Dangote Cement Plc’s Ibese Plant in Ogun State, has marked its annual Community Day celebration with a renewed commitment to sustainable development in its host communities, placing strong emphasis on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and empowerment programmes.
For residents, this year’s celebration was more than a corporate event. It was a moment to reflect on shared progress, renewed trust, and the everyday impact of a partnership that has evolved over time.
The event, themed “Sustaining Growth, Strengthening Bonds,” brought together traditional leaders, community leaders, residents, company executives, government officials, and other stakeholders to review achievements recorded over the years and outline future plans aimed at improving living standards and strengthening long-term relationships.
At the heart of the celebration was a focus on people-centred development. The company highlighted its investments across key social sectors — education, health, infrastructure, and economic empowerment- initiatives that community members say have made a visible difference in their daily lives.
Support for Education
For many parents, support for education has been transformative. Scholarships, learning materials, and improvements to school facilities have eased financial pressure and provided children with a stronger foundation for the future.
“Our children now have hope,” a community member said, describing how access to education has opened new possibilities for families.
Infrastructure projects were also identified as critical to daily life and local economic activity, improving mobility, safety, and access within the communities.
Empowerment Programmes
addition, empowerment programmes targeting youths and women have created pathways for skills development, entrepreneurship, and income generation, offering alternatives to unemployment and social vulnerability.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, commended the company for its consistent engagement and sustained contributions, noting that the initiatives have positively impacted social welfare and economic opportunities in the area.
Elemide called for continued cooperation between the company and its host communities, urging other wealthy Nigerians to emulate the company by investing locally to support national economic development.
Environmental Sustainability
However, he also expressed concern about environmental sustainability, urging the company to be more environmentally friendly.
The General Manager, Maintenance, Mr. Hemant Dave who represented the Ibese Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu said the Community Day celebration was designed to strengthen mutual trust and deepen collaboration with the host communities, describing development as a shared responsibility.
He highlighted the company’s ongoing investments in educational support, healthcare access, infrastructure upgrades, and empowerment programmes for youths and women, stressing that these initiatives reflect Dangote Cement’s long-term commitment to responsible corporate citizenship.
“The Community Day showcases our Corporate Social Investments in 2025, deepening stakeholder engagement and community participation,” Dave said.
Community leaders also commended the company for maintaining open communication and consistent engagement.
They noted that the interventions have contributed to improved social welfare and economic stability. They called for sustained collaboration to ensure continued growth and peaceful coexistence.
Highlights of the celebration included the presentation of certificates and laptops to 25 youths trained in desktop publishing and graphic design, as well as 12O students received scholarship awards to the tune of 15.72 million naira.
In addition, 40 women were empowered with grain milling machines, while 60 farmers received agricultural support.
As the event concluded, the message was clear: development thrives where partnerships are nurtured, and growth becomes meaningful when it is shared.
Olusola Akintonde