Dangote Cement, Jakura Community Sign Five-Year Development Agreement
By Patience Ikpeme
There was jubilation on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, as Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, and the Jakura Community sealed a historic Community Development Agreement (CDA). The five-year pact will allow the company to carry out mutually agreed social projects within the community.
The CDA with Jakura is one of several such agreements the company has with its host communities, serving as a pathway for the transfer of social and economic development projects.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, who was represented by Engr. John Gwong, Chief General Manager, Production, said the agreement fulfills provisions of the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007.
He added that the pact demonstrates the company’s commitment to the development and overall well-being of the Jakura community. “For us as a company, we believe in the mantra, good neighborliness is good business, hence we do everything conceivable to maintain a harmonious relationship with the communities where we operate,” he said.
According to the Plant Director, a governing structure will be set up to implement the agreement’s contents. He also stated, “We look forward to the support of the State and Local Government as we seek to collaborate with relevant agencies of the state to implement some of the developmental programmes cited in this Agreement.”
The Group Head of Social Performance, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the agreement followed the stipulated steps as per the CDA development guidelines. He said the company would begin implementing the CDA’s content even though the year is nearing its end.
The Group Head, Health, Safety, Social, Environment & Sustainability at Dangote Industries Ltd (DIL), Mr. James Adenuga, said the company is a responsible corporate entity and that the agreement is “the right thing to do, to smoothen the company’s social license to operate.”
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, who was represented by Mrs. Bimbo Olaoye, said the government is proud of Dangote Cement for being a responsible corporate citizen.
He urged the community to continue co-existing peacefully with the company and assured them that the government would ensure the company enjoys a smooth operational environment.
Speaking on behalf of his community, the Obaro of Jakura, HRH Usman Ajibola Adoga, described the event as a significant milestone. “This is a dream come true. Some of us who aspire to see this come true are not alive. It is indeed an historic event, and the Jakura community will never be the same again,” he said.
The Olu of Apata, HRH Frederick Balogun, said Mr. Aliko Dangote is “a God sent” and promised that the communities would continue to be peaceful and serve as ambassadors of the Dangote Group.
AA representative of the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Danjuma Muhammad Abubakar, echoed these sentiments, saying the people of Kogi would remain ambassadors for Mr. Aliko Dangote because of his numerous interventions in their lives.
