The Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, has recently concluded a comprehensive training programme in fish farming and entrepreneurship for no fewer than 40 participants from its host communities. The ceremony, which was attended by representatives of the federal government, the Kogi state government, and other key stakeholders, marked a significant milestone in the company's community empowerment efforts.
The beneficiaries, mostly women, were drawn from the host communities of Iwaa, Oyo, Obajana, and Apata. This initiative is part of a series of previous community empowerment programmes, including training in poultry production, solar entrepreneurship, and fashion design.
The skills acquisition programme is aimed at promoting job creation and driving overall economic development within the host communities. The Plant Director, Azad Nawabuddin, described the programme as a strategic scheme that teaches responsibility, adaptation, and collective commitment.
According to him, fish farming creates ripples by providing food for families, income for households, and opportunities for others. He noted that one fishpond can support a network of feed suppliers, transporters, market women, and processors, turning an individual skill into a communal asset.
General Manager and Head of the Social Performance Department at Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, said the event was part of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Scheme. He emphasized the importance of partnerships in ensuring that interventions are impactful and sustainable.
Dangote Cement's efforts to empower its host communities through skills acquisition programmes are a step in the right direction. By training women in fish farming and entrepreneurship, the company is not only promoting job creation but also reducing dependence on white-collar jobs. This initiative has the potential to create a ripple effect, providing food for families, income for households, and opportunities for others. The company's partnership with the Industrial Training Fund is a testament to its commitment to impactful and sustainable interventions. As the beneficiaries of this programme begin to harvest their skills, they will be strengthening their economy, sense of identity, and pride.
