The Ogun State Government in southwest Nigeria has called on traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure the proper utilisation of corporate social interventions provided by companies operating in their localities. The government emphasised that these initiatives should be managed judiciously to foster sustainable and inclusive economic development across the state.
This admonition was given by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr Adebola Sofela, at the 2024 Community Day organised by Dangote Cement at Ibese in Ogun State.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, the Commissioner said that residents of host communities who were being empowered with working tools, gadgets, and skills acquisition should make the best use of the opportunities, enabling them not to be dependent on handouts and palliatives.
The Commissioner reiterated that companies in the State should endeavour to carry out need-based social interventions, emphasising that meaningful and impactful living can best be measured by the number of lives touched.
Assuring various businesses operating in Ogun State of government support towards rapid development, the commissioner said corporate social responsibility initiatives should be sustained.
“It is expedient that various companies should carry out intervention projects on a need basis, and our royal fathers and community leaders should monitor the judicious use of these interventions.
“Management of our industries should use feedback from relevant stakeholders to improve and sustain various initiatives,” he said.
In his remarks, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Ibese, Mr. Roy Uttam, appreciated the support of the host communities, pointing out that the symbolic presentation of scholarship awards to 120 outstanding and indigent students alongside the distribution of 55 chest freezers to support vulnerable women in starting or expanding their businesses, among other things, were geared towards improving their livelihood.
The event had an impressive attendance of critical stakeholders.
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