DANGOTE Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, has commenced the training of 23 youths drawn from the Plant’s host communities, in technical skills as part of its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Mr JV Gungune, Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plant, who disclosed this at the inauguration of the scheme in Obajana, Kogi State.
He said that the Technical Skills Acquisition programme was aimed at empowering the youths and developing entrepreneurial skills around its catchment areas.
Gungune told newsmen that the youths numbering 23, including females, were mostly secondary school leavers selected from the host communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Apata and Obajana.
Mr Ademola Adeyemi, General Manager, Community Affairs and Special Duties said the youths were under the tutelage of Technical Units of Dangote Cement Transport, Obajana.
Adeyemi, said the trainees would be paid monthly stipends while in training adding that at the end of the training, the youth would add greater value to their communities, Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
According to him, the training is expected to last six months after which the trainees would be tested and if their level of competence is low, the training period would be extended for another six months.
Mr Ajay Singh, Divisional Director Transport, Dangote Cement Plc, said some of the areas of training include: auto mechanic, auto electrical, welding and panel beating/fabrication among others.
The Workshop Manager, Engineer Alfa Adamu, said the trainees were shared into different engineering sections based on their strength and interest.
One of the auto mechanic trainees, Mrs Bamidele Gbenga, 38, from Iwaa Community, expressed joy, adding the training has been going on very well and that she is learning very fast.
Speaking in same vein, Mrs Adebayo Rachael, 38, from Oyo Community, thanked the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for giving them the opportunity to acquire the skills.
“There is nothing I cannot repair on Air Conditioner system now,“ she added.
Also speaking, Miss Micheal Roseline, 22, a trainee from Obajana Community who also holds a National Diploma (ND) in Mechanical Engineering, described the Dangote Group as a blessing to humanity.
On his part, Mr Joshua Oshe Olorunsogo, 25, prayed for sustenance of the scheme to enable other youths to acquire skills, given the huge value and success of the programme.