorists, particularly following his promotion of the “Great Reset” following the COVID-19 pandemic.
These theorists have spread misinformation, alleging that Schwab and the WEF are part of a global elite aiming to control the world, with even Elon Musk weighing in on social media, claiming Schwab “wants to be emperor of Earth.”
Why NDLEA Wants Drug Tests For Corps Members, Couples
JUST IN: Political Earthquake In Delta As Gov Oborevwori Defects To APC
Panic In Istanbul As 6.2-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Marmara Sea
We Need Help, Not A State Of Emergency In Benue – Gov Alia Tells FG
Edo LP Senator, Neda Imasuen Set To Join APC
