Dangote Cement Plc has strengthened its commitment to education in Kogi State through the distribution of learning materials to pupils in Lokoja, the state capital, as part of its ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The educational intervention was carried out by the company’s Obajana Plant and, according to the General Manager of the Social Performance Department, Ademola Adeyemi, represents another phase of Dangote Cement’s sustained investment in community development.

Adeyemi explained that the Lokoja programme followed similar educational support recently provided to pupils in public schools across the company’s host communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Obajana and Apata. The initiative also comes shortly after the commissioning of a multi-million-naira hospital in Obajana, adding to the company’s expanding portfolio of social investments, which already includes an earlier hospital project in the Iwaa and Oyo communities.

He noted that Dangote Cement has, over the years, committed billions of naira to various community development projects across its host communities. These investments include empowerment programmes, road construction projects and potable water schemes, while reaffirming the company’s determination to sustain and broaden its interventions.

Adeyemi further stated that the company’s CSR programmes are designed to align with government development priorities and are delivered through long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

A statement issued by the company and made available to journalists in Lokoja said: “The educational materials distributed included school bags, exercise books, writing materials, water bottles, and other essential learning aids aimed at enhancing the learning experience of the pupils and preparing them for the next academic session.”

The statement added: “The intervention was informed by findings from a needs assessment conducted by Dangote Cement Plc. During the assessment, it was observed that several pupils attended school without school bags, while others carried their books by hand. It was also discovered that many students lacked essential learning materials such as exercise books, pens, pencils, and other basic learning materials.”

Reacting to the initiative, the Head Teacher of UBE LGEA School, St. Luke Model II, Adankolo, in Lokoja Local Government Area, Abubakar Sanni, expressed appreciation to the management of Dangote Cement Plc for the support.

Sanni also thanked the Group President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, for extending the company’s educational assistance beyond its host and impacted communities to schools located within the Kogi State capital.

Beneficiaries, school management, parents and community stakeholders equally commended Dangote Cement Plc for the timely intervention and offered prayers for the continued growth and success of the company as it advances sustainable community development and improves livelihoods.

Source: Independent