Tag: Dangote

NASRDA woos Dangote, Elumelu, others to invest in space tech

The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), on Monday urged business moguls like Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, among others, to invest in space Science and Technology sector of the country.

Dr Felix Alle, Head, Media and Corporate Communications of the agency, in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, said Public Private Partnership (PPP) will boost space development.

Alle said that the current leadership of the Space Agency under Dr Halilu Shaba was driven towards private sector participation that will ensure Nigerians benefit from space science and technology.

The official emphasised that globally, big entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Richard Branson were investing in space economy because opportunities for growth abound.

He revealed that the desire to broaden PPP in the space sector spurred the agency to plan towards an internal conference and exhibition on Space Economy expected to hold early in 2023.

Alle said: “We believe that when we have this PPP, the impact of space technology will be adequately felt by the larger society.

“We are not relenting and NASRDA want Nigerians to be part of the space economy and the conference will showcase windows of opportunities available in the space sector.

“Those opportunities will be highlighted to members of the public and prospective investors so they can key into it because a lot of our people are still ignorant of opportunities in this area.

“We want the likes of Aliko Dangote, Elumelu and big businesses, entrepreneurs to show interest in the area of space sector.’’

Alle urged entrepreneurs to see the sector as a very strategic area that they can invest in and at the same time contribute to the socio-economic development of this country.

He added: “They can embark on so many projects, establish companies and boost their financial strength as well as create job opportunities for our youths.’’

Alle said that the conference would be hosted in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and would gather key players across the globe.

He also said that the agency was expanding its partnerships, both locally and internationally, added to the existing ones.

According to him, ”we are doing all these to contribute to the socio-economic development of our country, because everything we do today has space connotation.”

Alle further recalled a recent concession of some of the agency’s projects by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Adeleke Mamora.

Alle listed the projects to include the Satellite Broadband project, the Planetarium and the Space Museum which have the capacity of generating N48billion over 15 years period of their concession.

“The Director-General of ICRC , Mr Joe Ohiani, told the Minister then that the projects can generate about N48billion and create like 10,000 jobs if implemented.

“It was a way of inviting PPP and the Memorandum to this effect is before the Federal Executive Council and as soon as this is approved, we will hit the ground running,’’ Alle said.

October 10, 2022
Dangote, Kogi Govt continue war of words over ownership of Obajana Cement Plant

The Kogi State Government and management of Dangote Cement Plc. are at loggerheads over the ownership of Obajana Cement Plant.

The previous temporary closure of the company by some youths recently has caused a stand-off between the state government and the company, located in Obajana, near Lokoja.

On Saturday, the state government alleged that the management of the company was plotting to disrupt public peace in the state.

The state government in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo in Lokoja, said that the government was in possession of evidence to prove its allegations.

“We have uncovered certain plans by the company at a meeting held last night to cause chaos across the state as a fight back strategy against the state government’s decision to get its own legally supported equity from the cement company” the commissioner said.

The commissioner further alleged that the management of the company intended to engage other security means to harrass some government officials.

“They resolved to block all the major highways across the state with their trucks to make traffic unfriendly in the state.

“If the company attempts to carry out any of his threats or deny our claims which are supported by facts, we will release visuals and audio of their meeting on this,” Fanwo said.

One of the company’s public relations officials, Mr Abubakar Jibrin would not comment on any issue related to the matter.

But the management of Dangote Cement Plc. said that the state government allegedly used some groups of persons to destroye the company’s assets and inflict injuries on some staff.

In a statement issued by the Corporate Communications Department of Dangote Cement Plc. in Lokoja, the management of the company alleged that some people invaded the cement plant on Wednesday.

“No fewer than 27 staff of the company are currently in bad conditions after the invasion.

“Cement trucks were also burnt, and many others were vandalised, as they forcefully took the company’s buses and vans.

“Since the attack, our vehicles carrying diesel have been attacked on Anyigba road,” the statement alleged.

The statement said that some victims of the invasion were currently admitted to the emergency section of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja.

October 9, 2022
Dangote calls for calm over shutdown of Obajana Cement plant

The Management of Dangote Cement Plc, has appealed to all its staff and customers to remain calm while the company explored all possible legal steps to address the illegal shutdown of its Obajana plant by the Kogi government.

Mr Michel Punchercos, Managing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, made the appeal in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

Punchercos stressed that the welfare of the company’s staff remained a key focus as the company worked hard to minimise further impact on its people and operations.

He said the company had taken steps to get the hoodlums apprehended by the law enforcement agencies, and would ensure that full legal action was taken against them.

“The management of Dangote Cement Plc, wishes to inform members of the public, especially its customers and other stakeholders of the recent invasion of its Obajana Cement Plant, Kogi by armed vigilantes on the orders of the state government.

“The vigilantes, led by some officials of the state government were apparently acting on a resolution of the Kogi state House of Assembly on controversial tax claims.

“Claims that the state governor had also contradicted when he said the shutdown was due to an alleged invalid acquisition of the company by Dangote Industries Ltd.

“In the process of forcefully evicting the workers to enforce the shutdown, the vigilantes shots at 27 of our workers and also destroyed some of the company’s property at the plant.

“While we reiterate that Obajana Cement plant is 100 per cent owned by Dangote Cement PLC, we remain resolute in transforming Africa, while creating sustainable value for our people, communities, investors and customers,” he said.

October 7, 2022
Dangote emerges the Most Valuable Brand in Nigeria for 5th year

A brand and marketing research firm known as Top 50 Brands Nigeria has listed Dangote as the Most Valuable Brand in the country for the 5th year.

Dangote came out as the winner in the outcome of the 2022 corporate brand evaluation conducted by the firm.

A statement by the organizer stated that Dangote, MTN Nigeria and Globacom are the topmost brands in Nigeria.

The statement explained that Dangote emerged top with an aggregate score of 83.7 brand strength measurement index score. This was followed by MTN, Globacom and Access Bank in fourth place.

Others among the top 10 are Airtel Nigeria, Coca-Cola, Zenith Bank, GTCO, First Bank and UBA at fifth to tenth positions respectively, the statement added.

It said, “The annual top brands evaluation report which is now like a report card, with which top corporate brands have an independent opinion about their brand performance, from the consumers’ points of view has also become a sort of ‘bragging’ right and a source of pride for the brands that made the top 50 league table, particularly, those that took the lead.

“The annual top brand evaluation is a qualitative, non-financial estimation of value of top corporate brands in the country. A measure of consumers’ perceptions.”

TheNewsGuru.com reports that Dangote Group is a Nigerian multinational industrial conglomerate, founded by Aliko Dangote.

It is the largest conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest on the African continent. The group employs more than 30,000 people, generating revenue in excess of US$4.1 billion in 2017.

The company was founded in 1981 as a trading enterprise, importing sugar, cement, rice, fisheries, and other consumer goods for distribution in the Nigeria market.

The group moved into manufacturing in the 1990s, starting with textiles, moving onto flour milling, salt processing and sugar refining by the end of the decade.

The company next moved into cement production, growing rapidly and moving into other African countries. A high degree of vertical integration is a hallmark of Dangote Group’s operating strategy.

The group now owns and operates over 18 subsidiaries, operating in ten African countries.

Dangote Cement, is one of these subsidiaries that is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, with its market capitalization accounting for almost 20 percent of the total capitalization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Dangote Group is headquartered in Lagos.

In 2016, Dangote signed a contract with CNOOC group for the installation of a large underwater offshore pipeline.

The pipeline, when completed will extend from Bonny (Rivers State) through Ogedegbe, Olokola to Lekki and the Escravos Lagos pipeline, finally terminating at the West Africa Gas Pipeline.

September 20, 2022
12 gold coins paid as Tinubu, Dangote, govs storm Shettima’s daughter’s wedding

Maiduguri stood agog on Saturday as the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu led other dignitaries to attend the wedding ceremony of the daughter of his running mate Kashim Shettima.

The presidency was represented at the wedding by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari and National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno.

According to reports, 12 gold coins were paid as dowry at the ceremony, witnessed by other dignitaries, including Senate President Amed Lawan, Aliko Dangote, Dahiru Mangal, Ahmed Indimi, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and his Jigawa counterpart, Gov. Abubakar Badaru.

Govs. Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, I-GP Usman Baba Alkali, and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu also graced the event.

The marriage rites were conducted at the Shehu of Borno’s Palace where the bride, Fatima was represented by Gov. Zulum of Borno, while the bridegroom, Sadiq Ibrahim, the son of former Minister of FCT/Abuja, Ibrahim Bunu, was represented by former Governor of Bauchi, Ahmadu Muazu

July 31, 2022
Deborah Yakubu: Dangote son-in-law’s baby mama files for child custody over ‘extreme Islamic views’

Irene Nwachukwu, the baby mama to Jamil Abubakar, son-in-law to Aliko Dangote, the billionaire businessman, has filed for sole custody of their son over his alleged extreme religious views.

On May 12, Jamil, who is the son of Mohammed Abubakar, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), allegedly endorsed “killing as punishment for blasphemy” via his Twitter page.

“In Islam, we respect the Injil, Taura, Zabur, we were never taught to disrespect any of the book, or any of the prophets from Adam to Muhammad SAW and the Quran. The punishment for blasphemy is death In most religions including Christianity. Respect people’s religion, it’s simple,” he had written.

His post came in the wake of the widespread outrage trailing the death of Deborah Samuel, the student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, who was murdered for alleged blasphemy.

In a petition dated May 17, Nwachukwu said she is disturbed by the pilot’s “extreme views”. She added that she cannot leave her child, who she said is a Christian, with someone with such ideology.

“Following your client’s Mr Jamil md Abubakar recent tweeting the media dated 12thMay 2022 (attached to this letter) I have come to the decision that my child will not be going anywhere near him, now or in the future, as I do not want my child to be raised by or be in the custody of someone with such extreme religious views, in order not to confuse the poor boys thoughts or cloud his sense of reasoning.

“My child attends a school with pupils, from various backgrounds and beliefs; it will therefore be dangerous to expose him to such teachings. I’ve been the only responsible parent and my child has been in my custody since birth, so it’ll be best he stops contending custody with me in court at this time.

“This is also to note that I will not be asking for or accepting any child support, or needing his assistance with parenting such as attending PTA meetings, picking a school or having a say on what school he attends, or the house he has for the child, as was stated in the countersuits filed against me where he claimed paternity to the child who I’ve been solely responsible for in the last 5 years, and I hereby withdraw any motion that has been filed by my previous lawyer ( who I disengaged in March 2022) in the past to that effect, as this might be your client’s reason for having entitled to custody of my sort….

“Forgive me if I have expressed the desire to co-parent with him, where he asked to play the fatherly role, I am now realizing that this will never happen as the child custody he’s asking for shares Christian blood, and I’m very disturbed and seriously concerned about leaving my child in the care of someone with such mindset and ideology about religion.

“I had thought that the man I met in my teenager was liberal in his thoughts and views, bit obviously I was too naive to see beyond that and as a mother it is my duty to ensure the mental and psychological safety of my child.

“Your client Mr. MD Abubakar will do well to drop the lawsuit he filed on 25th Jan 2022 against me in the court of appeal and let the high court (who dismissed his case against me) grant my request for sole custody, as I do not need a dime from him to cater for my child now or in the future, he hasn’t been in my son’s life and I wish this continues to be so.

“As soon as I am done with my professional exams I will be able to engage a new lawyer, and a fresh motion for sole custody will be filled and have served before the next court date. In the meantime address any information or process directly to me,” it reads.

The pilot had earlier clarified his post in a follow-up statement, adding that his remark was not in support of Deborah’s death as claimed in some quarters.

“We want to state categorically here that Captain Jamil, is a law-abiding citizen and a true Muslim; and for what it’s worth, he will not support or be a part of any organization that supports jungle justice or any conduct that does not promote the rule of law,” he had written.

May 23, 2022
Dangote Cement records 24.2% revenue increase in Q1

Dangote Cement Plc on Tuesday said its revenue for the first quarter stood at N413.2 billion, translating to a 24.2 per cent increase over the same period last year.

The company said this in a statement signed by Mr Anthony Chiejina, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Dangote Group, in Lagos.

According to the statement, the company also recorded a profit after tax of N105.9 billion resulting in 18 per cent increase for the same period.

Analysis of the company’s three months results indicated that Dangote Cement sold a total volume of 7.2 Metric tonnes of cement.

It said its Nigerian operations accounted for 4.8 Metric tonnes, while the rest of Africa did the balance of 2.4.

Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement, Mr Michel Puchercos, said the increases in both revenue and profitability drove strong cash generation across the group.

He added that the company was ramping up production at its Okpella plant and was progressing well to deploy grinding plants in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.

“Dangote Cement is Africa’s leading cement producer with nearly 51.6Mta capacity across Africa and with a fully integrated quarry-to-customer producer, it has a production capacity of 35.25Mta in its home market, Nigeria.

“The Obajana plant in Kogi State, Nigeria, is the largest in Africa with 16.25Mta of capacity across five lines; Ibese plant in Ogun State has four cement lines with a combined installed capacity of 12Mta while Gboko plant in Benue state has 4Mta; and Okpella plant in Edo state has 3Mta.

“Through recent investments, Dangote Cement has eliminated Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement and has transformed the nation into an exporter of cement serving neighbouring countries,” he said.

May 17, 2022
Orji Uzor Kalu celebrates Aliko Dangote at 65

Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Orji Kalu, felicitated with the founder and President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Sunday as the latter turned 65.

In a goodwill message issued in Abuja, Kalu described Dangote as an outstanding Nigerian, recognised beyond the shores of Africa for his giant accomplishments in business and humanitarian circles.

The former Abia governor stated also that Dangote is a source of inspiration for his contemporaries and for the younger generation.

Kalu acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the philanthropist to nation building through various platforms.

He added that Dangote’s business empire provided employment and wealth for millions of Nigerians.

The Senate Chief Whip prayed for long life for Dangote, noting that his good deeds would continue to speak for him.

Kalu urged the celebrant not to relent in his initiatives at improving the lot of the common man through his numerous philanthropic gestures.

“I congratulate the Founder and President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as he clocks 65.

“The celebrant is a household name in the business community across the globe.

“His business empire and humanitarian platforms have created jobs and wealth for Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike across the globe.

“The giant accomplishments of Dangote in all facets of life should be acknowledged and celebrated across the globe.

“The celebrant has done Africa and in particular, Nigeria proud in business and in humanity.

“I join family, friends and associates of Dangote in wishing him long life in sound health,’’ Kalu stated.

He also prayed to God to strengthen Dangote in all his endeavours.

April 10, 2022
Police foil attack on Dangote refinery in Lagos

Security operatives foiled an attempted attack on Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the PRO, the attack occurred at the early hours on Monday.

He said that the armed hoodlums were repelled while attempting to cart away already-installed armored cables in the refinery.

“The hoodlums about 20, who gained access to the refinery through the lagoon side, were repelled.

“On sighting security operatives, they fled the scene.”

Hundeyin said that one of the hoodlums lost his life.

“One of the hoodlums was hit in the ensuing gunfire and died on the way to the hospital.

“Investigation has commenced with a view to arresting the fleeing attackers.

“On the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, security at the refinery has been fortified,” he said.

March 29, 2022
FACTCHECK: Is Dangote urea fertiliser plant the world’s second largest?

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the $2.5 billion Dangote Fertiliser Plant in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.

Buhari said during the ceremony that the plant which occupies 500 hectares of land in the Lekki Free Trade Zone and has capacity to produce three million metric tons of urea fertiliser per annum, was the second largest of such plants in the world.

“I am delighted to commission this new Dangote fertiliser plant which has installed capacity of three million metric tons of urea per annum. That makes it the second largest of such plants in the world,” he said.

HOW TRUE IS THIS CLAIM?

A new report by GlobalData, a data analytics company, had forecasted Nigeria would be the third highest country in urea capacity additions by 2030 with the launch of the Dangote Fertiliser plant.

The report, titled: “Global Urea Capacity and Capital Expenditure Outlook to 2030 – India and Iran Lead Global Urea Capacity Additions”, said global urea capacity is poised to see considerable growth over the next five years, potentially increasing by 37 percent to 305.92 million metric tons per year in 2030 from 222.96 million metric tons per year in 2020.

“Nigeria will be the third-highest country in terms of capacity additions with a capacity of 11.58 million tpy by 2030. Major capacity additions will be from two planned plants Dangote Group Lekki Urea Plant 1 and Dangote Group Lekki Urea Plant 2 with a capacity of 1.50 million tpy each by 2030,” the report read.

However, the Dangote Fertiliser Plant which is undoubtedly Africa’s largest Granulated Urea Fertiliser complex, becomes the second largest in the world next to Qatar Fertiliser Company (QAFCO) founded in 1969 which has six world-class plants that produce a sizable annual capacity of 3.8 million metric tons of ammonia and 5.6 million metric tons of urea at present.

VERDICT

The claim that the DANGOTE urea fertiliser plants with a combined capacity of three million metric tons per annum is the second largest of such plants in the world, is true.

March 22, 2022