Dangote Cement empowers 40 host community members through fish farming training

By Johnson Arua

Obajana, Kogi State – Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, has graduated 40 participants from its host communities following an extensive training programme in fish farming and entrepreneurship.

The ceremony attracted representatives from the Federal Government, Kogi State Government, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.

The beneficiaries, predominantly women, were drawn from the host communities of Iwaa, Oyo, Obajana, and Apata.

The initiative is part of Dangote Cement’s ongoing community empowerment efforts, which previously included training in poultry production, solar entrepreneurship, and fashion design.

Speaking at the event, Plant Director Azad Nawabuddin described the programme as a strategic initiative to drive job creation and economic growth in host communities. “Learning fish farming teaches responsibility—you nurture, adapt, and eventually harvest. This mirrors community development itself: built gradually through collective effort and shared knowledge,” he said. Nawabuddin added that fish farming also creates ripple effects, providing food, income, and opportunities for others, from feed suppliers to market traders.

Prince Ademola Adeyemi, General Manager and Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, said the programme forms part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts.

“We don’t impose our will on communities. We partner with them to invest in skills, people, and ideas that uplift society. Through collaborations with the ITF, we ensure our interventions are impactful and sustainable,” he said, noting that fish farming encourages self-sufficiency and reduces dependence on conventional employment.

Hon. Akinola Oluropo Babatunde, Technical Adviser on CSR to the Kogi State Governor, commended Aliko Dangote and the Obajana management team, urging beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity and contribute positively to their communities.

Similarly, Hon. Abubakar Muhammad, Secretary of the Lokoja Local Government Council, stressed the importance of public-private partnerships for sustainable community development.

Traditional rulers also praised the initiative. The Bajana of Obajana, HRH Idowu Isenibi, encouraged graduates to mentor others and build enterprises that strengthen their communities. The Elesho of Iwaa, HRH Abel Alade, described the programme as planting “seeds of prosperity” for the host communities.

Other dignitaries at the event, including Engr. Olaitan Olufemi of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Kogi State, and Bajeh Thomas of the ITF Lokoja Area Office, commended Dangote Cement’s CSR efforts.

Participants were provided with juvenile fish and feed to kickstart their farming businesses, with ITF pledging ongoing follow-up support.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mrs. Regina Idowu described the training as life-changing and expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement for the opportunity.