To enhance its environmental sustainability initiatives in line with global best practices, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), has embarked on a restoration project of planting 10,000 mangrove trees across coastal states in Nigeria.

Biztellers reports that the project would carried out in partnership with Eco-Restoration Foundation, started at Akodo-Ise, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, with the objective of minimising the global effects of climate change, by promoting restoration, conservation and protection of mangrove trees across Nigeria.

DIL’s Vice-President, Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin said, “one of the primary reasons of the Dangote Group is to ensure that Nigeria keeps providing employment and lifting the people out of poverty through sustainability projects.

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“We are also committed to creating good climate scenarios where people can live long and their livelihoods cannot be taken away from them. Apart from absorbing more carbon from the atmosphere than other tree species, Mangrove Forests serve as vital buffers against coastal erosion, and are critical for preserving marine biodiversity and supporting millions of coastal dwellers whose livelihoods depend on healthy mangrove forests.”

After the flag-off of the tree planting exercise, the Group Chief HSSE and Sustainability, DIL, James Adenuga, expressed excitement at the importance of this partnership and its alignment with the organisation’s focus on the sustainable development of Nigeria and Africa, with long term carbon offset targets.

“Environmental sustainability is one of the seven Sustainability Pillars of the Dangote Group, and preservation of the environment is one of our core priorities wherever we operate. We are glad to embark on this project”, Adenuga pointed out.

On his part, a trustee of Eco-Restoration Foundation, Prince David Omaghomi, stated that the foundation “was more than thrilled to welcome Dangote Group as our largest corporate partner of the Eco-Park Mangrove Sanctuary & Research Centre to date.

He explained further that Nigeria has lost 60 per cent of the mangrove population, adding that Nigeria coastal line is at risk of going underwater in years to come if nothing is done.

“This project is meant to promote mangrove restoration, conservation, and protection. Nigeria has lost 60 per cent of its mangrove forests. More ocean acidification will be expected in Nigeria due to climate change and rising sea level. In the next 100 years, the coastal lines in Nigeria will be covered by water. The great blue wall will run across the coast of Nigeria by using mangroves.

“We are happy to receive the Dangote Group here and with their brand being blue they are the blue Big Brother of Africa. Their (Dangote’s) pledge to plant 10,000 mangroves in phases over the next few months, underscores their commitment to environmental stewardship and resilience building along Nigeria’s coasts.

“With their continued support, we are confident that this project will spark a wave of community-based restoration activities all along Nigeria’s coastline, in line with our persistent calls for the commencement of the ‘Great Blue Wall of Africa’ built of mangrove forests – as a natural defense against rising sea levels and climate change.

“Without immediate action, our multi-billion-dollar industrial complexes, Sea Ports, Oil & Gas facilities, Tourism and entire Blue Economy will be exposed to the relentless advance of ocean acidification in the coming decades,” he observed.

The tree planting exercise, which drew volunteer staff from Dangote Head Office, Falomo Ikoyi, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, and other units, drew widespread commendation from the Onise of Akodo-Ise, Oba Ganiu Adebowale Adegbesan, senior officials of the Lagos State Government, and members of the Akodo-Ise community, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd) through the NNPC Foundation, its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, is set to launch a free cancer screening campaign to address Nigeria’s rising cancer cases.

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd, Olufemi O. Soneye, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja, on Tuesday.

It was gathered that the campaign tagged “Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening” would provide, not just free cancer screening to indigent Nigerians, but also health education, workshops, and consultations with healthcare professionals aimed at empowering individuals to recognize early symptoms, adopt preventive measures, and drive home the importance of regular screenings.

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The campaign which will be organised in collaboration with local health authorities and expert healthcare providers is targeted at reaching about 3,000 individuals across the six geo-political zones with screening centres in Kaduna, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo, and Gombe. The initiative will focus on breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, offering critical early detection support for at-risk populations.

Shedding more light on the objectives of the campaign, the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, said, “The fight against cancer requires a collective effort and a commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare. This campaign is about more than just screening; it’s about saving lives, building awareness, and creating pathways to preventive care for Nigerians who need it most.

“In a country of over 200 million people, too many still lack access to the early detection tools that could make a life-saving difference. The NNPC Foundation is dedicated to addressing this critical gap by bringing cancer screenings directly to communities. Early detection is crucial to improving survival rates, and this campaign is a vital step towards that goal.”

Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges in Nigeria, with over 79,000 cancer-related deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The most common cancers affecting Nigerian men include prostate and liver cancer, while women are predominantly impacted by breast and cervical cancers.

The campaign seeks to counter the trend of late-stage diagnoses, which occur frequently due to limited access to screening facilities, cultural stigmas, and insufficient awareness.

This initiative follows the success of a screening drive in February 2024, where over 200 Abuja residents received free breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screenings.

These free cancer screening campaigns reflect NNPC Ltd.’s broader mission to promote health equity and enhance the well-being of Nigerians across the country through its Foundation.

The management of Dangote Cement’s Ibese Plant has reaffirmed commitment to advancing local content policy, aiming to stimulate the economies of its 17 host communities through skills development and increased business opportunities for local enterprises.

During a one-day capacity development workshop for local vendors, themed “Leveraging DCPI’s Processes and Procedures to Build Viable Local Businesses,” Acting Ibese Plant Director, Johnson Michael expressed this commitment.

Since the plant’s establishment over a decade ago, Michael noted that the company has significantly impacted not only the host communities but also the wider Ogun State.

He emphasised that Dangote Cement would continue to prioritise local autonomous businesses to enhance economic resilience within the state.

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The workshop, held at the plant premises in Ibese, attracted numerous local service providers and suppliers from neighbouring communities. Michael explained that the event aimed to broaden vendors’ perspectives and deepen their understanding, thereby unlocking greater business opportunities, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening safety and security practices.

He noted that this initiative, the first of its kind at the Ibese Plant, is part of Dangote Cement Plc’s local content development strategy and reflects a strategic partnership with host communities to promote sustainable development and prosperity. The workshop was designed to equip participating vendors with the tools and insights necessary to thrive within and beyond the company’s ecosystem.

On behalf of the vendors, Deacon Segun Omoniyi from Abadom Commercial Enterprises expressed gratitude for Dangote Cement’s investment in upskilling and fostering the growth of local businesses.

He assured that the knowledge gained would enhance service delivery and operational excellence at the plant.

The initiative saw effective collaboration among various departments, including Human Asset Management & Administration, Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, Procurement, Security Services, Stores, Finance & Accounts, and Social Performance.

Recently, the Ibese Plant also donated agricultural supplies to local farmers as part of a broader empowerment programme aimed at ensuring food security for the community. During the presentation, over 60 farmers from the 17 host communities received fertilizers, herbicides, and knapsack sprayers to assist them in the upcoming farming season. They also received training on “Integrated Pest Management and Crop Protection,” covering the application of the donated inputs as well as general pest management techniques.

The plant management noted that these donations are part of Dangote Cement’s Social Investment drive, which focuses on four key areas: Education, Health, Empowerment, and Infrastructure. They emphasised that the company’s community investments and their positive impacts on residents demonstrate Dangote Cement’s dedication to adding social value to its host communities.

According to the company, the initiative aims to enhance the productivity of participating farmers, strengthen food security, and boost revenue across the agricultural value chain in the host communities.

Dangote expressed optimism that that this intervention will positively impact the production of garri, fufu, and kokoro, which are staple foods in the area.