By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, has commended the Chairman of Dangote Group of Industries, Aliko Dangote, for prioritising investments that have significantly contributed to addressing unemployment in Nigeria.

Elemide said the country’s unemployment challenge and the growing “japa” syndrome would have been drastically reduced, if other billionaires and well-endowed individuals had embraced productive investments similar to those of the renowned industrialist.

The Speaker stated this on Wednesday at the 2025 Annual Community Day organised by Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, to appreciate its 17 host communities.

The annual event, which attracted representatives of the host communities, featured the presentation of scholarships worth N15.72 million to 120 students, distribution of 25 laptops to youths trained in ICT, and the empowerment of 40 women with grinding machines, among other interventions.

Commending Dangote for his commitment to job creation, Elemide said: “I must give it to Dangote in the area of employment. If all our rich people and billionaires can stay in Nigeria and establish companies like this that provide jobs for our youths, I know the ‘japa syndrome’ will be reduced.

“I sincerely appreciate Dangote in this regard and hope that others will take a cue by prioritising investments that are crucial to employment generation for our teeming population.”

The Speaker, however, urged the company to strengthen its commitment to sustainable development by addressing environmental concerns, particularly the indiscriminate parking of trucks, which often leads to traffic gridlock on major roads.

He also lauded Dangote Cement for its sustained support for host communities, noting that such gestures would continue to foster cordial relationships while enabling the company to thrive and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.

Earlier, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Ibese, Mr Anuj Gupta, described the Community Day as a strategic component of the company’s annual stakeholder engagement programme aimed at promoting inclusion and partnership with host communities.

Gupta said the event provides an opportunity to review the company’s social stewardship over the year through the presentation of a comprehensive account of its corporate social investments.

According to him, the occasion also allows stakeholders to bond, celebrate the rich culture of the host communities, and appreciate partners and collaborators whose contributions have been instrumental to the company’s growth.

He assured that while Dangote Cement continues to rely on the support of its host communities and partners in safeguarding its operations, it remains firmly committed to contributing to their growth and development.

Also speaking, the Head of Social Performance, Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, Mr Ademola Ojolowo, said the company planned to implement 27 community development projects in 2025 to enhance the wellbeing of its host communities.

Ojolowo disclosed that 10 projects, covering electrification, skills acquisition, ICT training, and the construction of schools and health centres, had been completed, while 13 others were about 90 per cent completed.

He added that the company was already constructing a trailer park to address the challenge of indiscriminate truck parking, noting that the situation had improved significantly compared to the past.

In his remarks, the Aboro of Ibese Land, Oba Rotimi Mulero, praised Dangote Cement for its consistent support to host communities, but appealed to the company to increase its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) budget in view of the prevailing economic realities in the country.