Dangote Cement PLC, Ibese Plant has announced a N15,720,000.00 scholarship for 120 students in its host community, Ibese in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun.
The scholarship will cater to 100 undergraduates and 20 others from secondary and primary school level in the 17 host communities.
The company announced this at its annual Community Day celebration in Ibese on Wednesday.
Reeling out the Social Investment Scorecard, Mr Demola Ojolowo, Head of Social Performance, Dangote Cement said that the company had executed 13 developmental projects with 10 ongoing expected to be completed by year end.
He listed some of the projects to include skill acquisition and empowerment programs, women empowerment schemes, farmer support programs and health empowerment sensitisation.
Others are construction of public infrastructure and installation of solar infrastructure inverter system among others.
According to Ojolowo, the social investment scorecard reflects steady progress and service delivery in empowerment, education, health and infrastructure projects.
“As a responsible corporate organization in mining and manufacturing, we commit under the Community Development Agreement to complement government developmental efforts through delivery of social and economic benefits to our community stakeholders.
“We remain committed to enhancing project efficiency, ensuring sustainability and fostering strong partnerships with communities and government stakeholders as we enter the next phase of our community development efforts,” Ojolowo said.
In his address, Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu noted that the occasion reflects the company’s deliberate and continuous effort to broaden its stakeholder engagement and deepen community participation.
Subbaraidu was represented by the Chief General Manager, Maintenance, Hemant Dave
He added that the Community Day has become a strategic feature that provides a platform to reflect on the company’s social stewardship in the year with a comprehensive account of its corporate social investments.
“It is the Dangote Way, a commitment that goes beyond producing quality cement to embracing care, inclusion, and partnership with the people around us.
“This event also presents us the opportunity to bond together, enjoy the richness of our culture, while appreciating our partners and collaborators whose contributions have been invaluable to our progress.
Subbaraidu appreciated the support from the Ogun state government, customers, vendors and other stakeholders.
In his goodwill message, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Daisi Elemide commended Dangote group for its steady support and commitment to community development.
He however expressed reservations on the indiscriminate parking by the company’s truck drivers on major roads in the area, urging them to swiftly move to tackle the issue.
The Aboro of Ibese land, Oba Rotimi Mulero thanked Dangote cement plant for creating job opportunities for the host community.
He however urged them to place deserving members of the community in more suitable job descriptions according to their qualifications.
A representative of the women group, Mrs Sherifat Akintunde expressed gratitude to the Dangote Cement Plant for empowering the women with milling machines.
According to her, women in the area before now, had been struggling with grinding their farm produce to make ends meet.
Freedomonline reports that the highlight of the event is the presentation of laptops and other gadgets to beneficiaries of the Dangote ICT empowerment programme in the community.
