By Thompson Yamput
The Dangote Cement Plc on Tuesday marked the International Youth Day with a pledge to open employment opportunities for more youths in Nigeria.
The Plant Director, Mr Nawabuddin Azad, made the pledge during the celebration of the United Nation’s Youth Day in its plant at Obajana, Kogi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that programme was with the theme: “Local Youth Action on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Beyond”.
Azad said that the pledge became imperative inview of the company’s policy, which was in alignment with the United Nations’ ideals of empowering the youth to enable them play significant roles in social and economic development of societies.
The Director, who was represented by the General Manager, Social Performance, Ademola Adeyemi, said the youth have always been in plant’s job creation drive and empowerment programmes.
He said that, only recently, youths from the company’s host communities were empowered through initiatives in poultry farming, solar entrepreneurship, fashion design, and several other vocational skills.
“At our plant, we believe in shared value, where business success goes together with social progress. We are committed to supporting initiatives that empower the youth, uplift communities and promote sustainable practices,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief General Manager and Head of Production, Mr John Gwong, described the youth as the greatest asset of any nation, noting that their creativity, energy, and innovation remained critical for Nigeria’s future.
“Dangote cement views the youth, not only as future leaders, but also as present contributors to the company’s growth.
“At dangote cement, we see the youth as the backbone of the society. We do this by mentoring them, building their capacity, and exposing them to new technologies.
“We are preparing a generation that will secure the growth of both our company and our nation,” he said.
On his part, the Head of Human Resources, Mr Azeez Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of instilling discipline, hard work, and integrity in young people.
He noted that the youth population was central to Nigeria’s workforce and that their skills and values directly influence the productivity of industries such as cement manufacturing.
“Our engagement with young employees goes beyond technical training. We prioritize ethics, teamwork, and responsibility, because these are the values that shape strong leaders and professionals.
“When the youth succeed, companies like Dangote Cement and the entire nation also succeed,” Adeniyi stated.
Also speaking, Mr Wale Adedeji, Head, Technical, Dangote Academy, urged youths to embrace technology and innovation, stressing that the future belonged to those, who are adaptable and forward-thinking.
Adedeji explained that Dangote’s continued investment in young professionals has strengthened its operations and positioned the company as a leader in Africa’s cement industry.
“The world is changing rapidly, and young people must be equipped, not only to take jobs but also to create them.
“The values of curiosity, resilience, and problem-solving are essential for them to remain competitive globally.
“These qualities directly translate into the company’s ability to innovate and remain productive,” he said. NAN
