…Senior executives receive Kogi traditional titles

Nigeria’s healthcare sector recorded another milestone recently as Dangote Cement Plc commissioned a multimillion-naira Cottage Hospital in Obajana, Kogi State. This is a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare services.

The commissioning ceremony also witnessed the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on several senior officials of the company.

The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, received the prestigious title of Mayegun of Obajana Kingdom, while the Plant Director of the Obajana Plant, Azad Nawabuddin, was honoured with the title of Babagunwa.

Also recognised were the Head of Social Performance, Wakeel Olayiwola, who was conferred with the title of Adeyanju; General Manager, Social Performance, Obajana, Ademola Adeyemi, who became the Imokan of Obajana; and the Head of Human Resource and Admin, Dangote Packaging Limited, Bashir Uba, who was installed as the Eri-Oba of Obajana Kingdom.

The newly inaugurated hospital forms part of Dangote Cement’s broader CSR programme focused on improving healthcare delivery for residents of Obajana and neighbouring communities.

The Bajana of Obajana, Idowi Isenibi, described the completion of the project as the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration for the community, assuring that residents would safeguard both the facility and its equipment to ensure they serve their intended purpose.

“Dangote is a blessing to this community,” he said.

Speaking during the inauguration, Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Panjala Sreedhar, explained that the hospital project emerged from extensive consultations and community needs assessments, which identified healthcare as one of the area’s most pressing priorities.

“The Obajana Cottage Hospital is a direct response to the healthcare needs identified through our engagements with the Obajana community.

The facility is designed to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services to residents of Obajana and surrounding communities,” Sreedhar said.

He noted that the Cottage Hospital was established to reduce the burden on residents who previously had to travel long distances to receive medical care.

According to Sreedhar, the hospital is equipped with male, female and children’s wards, private wards, consulting rooms, a meeting room, 19 sanitary facilities, digital blood pressure monitoring devices, a dedicated borehole water supply and other essential medical infrastructure.

He expressed confidence that the new healthcare facility would strengthen healthcare delivery, improve maternal and child healthcare services, and enhance the wellbeing of people living in Obajana and surrounding communities.

Sreedhar added that Dangote Cement has consistently invested in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and livelihood programmes across Obajana, Oyo, Iwaa, Apata and Jakura communities through continuous engagement with stakeholders.

He further announced that the company had approved additional community projects, including ICT centres for Oyo and Iwaa communities, electrification projects in Jakura, vocational and skills acquisition programmes for youths, perimeter fencing of the Obajana Cultural Heritage Site and fencing of the UBE Secondary School in Apata.

Reaffirming the company’s commitment to sustainable community development, Sreedhar said Dangote Cement would continue strengthening partnerships with its host communities by delivering impactful development initiatives.

He also commended Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for creating an enabling business environment, noting that the administration’s support has significantly contributed to the growth of Dangote Cement’s operations within the state.

Representing Governor Ododo at the event, the Special Assistant on Corporate Social Responsibility, Hon. Paul Sunday, praised Dangote Cement for its sustained investment in community development.

He appealed to the company to provide medical personnel to operate the newly commissioned hospital pending the deployment of healthcare workers by the local government.

Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, described the facility as a major intervention that would significantly improve access to healthcare for residents. He encouraged members of the community to maximise the benefits of the hospital.

Adamu also urged Dangote Cement to continue supporting local security outfits, particularly vigilante groups operating within Obajana, to further strengthen peace and security in the area.

The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Owoniyi, commended the company for delivering the healthcare project.

He observed that although a general hospital would have been preferable, the Cottage Hospital remains a valuable contribution to community development. The monarch also urged the people of Oworo land to take ownership of the facility by ensuring its proper maintenance while reaffirming the support and cooperation of the host community.

Group Head, Socio-Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Wakeel Olayiwola, attributed the successful execution of the project to the cordial relationship between the company and its host communities, adding that management had taken note of the observations and requests presented by stakeholders.

Olayiwola disclosed that since 2025, Dangote Cement has expanded its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes beyond its immediate host communities, assuring residents that the company would continue implementing projects that improve lives and promote sustainable community development.

General Manager, Social Performance, Obajana Plant, Ademola Adeyemi, said the company has several additional CSR projects and Community Development Agreement (CDA) initiatives scheduled for execution.

He also expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers for the honour bestowed on the company’s management team, saying the recognition would motivate the company to deepen its commitment to community development.

Source: Leadership.ng