Dangote Cement Gboko Awards Scholarships, Empowers Benue Youths
By Patience Ikpeme
Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko Plant, has awarded multi-million-naira scholarships to tertiary and secondary school students from its six host communities in Benue State.
The company also gave starter packs, working tools and certificates to graduates of its Youth Empowerment Programme. The items are meant to help the graduates start their own businesses, put their newly acquired skills to work and earn a living without depending on others.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Henry Dele Alake, praised Dangote Cement for its community development efforts. He called on other private sector companies to follow its example so that the communities where they operate can also grow socially and economically.
Dr. Alake was represented at the presentation ceremony by the Federal Mines Officer of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Benue State, Engr. Achi Gregory. He urged the company to keep to the community development programmes it agreed upon with its host communities.
The Group Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the company’s carrying out of the Community Development Agreement shows its determination to give young people practical skills and resources. According to him, this will encourage entrepreneurship, create jobs and improve the lives of people in the host communities.
Mr. Olayiwola was represented by the Head of Social Performance at the Gboko Plant, Dr. Johnson Kor. He said the scholarship and youth empowerment programmes follow several other programmes the company has recently carried out, including programmes for farmers and women.
The Acting Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko, Engr. Arbind Singh, said: “This annual scholarship scheme for indigent students of the host communities is an indication of our company’s commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).”
Engr. Singh was represented by the company’s General Manager, Production, Engr. Tabershima Soom, who added: “The Gboko Plant has already launched 150 Women Empowerment Programme and 50 Farmers Empowerment Programme where women were provided with cash to support their businesses, and farmers were supported with farm inputs.”
The communities that benefited from these programmes are Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur and Pass Brothers.
Speaking on behalf of the Benue State Attorney-General, the Chairman of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), Barr. Dooshima Orosaga, commended Dangote Cement for obeying the terms of the Community Development Agreement (CDA). She urged the beneficiaries and host communities to make the most of the company’s support.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government, Hon. Yina Elias, said the government would continue to give the company the support it needs to succeed. He described Dangote Cement as a model company when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
The District Head of Ukpekpe, Chief Tsegba Igbarumun, also thanked the Gboko Plant for what it has done for the community and assured the company of the community’s continued support. He said the community values its mutually beneficial relationship with the company and would continue to serve as its ambassadors.
A beneficiary of the Youth Empowerment Programme, Mr. Ignatius Aondohemba, thanked Dangote Cement for the support. He promised to make good use of the skills and resources he received and to build a business that would allow him to employ others.
