In a major boost to its corporate social responsibility profile, Dangote Cement Plc’s Ibese Plant has announced educational scholarship award for 115 students from its 15 host communities for the 2017/2018 academic session
The company said that the scholarship aims to contribute to the educational development of the people and the area and position them in right place in the scheme of things in Ogun state and Nigeria.
While speaking during the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries at Ibese Plant, Louis Raj, acting plant director of Dangote Cement, Ibese, explained that the management decided to increase the number of beneficiaries to 115 from the previous 80 so that more children of the area could benefit.
He also said that the decision was meant to encourage the young ones to go to school and have access to education, thus building helping to build the economy.
Raj stated that the scholarship award and other CSR projects were being undertaken to acknowledge people for maintenance and sustenance of peace in the area.
He further expressed that the management gratitude to the royal fathers and other community leaders whose efforts have accounted for the peace and tranquility, noting that the company would wish the spirit of peaceful coexistence continues.
Some of the schools where the beneficiaries are studying include Polytechnics, Universities, College of Educations, College of Technologies and secondary schools scattered across Ogun state.
Alabi also announced a list of candidates from the host communities who have been selected to attend Dangote Academy for training in various arts and vocations, pointing out that the training will equip them with wherewithal to work and do their own business whenever they chose to.
“The main benefit is to provide them the opportunity to have better education and in the future, if they are good students, well-qualified, we will also offer them opportunities to work here at Ibese Cement Plant. This is part of CSR to ensure good relations, good partnership with our communities,” Joseph Alabi, general manager, government and community relations, added.
Dangote Group also emerged Nigeria’s best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Company, according to a survey by Governance Advancement Initiative for Nigeria (GAIN), an NGO.
