As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting road safety and strengthening best practices in fleet management, Dangote Cement Plc on Thursday hosted a special drivers’ retreat at its Obajana plant in Kogi State.
The retreat, according to a statement from the firm, brought together hundreds of Dangote truck drivers and company executives in an interactive engagement aimed at improving safety culture, discipline, and responsibility among drivers, who are often the most visible ambassadors of the brand on Nigerian roads.
In his opening address, the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvid Pathak, stated that the retreat provided a practical platform to educate drivers about the discipline required behind the wheel and the company’s core values of safety and responsibility.
“Your life is very precious, so take care of yourselves. You have families, and your families need you,” he told the drivers. Pathak noted that the event featured discussions on defensive driving, fatigue management, and vehicle maintenance. It also allowed management to receive direct feedback from drivers to address challenges affecting their work.
He further cautioned against the use of drugs and the dangerous practice of proxy driving, reiterating the company’s zero-tolerance policy on road accidents.
The Head of Transport at Dangote Cement, Murilo Silva, announced that the company is constructing modern, technology-driven control towers at Obajana. These facilities, he explained, will enable real-time remote monitoring of driver behavior to further enhance safety and efficiency across the company’s fleet.
“Over speeding is one of the leading causes of road crashes involving heavy trucks,” Silva warned. “Always keep within the approved speed limit, especially on highways and in populated areas. You are the face of Dangote. Give way when necessary, be patient in traffic, and respect smaller vehicles.”
Also speaking at the retreat, the Group Head of Health, Safety, Social, Environment & Sustainability at Dangote Industries Ltd., Dr. James Adenuga, reminded participants that they carry more than cement each time they get behind the wheel.
“Gentlemen, every time you drive out of this plant, you carry not just cement, but lives, reputations, and the pride of this company,” he said.
Transport expert, Samuel Odo, reinforced this message by stressing that most recent auto crashes were within drivers’ control. He urged the drivers to prioritize both their safety and that of their families. “Culture is built by doing the right thing every time, every trip, every day. From wearing seatbelts, obeying speed limits, to checking tyres—repeat it until it becomes a habit,” he advised.
On the sidelines of the retreat, Dangote’s Divisional Director of Transport, Hemant Rana, described the event, themed Drive Safely, Arrive Safely, as timely. He said the company had already recorded a significant reduction in auto crashes by scaling up driver training sessions and implementing stronger monitoring systems.
Local community leaders also lent their voices. The Bajana of Obajana, HRH Idowu Isenibi, praised the pivotal role played by Dangote drivers in the company’s operations, urging them to always respect traffic regulations. Similarly, the Olu of Apata, HRH Federick Balogun, applauded Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote for creating employment opportunities for drivers, noting that he himself was an early beneficiary of the company’s job creation initiatives.
The retreat ended on a celebratory note with an awards session recognizing drivers who had distinguished themselves through discipline, professionalism, and commitment to safety. The awardees were honored before their peers, reinforcing the message that safe and responsible driving is a shared priority for both the company and its staff.
For Dangote Cement, the retreat reaffirmed its resolve to embed road safety at the heart of its operations. For the drivers, it served as both a reminder of their vital role in the company’s success and a call to uphold discipline as they crisscross Nigeria’s highways daily.
