Dangote Cement Plc is empowering cooperative societies in its host communities in Kogi State as part of its corporate social responsibility drive in the state.
Speaking at the presentation of cheques to the Apata community, Director, Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana, Mr. JV Gungune, said it was the desire of the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to create alternative platforms for empowerment and job creations for those who could not be employed in the factory.
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The Plant Director, who was represented by the General Manager, Community Affairs and Special Duties, Mr. Ade Anlemi, said the company expected that the seed money would multiply when judiciously utilised.
Other communities already supported in the micro credit scheme via their respective cooperatives are: Obajana, Iwwa and Oyo communities.
Mr. Gungune said the company would also support the communities in the training of members of the cooperatives to make sure that the scheme succeeds.
Other areas of intervention in the communities include the construction of boreholes, granting of scholarship, power supply, job creation, school buildings and road rehabilitations.
Speaking, the Olu Apata, Dr. Frederick D.O. Balogun, expressed appreciation and pledged his community’s continuing support for the company.
The traditional ruler assured that the fund would be judiciously disbursed and reinvested by the about 100 members of the cooperatives.
He thanked Alhaji Aliko Dangote, describing him as God-sent, adding that his contributions to the people of Kogi State cannot be quantified.
Also speaking, Deputy General Manager, Community Affairs/Special Duties, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, said the training supports for the cooperatives would commence in the first quarter of next year.
Some members of the cooperatives who commended the Dangote Cement for the gestures, said they would deploy the money in skills acquisition and trading.
