Dangote Cement showcases its commitment to employee development, growth
Dangote Cement showcases its commitment to employee development, growth
By Matthew Eloyi
In a remarkable ceremony held last weekend at a three-park event in Lagos, Dangote Cement Plc showcased its commitment to employee development and recognition.
The company, a leading player in the African cement sector, inducted 81 graduates into its highly esteemed Graduate Trainee programme, reinforcing its dedication to fostering employment opportunities in the region.
Acknowledging the significant milestone, Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Cement, expressed gratitude and appreciation for the dedication exhibited by the company’s staff throughout the year 2023.
He commended their resilience and tenacity, which played a pivotal role in achieving notable progress despite a challenging operating environment and economic turbulence.
“We are celebrating them for the tremendous progress the company recorded in 2023 despite the harsh operating environment and economic turbulence; your resilience and tenacity ensured that we surmounted many obstacles to achieve our goals,” remarked Aliko Dangote.
The chairman further emphasised the company’s commitment to innovation and strategies aimed at driving business growth and creating value for stakeholders.
He highlighted Dangote Cement’s role in transforming Nigeria into a net exporter of cement to neighbouring countries and reiterated the company’s focus on self-reliance and becoming a net exporter of manufactured goods in the future.
Group Managing Director, Mr. Arvind Pathak, expressed admiration for the dedication and loyalty exhibited by long-serving employees, talented graduate trainees, and Hall of Fame awardees.
He noted that the event aimed to recognise and honour the unwavering commitment of staff members who have contributed to the company’s success over the years.
“As a learning organisation, we also continue to provide numerous development opportunities to enhance the capabilities of our people, including professional certifications and mentorship schemes,” Pathak stated.
Gloria Byamugisha, Group Chief HR Officer, highlighted the operationalization of Dangote Cement’s employee value proposition, emphasising the importance of rewarding and recognising progress, values, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
The graduate trainee programme, which began in July 2022, was designed to empower youth in technical competency fields in Nigeria. The 18-month programme takes trainees through the entire value chain of cement manufacturing, with a focus on reducing the reliance on foreign expertise.
Responding on behalf of the trainees, Felix Ithootumhe expressed gratitude for the opportunity presented by the Dangote Group. He emphasised the enriching experience gained during the training, aligning trainees with the company’s operations and business.
Abduljabbar Mohammedusani, another trainee, spoke of the challenging yet rewarding 18-month journey, asserting that Nigerian youths possess the necessary skills for the profession. He expressed optimism that, in the coming years, Nigeria would not need to rely on expatriates as local skills would suffice.
Dangote Cement’s commitment to employee development and recognition reflects its dedication to building a sustainable future for Africa and fostering a self-reliant economy.
