Dangote Granite Mines, a subsidiary of the renowned Dangote Group, celebrated a joyous occasion over the weekend as it awarded multi-million Naira scholarships to 60 students from its host communities across the country.
This philanthropic initiative is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, aimed at fostering educational development within these communities.
Additionally, Dangote Granite Mines pledged automatic employment opportunities for the beneficiaries, provided they excel in their studies.
The management of the company expressed its commitment to ensuring that its host communities keep pace with development, particularly in the crucial realm of education and infrastructure.
Education remains a key focus area for Dangote Granite Mines’ pursuit of sustainable growth.
The scholarship recipients were selected from five host communities associated with Dangote Granite Mines: Ajebandele, Olorunmodi Ademowo, Saliu Baba Risi, Idi-Omo, and Ijebu-Igbo township.
The scholarship program extends to both secondary and higher institution students, encompassing a wide range of educational pursuits.
During the scholarship award ceremony, Mr. Ebenezer Fola Ali, Director of Human Assets Management at Dangote Projects, personally handed over cheques to each of the awardees.
He emphasized that the scholarships aimed to alleviate the financial burden faced by the parents of the beneficiaries. The scholarship program was part of the Community Development Agreement (CDA) reached with the leadership of the host communities.
Mr. Ali urged the recipients to focus on their education, reminding them of the prospect of automatic employment upon academic excellence.
In addition to awarding the scholarships, Mr. Ali presented the signed CDA to the Sopenlukale of Oke Sopen, Oba Muftau Adesesan Yussuf, the monarch of Ijebu Igbo.
He expressed gratitude to the monarch and community leaders for fostering an atmosphere of peace, which has allowed the company and communities to thrive harmoniously.
Mr. Ali assured the communities of Dangote Granite Mines’ commitment to fulfilling its obligations as stipulated in the CDA, pledging unwavering support and adherence to the agreement.
Taking the opportunity to address the community leaders, Mr. Ali emphasized the importance of their ongoing support in maintaining peaceful relations with Dangote Granite Mines.
He urged the scholarship recipients to fulfill their potential and not disappoint the company and their parents by engaging in activities that could hinder their education.
Mr. Ali encouraged them to excel in their chosen fields, thereby inspiring the company to contribute even more to their development.
In response, Oba Yussuf, the Sopenlukale, expressed deep gratitude to the management of Dangote Group for their benevolent assistance to the communities.
He highlighted that the scholarship program exemplified the company’s community-friendly approach and commitment to giving back to society.
Oba Yussuf called upon his people not to take these acts of generosity and other projects undertaken by Dangote Group for granted.
He urged the community to recognize them as gestures of love toward the host communities, emphasizing that the mining activities carried out by the company were not without compensation to the government at the state and federal levels.
The monarch implored the people to maintain peace, as it is through such stability that the company can further assist the communities in their growth and development.
Miss Aregbe Grace Oluwadamilola, a beneficiary of the scholarship from Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), expressed heartfelt appreciation on behalf of all the recipients.
She acknowledged the significant financial relief the scholarships would provide, easing the burden of their educational journey.
Miss Oluwadamilola pledged that the beneficiaries would not let down the company or their parents and concluded by offering prayers for the well-being of the Chairman of the Company, Aliko Dangote.
