Category: Business Day

Alexander Isak scored for the third consecutive Premier League game as Liverpool defeated Brighton 2-0 on Sunday, giving manager Andoni Iraola his first league victory at Anfield.

Liverpool struck twice in quick succession in the first half, with Pascal Gross scoring an own goal before Isak added the second.

Isak has now scored six goals in seven league appearances this season, including three in his last four matches.

The victory also gave Iraola his first taste of Premier League success at Anfield. The Spaniard had failed to win his first three league games at the venue since arriving from Bournemouth in the close season.

Iraola, who had already secured Champions League and League Cup victories at Anfield, has now guided Liverpool to four consecutive wins in all competitions following their chastening 3-0 home defeat against Manchester City.

Liverpool climbed to fourth place, one point behind third-placed Brighton, after handing the Seagulls their second league defeat of the season.

The Reds remain six points behind leaders Manchester City as they look to build momentum in the title race.

Liverpool had gone five home league games without a win dating back to last season, drawing four and losing one. However, they overcame Brighton with a composed performance, ending the visitors’ recent scoring run after the Seagulls arrived at Anfield as the league’s top scorers.

Brighton had an early opportunity to take the lead when Diego Gomez’s pass caught Virgil van Dijk out of position. Gross crossed for Yasin Ayari, but the midfielder fired wastefully over with the goal at his mercy.

Nigeria has called for reforms to the international credit rating system and increased mobilisation of long-term capital to finance Africa’s infrastructure and development priorities, as the country pushes for a new model of global economic partnerships based on sovereignty and mutual benefits.

Sola Enikanolaiye, minister of state for foreign affairs, made the call at the Berlin Global Dialogue 2026, where he advocated greater strategic autonomy for African countries in shaping economic partnerships and advancing their national interests, a statement obtained by BusinessDay, on Sunday, indicated.

Speaking at a high-level panel on ‘Foreign Policy by Other Means: Trade, Technology, and Geopolitical Power’ and a policy lab on infrastructure and investment, Enikanolaiye said Africa needed partnerships that reflected its priorities, respected its sovereignty and promoted shared prosperity.

He said Nigeria’s doctrine of strategic autonomy would enable the country to engage with different geopolitical blocs without being constrained by their ideological differences, while protecting its national interests and those of Nigerian businesses.

‘It allows us a space of action regardless of ideology or political complexion of the various blocs to advance our own national interest, including those of Nigerian companies,’ he said.

The minister also called for a shift away from the traditional extractive economic model, urging African countries to prioritise local processing and value addition rather than continue exporting raw minerals.

He said the continent needed to develop stronger domestic industrial capacity to retain more economic value from its natural resources, create jobs and strengthen its position in global trade.

On infrastructure, Enikanolaiye stressed the importance of developing bankable projects capable of attracting sustainable investment, alongside building the technical skills needed to implement and maintain them.

He noted that Africa’s average gross domestic product growth rate stood at 4.3 per cent, compared with an ambition of seven per cent, arguing that achieving the higher target would require stronger investment flows and more effective financing arrangements.

He called for reforms to the international credit rating system, which influences how countries are assessed by investors and the cost at which they borrow, while welcoming the establishment of the African Credit Rating Agency as part of efforts to strengthen the continent’s financial assessment capacity.

The minister said mobilising long-term capital remained essential to financing Africa’s development agenda, particularly in infrastructure and productive sectors that require substantial investment over extended periods.

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency, democracy and the rule of law, describing these principles as important foundations for credible international partnerships and sustainable economic development.

The ISO World Summit, a premier annual platform dedicated to advancing organisational

performance and raising awareness about the vital importance of ISO compliance in business operations, will soon convene key stakeholders in Nigeria.

The event is confirmed to hold on October 29, 2026, at the Sheraton Hotel, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

The summit will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and compliance experts to advance

dialogue, foster learning, facilitate networking, and drive practical action on global ISO frameworks.

This year’s summit, themed ‘Quality Creates Trust, Trust Builds Brands’, is organised by ISO World Consult Limited, a leading consulting firm that helps businesses translate international ISO standards and Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE) compliance into everyday workflows.

A vital objective of the 2026 summit is driving full alignment with ISO standards and compliance.

To achieve this, organisers and participating institutions are focusing on upgrading documentation, refining organizational write-ups, and embedding a deep-rooted culture of quality across all operational levels.

Discussions at the ISO World Summit 2026 will focus on inspiring organisations to view quality not merely as a compliance obligation, but as a strategic business culture capable of strengthening brands, improving performance, and creating sustainable value.

Another major highlight of the event will be the International Quality Certification Awards. This prestigious ceremony will recognise exceptional organizations and individuals making measurable

contributions to advancing ISO standards, quality management, brand trust, and operational

excellence across Nigeria.

To deliver a truly robust and immersive quality gathering, ISO World Consult Limited has proudly

partnered with AFRIBIS for this year’s edition. A key feature of this collaboration will be the presentation of authentic gold-sealed certificates and golden plaques to 51 confirmed leading organisations.

Mirroring the summit’s core commitment to global ISO standards, the entire awards process guarantees absolute credibility and transparency, with all nominations undergoing rigorous evaluation by an independent panel of certified auditors.

History has been made. For the first time since the return to democracy in 1999, the push for state police has crossed the most difficult constitutional hurdle.

As at today, 24 out of 36 State Houses of Assembly have passed the resolution approving the establishment of state police in Nigeria, meeting the mandatory two-thirds requirement under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Section 9(2) provides that a bill to alter the Constitution shall not be passed by National Assembly unless the proposal is supported by resolution of at least two-thirds of all State Houses of Assembly – that is, 24 states.

In pursuant to that requirement, the National Assembly, having endorsed state police, transmitted the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 to the 36 State Houses of Assembly on September 16, seeking their concurrence.

Today, the numbers stand thus:

Southern Nigeria: 14 of 17 states have approved the bill leaving only Lagos, Ondo and Ebonyi still at deliberation stage. In Northern Nigeria, 10 out of 19 states have approved the bill. Nine states are still pending: Kogi, Niger, Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kano and Sokoto. Five of them are in North-West, two in North-Central and three in North-East.

The implication is clear: even though 12 states are still awaited, the bill stands approved in the eyes of the law. Of course, more states are expected to join this week, the more, the merrier, but the legal threshold has been met.

Crossing 24 states is not the end. It is the beginning of stage two. Under Section 9, here is what must happen next: Return to National Assembly for Collation and Authentication. All 36 resolutions, whether Yes or No, must be transmitted back to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana. The Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, will collate and verify that at least 24 approvals are authentic, signed by Speakers and Clerks.

Secondly, there must be votes, proceedings and passage at NASS. Once satisfied, NASS will adopt a resolution confirming that the bill has been duly approved by required number of states. The bill will then be re-passed with final amendments reflecting state inputs. And thirdly, the authenticated Bill will be transmitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent. Under Section 9(3), the President has 30 days to assent. Once assented, it becomes Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Act, 2026.

The next stage is the Enabling Law, State Policing Act: This is the most important part many miss. The Constitutional alteration only creates the legal space for state police. It does not create the police itself. What will create it is a second law, the National Policing Act/State Police Services Act, currently being worked on by the Presidency. The Presidency said last week that the draft is 90percent ready and will be sent to NASS before October 29.

That Act will spell out: Recruitment, training and minimum standards; Funding formula, federal support grant vs state funding; Command and control, who is Commissioner? Who appoints? Oversight, State Police Service Commission, State Police Complaints Board, Jurisdiction, what offences belong to federal vs state; Election security, role of INEC and federal police during elections; and State-Level Domestication: Each state that wants state police must then pass its own State Police Law establishing its State Police Service, Service Commission, funding, and community policing committees at LGA level. In short, Constitutional Amendment opens the door, National Act defines the rules, State Law builds the house.

Why State Police matters

Nigeria’s security challenge has exposed the limits of a centralised police force of about 370,000 men policing over 230 million people across 774 LGAs.

The benefits of state police include:

Faster Response Times: Local police can react quicker to crimes and emergencies than a heavily centralized federal command sitting in Abuja; Better Local Intelligence: Officers recruited from local areas understand environment, language, culture and networks needed to track down criminals. A policeman from Sokoto understands Sokoto better than one posted from Bayelsa; Tailored Security Approaches: Banditry in North-West, farmer-herder clashes in North-Central, IPOB/ESN in South-East, cultism and urban robbery in South-South and South-West, a one-size-fits-all national strategy is ineffective.

Other benefits include Manpower Relief: The federal NPF faces severe personnel deficit. State police will provide extra hands, allowing federal police to focus on terrorism, border control and interstate organized crime; Success of Regional Initiatives: The perceived effectiveness of Amotekun in South-West and Ebube Agu in parts of South-East proved sub-national policing can work.

Why 12 states still dilly-dallying

If benefits are so clear, why are 12 states still foot-dragging? Well, some say they Fear Political Patronage and Abuse. Nonetheless, critics warn governors could use local police as private armies against opposition, especially during elections. Since 1999, many governors control House of Assembly, SIEC, and local government chairmen. Adding police completes state capture.

Ethnic or Religious Bias: Analysts caution state-controlled forces might be weaponised to promote ethnic dominance, religious favouritism, or protection of local elites, especially in diverse states like Plateau, Kaduna, Taraba; Funding and Resource Constraints: Many states struggle with revenue and can hardly pay salaries. How will they pay, arm, train, equip, provide pension for another thousands of officers? Will we have first-class police in Lagos, Rivers, and third-class in Kogi, Borno?

There is also the issue of lack of Standardisation: Inconsistent training, varying equipment, non-uniform operational protocols could weaken national security standards; while there is also issue of Jurisdictional Conflicts: Dual-policing risks friction, confusion and power struggles between federal and state officers, who arrests who? Who takes custody of high-profile suspects?

These are valid fears. But as some sections of the polity have noted, they are reasons to interrogate details carefully, not reasons to kill the bill. The answer is strong oversight, independent Service Commission, federal minimum standards, and clear constitutional ban on using state police for election intimidation.

With 24 states secured, the politics now shifts to Aso Rock and National Assembly. President Tinubu, a long-time advocate of state police since his days as Lagos governor, is expected to assent quickly to cement a major legacy.

But the real battle will be over the Enabling Act: How much power should governors have? Should state police commissioners be appointed by governor or by independent commission? Should President have power to deploy state police during national emergency?

Those questions will determine whether state police becomes instrument of security or instrument of oppression.

For now, one battle is won. The Constitution has said Yes. Now Nigerians must ensure the law that follows says Yes to accountability.

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho will return to competitive action next month at 46 years old, with Italian third-tier club Ravenna announcing that the former World Cup winner will feature in a derby against Forlì on November 15.

The move was first announced in June and will mark a return to the pitch for the former Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and AC Milan playmaker, who retired from professional football in 2015.

Ronaldinho, who won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil and the 2005 Ballon d’Or, has also become a shareholder in Ravenna, a club based in northern Italy.

The Brazilian is targeting his 300th career goal as he prepares for his comeback.

‘The wait now has a date: Sunday, November 15,’ Ravenna said in a statement on Saturday.

‘The Brazilian legend will wear the Ravenna FC shirt in the derby against Forlì. An event that will turn the eyes of the world towards the Bruno Benelli Stadium.’

The club added that the announcement had generated excitement and disbelief among fans, with anticipation building since the move was first revealed in Miami and Ronaldinho’s subsequent reception at Marina di Ravenna.

‘The whole football world thought it too good to be true. Instead, we can now officially confirm a grand return: the return of the magic, the smile, and a talent that has captivated generations of fans,’ the club said.

Ravenna are second in Group B of Italy’s third tier, six points behind leaders Spezia, and are seeking promotion to Serie B for the first time since 2008.

Ronaldinho last played professionally for Brazilian club Fluminense in 2015. His return to the game is expected to draw global attention, with the club describing him as a player whose creativity and charisma transcended club loyalties and generations of supporters.

‘There are footballers who are remembered for what they have won and others also for how they made people feel,’ Ravenna said. ‘Ronaldinho belongs to that rare breed of champions capable of turning football into pure joy.’

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will on Monday, October 26, inaugurate its National Campaign Council, present Certificates of Return to its candidates and commission a newly acquired national secretariat in Abuja.

The party disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., outlining a three-part programme of activities scheduled to hold across the Federal Capital Territory.

The day’s activities will begin with a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at 10 am at the JD Vance Centre, opposite A-Class Park, Kashim Ibrahim Way, Maitama, Abuja.

The party said attendance at the meeting would be strictly by invitation and limited to NEC members.

At 2 pm, the NDC will commission its newly acquired national secretariat in Jabi, Abuja, before proceeding to the inauguration of its National Campaign Council (NCC) at 5 pm.

The campaign council’s inauguration will be followed by the presentation of Certificates of Return to the party’s candidates and a dinner.

According to the statement, attendance at the NCC inauguration will be restricted to members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the party’s presidential candidate and running mate, governorship candidates and National Assembly candidates.

The packed schedule places the party’s executive meeting, secretariat commissioning and campaign council inauguration on the same day, bringing its leadership and candidates together for a series of activities in the capital.

The statement reaffirmed the party’s appreciation for the support and loyalty of its members nationwide, restating its slogan, ‘Together, we can make a New Nigeria Possible.’

Lagos hospitality and lifestyle businesses are increasingly looking beyond social media visibility for customer retention, repeat patronage and technology-driven engagement. This

was a central theme at Awari Business Connect (ABC) 2026, where Awari unveiled an

expanded technology platform designed to connect consumers with the businesses and

experiences shaping the city’s lifestyle economy.

Held on October 16 at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event

brought together entrepreneurs, hospitality operators, tourism stakeholders, technology

companies, creators, and government representatives to explore growth opportunities in

the city’s expanding lifestyle sector.

Formerly known as the lifestyle discovery and media platform Lost in Lagos, Awari is evolving into a technology ecosystem that helps consumers discover places, events, and experiences while equipping businesses with tools to attract, engage, and retain customers.

The event showcased this evolution through product demonstrations, industry conversations, and announcements, including a partnership with the Lagos State Government’s tourism authorities and the introduction of the Awari Loyalty Network

(ALN).

Speaking at the event, Tannaz Bahnam, founder and chief executive officer of Awari, reflected on the company’s 16-year journey and its evolution alongside Lagos’ growing cultural and commercial influence.

‘For 16 years, we have been learning how people explore their cities and what businesses need

to reach them. As the world increasingly looks to Lagos for its art, music, fashion, food, culture

and creativity, Awari brings those lessons together in a new way.

‘We are moving from helping people discover where to go to building an ecosystem that helps

them experience more of their city and helps the businesses behind those experiences grow,’ Bahnam said.

Awari Business Connect is about connection because our restaurants, stores, creators, and

entrepreneurs are what make a city worth discovering. In many ways, you are Awari.’

The platform’s expanded capabilities address a challenge facing businesses across

restaurants, hotels, entertainment, wellness, retail and other lifestyle categories: turning

consumer interest into transactions and lasting relationships.

Oladapo Bolarinwa, head of Technology and Co-Founder of Awari, explained that the

platform was developed to address these challenges by bringing discovery, engagement and

business tools into a more connected environment.

‘Businesses are constantly competing for attention on conventional social media platforms,

where their content sits alongside influencer posts, entertainment and breaking news. Even

when customers show interest, businesses still have to manage enquiries across different

channels before that interest translates into a transaction.

‘Awari is designed to give businesses a more intentional environment where customers can

discover their offerings and engage with them. By bringing visibility, promotions, ticketing

and loyalty tools together, we want to help businesses move beyond being seen to building

stronger customer relationships and encouraging repeat patronage.’

Through features including Awari Social, Explore and Ads Manager, businesses can

showcase their offerings, publish promotional content and reach potential customers. The

platform also features Ask Awari, an AI-powered discovery tool that helps users find

recommendations and information, and Awari Assist, designed to help businesses manage

customer enquiries and facilitate transactions.

Additional capabilities, including bookings, ticketing, promotions, customer insights and

loyalty incentives, support the broader objective of connecting consumer discovery with

business growth.

A key announcement at ABC 2026 was the introduction of the Awari Loyalty Network,

scheduled to launch in January 2027. The platform is designed to connect corporate loyalty

programmes, lifestyle merchants and customers, creating opportunities for consumers to

redeem loyalty benefits across participating businesses. For merchants, the network offers

a potential route to reach new customer segments and encourage repeat spending beyond

their individual establishments.

The event also highlighted Awari’s partnership with the Lagos State Government’s tourism

authorities, reflecting a shared ambition to strengthen Lagos’ position as a global lifestyle

destination. As the city attracts growing attention for its hospitality, food, fashion, music,

arts and entertainment, collaboration between government and private-sector businesses

will be important in improving the visibility and accessibility of its diverse experiences.

Through ABC, the company aims to create a platform for practical conversations,

partnerships and technology adoption among the businesses contributing to Lagos’ lifestyle

economy. The 2026 edition reinforced the importance of connecting discovery with

customer experience and retention, while demonstrating how technology can support

businesses as they compete in an increasingly dynamic market.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has inaugurated the Diving Governing Board, headed by Kamil Shoretire, the Permanent Secretary, following concerns over safety and a regulatory gap in the sector.

BusinessDay gathered that the move will help to strengthen the enforcement of safety regulations and protect workers engaged in commercial diving operations across Nigeria.

Annah Daniel, Head of Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, in a statement on Saturday, said the move will ensure effective implementation of the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018, and address safety risks associated with offshore, inshore and inland water diving operations.

Maigari Dingyadi, the Minister of Labour and Employment, described the inauguration as a significant step towards strengthening the regulation of commercial diving and eliminating longstanding safety gaps in the sector.

He said the expansion of Nigeria’s maritime activities, oil and gas exploration, port development and underwater engineering had made the safety and welfare of commercial divers a national priority.

‘As Nigeria’s blue economy expands rapidly through maritime investments, oil and gas exploration, port developments, and underwater engineering, the safety and welfare of our commercial divers have transitioned from being a peripheral concern to a top national priority,’ the Honourable Minister said.

Dingyadi, who described commercial diving as one of the most hazardous industrial occupations, added that ‘the sector had faced regulatory gaps, inadequate standardisation and unacceptable risks to human life over the years.’

He said the inauguration of the Board was intended to bridge the gap between the existence of safety regulations and their effective implementation.

‘However, a legal framework is only as effective as the institution driving its implementation,’ he said.

The Minister charged members of the Board to ensure strict compliance with the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018, stressing that diving projects must not commence without the required medical fitness certification, approved operational plans and competent personnel.

He also tasked the Board with working with recognised training institutions, including the Nigerian Navy Diving School and accredited civilian centres, to establish transparent certification pathways for commercial divers and address reliance on unverified foreign credentials.

Dingyadi further urged the Board to establish a transparent register of approved diving contractors, supervisors, instructors and medical examiners to eliminate unqualified operators and improve accountability in the industry.

He reminded the board members that their responsibility extended beyond regulatory compliance to protecting the lives of Nigerian workers engaged in hazardous underwater operations.

‘You carry the heavy responsibility of ensuring that every diver goes to work and returns home safely to their families,’ he said.

The Minister assured the Board of the Ministry’s administrative and logistical support, urging its members to establish clear operational guidelines and ensure strict enforcement of safety standards.

‘We expect you to hit the ground running, institute transparent operating guidelines, and restore absolute discipline and safety to the nation’s commercial diving sector,’ he added.

Earlier, Kamil A. Shoretire, the Permanent Secretary, described the inauguration as a critical step towards the effective implementation and enforcement of the Factories (Diving at Work) Regulations, 2018.

He explained that the regulations were developed as subsidiary legislation under the Factories Act, Cap F1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, to address emerging workplace safety challenges and strengthen protection for workers in high-risk environments.

Shoretire said the Ministry had continued to discharge its statutory responsibility for occupational safety, health and welfare through the enforcement of the Factories Act and its subsidiary regulations, as well as advocacy, stakeholder engagement and other promotional activities.

He noted that workplace machinery, equipment, materials and operational methods had changed significantly with advances in science and technology, making it necessary for regulations to respond to emerging occupational hazards.

‘It is in realization of the limitations of the Factories Act that would arise over time that provision was made in Section 49 of the Act empowering the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment to issue regulations as the need arises, for securing the safety, health, and welfare of workers in our workplaces,’ he said.

The Permanent Secretary stressed that strict compliance with the diving regulations was essential to preventing accidents, injuries and fatalities associated with hazardous diving operations.

‘The importance of this Diving Governing Board inauguration, therefore, cannot be overemphasized, considering that diving operations are commonly in use in various workplaces in Nigeria, and constitute very hazardous and high-risk operation due to the risks that may be associated with diving in confine spaces,’ he said.

He warned that failure to observe prescribed safety measures could result in occupational illnesses, deaths and extensive damage to plant and equipment.

Shoretire therefore called on stakeholders across the economy to comply strictly with the regulations, noting that effective implementation would help prevent workplace accidents and improve safety standards in the diving sector.

The Diving Governing Board is expected to provide strategic oversight for the implementation of the regulations, promote standardisation of training and certification, and strengthen compliance with safety requirements governing commercial diving operations in Nigeria.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) to deepen capital market participation, strengthen professional capacity and promote financial literacy among Nigerians.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Friday during a courtesy visit by the principal officers of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, led by its President and Chairman of Council, Fiona Ahimie, at Lagos House, Ikeja.

He noted that Nigeria’s capital market has recorded significant growth in recent years, commending professionals and investors for their contributions to the development of the sector.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed the need to deepen the market through increased public awareness, financial literacy and broader participation, particularly among Nigerians who may not fully understand the opportunities available.

He observed that many people are not familiar with investment opportunities beyond their daily financial needs, calling for deliberate efforts to educate the public on savings, investment and wealth creation.

The governor, who pledged his administration’s support for the CIS, expressed support for initiatives aimed at expanding financial literacy and developing more professionals to strengthen the capital market.

Governor Sanwo-Olu congratulated Ahimie on her emergence as the first female President of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, describing her appointment as a significant milestone for the professional body.

He expressed confidence in her leadership, urging the new Council to sustain the Institute’s achievements while advancing professionalism, public engagement and capacity development within the capital market.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos remains committed to supporting professional institutions and economic activities capable of promoting investment, creating jobs and improving opportunities for residents.

He also highlighted the importance of professional expertise in governance, noting that collaboration between public and private sector practitioners could improve institutional effectiveness and strategic development.

Speaking earlier, the President and Chairman of Council of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Fiona Ahimie, congratulated Governor Sanwo-Olu on his association with the Institute, noting that his professional background and experience in public service made the engagement particularly significant.

Ahimie said the Institute’s annual conference, scheduled for November 4 and 5 in Lagos, would provide an opportunity to discuss the development of Nigeria’s capital market and the need to expand financial literacy and investment participation.

She noted that the Institute is collaborating with the Office of the Vice President on initiatives to train 10 million Nigerians in financial literacy and capital market participation.

According to her, the programme is expected to improve public understanding of investment opportunities and encourage more Nigerians, particularly young people, to participate in the capital market.

Ahimie also disclosed that the Institute is working towards establishing a N5 billion endowment fund to support capacity development and professional training.

The visit by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers’ leadership underscored the importance of collaboration between the Lagos State Government and professional institutions in advancing financial literacy, investment awareness and economic development.

Dangote Cement Plc Gboko Plant has awarded multi-million-naira scholarships to tertiary and secondary school students from its six host communities in Benue State.

The company also presented starter packs, working tools and certificates to graduates of its Youth Empowerment Programme to enable them establish their own businesses, apply the skills acquired during the training and become financially reliant.

Henry Dele Alake, minister of Solid Minerals Development, lauded Dangote Cement Plc for its community development interventions, calling on other private sector players to adopt similar initiatives to promote socio-economic development in their host communities.

Represented by Achi Gregory, the Federal Mines Officer of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Benue State, urged the company to sustain its commitment to implementing community development programmes agreed upon with its host communities.

Speaking at the official presentation ceremony, Wakeel Olayiwola, Group Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, said the implementation of the Community Development Agreement underscores Dangote Cement’s commitment to equipping young people with practical skills and resources to promote entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods in its host communities.

Represented by Johnson Nor, the Head of Social Performance of the Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, said the scholarship and youth empowerment programmes came against the backdrop of several other programmes recently executed by the company, which include farmers and women empowerment programmes.

Arbind Singh, the Acting Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko, said: ‘This annual scholarship scheme for indigent students of the host communities is an indication of our company’s commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).’

Represented by Tabershima Soon, the company’s General Manager, Production, said: ‘The Gboko Plant has already launched 150 Women Empowerment Programme and 50 Farmerss Empowerment Programme where women were provided with cash to support their businesses, and farmers were supported with farm inputs.’

The beneficiary communities for these programmes are: Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur, and Pass Brothers.

Speaking on behalf of the Benue State Attorney-General, the Chairman of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), Dooshima Orosaga, commended Dangote Cement Plc for its compliance with the Community Development Agreement (CDA), urging the beneficiaries and host communities to maximise the benefits of the company’s interventions.

Yina Elias, chairman of the Gboko Local Government, said the government will continue to provide the support needed for the company to succeed, adding that the Dangote Cement Plc is an exemplary company in Corporate Social Responsibilities programmes.

In his remarks, Tsegba Igbarumun the District Head of Ukpekpe, commended Dangote Cement Plc’s Gboko Plant for its contributions to the community, assuring the company of the community’s continued support, adding that the community valued its mutually beneficial relationship with the company and would continue to serve as its ambassadors.

A beneficiary of the Youth Empowerment Programme, Ignatius Aondohemba, expressed appreciation to Dangote Cement Plc for the support, pledging to put the skills and resources provided to good use and build a business that would enable him to become an employer of labour.