The President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, has commended the Dangote Group, led by its President, Aliko Dangote, for adding, “Immense value to the Nigerian economy and still going stronger.”
Jideonwo stated this at the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair, held Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 with the theme ‘Promoting Made in Nigeria Products for Global Competitiveness’.
A statement quoted Jideonwo as affirming that the Dangote refinery, which recently started production of refined petroleum products will go a long way in addressing the challenges associated with availability of refined petroleum products in Nigeria.
“The exploits of the Dangote Group show great level and high degree of vision, creative thinking, research, innovations and doggedness, which has culminated in what is described as Dangote business and industrial empire today.
“I have no doubt that in years to come, Dangote Group will become not just a big industrial player in Nigeria and Africa, but the entire globe, deepening the creation of wealth and employment generation,” Jideonwo said.
Regional Sales Director, Dangote Cement Southeast, Mr Abayomi Shittu, emphasised that the target of the Dangote Group is to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in all the sectors that it operates in.
He assured that the group will continue to push new boundaries to deploy technologies and skills where necessary in a bid to ensure consumers satisfaction.
Shittu stated that this year’s theme resonates well with the Dangote Group “As we are focused on domestically manufacturing goods that were hitherto usually imported despite the abundance of raw materials for such products in Nigeria.”
The Regional Sales Director noted that industrialisation is key to diversification of the economy and that is why “We are creating linkages that connect the whole economy while at the same time promote backward integration.
“Dangote Cement provides direct and indirect employment to millions of people across Africa and has touched lives by building schools, hospitals & clinics, roads, markets, vocational training centers in numerous host communities.
“The ongoing consolidation of Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Salt (NASCON) Allied Industries and Dangote Rice into Dangote Foods are part of our strategies to harness the benefits of backward integration via linkages and build a more formidable food company.
“Dangote Sugar Refinery, through its out-grower scheme has provided jobs to thousands of farmers in the host communities. This has greatly helped to reduce unemployment, youth restiveness and improve the wellbeing of the host communities,” he said.