Dangote Cement commissions multi-million Naira hospital in Kogi, top executives honoured

By Johnson Arua

Dangote Cement Plc has commissioned a multimillion-naira Cottage Hospital in Obajana, Kogi State, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for residents of its host communities.

The commissioning ceremony, held on Friday, also witnessed the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on the company's Group Managing Director, Mr. Arvind Pathak, Acting Plant Director of the Obajana Plant, Engr. Panjala Sreedhar, who represented the Plant Director, senior management officials and other executives in recognition of their contributions to the development of the Obajana Kingdom.

The Bajana of Obajana, Engr. Idowi Isenibi, described the completion of the hospital as "a dream come true," assuring that the community would safeguard the facility and its equipment to ensure they serve future generations. He said Dangote Cement had remained a dependable development partner, adding, "Dangote is a blessing to this community."

Speaking at the event, Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Engr. Panjala Sreedhar, said the hospital was conceived after extensive consultations with stakeholders identified healthcare as one of the community's most pressing needs.

According to him, the facility is designed to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services, thereby reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for medical care.

Sreedhar disclosed that the hospital is equipped with male, female and children's wards, private wards, consulting rooms, a meeting room, 19 sanitary facilities, digital blood pressure monitoring devices, a dedicated borehole water supply and other essential medical equipment.

He expressed optimism that the facility would significantly improve maternal and child healthcare, strengthen healthcare delivery and enhance the wellbeing of residents in Obajana and neighbouring communities.

He added that Dangote Cement has continued to invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and livelihood programmes across Obajana, Oyo, Iwaa, Apata and Jakura communities.

He also announced the approval of additional projects, including ICT centres for Oyo and Iwaa, electrification projects in Jakura, vocational and skills acquisition programmes for youths, perimeter fencing of the Obajana Cultural Heritage Site and the UBE Secondary School in Apata.

The Acting Plant Director reaffirmed the company's commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with its host communities through sustainable development initiatives.

He also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in Kogi State.

Representing Governor Ododo, the Special Assistant on Corporate Social Responsibility, Hon. Paul Sunday, praised Dangote Cement for its sustained investments in community development and appealed to the company to provide medical personnel to operate the hospital pending the deployment of health workers by the local government.

Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, described the project as a major intervention in the health sector and urged residents to make good use of the facility while calling on the company to sustain support for local security outfits.

Also speaking, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, commended Dangote Cement for delivering the healthcare facility, describing it as a significant contribution to community development.

Meanwhile, Group Head, Socio-Performance, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, and General Manager, Social Performance, Obajana Plant, Ademola Adeyemi, reiterated the company's commitment to expanding its CSR programmes, saying the cordial relationship with host communities would continue to drive impactful projects.

Adeyemi expressed appreciation to the traditional institution for honouring the company's executives with chieftaincy titles, saying the recognition would inspire Dangote Cement to do even more for its host communities.