General
Dangote Cement Feeds Vulnerable Communities, Empowers Children, Widows
As part of activities marking the 2024 Global Sustainability Week, leading Cement manufacturer, Dangote Cement Plc has reached out to vulnerable and deprived communities across its business operations with food items and unveiled skills acquisition and educational empowerment initiatives.
This is just as the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote assured all stakeholders that all his Business Units are committed to optimising their operations to contribute to the attainment of net zero within the global stipulated timeframe.
The reach-out initiative, which is one of the hallmarks of the 2024 Dangote Sustainability Week themed “Business Optimisation for Net Zero – The Dangote Journey” saw Dangote Cement identifying the vulnerable groups comprising of children, widows, and the aged. About 250 children and 75 households benefitted from the gesture. The initiative, which was being carried out simultaneously in all the business operations of the Company in Nigeria and other locations across Africa, had the Lagos event held at Ikosi-Ketu in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
In his remarks to kickstart the group’s Sustainability Week, Aliko Dangote said the issue of sustainability is a critically important subject, not just to Dangote Industries, but for the future of humanity.” “As one of Africa’s largest conglomerates, Dangote is responsible for leading the way in sustainable business practices. The world is facing an urgent climate crisis, and businesses must be at the forefront of the transition to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction and energy efficiency,” he said.
According to him, this year’s theme conveys the Company’s support for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s goal to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will curb human-induced interference with the climate system.
“This must happen within a timeframe sufficient to allow ecosystems to adapt naturally to climate change, to ensure that food production is not threatened, and to enable sustainable economic development. At Dangote, we started this journey with a strategic focus on the 7 Dangote Sustainability Pillars (cultural, economic, operational, social, environmental, financial, and institutional) which drive how we do business, and named – The Dangote Way,” the foremost industrialist said.
He emphasised that “in our ongoing journey towards Net Zero, we embrace this Week both as an opportunity and a challenge. It requires us to rethink the way we do business, to be willing to take risks and to collaborate with partners across industries.”
Speaking during the empowerment programme, the Head of Sustainability at Dangote Cement Plc, Dr. Igazeuma Okoroba said the manufacturing giant has been committed to sustainability. She noted that this year’s sustainability afforded the Cement Company another opportunity “to demonstrate our love for humanity by sharing our sustainability message and showing support to the residents of our host communities.”
Represented by the Sustainability Manager, Dangote Cement, Dr. Oyelola Oyekemi, Igaezuma said, “We all know that the economic situation has contributed to an increase in households with limited access to health and sanitation, proper nutrition, education, and a safe living environment. For this year’s Sustainability Week, Dangote Cement recognises that families and children living in squatter settlements often endure hardship. The growing population of our society has also contributed to the development of the scarcity of jobs, affecting many households as well.
“While some of you work as small business owners and others are in between jobs and many do not even have the skill to help them get the jobs, these challenges limit not just adults but also children’s potentials to become responsible citizens who will transform Nigeria tomorrow,” Okoroba added.
She noted that “for this reason, Dangote Cement implements this charity outreach to support a more sustainable society. We believe your dreams and aspirations for improved health and sanitation, good nutrition, education, and clothing will come true if the private sector supports the government’s efforts. Our visit today is not only to give donations, but it also aims to pave the way for long-term developmental impacts, contributing to the UN Sustainable Goals. The goals are, Goal 1, No Poverty, Goal 2, Zero Hunger, and Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.” According to her, contribution to these goals will create a more stable and nurturing environment that promotes family welfare and sustainable communities.
The chairman of Omojuwa Estate Community Development Association (CDA), Mr. Kinyomi Olaniewaja described the programme as timely and would benefit the community considering the present economic hardship in the country. He commended Dangote Cement for the good gesture, emphasising that it was the first time such a humanitarian programme would be brought to the community.
Also in his remarks, the Grand Patron of Isokan Ifesowapo CDA, Mamuda Ibrahim showered encomium of the management of Dangote Cement for the initiatives designed to bring succour to the vulnerable ones. He then called on other organisations to emulate Dangote Cement and reach out to the less privileged, especially on special occasions such as the Sustainability Week celebrations.
By Adedapo Adesanya
High-impact sectors, including agriculture, wholesale and retail, will see double digit increases with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa by 2035.
This is according to a new report by the African Development Bank (AfDB) developed under the G20 Digital Transformation Working Group, Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation, which establishes a strategic roadmap for unlocking the economic and social potential of AI across the continent.
The study, carried out by consulting firm Bazara Tech, finds that inclusive AI deployment could generate up to $1 trillion in additional GDP by 2035 equivalent to nearly one-third of the continent’s current economic output.
The report added that this is underpinned by Africa’s growing digital capacity, favorable demographics, and ongoing sectoral reforms, making it one of the most promising regions for AI-driven growth globally.
According to the report the AI dividend is expected to be concentrated in select high-impact sectors, rather than spread evenly across Africa’s economy. Analysis identified five priority sectors—agriculture (20 per cent), wholesale and retail (14 per cent), manufacturing and Industry 4.0 (9 per cent), finance and inclusion (8 per cent), and health and life sciences (7 per cent)—which together are projected to capture 58 per cent of the total AI gains, or approximately $580 billion by 2035. These sectors combine economic size, readiness to adopt AI, and strong potential to deliver inclusive development outcomes.
“We have set out the key actions in this report, identifying the areas where initial implementation should be focused,” said Mr Nicholas Williams, Manager of the ICT Operations Division at AfDB.
“The bank is ready to release investment to support these actions. We expect the private sector and the government to utilize this investment to ensure we achieve the identified productivity gains and create quality jobs,” he added.
The report also revealed that realising the potential of AI depends on five interlinked enablers: data, compute, skills, trust, and capital. Reliable and interoperable data forms the foundation for AI insights, while scalable compute infrastructure ensures solutions can be deployed efficiently across the continent.
It noted that a skilled workforce is essential to develop, implement, and maintain AI systems, and trust built through governance, and regulatory frameworks underpins adoption.
The report also noted that the enablers, together with adequate capital investment to de-risk innovation and accelerate deployment, would “foster a cycle of AI-driven growth.”
The report also outlines a three-phase roadmap toward Africa’s AI readiness: ignition (2025-27), consolidation (2028-31) and scale (2032-35).
“Achieving early milestones by 2026 will set Africa’s AI flywheel in motion,” said Mr Ousmane Fall, Director of Industrial and Trade Development at the bank. “Africa’s challenge is no longer what to do — it is doing it on time.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has clarified that the crude oil vessel, MV Skipper, intercepted by the United States Coast Guard, in collaboration with the US Navy for its alleged involvement in crude oil theft and other transnational crimes is not registered in Nigeria.
NIMASA said the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) SKIPPER with IMO Number 9304667 is not a Nigerian-flagged vessel, and its purported owners, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, are not registered with NIMASA as a shipping company.
An analysis of the vessel’s movement carried out NIMASA through its Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Centre showed that the facility was last sighted on Nigerian waters on July 1, 2024.
“After departing Nigerian waters, the vessel continued on its international voyage pattern and was tracked operating in the Arabian Sea (Asia) and later in the Caribbean region, where the US interdiction eventually took place.
“Records indicate that SKIPPER, which was formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp, has undergone multiple name changes over time.
The Director General of NIMASA, Mr Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, including US authorities, in the ongoing investigations, noting that in a statement that criminality will not be tolerated on Nigerian waters.
Last week, US forces seized an oil tanker carrying a Panama flag believed to be the VLCC Skipper, after satellite imagery showed the vessel secretly loading over 1.8 million barrels of sanctioned Merey crude at Venezuela’s José Terminal.
The vessel had been transmitting falsified AIS positions during the operation, a tactic increasingly used by “dark fleet” tankers tied to Venezuelan and Iranian trades. It was later revealed that the seized tanker Skipper, was carrying crude contracted by Cubametales, Cuba’s state-run oil trading firm.
The seizure of the sanctioned oil tanker has sharply escalated tensions between the US and Venezuela. The US government also said it is preparing to intercept more ships transporting Venezuelan oil.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, “to immediately enforce the judgment compelling and directing him and president Bola Tinubu to widely publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of N6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned 13,777 projects and in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019.”
The judgment was delivered on Monday, November 10, 2025, by Justice Gladys Olotu following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021 brought by SERAP.
The court also ordered Mr Fagbemi and the president “to publish and make available to the public the NDDC forensic audit report submitted to the federal government on September 2, 2021.”
In the letter dated December 13, 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The continuing failure and/or refusal to publicly acknowledge the judgment and immediately enforce it makes a mockery of the country’s legal and judicial processes and the rule of law.”
It warned that the ongoing failure and/or refusal to enforce the judgment is a fundamental breach of both the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and a direct assault on the rule of law.
“Obeying the judgment would reinforce the primacy of the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international obligations and show respect for the rule of law.
“The Attorney General is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and as such has the responsibility to uphold the Nigerian Constitution, advise the government to ensure that its actions conform with judicial decisions, obey the rule of law and generally act in the public interest,” it disclosed.
The group noted that, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider pursuing contempt proceedings against you to compel you to uphold the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law.”
“SERAP notes the recent public commitments by President Tinubu to ‘improve the welfare of the Niger Delta region and address the challenges facing the region.’ Immediately enforcing the NDDC judgment would ensure the fulfilment of these commitments,” it concluded.
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