Dangote Cement Plc’s Obajana Plant has expanded its community development efforts in Jakura with a fresh package of educational grants and economic empowerment initiatives targeting students, farmers and market women.
The programme was presented as part of the company’s commitments under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) with the host community.
The initiative is aimed at supporting education while strengthening livelihoods and economic opportunities for residents.
Students receive education grants
A total of 80 students benefited from the educational component of the programme.
According to the company, 20 students from tertiary institutions and another 60 from secondary schools received educational grants worth several millions of naira.
The assistance is intended to help beneficiaries meet some of the financial demands associated with their education.
Farmers receive tools and financial support
The empowerment programme also focused on agriculture, with 20 farmers receiving farming equipment and financial assistance.
Plant Director Azad Nawabuddin said the agricultural intervention was designed to improve productivity and encourage beneficiaries to adopt better farming practices.
He said strengthening agricultural activity could also contribute to food security within the community.
Nawabuddin’s remarks were delivered at the presentation ceremony by Prince Ademola Adeyemi, Head of Social Performance at the Obajana Plant.
Market women benefit from business funding
Twenty market women were also selected for support under the programme.
Each beneficiary received start-up capital and additional business assistance intended to strengthen existing enterprises and support income generation.
The company said the intervention was designed to promote financial independence and improve household incomes among participating women.
Company links programme to community agreement
Nawabuddin said the latest initiative reflected Dangote Cement’s broader approach to sustainable development in communities hosting its operations.
He said the company remained committed to reducing poverty and supporting economic empowerment while implementing the provisions of its Community Development Agreement.
The programme therefore combines educational assistance with interventions intended to address livelihoods and local economic activity.
Community leaders welcome the intervention
The presentation ceremony brought together traditional rulers, government officials, community representatives, youth and women groups, as well as members of the Jakura traditional council.
Among those in attendance were the Obaro of Jakura, Oba Usman Ajibola; a representative of the Olu of Oworo, Chief K. A. Mahmood; the Obalumema of Oworo Land; and E. O. Olaitan of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Representatives of the Kogi State Ministry of Solid Minerals and Natural Resources and other stakeholders also attended the event.
CDA committee highlights electrification project
Chairman of the Jakura CDA Committee, Chief Bonibade Ajiboye, commended Dangote Cement for continuing to honour its commitments to the community.
He also disclosed that an electrification project being undertaken in the area was nearing completion.
Ajiboye described the company’s latest intervention as particularly significant given the security challenges affecting the community.
Traditional rulers praise Dangote investment
The Obaro of Jakura expressed appreciation for the company’s presence and investment in the area.
The traditional ruler also highlighted the mineral resources available in Jakura and commended Alhaji Aliko Dangote for choosing to invest in the community.
He praised Dangote Cement for its various development projects and described the latest scholarship and empowerment programme as another effort aimed at improving the welfare and livelihoods of residents.
Community promises to protect projects
The traditional ruler assured the company that the community would work to ensure the sustainability of the development projects.
He also urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the support they had received.
The ceremony ended with goodwill messages from representatives of the Jakura and Oworo traditional councils, as well as federal and state institutions, all of whom joined the community in expressing appreciation to Dangote Cement’s Obajana Plant for its interventions.
