Dangote Cement Plc, Gboko Plant has awarded multi-million-naira scholarships to tertiary and secondary school students from its six host communities in Benue State.

The company also presented starter packs, working tools and certificates to graduates of its Youth Empowerment Programme to enable them to establish their own businesses, apply the skills acquired during the training and become financially reliant.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Henry Dele Alake, lauded Dangote Cement Plc for its community development interventions, calling on other private sector players to adopt similar initiatives to promote socio-economic development in their host communities.

Dr. Alake, who was represented by the Federal Mines Officer of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in Benue State, Engr. Achi Gregory, urged the company to sustain its commitment to implementing community development programmes agreed upon with its host communities.

Speaking at the official presentation ceremony, Group Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the implementation of the Community Development Agreement underscores Dangote Cement’s commitment to equipping young people with practical skills and resources to promote entrepreneurship, create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods in its host communities.

Mr. Olayiwola, who was represented by the Head of Social Performance of the Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Dr. Johnson Kor, said the scholarship and youth empowerment programmes came against the backdrop of several other programmes recently executed by the company, which include farmers and women empowerment programmes.

The Acting Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko, Engr. Arbind Singh, said: “This annual scholarship scheme for indigent students of the host communities is an indication of our company’s commitment to its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR).”

Engr Singh, who was represented by the company’s General Manager, Production, Engr Tabershima Soom, said: “The Gboko Plant has already launched 150 Women Empowerment Programme and 50 Farmerss Empowerment Programme where women were provided with cash to support their businesses, and farmers were supported with farm inputs.”

The beneficiary communities for these programs are: Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur, and Pass Brothers.

Speaking on behalf of the Benue State Attorney-General, the Chairman of the Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO), Barr. Dooshima Orosaga, commended Dangote Cement Plc for its compliance with the Community Development Agreement (CDA), urging the beneficiaries and host communities to maximise the benefits of the company’s interventions.

Chairman of the Gboko Local Government, Hon Yina Elias said the government will continue to provide the support needed for the company to succeed, adding that the Dangote Cement Plc is an exemplary company in Corporate Social Responsibilities programmes.

In his remarks, the District Head of Ukpekpe, Chief Tsegba Igbarumun, commended Dangote Cement Plc’s Gboko Plant for its contributions to the community, assuring the company of the community’s continued support.

He said the community valued its mutually beneficial relationship with the company and would continue to serve as its ambassadors.

A beneficiary of the Youth Empowerment Programme, Mr Ignatius Aondohemba, expressed appreciation to Dangote Cement Plc for the support, pledging to put the skills and resources provided to good use and build a business that would enable him to become an employer of labour.

A former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Mansur Ahmed, has predicted a possible mass exodus of prominent politicians and party stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State amid persistent internal disagreements.

Ahmed made the prediction while addressing journalists following his resignation from the APC, according to a statement signed by Usman Bello on his behalf.

The former APC member described the recent resignation of party chieftain Alhaji Aminu Dabo as an indication of a deeper crisis within the party, suggesting that more prominent members could leave in the coming days.

Ahmed alleged that the Kano APC was experiencing persistent internal disputes that had continued to undermine unity among its members, with little indication that the disagreements would be resolved soon.

He further disclosed that several political leaders and stakeholders across Kano State were holding consultations over their future in the party and were considering formally resigning.

According to Ahmed, the consultations involved prominent political figures and their allies who were weighing their options before deciding on their next political destination.

Reflecting on his political career, Ahmed described himself as a former PDP governorship aspirant who also served as Deputy Coordinator of the 2015 presidential campaign in Kano.

He said he and his associates were currently consulting with political allies to determine the next direction of their political engagement following his departure from the APC.

The statement did not identify the other party leaders allegedly preparing to resign or disclose when they might announce their decisions.

It also did not indicate whether Ahmed and the politicians consulting with him had reached any agreement to join another political party.

Ahmed’s prediction comes amid continuing political realignments in Kano State as political actors assess their options ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Kano State Government has donated working tools to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, to strengthen the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The items were presented on Thursday, October 22, 2026, by the Chairman of the Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, on behalf of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Speaking at the presentation, Magaji said the donation reflected the government’s determination to tackle drug-related offences, which he identified as a major contributor to social vices in society.

He lamented that substance abuse had reached a frightening dimension, requiring concerted action by the government, security agencies and other stakeholders.
According to him, Governor Yusuf’s administration is committed to providing the necessary support to agencies responsible for combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking, using all available means to address the growing challenge.

Magaji stressed that effective coordination among relevant institutions was essential to curbing the menace and protecting the future of young people in the state.

Receiving the items, CN Dahiru Yahaya Lawan, Kano Strategic Commander of the NDLEA, expressed gratitude to the governor and the state government, describing the intervention as timely.

He said the equipment would enhance the command’s operational capacity and strengthen its efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Lawan assured the government that the items would be judiciously utilised to achieve their intended purpose.
He emphasised that the fight against drugs was a collective responsibility, calling on residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to support law enforcement agencies in tackling the problem.

The donation underscores the state government’s drive to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and provide operational support for the fight against drug-related offences, with the ultimate goal of creating a safer, drug-free society.