Business
Dangote’s CSR Footprint On 17 Ogun Host Communities
Up to 305 youths from the 17 host communities of Dangote Cement’s Ibese plant operations have been trained and empowered with multi-million Naira start-up packs in different vocations since the opened shop there.
The management of the company disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Ogun State government lauded the efforts of Dangote Cement in complementing the state’s poverty alleviation programmes describing the company as a worthy partner.
Acting Plant Director of the Ibese Cement Plant, Mr. Michael Johnson made the disclosure during the closing ceremony of the 2023 Community Youths Empowerment programme held at the plant’s premises at Ibese during which 30 fresh host communities’ youths graduated from the Youth Skill Acquisition and Empowerment in crafts and leather works in collaboration with Industrial Training Fund.
Mr. Johnson described the conclusion of the skill acquisition programme as another testament to Dangote Cement’s commitment to the socio-economic development of its host communities and their people. “Our focus is to support the indigenous people to become self-sustaining by delivering and sustaining values that are pivotal to their overall growth and development.”
While welcoming the guests and the beneficiaries to the ceremony, the Cement Plant boss pointed out that the successful completion of the programme was another milestone in the journey of the company’s social investment strides saying the company’s vision is to create entrepreneurs who in turn will create jobs for other youths within the communities.
Said he; “today, thirty (30) youths from our seventeen (17) host communities are receiving certificates for undergoing in full and conducting themselves well during the intensive training, 70% hands on and 30% theory, organized by the Dangote Cement Ibese Plant through the ITF. This underscores our recognition of youths as a critical stakeholder group to the company and our resolve to continue to collaborate to unleash their innate potentials.
“They are also being provided with multi-million Naira start-up packs comprising SR-810 Professional Single Needle Post-bed Heavy-lock Stick Shoe Patch sewing machine, Master Flex MF-2008BG Shoe filing machine and other accessories like scissors, hammer & sewing needle”
Amidst applause by the beneficiaries, Mr. Johnson recalled that the 30 youths commenced the training in October 2023, with little or no idea in the craft of leather works and shoe making. “After months of intensive learning and extensive practice, they are now imbued with skills that can put food on their tables and afford them opportunities to meaningfully contribute their quota to the development of their respective communities and the nation at large. It gladdens our heart to be instrumental to this transformational journey for all the participants.”
He stated that the Company’s management was of the view that governments at all levels and the private sector alone cannot fully meet the employment needs especially in a densely populated and youth dominated country like Nigeria. “The most plausible alternative therefore, is for the youths to acquire adequate skills in various trades to become entrepreneurs and self-dependent. This program is therefore timely and most auspicious as its intended impact cannot be overemphasized considering the prevailing economic condition in the Country, he noted.”
According to him, so far, not less than 305 youths across the Ibese Plant host communities have been trained and empowered in different skills since the commencement of programmes, with significant impact on the local economy while expressing the company’s desire to continue to collaborate with stakeholders to deepen the impact of the program.
The Plant Director stated that apart from the annual skills acquisition program, Dangote Cement, Ibese has other programs such as annual Scholarship awards for 120 indigent and brilliant students and a dedicated structure to ensure that the youths remain engaged and their concerns are heard and attended to on a consistent basis.
He therefore urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to set up their own businesses, grow them and become employer of labour by hitting the ground running immediately saying a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. “Be bold and courageous to start your own journey to greatness now! We live in a technology driven world, which the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken to another level. Hence, you need to remain focused and be conversant with the latest developments in your areas of specialization by embracing technology to remain relevant and competitive.”
In his goodwill message, the Ogun State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development. Hon. Wasiu Isiaka lauded Dangote Cement for its partnership programmes which have helped the state government tremendously in the area of poverty alleviation and job creation.
He challenged the Dangote Cement to sustain the trend by helping to ensure it create markets for the products the youth beneficiaries would be churning out noting that when there is market for the products the beneficiaries will be encouraged to double their efforts.
The commissioner assured that the state government would be ready to assist in whatever is required to foster joint development of the state by empowering its people, especially the youths. He then advised the company to ensure the diversification of its empowerment programme so that different skills can be acquired by the youths in various field of vocation and in turn teach others.
Hon. Isiaka urged the youths and other stakeholders in the host communities to reciprocate the gesture of the Dangote Cement, Ibese by making peace and tranquility their priority. He told them to play their own part of the bargain by partnering and supporting the organization to ensure peaceful co-existence and shared prosperity for all.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, 21-year old Olowookere Sadiq Opeyemi from Abule-Oke Community thanked the management of Dangote Cement for their passion in seeing that the youths from the host communities do not constitute nuisance to the society be empowering them through various vocational training.
He promised that he and his colleagues would not disappoint the company but will ensure the start-up packs given them are judiciously used so that they would also become entrepreneurs who in turn will employ others.
“What Dangote Cement has done for us is unquantifiable. They have lessened the burden off our parents and the society at large will be better for it. With this, Dangote Cement, Ibese has proven that they are not just corporate citizen but a socially responsible corporate citizen”, he stated.
Following the marginal reduction of the pump prices of premium motor spirit (PMS) by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian National Petrol Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), civil society groups have reacted by calling for further downward review.
Recall that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had announced a partnership with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, while it reviewed the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
The move, saw state oil major, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company peg its retail prices at N965/litre.
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However, the civil society groups are of the opinion that the price reduction, fall short of expectations.
According to the Chairman, Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, the reduced price of N935/litre was still expensive and unsatisfactory.
He pointed out that petrol was just one of the products coming out of crude and that both government and private business could still give out free petrol to citizens while making huge profits from the other products.
In his words, “Well, we believe that if NNPC and the private sector actually give out PMS for free, they will still not run their business at a loss, because the other derivatives of petroleum products can still serve them, and can still make them to break even. So, even at that N900 and something, it’s still expensive.
“Dangote has kind of mooted the idea that it could drop to as low as N650. And if he has mulled this, then it means that it is the state, it is the NNPC that will have been the clog in the wheel of such progress. And you know also that we expected that fuel prices, especially PMS prices, will drop below N200 when Dangote was expected to come on stream.
“So, it’s unfortunate that we are still talking about over N900 and they want us to jump up and rejoice for that. That is not satisfactory. They should just let us see the breakdown of their production cost and why it’s still there. I mean, there are countries like Libya under Gaddafi that gave out PMS for free and they didn’t run anything at any loss. So, I believe that it can still go further down.”
On his part, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Ibrahim Rafsanjani, commended the reduction of fuel prices by the NNPC and Dangote, but said the government could still reduce the price.
“Dangote’s own is about N899 or something like that. Well first and foremost, we are happy that there is a little reduction in the prices. But also based on analysis and based on facts and evidences, we believe that it is possible for the Nigerian government to further reduce the prices.
“Because if a private company can reduce the price and it still makes profit, we wonder why government-owned enterprises cannot really pity its citizens,” he said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant growth in the country’s economy, with a 3.46% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2024.
This marks the third consecutive quarter of expansion, up from 3.19% in Q2 2024 and 2.54% in Q3 2023.
According to the newly published Q3 economic report, Nigeria’s GDP output rose to ₦20.115 trillion, reflecting a notable improvement from ₦18.285 trillion in the previous quarter.
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The CBN attributed this growth primarily to the performance of the non-oil sector, which grew by 3.37% compared to 2.80% in Q2 2024.
The report highlighted transportation, crop production, and other sub-sectors such as financial & insurance services, information & communication, trade, and real estate as major contributors to the expansion.
The non-oil sector accounted for 3.18 percentage points of the total growth rate.
“The expansion of the non-oil sector was driven by the performance of the financial & insurance, information & communication, crop production, trade, transportation & storage, and real estate sub-sectors,” the report stated.
Despite the economic growth, challenges persist. Inflation, particularly in food prices, remains a significant concern, standing at 39.93% as of November 2024.
Rising food and energy costs have also impacted transportation expenses, with intercity bus fares increasing by 20.23% year-on-year to ₦7,117.17 in July 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Furthermore, the cost of petroleum, now exceeding ₦1,000 per litre, has driven up logistics and transportation expenses, adding pressure to households and businesses alike.
The CBN acknowledged these challenges, noting that the growth was achieved despite headwinds such as high inflation and rising operational costs.
Enhanced security measures in the Niger Delta have boosted domestic crude oil production, while restrictive monetary policies have helped moderate inflation in some areas.
“The growth recorded in the country is a result of continued efforts to improve the business environment, streamline cumbersome business processes, and deepen the quality of business infrastructure,” the CBN noted.
However, the report comes amid concerns over businesses exiting Nigeria due to persistent economic challenges.
Asharami Synergy, a leading downstream energy solutions provider, has demonstrated its commitment to community development and education by donating essential furniture to Gaskiya Junior School in Ijora, Lagos, Nigeria.
Biztellers reports that the social responsibility initiative was executed in collaboration with Sahara Group Foundation – the social impact vehicle of global energy conglomerate, Sahara Group.
It was gathered that the initiative is part of Asharami Synergy’s ongoing efforts to support education in communities.
The donation includes classroom desks and chairs for the JSS1 classes.
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CEO of Asharami Synergy, Nomnso Dike, said the project will create a more comfortable and functional learning environment and enhance student performance.
“We are delighted at the opportunity to support the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. It has been a privilege to collaborate with the management and students of Gaskiya Junior School to deliver this project, and we look forward to future opportunities to enhance academic performance in this historic institution,” Dike said.
According to him, Asharami Synergy’s education-focused social impact initiatives have benefitted over 10,000 individuals. They focus on building capacity and providing the resources necessary to help students learn and grow sustainably.
“Education is the foundation of a brighter future, and at Asharami Synergy, we believe that every child deserves a learning environment that inspires and empowers them” he noted, adding, “This donation is not just about providing furniture; it’s a reminder to the students that their dreams are valid, and we are committed to helping them achieve their goals.”
Vice Principal Academic of Gaskiya Junior School, Sola Oladokun, commended Asharami Synergy for the donation, noting that it would inspire students to perform better with “increased concentration and fewer distractions”.
“These desks and chairs are a game-changer for our students. It’s heartwarming to see their excitement, and as teachers, we are equally thrilled because this will make teaching and learning more effective. We are incredibly grateful to Asharami Synergy and Sahara Group Foundation for this thoughtful intervention,” she added.
Two representatives of the students, Akin Moses and Chukwudi Gift, at the event said the donation would increase their “desire to dream bigger and concentrate better during lessons”.
Also speaking at the commissioning, COO at Asharami Synergy, Adekanmi Adesola, said, “What started as an opportunity to support the communities that host our operations has now come full circle. This donation directly impacts the lives of these students, and we are proud to bring smiles to the faces of the students and teachers.”
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