Dangote Cement Ibese Celebrates Senior Citizens, Champions Inclusion in Host Communities

–        Ogun commends cement giant for empowering persons with disabilities

Peter Uzoho

Foremost cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening community welfare through sustained social investment programmes in its host communities across Nigeria and pan-Africa.

Head of Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, Mr. Ayyagari Subbaraidu, made the declaration when the plant hosted elders and persons with disability within its 17 host communities during a programme tagged: “A Day Out with Senior Citizens”, held at the plant premises in Ibese, Ogun State.

Dangote cement Ibese restated its unwavering commitment to the development of communities within which it operates just as the Ogun State Government praised the management of the company for its unwavering commitment to community well-being.

The plant director said the initiative was meant to enhance the emotional, social, and physical well-being of the elderly in the communities, adding that the programme now in its third year, addresses some of the challenges many elders face, including loneliness and limited social interaction, by providing a supportive environment for relaxation, connection, and free medical screenings.

He said “This annual event is specially curated to improve the social and emotional well-being of our senior citizens while offering essential medical checks and take-home items to support their quality of life.”

He explained that while ageing is a blessing, many elders experience loneliness and limited interaction, noting the outreach serves as a platform for relaxation, bonding, and access to free health checks.

Subbaraidu also disclosed that alongside the outreach, Dangote Cement identified six individuals living with disabilities who received wheelchairs to support their movement and daily activities.

“With this year’s edition, we have now reached 150 elders and 11 persons with disabilities underscoring the company’s commitment to recognizing and uplifting vulnerable groups within our host communities.

“Our goal is to put smiles on the faces of our senior citizens in recognition of their contributions to society,” he stated.

Some of the items distributed to the beneficiaries included rechargeable lamp, cardigan, dual-power transistor radio (battery-operated and rechargeable), adire, double layer thermal insulator water flask, beverages and milk, tea bag, disinfectant, compressor socks, jumbo shear butter cream, packs of bathing soap, detergent, Dangote Rice, semovita, cash incentive and take-home bag.

Subbaraidu assured all stakeholders that Dangote Cement Ibese will continue to strengthen interventions in health, education, infrastructure, and empowerment in line with its Community Development Agreement, adding; “We remain committed to supporting community growth through initiatives that promote peace, progress, and shared prosperity.”

He then thanked the Ogun State Government, partners, and community leaders for their partnership and collaboration which has provided the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the communities.

Subbaraidu noted that this year’s edition was organized in collaboration with Ore Ofe Clinic, Ilaro, a trusted healthcare provider in Dangote Cement’s HMO network, to ensure comprehensive health screening for all beneficiaries.

The Ogun State Government, represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Araba Adebukunola

lauded Dangote Cement for its unwavering commitment to the well-being of the community, describing the initiative as a model for corporate social responsibility in the region.

Adebukunola praised Dangote Cement for its consistent commitment to community well-being noting that the outreach aligns with the state government’s vision to promote holistic welfare for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups.

Pointing out that the programme complements ongoing social inclusion efforts of the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Adebukunola highlighted several initiatives of the Ogun State Government, including the Women Economic Empowerment Policy, the Nigerian for Women Project, skills acquisition programmes, gender-based violence response systems, and child protection services as some of the state government programmes design to socially aid the people of the state.

She described the Dangote’s Day Out with Senior Citizens as “timely, impactful, and deeply aligned” with the state’s mission of supporting citizens across all life stages, while reaffirming the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with organisations advancing community wellness.

Also Speaking, Chairman of Yewa North Local Government, Olusola Akinbode, commended the management of Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, stressing that the unrelenting efforts of the organisation in ensuring that everyone is catered to in and around the host communities is no mean feat.

“Overtime, we have had a very smooth relationship with Dangote Cement, Ibese; they have been law abiding, very supportive and we see people with a heart of giving and growth. Their humanitarian activities and corporate social responsibilities have cut across all age groups; from youth empowerment to farmers’ provision of tools for artisans, women and the elderly empowerment, Dangote Cement is truly committed to a better society”, Akinbode said.

An emotional Banji Bamidele, a person with disability and one of the six recipients of the wheelchairs, thanked the management for their kind gift.

Bamidele added that in his 30 years of being physically challenged and crawling from end to end, “this is the first time I will have the opportunity of riding on a wheelchair, which puts an end to over 30 years of crawling. I thank Dangote Cement for this priceless gift.”