He said its many social investments had succeeded in fostering economic development and social cohesion in the communities.

The minister who spoke through the Mines and Environment Compliance Officer for the South West in the Ministry, Mr. Mathew Ochimana, during the handover of farm inputs to Ibese Host Communities’ Farmers on the occasion of the 2025 Farmers Empowerment Programme said the Cement Company had through its Corporate Social Responsibility such as the empowerment programmes, stimulated local economies, created jobs, support local businesses and enhanced community infrastructure.

Ochimana urged the farmers to make the best use of the farm inputs to boost food production and warned them to avoid the temptation to sell them as doing so would defeat the essence of giving them the items and would also run counter-productive to efforts at boosting food production within the communities.

Welcoming the farmers earlier, the Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu, reiterated the company’s commitment to empowering the farmers as a critical segment of the population with farming inputs support in order to boost food production.

Said he: “We provide modern farm inputs to help farmers enhance their productivity, enabling them to consistently cultivate both subsistence and cash crops at commercial scale. These inputs are donated to support better yields and offer a more modern, efficient farming experience.”

Besides the empowerment programme for farmers themed “Planting to Profit: Good Agricultural Practices for Cassava and Maize”, the Plant Director said Dangote Cement is focused on creating positive impacts within its host communities by prioritising health, quality education, empowerment, and the provision of critical infrastructure to drive socio-economic development.

Subbaraidu noted that “with the support of our stakeholders, some of whom are also here, we have achieved remarkable milestones, demonstrating that every limestone mined and every bag of cement manufactured comes with proportionate social value addition and support to the host communities.

“In the course of implementing the current Community Development Agreement signed in 2022, 240 farmers across our host communities have been empowered through training, farm inputs, and tools, contributing to the cultivation of over 600 acres of farmland and significantly boosting the local economy.”

READ ALSO: Police rescue newborn, arrest man over death of two teenagers

To cap Dangote Cement’s commitment to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the farmers for enhanced food security, and increased revenue across the agricultural value chain, Subbaraidu said that each of the beneficiaries would go home “with 3 bags of 50kg NPK fertilizer; 2 bags Urea fertilizer; 3 litres of Force-Up herbicide; 1 raincoat and 1 pair of rain boots.”

“To all our community stakeholders, we say a big thank you for your invaluable collaboration in creating an enabling environment for our business to thrive. Indeed, it takes strong partnerships between the Plant and the communities to achieve socio-economic progress,” the Plant Director said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, Olusola Akinbode, commended Dangote Cement for always rising to the occasion and he expressed satisfaction with the timely intervention and commitment of the company to community development.

He pointed out that the farmers’ empowerment programme was in tandem with the initiative of the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun’s drive to ensure food security in the state.

“One of our targets is to ensure food sufficiency in the state; we did our own farmers’ empowerment in June and we distributed 11,000 cash crops, we are promising to up the number to at least 60,000 in 2026.

“Imagine if we have this and Dangote is supporting us with fertiliser, and other farm tools, very soon, Yewa will become a food basket to others.”

In his remark, the Chairman of Community Joint Consultative Committee, CJCC, Dayo Ogunyinka, expressed satisfaction that the programme in its fourth edition had been very impactful, describing it as a perfect intervention towards food security and economic growth.

He thanked the Dangote Cement for reaching out to the grassroot whom he described as the centre of community development.

One of the farmer beneficiaries, Iyabo Akintan from Ijako Orile host community appreciated the company for always coming through for local farmers.

She stated that “This will bring upliftment and a better farming experience with gains to the society.”

Another beneficiary, Olaleye Adekunle, described the gesture as “soothing and moral boosting” for farmers. “With the provision of fertilisers and other farm tools, working during rain and shine is now a possibility and we are really grateful that Dangote Cement, Ibese, has our interest at heart.”

The beneficiaries were later taken through a session to educate them on how to make the best use of the inputs for maximum farm yields.

The post Food security: Minister lauds Dangote Cement over empowerment appeared first on Frontpageng.

South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mines Environment Compliance for the Ministry, Mr. Mathew Ochimana, expressed delight at the way and manner the Dangote Cement Ibese Plant has been socially responsible to its host communities thereby fostering atmosphere of peace all year round.

He spoke during the certificates award and starter packs presentation to the host community youths who completed the 2024 Youth Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme organised by the Ibese plant of the foremost Cement Plant in Ogun State.

Ochiama who was represented by tan officer of the ministry pointed out that his ministry had never had cause to wade into any dispute between the management and host communities but had always been invited for one programme or the other that benefitted the people and the communities.

While urging Dangote Cement to continue to partner with the host communities with more empowerment programmes to develop the communities and equip the people, he also enjoined the host communities to reciprocate the good gesture by maintaining peace and supporting the company to do more.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman, Host Communities Joint Consultative Committee, Hon. Dayo Ogunyinka, thanked Dangote Cement for always rising up to the occasion noting that the company had never shied away from its social responsibilities by constantly developing programmes that could lift the people and add value to them.

He recalled that the Ibese plant had been able to train host community youths in various skills, “I can remember we have gathered here before to graduate those who were trained in the art of electrical electronics, those who specialized in shoe making, those who chose acupuncture, and today its painting and Plaster of Paris (PoP).

“Worthy of mentioning is the fact Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant doesn’t just train, they also provide the starter pack to start for the graduands to start working straightaway; we cant ask for less. I am however saddened that some of our youths run away from this lofty training by not presenting themselves.

“We are very lucky in our communities to have Dangote Cement here, they not only cater for the youths, they do for the women, the elderly, the farmers and others, we are indeed lucky. We can only pray that God will continue to be with the organisation.”

Addressing the youths earlier, Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Mr. Roy Uttam, explained that the training initiative was a partnership between Dangote Cement Plc and the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Abeokuta Area Office, and that it underscored the company’s commitment to socio-economic development in its host communities.

READ ALSO: NNPC Ltd: Ojulari takes over from Kyari

He reaffirmed the company’s dedication to corporate social responsibility, emphasizing its focus on Health, Education, Infrastructure, and Empowerment.

He noted that the Dangote Academy and various training programmes had continued to create employment opportunities and enhanced skill acquisition among Nigerian youths.

Recognizing the economic challenges facing the country, Uttam stressed the need for young people to embrace self-reliance through vocational skills.

He commended the 30 graduates from the 17 host communities who successfully completed training in Plaster of Paris, PoP, screeding, and painting, urging them to utilize their newfound skills to build sustainable careers.

The trainees received start-up kits, including tools such as trowels, measuring tapes, and shovels, to aid them in establishing their businesses.

Said he: “Dangote Cement’s recognition of the youth as a critical stakeholder group is evident in our commitment to collaborating with them to unlock their potential and empower them to succeed.

“In addition to our annual skills acquisition programme, we also offer annual scholarship awards for 120 brilliant and indigent students. We have established dedicated structure to ensure that we consistently listen to, and address the concerns of the youths, while also providing training on effective representation to enhance their capacity to lead and serve in various roles in the society.

“Our objective is to empower local communities, enabling them to become self-sustaining through the delivery of tangible and lasting value.

“Today, we proudly identify with another set of youths, 30 in number, from our 17 host communities who will receive their certificates and start-up kits, including tools such as trowels, measuring tapes, shovels, and more after months of learning, perseverance and endurance.”

Also speaking at the event, ITF Area Manager, Abeokuta, Mrs. Abolanle Ajibade, also expressed special thanks to Dangote Cement Plc, stating, “It is with a sense of accomplishment that I stand before you to bring this impactful 2024 skills acquisition and empowerment training programme to a close.

“This training programme, PoP, screeding, and painting, was not merely an opportunity to gain knowledge but also an avenue to forge connections, share experiences, and challenge ourselves to go beyond our comfort zones. To our facilitators, your dedication and expertise have been invaluable. You have gone above and beyond to provide us with tools, insights, and guidance needed to thrive. To participants, congratulations on your commitment, resilience, and passion throughout this training.”

Chairman of Yewa North local government, Dr. Akinbode Olusola, advised the youth participants to see the training as a life time opportunity to make a difference in life noting that thousands of youth in the society would not have access to the opportunity they are getting on a platter of gold.

He recalled how a vocation on photography marked a turning point in his life after gaining admission to higher institution as he would  have dropped for lack of resources if not for the photography which he used to finance his education.

The Group Head Social Performance DCP, Mr. Ademola Ojolowo, highlighted the importance of the tools given to the trainees, emphasizing their role in empowering the youths to start making an impact in their communities immediately.

He encouraged them to implement their skills and begin their entrepreneurial journey without delay.

“This initiative reflects Dangote Cement’s ongoing commitment to investing in human capital development and fostering economic self-sufficiency among Nigerian youths. As the programme continues to evolve, stakeholders remain optimistic about its lasting impact on the local economy and the empowerment of future generations.”

The Plant Director, assisted by other guests handed out certificates to each participants, marking their official transition into the workforce as skilled professionals.

The post Dangote Cement applauded over host community youth devt appeared first on Frontpageng.