Dangote Cement Obajana awards scholarships, empowers farmers, market women

The Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, has strengthened its support for the Jakura community through scholarship and empowerment programmes for farmers and market women.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony on recently, Plant Director, Obajana Plant, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, said the scheme was part of the company’s commitment to implementing the provisions of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Engr. Nawabuddin said the programme, which focused on students, farmers and market women, underscores DCP’s continued commitment to sustainable community development, poverty reduction and economic empowerment across its host communities.

He said a total of twenty beneficiaries drawn from several tertiary institutions and sixty beneficiaries from secondary schools received educational grants running into several millions of naira.

He disclosed that 20 farmers were provided with essential farming implements and funds, noting that the initiative is designed to enhance agricultural productivity, encourage the adoption of improved farming practices and contribute to greater food security in the community.

Twenty market women were each provided with start-up capital and business support to strengthen their enterprises, promotefinancial independence and enhance household incomes.

The event attracted several stakeholders, traditional rulers, government representatives, and community leaders.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Jakura CDA Committee, Chief Bonibade Ajiboye, appreciated Dangote Cement Plc Obajana Plant for keeping to commitments noting that aside the empowerment programme, the electrification project is almost completed.

In his remarks, Oba Usman Adoga Ajibola, the Obaro of Jakura, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for blessing Jakura with abundant mineral resources and commended **Alhaji Aliko Dangote** for choosing to invest in the area.