Dangote empowers cooperatives in Kogi

By Etuka Sunday

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility drive in Kogi State, the Dangote Cement Plc is empowering Cooperative societies in the host and mining communities.
Speaking at the presentation of cheque to the Apata community on Wednesday, Director, Dangote Cement Plant Obajana, Mr. JV Gungune, said it is the desire of the President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote to create alternative platform for empowerment and job creation, as not everyone can be employed in the factory.
The Plant Director who was represented by the General Manager Community Affairs& Special Duties Mr. Ade Anlemi, said the company expects that the seed money will multiply when judiciously utilized.
Other communities already supported in the micro credit scheme via their respective cooperatives are: Obajana, Iwwa and Oyo communities.
Mr. Gungune said the company will also support the communities in the training of members of the cooperatives to make sure that the scheme succeeds.
Other areas of interventions in the communities are: the construction of boreholes, granting of yearly scholarship, power supply, job creation, school buildings and road rehabilitations.
Speaking, His Royal Highness the Olu Apata Dr. Frederick D.O. Balogun, expressed appreciation and pledged his community’s continuing support for the company.
The traditional leader assured that the fund shall be judiciously disbursed and reinvested by the about 100 members of the cooperative.
He spoke glowingly of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, describing him as God’s sent, adding that his contribution to the people of Kogi State cannot be quantified.
Speaking, Deputy General Manager Community Affairs/Special Duties Dangote Cement Plc Mr. Ademola Adeyemi said the training support for the cooperatives may commence in the first quarter of next year.
Some members of the cooperative, who commended the Dangote Cement, said they were going to deploy the money in skill acquisition and trading.
In the recent past the Dangote Cement Plc and the Aliko Dangote Foundation had injected several billions of naira into the state. the company has also constructed the longest concrete road in the country in the state.