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Dangote Plans For Nigeria’s Self-Sufficiency In Cement, Petroleum, Others
Dangote Industries Ltd. plans to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in cement, agriculture, mining and petroleum products.
The Regional Sales Director, Southeast Dangote Cement, Dr Abayomi Shittu stated this in Enugu, yesterday during Dangote Special Day at the on-going 34th Enugu International Trade Fair.
Dangote Industries Ltd. is into cement, sugar, salt, poly products, real estate, agriculture, logistics, telecommunications, steel, oil, and gas among other businesses.
Three of its subsidiaries – Dangote Cement Plc., Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. and Dangote Salt, trading under the name of NASCON Allied Industries Plc. – are listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
“Our continuous efforts to innovate, create value and invest in Nigeria are borne out of our firm belief in the vast economic potential of Nigeria.
“Dangote Sugar Refinery, through its out-grower scheme has provided jobs for thousands of farmers in its host communities.
“The coming of Dangote Fertiliser has to a great extent helped to change the face of agriculture in Nigeria while the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, when functional will drive the development of ancillary industries.
“We recruit graduates of engineering and other technology-based courses and train them in many aspects of industrial operations,’’ Shittu said.
He noted that trade fairs organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) are unique because Enugu State has about the largest concentration of industries in the Southeast and South-South geopolitical zones.
He added that ECCIMA’s trade fairs remained avenues for industries to connect with customers in the Southeast and in the adjoining zones.
In his address of welcome earlier, President of ECCIMA, Mr Jasper Nduagwuike applauded the Dangote Group for its continuous support.
He noted that Dangote Group’s decision to be one of the major sponsors of the 2023 trade fair spoke to the love the group had for ECCIMA and the entire southeast geopolitical zone.
“We believe that the Dangote Refinery will go a long way in addressing the challenges and problems associated with availability and cost of refined petroleum products when it comes on-stream.
“Today, Dangote’s business and entrepreneurship scheme has spread to many parts of the African continent, employing thousands of people across the world of which not less than 85 per cent are Nigerians,’’ Nduagwuike said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
