Community Day: Dangote Cement awards over N15m scholarship to 120 students in Ogun

Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, has awarded over N15million scholarship to 100 undergraduates, 20 pupils, and students from host communities.

The General Manager of the Plant, Mr Hemant Dave, informed that the annual  Community Day celebration by the company was a platform to showcase the company’s corporate social investment in the outgoing year.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Sustaining Growth, Strengthening Bonds,” which focuses on education, health, infrastructure, and empowerment programmes.

Dave, represented by the Plant Director, Ayyagari Subaraidu, said the celebration further deepened stakeholder engagement and community participation.

The company’s Head of Social Performance, Ademola Ojolowo, appreciated the host communities for their support towards the company over the years.

Ojolowo said the fourth edition reinforced the company’s dedication to sustainable development and empowerment in host communities.

He explained that the company trained 25 youths in desktop publishing and graphic design, and provided scholarships to 117 students 

Ojolowo added that 49 women were empowered with grain mills while 60 farmers got agricultural support.

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He assured that many projects would still be covered to enhance safety and development across all its host communities.  

“The truth of the matter is that everybody knows that there is what they call an A. A is not 100%. Even if you write O-level, if you are able to score seventy-five percent and above, you have scored an A. So we always want to ensure that we do not fall below the standard that the management of this business has placed in our hands,” Ojolowo added.

The Aboro of Ibese land, Oba Rotimi Mulero, commended the company for giving back to the host communities while appealing for an increase in the host community budget amid economic changes.

He equally asked for electricity extension, local hiring with relevant qualifications, and concrete road rehabilitation due to trailer damage.

 “We appreciate what Dangote is doing, yet we keep asking for more,” he said

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, called on the company to be more environmentally friendly to the host communities.

He, however, commended Dangote Plcl for its employment initiatives, urging wealthy Nigerians to invest locally to curb the “japa syndrome.” 

Caption: Beneficiaries of Dangote Scholarship Awards at the 2025 Community Day Celebration held at Ibese Plant, on Wednesday.