Obajana – Dangote Cement Plc has trained and empower 40 women in fashion design in Kogi State.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of participants at the skill acquisition program on Thursday at Obajana, Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Mr JV Gungune, said the skill acquisition scheme was meant to support the government in its job creation efforts.
Gungune said even though, the job creation scheme aptly fits into the company’s vision and mission, it cannot do it alone, nor can it employ everyone.
He said that the skill acquisition program is another way of creating employment for the people of Kogi State.
The Plant Director said the beneficiaries should count themselves lucky to have been selected and trained in the program.
He urged them to ensure that the skills and the equipment provided for them by the company are put into proper use.
Speaking, the Head of Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the empowerment programme is one in the series of several other interventions being executed by Dangote Cement Plc in its host communities.
Olayiwola expressed optimism that the trainees will in train others through apprenticeship, therefore bolstering the job status of communities around Kogi State.
The company’s General Manager, Special Duties, Mr Ademola Adeyemi said 10 women each were selected from Oyo, Iwaa, Apata, and Obajana host communities.
According to Adeyemi, said skill program was carried out in partnership with the National Directorate for Employment(NDE).
On his part, the state Co-ordinator of NDE, Mr Abubakar Zakari, said the participants went through rigorous .intensive training for three months.
He congratulated the company for sponsoring what he referred to as a laudable program for women.
The traditional rulers of the various communities commended the company for what they described as a huge intervention.
His Royal Highness, the Olu-Apata, Oba Dr. Frederick D.O. Balogun, expressed appreciation and pledged his community’s continuing support to the company.
The Bajana of Obajana Idowu Isenibi said the “joy of the community knows no bound while urging beneficiaries to make judicious use of the skill acquired from the program.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Titilayo Enimola, 33years, commended the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, and prayed that God continue to support him and make his businesses flourish.
