Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana has expanded its scholarship award scheme to cover 51 communities within the Oworo District in Lokoja local government of Kogi State.
Azad Nawabuddin, The Plant Director, disclosed this at the scholarship award ceremony at Obajana. Nawabuddin said although the added community in Oworo land do not fall directly within the company’s catchment areas, but Dangote Cement had chosen to extend its generosity by including all 51 communities in the district as beneficiaries of the scheme
Nawabuddin noted that Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, already operates a Scholarship Scheme for its host communities in line with provisions of the Community Development Agreement (CDA).
He added that, beyond the scholarship programme, the company is also providing five boreholes to five different Oworo communities, which further demonstrates its commitment to improving the welfare of the Oworo people.
He assured the communities that the company remains committed to sustaining its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme across the Oworo District.
In his remarks, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, General Manager of Social Performance, disclosed that out of the initial 50 beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme, 26 are female while 24 are male
Adeyemi said, “As a policy, we will continue with each beneficiary, until they complete their academic programmes, provided they are able to sustain their academic performance, and we will only replace them with fresh beneficiaries upon exit of some current beneficiaries from school.”
Mr. Adeyemi said the initial 50 students for the 2025/26 session were selected with the active support of the Oworo Development Association, with other key stakeholders.
In his reaction, Alhaji Jibril Odoga Ibrahim, President of the Oworo Development Association commended the Dangote Cement Plc for what he described as a dream come true for Oworo people.
He said, “To our young beneficiaries, I urge you to see this scholarship as a challenge to excel. Work hard, remain disciplined, and make your community proud. The opportunity before you today is a seed, nurture it well so that one day you will give back to others”.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Education who was represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Omolayo Bilkisu said the government of Kogi State believes in a Public Private sector partnership to move the state forward, adding that the government is proud of the support the company is offering to the communities through its education and empowerment programmes.
Also, Olu of Apata Oba Federick Balogun said: “Education remains the strongest foundation for development, and by supporting our sons and daughters in their academic pursuits. Dangote Cement has once again demonstrated its commitment to the growth and wellbeing of its host communities. This gesture will ease the burden on parents, encourage hard work among students, and inspire hope in many households.”
