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Kogi Communities Jubilate as Dangote Cement Obajana Plant reopens

Published

3 years ago

October 16, 2022

There were huge scenes of jubilation among affected host communities following the Federal Government’s order for the immediate reopening of the Dangote Cement Plc plant at Obajana in Kogi State.

Members of the host communities from Iwaa, Oyo, Obajana, and Apata who spoke to newsmen said they could now heave a sigh of relief as the consequences of shutting down the factory were better imagined than described, a situation which was worsened with the recent ASUU strike that kept students at home across the country.

Recall that the National Security Council (NSC), chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, had Friday directed the reopening of the cement plant, after raising concerns about job losses, potential increase in criminality and resultant unemployment in the area and the State due to the shutdown.

Dangote: Our acquisition of Obajana Cement plant followed Due Process

Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola told newsmen that an agreement had been reached between the Dangote Group and the Kogi State Government on the need to reopen the factory, while urging both parties to respect the agreement.
Reacting to the latest directive, Secretary of the Association of Fresh Fish Dealers at the Obajana market, Mrs. Lola Adinu, told newsmen that her association members were overjoyed when the news came that the Federal Government had ordered the reopening of the factory.

Mallam Bala Dreba, a 50-year-old commercial motorist plying the 43km concrete Obajana-Kabba road that was constructed by Dangote Industries Limited, said travelers from the South and from the North were apprehensive about the security of the road and its environs since the recent invasion of the company by Government vigilantes. Dreba said the road is now the most important road network linking the Northern and Southern parts of Nigeria.

Commercial motorcyclists who brandished green leaves in victory were seen cruising in different directions on Friday evening and Saturday morning to celebrate the announcement by the Federal Government.

Adamu Ibrahim, a 45-year-old commercial motorcyclist, and father of four lamented that commercial activities had been paralysed after the invasion of the plant by thugs. He expressed joy that the situation is now reverting to the usual economic bustle in Obajana.

A community leader, Pa Isaac Ade, said the Federal Government’s announcement was welcomed with jubilation in his neighbourhood because the lives and the livelihood of the host communities revolve around Dangote Cement Plc.

“Without this company, the communities cannot survive, the markets cannot survive, the commercial motorcyclists cannot survive, and if I may add, this Local Government and the state, in general, will be badly affected,” Mr. Ade averred.

Dangote Cement Plc is the biggest taxpayer and employer of labour in Kogi State. The conglomerate is a part of the Dangote Industries Limited, which is also the second largest employer of labour in Nigeria after the government, as well as the highest private-sector taxpayer to the Federal Government.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Shareholders Associations in Nigeria, had all berated the Kogi State Government over the invasion and the closure of the cement company.

In the same vein, the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) as well as the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) were among groups who condemned the invasion of the Dangote Cement plant, saying the move was capable of driving away investors in the country.
The associations said the hasty move by the state in resorting to self-help could send the wrong signal to investors within and outside the country.
Peter Dare, a businessman at the Obajana main market described the closure situation as worrisome, but added that activities in the market were picking up soon after the government ordered the reopening of the factory. He said thousands of people would have been impoverished if the company was not reopened.
At Iwaa, location of the multi-million naira hospital built by the Dangote Cement Plc, the story was the same, as residents were jubilating that the Federal Government waded into the crisis and rescued the situation.
A Septuagenarian, who sought anonymity, said he had been wondering how he would offset the tuition fees of his two children in the university following the calling off of the eight-month-old industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Some of the Dangote Cement staff who are indigenes of Kogi State welcomed with excitement the intervention of the Federal Government. They had earlier expressed fear that the closure would have sent them out of jobs.
Dangote Cement Plc Obajana Plant had said that most of its workforce, and technical students at the Dangote Academy situated in Obajana are indigenes from Kogi State.

In a statement, the Advocacy Centre for Industrialisation in Africa (ACIA) had expressed regret that the invasion and forceful closure of the Dangote Cement Plc at Obajana has cast a shadow on the Ease of Doing Business in the state.

The Arewa Youth Assembly, a conglomeration of youth groups in the 19 northern states had vehemently condemned the Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, describing his closure moves as a war against employment and the youth.

Related Topics:Cement Dangote Host Kogi Reopening

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Troops Uncover Illegal Fire Arms Factory in Nasarawa State

Published

14 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Troops from Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have uncovered and dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing facility in Agwatashi, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The discovery was confirmed in a statement on Monday by Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer for the JTF OPWS.

While conducting a routine patrol from the Forward Operating Base in Idadu, troops identified a concealed location suspected of housing illegal weapons production. Upon the approach of security forces, several individuals fled the scene.
One suspect, identified as 26-year-old Baba Ogar from Arusu Village in Kokona LGA, was apprehended after attempting to hide in a tree.

Items Recovered are: six (6) locally fabricated pistols; assorted tools and instruments used for weapons manufacturing; The sum of ₦40,500, and One mobile phone.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the facility served as a production hub supplying firearms to criminal networks operating within and beyond the region.
The apprehended suspect is currently in custody. Investigations are ongoing to track down his fleeing accomplices.

The Force Commander of OPWS, Maj.-Gen. Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance, and sustained operational efforts that led to the discovery. He urged them to maintain momentum and continue employing intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks across the Joint Operations Area.

News

NNPC Ltd Commends Chevron Nigeria Ltd on Successful Awodi-07 Discovery

Published

15 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has congratulated Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), operator of the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture, on the successful completion of the Awodi-07 appraisal and exploration well located in the shallow offshore western Niger Delta.

The Awodi-07 well was drilled as part of the Joint Venture’s ongoing efforts to further delineate and unlock hydrocarbon potential within its asset portfolio. Drilling operations commenced in late November 2025 and were concluded in mid-December 2025, with all activities executed safely, efficiently, and in strict compliance with approved operational and regulatory standards. Following the completion of comprehensive testing, logging, and data acquisition, the well was safely secured, bringing the programme to a successful close.

Results from the well are highly encouraging, confirming a significant presence of hydrocarbons across multiple reservoir zones. This outcome represents a notable milestone for the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture,on strengthening confidence in the underlying asset and reinforcing the prospectivity of the area. The success of Awodi-07 further highlights the effectiveness of disciplined exploration, sound technical evaluation, and the strong operational collaboration between NNPC Ltd and its Joint Venture partner.

Commenting on the achievement, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, commended Chevron Nigeria Limited for its operational excellence, technical competence, and consistent delivery of value.

He stated: “The success of the Awodi-07 well further reinforces the strength of the NNPC Ltd/CNL Joint Venture and our shared commitment to responsibly growing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves. This achievement aligns squarely with our strategic priorities of increasing production, enhancing national energy security, and delivering sustainable value for the Nigerian people.”

Also speaking on the milestone, the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Udy Ntia, described the Awodi-07 results as a clear demonstration of the value of sustained collaboration, technical rigour, and a stable, enabling operating environment.

According to him: “This discovery underscores the importance of disciplined exploration programmes, strong partnerships, and the positive impact of the reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act. We look forward to working closely with Chevron Nigeria Limited to mature this opportunity and progress it towards timely development and monetisation.”

NNPC Limited and Chevron Nigeria Ltd work together under a joint venture agreement to operate several oil and gas fields in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. In this partnership, Chevron owns 40 per cent of the assets, while NNPC Limited holds the remaining share. The arrangement allows both companies to combine resources, expertise, and investment to develop Nigeria’s oil and gas resources more effectively.

Through this collaboration, the partners aim to increase oil production to about 146,000 barrels per day, which would support government revenue, create jobs, and contribute to the country’s energy supply.

Signed:
Andy Odeh
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Ltd
26th January 2026

News

Ganduje, Barau Raise Governor Yusuf’s Hands Into APC

Published

15 hours ago

January 26, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has officially rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Governor Yusuf made the declaration at the Coronation Hall of the Kano Government House.

The declaration was made in the presence of the former National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje; Deputy President of the Senate, Senator representing Kano South; the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development; among other dignitaries.

He noted that his return is firmly anchored on working more closely with the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Those who raised Governor Yusuf’s hand were the immediate former Governor of Kano State and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin.