ECCIMA president lauds Dangote’s impact on Nigerian economy
The president of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Odeiga Jideonwo, has commended the Dangote Group, led by its President, Aliko Dangote, for adding “immense value to the Nigerian economy and still going stronger.”
Jideonwo stated this at the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair, held Wednesday with the theme, ‘Promoting Made in Nigeria Products for Global Competitiveness’.
In his opening remarks, Jideonwo enthused that the Dangote refinery which recently started production of refined petroleum products will go a long way in addressing the challenges associated with availability of refined petroleum products in Nigeria.
“I have no doubt that in years to come, Dangote Group will become not just a big industrial player in Nigeria and Africa, but the entire globe, deepening the creation of wealth and employment generation,” Jideonwo said.
In his remark, the Regional Sales Director, Dangote Cement Southeast, Mr Abayomi Shittu, emphasised that the target of the Dangote Group is to ensure that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in all the sectors that it operates in.
He assured that the group will continue to push new boundaries and deploy technologies and skills where necessary to ensure consumer satisfaction.
Shittu stated that this year’s theme resonates well with the Dangote Group “as we are focused on domestically manufacturing goods that were hitherto usually imported despite the abundance of raw materials for such products in Nigeria.”
The Regional Sales Director noted that industrialisation is key to diversification of the economy and that is why “we are creating linkages that connect the whole economy while at the same time promote backward integration.
“Dangote Cement provides direct and indirect employment to millions of people across Africa and has touched lives by building schools, hospitals & clinics, roads, markets, vocational training centers in numerous host communities.
“The ongoing consolidation of Dangote Sugar Refinery, Dangote Salt (NASCON Allied Industries and Dangote Rice into Dangote Foods are part of our strategies to harness the benefits of backward integration via linkages and build a more formidable food company.
“Dangote Sugar Refinery, through its out-grower scheme has provided jobs to thousands of farmers in the host communities. This has greatly helped to reduce unemployment, youth restiveness and improve the wellbeing of the host communities,” he said.
Shittu added that the group recorded a milestone on March 22, as Dangote Fertiliser marked two years of commissioning and operations.
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery was commissioned on May 22, 2023, and has started refining petroleum products. Some of the byproducts from the refinery are in demand as feedstock in some manufacturing sectors. We are on course to create diverse and ancillary industries across Nigeria.
“Our expectation therefore is that, through this Trade Fair, we will be able to further generate awareness on our innovative products, drive higher sales, get prospective buyers, improve the image of our brands, and open up new markets that will further translate into job creation and overall economic development in Nigeria and beyond. To sustain this process, we will keep innovating and pushing new boundaries while deploying the latest technologies and skills.”
He further congratulated the Enugu State government and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture on the successful hosting of the 35th edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair.
