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Lawmakers Back Dangote’s Industrialization Stride

Published

3 months ago

on

Aliko Dangote

 

Dangote Group’s industrialization stride in Nigeria has received yet another momentum as federal lawmakers back the company’s stride.

Members of the House of Representatives who visited Dangote Cement Plc in Obajana, Kogi State, expressed their delight at the significant economic impact the company has made in Nigeria’s cement subsector.

Speaking during the visit, Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, Chairman of the House Committee on Solid Minerals, who led his team to the Dangote cement plant, emphasized the need for collaboration between Nigeria’s political leaders and investors to drive the country’s industrialization.

He noted that Dangote Cement has paved the way with its substantial investments, job creation, tax contributions, and more.

He emphasized that everyone must work together to ensure Nigeria’s progress.

He stated that the visit by the joint subcommittee on Solid Minerals and Commerce was partly aimed at investigating the reasons behind the current cement prices and collaboratively seeking solutions.

Responding to the visiting lawmakers about the current prices, Mr. Arvind Pathak, Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, stated that cement inputs are dollar driven except limestone which is found in Nigeria.

Some of these inputs, according to him include: machineries, spare parts, the gas for fuel and Gypsum which is one of the raw materials.

Mr. Pathak explained that the rise and instability in foreign exchange rates have been significant factors contributing to the current prices of cement products.

He said Dangote Group is Nigeria’s largest employer outside of government.
He also explained that compared to 2021, the salaries of the company’s employees have been increased by 21.3% in 2022 to 47.5% in 2023 and 63.2% in 2024.
The salary increase was meant to meet up the inflation in the country.

Reacting also, Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, emphasized that the transport segement of the Cement company has introduced CNG trucks to its fleet.

He also said that the company has invested in alternative fuel projects to demonstrate its initiatives to cleanup Nigeria.

The Alternative fuel project uses biomass waste which is blocking the fertile land as a source of clean energy. The ambition of the company is to make Nigeria visible for its contribution towards reduction in Global warming.

Engr  Azad Nawabuddin, who also spoke to newsmen on the sideline of the tour by the lawmakers, said the social intervention schemes of the company run into billions of naira, adding that the company would not rest on its oars.

The Plant Director said that by incorporating advanced technologies and maintenance strategies, Dangote Cement has upheld operational efficiency while upholding its social commitments.

Some of the community related intervention schemes embedded in the Community Development Agreement (CDA), he said, include: provision of scholarship, construction of blocks of classrooms, construction of boreholes, building of hospitals and construction, and rehabilitation road networks.

Engr. Azad Nawabuddin explained that the company has delivered a multimillion naira health facility at Iwaa, one of the mining communities, as well as launched several other empowerment schemes.

He also told newsmen that the Dangote Cement Plc is set to deliver a multimillion naira Aliko Dangote Skills Development Centre in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

According to him, the company is one of the biggest tax payers in the country, surpassing the banking sector in 2023.

The lawmakers also visited the Dangote Plant at Okpella Edo State

Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Okpella, Edo State, Engr Ismail Muhammad, said the company has invested hugely in state-of-the art facility in is bid achieve operational efficiency.

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Kano State Hosts 8th Annual Audit Forum to Enhance Transparency and Accountability

Published

15 hours ago

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November 21, 2024

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The 8th Annual Audit Forum, organized by the Office of the Auditor General of Kano State, was held recently, focusing on strengthening transparency and accountability in public financial management. .

Isma’ila Musa, the Auditor General of Kano State, welcomed the participants and highlighted the constitutional and legal mandates that guide the auditing process. “Sections 125(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and 36(i) of the Kano State Audit Law, 2021 (as amended) mandate the Office of the Auditor General to audit the accounts and financial statements of the State Government and all Offices and Courts,” he stated.

Musa expressed immense gratitude to His Excellency, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State, for his support in making the event possible. “It is very important to note that a strengthened fiscal transparency will help build trust in governance,” he emphasized. He added that the Audit Forum is a reform intended to reduce opportunities for corruption and abuse of public resources, thereby increasing the efficiency of public expenditures.

The Auditor General also acknowledged the contributions of various officials, including the Hon. Commissioner Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Accountant General, the Executive Chairman of Kano Internal Revenue Services, and former Auditors General, among others. “My sincere appreciation to all the invitees here present for honoring our invitation. I wish us a successful 8th Kano State Annual Audit Forum,” Musa concluded.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Honorable Tukur Fagge, praised the exercise for its potential to enhance resource management and ensure the success of the tasks at hand. “This exercise will enhance resources management and will realize the success of the task,” Fagge stated.

Sarkin Shanon Kano, Shehu Muhammad Dankadai, who served as the royal father of the day, also graced the event, adding to the significance of the occasion.

The forum underscored the commitment of the Kano State Government to upholding transparency and accountability, reflecting the administration’s dedication to effective and efficient service delivery.

 

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Breaking: Former Secretary of Federal Electoral Commission, FEDECO, Ahmadu Kurfi Passes On at 93

Published

21 hours ago

on

November 21, 2024

By

Late Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi

 

A former secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, has passed away.

A family source, Jafar Yakubu, informed NIGERIAN TRACKER about the death of the pioneer secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission, who supervised the 1979 general election.

 

Jafar Yakubu said Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi died at the age of 93 and his Janaza funeral prayers will take place by 2:30 PM at Kurfi in KATSINA state .

 

Dr. Amadu Kurfi, OFR, was born in 1931. He was a former chairman of the then Marketing Board, former Federal Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, and the first person to acquire a BSc degree in the whole of Katsina State, at University College London in 1957.

 

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President Tinubu Sacks UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Registrar

Published

1 day ago

on

November 20, 2024

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The governing council of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University has been dissolved by President Bola Tinubu.

The president dissolved the council and approved the removal of the institution’s vice-chancellor Bernard Odoh and the university registrar, Rosemary Nwokike.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy said the action by Tinubu follows allegations of procedural violations in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor.

He also said that the council led by Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe and including five other members—Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin was accused of bypassing due process to appoint an unqualified candidate, prompting federal intervention.

Onanuga said, “The sacking of the governing council and officials followed reports that the council illegally appointed an unqualified vice-chancellor without following due process.

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He added that following the controversial appointment, the Federal Government stepped in to address the rivalry between the university’s Senate and the governing council of the institution.

“The government expressed concern over the council’s apparent disregard for the university’s governing laws in its selection process”, Onanuga added.

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