Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko, Benue State, has intensified efforts to enhance road safety, strengthen drivers’ competence and promote their welfare through regular training, performance-based incentives, improved monitoring and expanded healthcare support for truck drivers.

The initiatives were highlighted at the 2026 Drivers’ Safety Retreat held at the company’s plant in Gboko, Benue State, on Thursday, where management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and building a stronger safety culture across its transport operations.

The retreat follows similar initiatives previously organised for drivers at the company’s Ibese and Obajana plants.

Speaking at the retreat, with the theme: “Think Safety, Act Safely,” Group Managing Director, Arvind Pathak, described drivers as the public face of the company and commended them for delivering products across the country under challenging road and weather conditions.

He said safety must take priority over delivery targets, urging drivers to conduct proper vehicle checks, observe speed limits, wear seat belts, avoid phone distractions and take approved rest periods.

Pathak also encouraged drivers to report unsafe practices and intervene when colleagues appeared fatigued or unfit to drive, describing such actions as essential to preventing accidents and saving lives.

He assured the drivers that management would consider their concerns about routes, loading points, vehicle conditions, rest facilities and welfare, promising to review their suggestions and take appropriate action.

Dangote Cement Nigeria’s Head of Transport, Murilo Silva, said the retreat also provided an opportunity to recognise outstanding drivers whose conduct and commitment to safety could serve as examples to others.

He disclosed that award recipients would receive personalised awards, special shirts, mobile phones and other gifts to encourage responsible driving and promote compliance with road safety standards.

Silva, however, stressed that the company would continue to enforce its driving regulations, warning that offences such as proxy driving, illegal haulage, over-speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could attract disciplinary action, including dismissal.

The company’s Head of Health, Safety and Environment in Transport for Africa and Nigeria, Mrs Ebere Okonkwo, said it was strengthening supervision through the installation of in-truck cameras to help monitor drivers’ conduct and identify safety violations.

She observed that monitoring system, alongside regular training and enforcement, was intended to reduce dangerous driving and sustain improvements in transport safety.

Okonkwo added that the retreat offered management a direct opportunity to hear from drivers, identify operational difficulties and follow up on solutions.

On welfare, she disclosed that the company’s health maintenance plan covered drivers, their spouses and up to four children. Drivers also undergo basic medical checks, including blood pressure and eyesight examinations, before trips, with those requiring further attention referred to doctors.

Okonkwo acknowledged that although challenges remained, she stated that sustained training, monitoring and enforcement had contributed to improvements in safety standards.

Plant Director, Abhijit Dutta, urged participants to make effective use of the retreat to improve their driving skills and professional conduct.

Similarly, Assistant Superintendent of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Enlightenment Officer, Gboko Area Command, Abu Ene Ann, advised drivers to avoid drug and substance abuse, warning that it could impair judgment, damage vital organs and increase the risk of fatal road accidents.

The Human Resources Transport officer at the Gboko Plant, Ahmed Rufai, outlined disciplinary measures for offences including reckless driving, unauthorised disposal of trucks and the use of company vehicles for personal activities.

Meanwhile, a veteran driver with 27 years of service, Shehu Na’allah, commended management for organising the retreat and called for the revival of the Truck Owner Scheme, which enabled experienced drivers to work towards owning the trucks they operated.

Another driver, Yusuf Adamu, who has served the company for nearly 16 years, appreciated management’s support but appealed for improved spare-parts availability at the plant workshop to address the repair needs of its diverse truck fleet, particularly given the condition of many roads.

Nigeria’s frontline voluntary paramilitary organisation, Man O’ War Nigeria, has expressed its readiness to partner with sports stakeholders to discover and develop grassroots sporting talents across the country.

The National Commander of the organisation, Ademola Gbenga, disclosed this while reaffirming Man O’ War Nigeria’s commitment to youth development in line with its vision of “Build the Youth, Build the Nation.”

Gbenga, who was represented by MC A. R. Ikumapayi, made the remarks during a strategic partnership visit by the Editor of Sahel Sports Newspaper, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, to the organisation’s national headquarters in Abuja.

He said Man O’ War Nigeria was prepared to deploy its structures across the country to support grassroots sports development, talent discovery and programmes aimed at promoting physical fitness, discipline and national unity.

According to him, the organisation has an extensive presence across Nigeria, which positions it to contribute to efforts to identify young athletes and provide them with opportunities to develop their sporting abilities.

“Man O’ War Nigeria is a youth-focused uniformed voluntary organisation with a presence in all 36 states and the FCT, across tertiary institutions, secondary schools and communities,” Ikumapayi said on behalf of the national commander.

“One of our core mandates is youth development, leadership training and positive engagement of young people. Sports is one of our strongest tools to achieve that,” he added.

He noted that sports should be viewed beyond competition, describing it as an important instrument for instilling discipline, teamwork, resilience and patriotism among young Nigerians.

“We believe sports is not just about competition; it is about discipline, teamwork, resilience and patriotism. These are the values that Man O’ War stands for,” he said.

The national commander’s representative stressed that collaboration with sports stakeholders would help expand opportunities for young people to participate in organised sporting activities and contribute to national development.

In his remarks, Oladimeji described Man O’ War Nigeria as one of the country’s long-established voluntary paramilitary organisations, noting its history and contributions to youth engagement and community development.

The Sahel Sports Newspaper editor called on the organisation’s national leadership to strengthen the integration of sports into its activities, particularly in promoting physical fitness, agility and the overall preparedness of its members.

Oladimeji emphasised that regular sporting activities were essential for maintaining physical readiness, developing mental toughness and strengthening unity among members of uniformed organisations.

He further highlighted the importance of sustained engagement in sports as a means of improving individual fitness while encouraging teamwork and discipline.

The proposed partnership is expected to provide an opportunity for Man O’ War Nigeria and sports stakeholders to explore ways of using the organisation’s nationwide structures to promote grassroots sports development and identify emerging talents.

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