Dangote Cement Empowers 100 Jakura Residents, Awards Scholarships

By Tolu Temidire

Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, has empowered farmers and market women and awarded educational grants to 80 students in Jakura community, Kogi State, as part of efforts to promote education, reduce poverty and improve livelihoods.

The initiative, implemented under the company’s Community Development Agreement (CDA), benefited 20 students in tertiary institutions, 60 secondary school students, 20 farmers and 20 market women.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the Plant Director, Obajana Plant, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, said the programme reflected the company’s commitment to sustainable community development and economic empowerment in its host communities.

Nawabuddin, who was represented by the Head of Social Performance at the plant, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, said the initiative was designed to support education, strengthen agricultural productivity and promote small businesses.

He disclosed that the 80 students received educational grants worth several millions of Naira to support their academic pursuits.

According to him, 20 farmers were provided with essential farming implements and financial assistance to enhance agricultural productivity, encourage improved farming practices and contribute to food security.

He added that 20 market women also received start-up capital and business support to expand their enterprises, achieve greater financial independence and improve their household incomes.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Jakura CDA Committee, Chief Bonibade Ajiboye, commended Dangote Cement for fulfilling its commitments to the community.

Ajiboye noted that, apart from the empowerment programme, the community's electrification project was nearing completion.

He also praised the company for sustaining its developmental interventions in Jakura despite the security challenges confronting the area.

In their goodwill messages, members of the Jakura and Oworo traditional councils, as well as federal and state government representatives, commended Dangote Cement for its contributions to the community's development.

The Obaro of Jakura, Oba Usman Adoga Ajibola, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for blessing the community with abundant mineral resources and praised Alhaji Aliko Dangote for choosing to invest in the area.

The monarch described the empowerment programme as another demonstration of the company's commitment to improving the welfare and livelihoods of its host communities.

He pledged the community's support for the sustainability of the projects and urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the assistance provided to them.

The traditional ruler also prayed for Allah's continued blessings upon Dangote for his generosity, philanthropy and contributions to humanity.

The event attracted traditional rulers, government representatives, community leaders, youth and women groups, among other stakeholders.

They included the Obaro of Jakura, His Royal Highness, Oba Usman Adoga Ajibola; the representative of the Olu of Oworo, Chief K.A. Mahmood, the Obalumema of Oworo Land; Engr. E.O. Olaitan of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; and Mrs. A.O. Onimode of the Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources.