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Dangote to save forex, through 40% sugar import substitution

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Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Management of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc has resolved to significantly reduce the importation of sugar into the country by 40 percent, thus paving the way for the employment of over 30,000 youths.

President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote explained recently in a chat with newsmen that it was embarking on Phase II of its Sugar project, which will then cover over 100,000ha to make the sugar plant, the largest in Africa.

Dangote said that the integrated sugar complex to be located in Tunga, Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, comprises 60,000ha sugar plantation and two sugar factories with the capacity to produce 430,000 tonnes of refined white sugar per annum.

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Meanwhile, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s shipping data revealed that Auarius Honor and Ocean Crown would be at Greenview Development Nigeria Limited (GDNL), a subsidiary of Dangote Group to offload 45,850 tonnes and 46,750 tonnes respectively. Following high demand in the food and drinks sector, GDNL took delivery of 187,000 tonnes from four vessels in May this year.

At the terminal, Common Galaxy came with 48,800 tonnes; Bonny Island, 47,200 tonnes; Chayanee Naree, 46,000 tonnes, and Karteria Bluesrar, 45,000 tonnes. Also, in April, the terminal took delivery of 91,600 tonnes when Unity Bluestar offloaded 47,200 tonnes and Ecoatlantic, 44,400 tonnes.

The NPA shipping data also noted that 67,000 tonnes of sugar were offloaded at ENL Consortium and GDNL, noting that the ENL terminal took delivery of 20,000 tonnes from Doro, while Baltic Mantis discharged 47,000 tonnes at GDNL.

It added that Genco Picardy arrived with 46,500 tonnes in February, while two vessels offloaded 101,422 tonnes in January, stressing that Desert Calm berthed with 55,352 tonnes and Pauline, 46,070 tonnes. Finding from Index Mundi, a trade portal revealed that the country has already imported 965,000 metric tonnes of raw this year.

Also, the country imported $1.82 billion beet sugar, sugar syrups, and other sugar confectionery in the last two years. Sugar is currently on the list of commodities on the foreign exchange restriction list of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Also, statistics from Trade Data Monitor (TDM) based on the Brazilian Foreign Trade explained that Brazil exports rose from $458.9 million in 2019 to $702.8 million in 2020.

According to TDM, Brazil’s cumulative raw sugar exports to Nigeria in 2020/21 season was 1.62 million tonnes, while domestic cane sugar production has slumped from 75,000  tonnes to 70,000 tonnes, about 6.7 percent decline within one year. The country had projected to meet 800,000 tonnes target of raw sugar production by 2022 as demand by the food and drink manufacturing and retail markets is on the increase.

However, Nigeria could not meet up to five percent target as data from National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) revealed that in 2016, local production of refined sugar was 25,000 tonnes; 2017, 20,184 tonnes; 2018, 14,918 tonnes and 2019, 28,597 tonnes; 2020, 75,000 tonnes and 2021, 75,000 tonnes.

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How Aliko Dangote supported businesses in Nigeria-Sambajo

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President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote has been described as a rare gem and kind hearted industrialist for nurturing trading and commercial activities in North and across Nigeria for almost four decades.

Speaking when he visited the Dangote pavilion at the ongoing Kano International Trade Fair, Alhaji Salisu Sambajo, said: “ I can say confidently that Aliko has been supporting us for the past 40 years, and he has lifted us up when our businesses where going under.”

Mr. Sambajo is a Kano based international business tycoon, and chairman of the Sambajo General Enterprises Limited. He’s considered one of the biggest business names in northern Nigeria.

“Aliko’s support in growing commercial activities in the North and all over the nation cannot be quantified. The history of Nigeria’s commerce, and indeed of industrialization, cannot be completed without his name topping the list. It’s only God that can reward him,” he said.

The business mogul added: “I am telling you this confidently because I am one of the beneficiaries of his generosity. No one can deny his kindheartedness and support, and God is with such people.”

He recalled that Mr. Dangote had committed billions of naira through Bank of Industry for the development of small businesses in Nigeria, adding that the Fund was expected to create one million jobs.

The business mogul also recalled that Mr. Dangote had supported the Federal Government with billions of naira during the 2012 flooding in Nigeria.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, we read it in the news that Aliko donated billions of naira. All these are coming from one person. Nigeria should be grateful to him,” he said.

He added that: “ Also remember that at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis, Aliko Dangote had donated a housing estate worth billions to the Internally Displaced persons in Borno State. I can go on and on. His interventions are so numerous.”

According to the businessman, “Aliko has since stopped working for himself. All he has been doing is to lift people out of poverty. I remember whenever we recorded losses, Aliko will lift us up again and again. I don’t want to go into specifics. He’s a very kind and generous person. He deserves all our respect and it’s a big honour that God created such a man in Nigeria.”

Mr. Sambajo said it is not for nothing that Mr. Dangote, is Nigeria’s biggest private sector employer.

The business mogul traced relationship with Mr. Dangote to over 40 years, adding that he has been a great philanthropist who has his country and Africa at heart.

Mr. Sambajo described the upcoming Dangote Refinery as a legacy project that will positively impact the country’s economy.

Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the ongoing 44th Kano International Trade Fair.

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Nurturing 30 New Entrepreneurs: Dangote’s Commitment to Nigerian Economy

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The Dangote Cement Plc has announced the creation of 30 new entrepreneurs who are expected to help bolster food production and ginger the Nigerian economy.

The new Chief Executives were graduated weekend following a three-month intensive entrepreneurial and skill acquisition training on poultry farming and business.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had advocated for Public Private Partnership during his speech at the recent Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Plant Director of the Dangote Cement Plc at Obajana in Kogi State, Mr. JV Gungune, said the company’s entrepreneurial scheme is a demonstration of the huge corporate support for government and Nigeria.

The Plant Director who was represented by Engr Wale Adisa, A Senior General Manager, said the President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote is one Nigerian who is passionate about Corporate Social Responsibility and philanthropy.

Mr. Gungune told the beneficiaries to leverage on the advantage conferred on them by the scheme, adding that it was a golden opportunity to be selected, trained and empowered.
He said the scheme has become necessary as it was not possible for the company to employ every one.

He said the development was as a result of the peaceful co-existence between the company and the communities, harping on the need for the youth to become skilled, and that the era of certificate was gone.

Representative of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in Kogi State Engr Ezekiel Olufemi Olaitan said the government was happy by the series of economic, social activities, and opportunities created by the Dangote Cement Plc, urging the beneficiaries not to disappoint Nigerians.
In his welcome address, General Manager, Community Relations and Special Duties, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, said the scheme was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), adding that, of the 30 participants, 18 were females and 12 were males.
He said the training was conducted by the Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba, on behalf of Dangote Cement Plc.

According to him: “The Dangote Cement PLC, Obajana Plant Empowerment Scheme among many other is aimed at transforming the youth to be skill full, self-reliant and independent. This year 2023 Youth Empowerment Scheme was particularly designed at developing selected youth from each community to be not just farmers in poultry (layer: egg) producer’s but Entrepreneurs in Agricultural Business.

“The programme is equally aimed at eradicating some of the social vices and poverty that have eaten deep into our communities.”

Representative of the Provost of the Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Kabba Dr. Micheal Udoma said the Dangote Cement Plc had empowered the beneficiaries by starter packs, Bags of Grower feed, battery cages, hand gloves, a 60 litre basin, a hand bowl and point of lay birds.

Head of the Dangote Academy, Engr Wale Adedeji advised the new entrepreneurs not to rest on their oars, but keep reinvesting and profit, saying they can learn from the founder of the company, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Speaking, the Bajana of Obajana, Dr Idowu Isenibi, expressed optimism that the programme will help in radically transforming the economy of the Obajana communities and Kogi State in general.
In the same vein, the Olu-Apata Dr. Frederick Balogun, thanked the company for the programme, and urged participants to keep investing in the business.
Representative of the graduands, Mr. Alolo Victor Eleojo said they have registered a Cooperative Society to help buoy their financial standing.
“As new CEOs, we have formed a cooperative and do the necessary registrations,” he added.
He promised not to disappoint the Dangote Group and Nigerians as a whole.

Earlier in the cause of the programme starter packs comprising of medications, vitamins, cages, feeds, 50 layers and poultry farms equipment were given to each of the 30 graduands.

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