*Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, offers free checkups, donates drugs, wheelchairs, and food items, stating the initiative is aimed at increasing the level of socialisation, engagement, emotional, and mental wellbeing among the elderly in the host communities in Ogun State of Nigeria

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, in Ogun State, has extended the frontier of its social investments in the wellbeing of its 17 host communities.

The conglomerate, at the weekend, discloses it hosted the senior citizens in the host communities, offering them free medical services and mobility equipment for the people with disabilities including wheelchairs.

The company also said the gesture was aimed at complementing the effort of the Ogun State Government at improving the lives of the people, especially those in whose territory the leading cement manufacturer operates.

Tagged 鈥淎 Day-Out with Senior Citizens 2024鈥�, the well-attended annual event saw the elderly ones being led in physical exercise, receiving health talks, medical checks, free drugs and other food, as well as household items, such as rice, semo, honey, beverages, bathing soaps, detergent, clothing and cash incentive, the company said in a statement.

Earlier in his welcome address on the occasion, Roy Uttam, Director, Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, said the event was aimed at increasing the level of socialisation, engagement, emotional and mental wellbeing among the elderly around its host communities.

Ongoing implementation of Community Development Agreement

Uttam, observed the Management of Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement remain deeply committed to its responsibilities under the Community Development Agreement signed in 2022.

He said: “We will continue to prioritise the transfer of both economic and social benefits to our host communities, focusing on areas such as health, education, infrastructure, and empowerment.

鈥淚t is gratifying that our social investment strides are making meaningful impact in the lives of people across the host communities.”

Uttam also stated: “We are determined to keep improving and broadening our initiatives, as we work together for the benefit of all.

鈥淎s elders who have devoted your youthful lives to the growth and development of your communities, the focus now should be on your health and well-being and the overall goodness of the society.

“This event is designed with your health in mind, as well as to offer an opportunity to reflect and connect with one another to promote longevity.”

Revelling in the success of the maiden edition in 2023, Mr. Uttam recalled that 鈥渨e hosted 50 elderly members of our host communities for the first time in the history of this Plant.”

The Plant Director stated: “It was a memorable event filled with activities that demonstrated deep recognition for this all-important people in our society and promoted healthy living among them.

“It was a significant milestone for the Plant and the communities.”

He further explained: “We have made significant improvements this year, including the identification of five persons with disabilities from our host communities, who will each receive mobility aids to enhance their quality of life.

“This is just one example of how we continue to expand the scope of our social investments to create even greater impact.”

Uttam equally assured the host communities that the Cement Plant would continue to live up to its responsibilities as regards the execution of the existing Community Development Agreement (CDA) even much more beyond saying some of the social investment initiatives of the Plant when well appraised, go beyond the letters of the signed CDA.

Uttam, with nostalgia, also averred that the company鈥檚 social investment strides are making meaningful impact on the lives of people across the host communities.

According to him, the Management of the company are 鈥渄etermined to keep improving and broadening our initiatives, as we work together for the benefit of all.鈥�

The Plant Director disclosed that in line with the company鈥檚 local content initiative, it had retained the services of Novia Hospital Services, a local healthcare provider, to assist in making this event a success. He, therefore, assured the people in the host communities of Dangote Cement鈥檚 continued support.

Uttam said with the people鈥檚 cooperation and collaboration, the Management would continue to build on 鈥渙ur shared vision of peace and prosperity鈥�.

Commenting also, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, Group Head of Social Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, said the whole idea about hosting the elderly ones in the host communities borders on carrying along the old ones who are the foundation upon whom the new generations are building on.

Olayiwola stated: “They also need to be active in their old age.”

Responding on behalf of other elders, a beneficiary, Pa Michael Oderinlo from Ijako-Orile host community thanked the management of Dangote Cement for the gesture especially for reaching out to the elders which he said was not a common practice among business organisations.

Oderinlo stated: “It is a very rare gesture by a business organization to take special interest in the old people and cater to their wellbeing.”

Modupeola Olaoluwa Bankole, another beneficiary of the donated wheelchair, described the wheelchair the support equipment as very touching and timely.

The elderly woman noted she now has a new lease of life with the mobility aid, as she commended the Dangote Cement Management for coming to her aid.

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