As part of its commitment to strengthening local content and community engagement, Dangote Cement Plc., Ibese Plant, has held its 2025 annual capacity development training for representatives of its host communities.
Themed “Engagement and Advocacy Skills: Critical Tools for Community Representatives,” the workshop brought together a broad representation of stakeholder groups from the host communities as well as Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Governments, reflecting the Plant’s inclusive approach to community engagement and development.
Declaring the workshop open, Mr. Aina Olugbenga, Head, Human Asset Management and Administration, commended the community representatives for their dedication and selfless service which has paved the way for peace being enjoyed by all stakeholders in the area.
He encouraged them to use the skills and other key learnings acquired from the workshop to not only benefit the communities they represented but also to foster mutual growth between them and the Plant.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ololade Akiyode, Director of Community Development, Yewa North Local Government, urged participants to continue to adopt dialogue and collaborative approach in relating with the Company.
She described the relationship between Ibese Plant and its host communities/local governments as “a model of sustainable development driven by effective engagement, understanding and collaboration”.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hon. Dayo Ogunyinka expressed appreciation to the Company for organizing the workshop. He reaffirmed the commitment of the community representatives to continued, efficient, and selfless representation that supports the well-being of both the communities and the Plant.
Not less than 50 community representatives including women and youth as well as government officials participated in the workshop
It would recall that Dangote Cement’s Ibese plant runs capacity training and empowerment programmes for youths and other population segments in its host communities.
These programmes aim to accelerate social and economic development by providing skills training in areas like domestic electrical installation, catering, tailoring, and more, with the goal of reducing unemployment, improving living standards, and fostering self-sufficiency.
Key aspects of the programmes include Skills Acquisition, which focuses on providing practical skills training to enhance employability and entrepreneurial potential; Economic Empowerment, in which trainees receive start-up kits with tools and equipment to help them establish their own businesses after completing the program and Community Development, which is aimed at improving the overall socio-economic conditions of the host communities by reducing unemployment and poverty.
Others are programmes which focus Sustainable Development and align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to poverty eradication, zero hunger, and sustainable cities and communities.
In addition to the skills training, Dangote Cement provides scholarships to brilliant and indigent students from the host communities. It invests in training to enhance the capacity of community leaders and representatives for conflict resolution and equip the community residents to reducing unemployment among the youth and improve the general standard of living in the host communities.
