Omritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — As part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, the Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Kogi State, has commenced the training of 23 youths in technical skills under the tutelage of technical units of Dangote Cement Transport, Obajana.
The participating youth were selected from the host communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Apata, and Obajana.
According to the Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana, JV Gungune, the Technical Skills Acquisition programme is aimed at empowering the youth and developing entrepreneurial skills around its catchment areas.
Gungune disclosed that the youths which also included female trainees, were mostly secondary school leavers.
Speaking at the inauguration of the scheme, General Manager, of Community Affairs/Special Duties, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, said the trainees are being paid monthly stipends while the training lasts and when the training is completed, the youths will add great value to their communities, Kogi State, and Nigeria.
Divisional Director, Transport of the Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Ajay Singh, said some of the areas of training include auto mechanic, auto electrical, welding, and panel beating/fabrication.
The Workshop Manager, Engineer Alfa Adamu, said the trainees were shared into different engineering sections based on their strengths and interest, adding that the trainees have so far spent three months.
The trainees expressed appreciation for the training and opportunity given to them. A mechanic trainee, Mrs. Bamidele Gbenga, from Iwaa Community, expressed joy over the training, which she said has been going on very well.
Mrs. Adebayo Rechel, a trainee from Oyo Community, thanked the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for giving them such an opportunity. Joshua Oshe-Olorunsogo said that given the huge value of the programme, he believes it would help sustain him and his family.
Micheal Roseline a trainee from the Obajana Community, and a holder of a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, described the Dangote Group as a “blessing to humanity”.
