Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, has graduated no fewer than 40 participants from its host communities following a comprehensive training programme in fish farming and entrepreneurship.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Federal Government, the Kogi State government, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), as well as traditional rulers and other key stakeholders.

The beneficiaries, mostly women, were drawn from the host communities of Iwaa, Oyo, Obajana and Apata.

The scheme builds on a series of previous community empowerment programmes, including training in poultry production, solar entrepreneurship, and fashion design.

The Plant Director, Azad Nawabuddin, described the skills acquisition programme as a strategic scheme aimed at promoting job creation and driving overall economic development within the host communities.

He said, “In learning the art and business of fish farming, you have embraced a cycle of life that teaches responsibility. You nurture, you wait, you adapt, and in time, you harvest. This mirrors the journey of community development itself: it is not built in a day, but through consistent effort, shared knowledge, and collective commitment.”

Also speaking, General Manager and Head of the Social Performance Department at Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Ademola Adeyemi, explained that the event was part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme of the company.
 
Representative of the Technical Adviser on CSR to Kogi Governor, Akinola Oluropo Babatunde, commended President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for his support for communities in the state.
 
He urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the opportunity and have a positive impact on their communities. 

Representative of the Executive Chairman of Lokoja Local Council, Abubakar Muhammad, pledged that the council area will continue to partner with the company in ensuring the sustainability of the peaceful co-existence between the firm and host communities. 

In his remarks, the Bajana of Obajana, Idowu Isenibi, said: “Let this not end here. As you grow, carry others along. Teach your brothers, support your sisters, and build enterprises that will uplift our communities. In unity, we find strength, and in enterprise, we secure our future.”

The Elesho of Iwaa, Abel Alade, noted: “Today, my heart is filled with joy. What we are witnessing is not just the graduation of 40 individuals, but the planting of seeds that will grow into prosperity for our people. In our tradition, we say that when you teach a man how to provide for himself, you give strength not only to him, but to his entire household, and indeed, to the whole community.”

Mines Environmental Compliance Officer of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Kogi State, Olaitan Olufemi, commended the company, adding that it has performed excellently in CSR.

Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund, Lokoja Area Office, Bajeh Thomas, stated that the company also provided the graduating participants with starter packs and feeds to support their fish farming enterprises.