Last weekend, Dangote Cement Plc solidified its commitment to employment generation in Nigeria by inducting 81 trainees into its Graduate Trainee program. The initiative aims to bolster employment opportunities across the country, reflecting the company’s continuous effort since the program’s inception, which has seen hundreds of trainees integrated into its operations across Africa.
In recognition of outstanding service and dedication, the company honored exemplary staff with ‘Long Service Awards’ and ‘Hall of Wall of Fame Employee Awards’. These accolades were bestowed upon employees who demonstrated unwavering commitment to Dangote Cement’s core values of customer care, entrepreneurship, excellence, and leadership. The recipients, recognized for their significant contributions, were rewarded with notable monetary benefits, having served a minimum of five years with the company.
During a three-park event held in Lagos to celebrate these achievements, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Cement, highlighted the significance of the occasion. He expressed appreciation for the exceptional dedication of staff in 2023, despite the challenging operational environment and economic turbulence. Dangote praised their resilience and commitment, acknowledging their role in achieving significant milestones throughout the year.
Addressing the gathering, Dangote reaffirmed the company’s status as Africa’s leading cement producer, boasting a capacity of 52 million metric tonnes annually across the continent. He also disclosed ongoing plans to commission plants in Cote d’Ivoire while commencing work on an additional six million-tonne facility in Itori, Ogun state.
Emphasizing their broader impact, Dangote reiterated the company’s contribution to Nigeria’s transformation into a cement-exporting nation, reducing dependence on imported cement. He also highlighted the imminent operationalization of the petrochemical refinery, signaling a pivotal move towards transforming the energy sector.
Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, acknowledged the dedication and loyalty of long-serving employees, praising the achievements of the graduate trainees and Hall of Fame awardees. He applauded their passion, innovation, and excellence in service delivery, recognizing their pivotal roles in the company’s success.
Pathak assured the honorees that their journey with Dangote Cement signified shared values and mutual success, encouraging them to continue inspiring others through their commitment. He urged the graduate trainees to leverage their training, emphasizing that this phase marked only the beginning of their journey toward contributing significantly to the company’s future successes.
Gloria Byamugisha, Group Chief HR Officer, emphasized the implementation of Dangote Cement’s employee value proposition, focusing on rewarding progress, values, and a spirit of entrepreneurship and humanity. She highlighted the company’s diverse workforce comprising over 20 nationalities and speakers of more than 40 languages, positioning it as one of Nigeria’s largest employers, following the federal government.
The Program Manager for Dangote Cement’s Graduate Training, Haruna Adinoyi, shed light on the rigorous 18-month program designed to empower youths, especially in technical competencies within Nigeria. He affirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent, reducing dependency on foreign expertise, and providing career management support for trainees.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the trainees, Felix Ithootumhe praised Dangote Group for the career-building opportunity and exposure provided through the training. He highlighted the comprehensive knowledge gained in the cement industry and alignment with the company’s operations and business.
Abduljabbar Mohammedusani echoed the sentiment, describing the training as both challenging and rewarding. He emphasized the significance of such initiatives in harnessing local talent, foreseeing a future where Nigeria’s skilled youths negate the need for foreign expertise in various sectors.
The induction of graduate trainees by Dangote Cement not only signals a commitment to talent development but also serves as a catalyst for enhancing local expertise, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s workforce and industrial growth.