In a boost for women entrepreneurship in Nigeria, Dangote Cement Plc has empowered businesswomen in host communities in Benue State with cash grants, thus deepening business activities in the state.
The women empowerment programme came months after Dangote Cement in Gboko increased bursary payments to students of host communities by more than 100 per cent, the company said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday in Gboko, the Group Head, Social Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Wakeel Olayiwola, said, “Through this scheme, selected women entrepreneurs in host communities will receive ₦100,000 grants each to strengthen and expand their businesses.
“The financial support aims to boost local enterprise development at the grassroots level, empowering female business owners with capital to scale their operations. Each beneficiary will use the funds to address specific business needs, from purchasing inventory to upgrading equipment, creating a tangible economic impact in their communities.”
He noted that when women succeed in business, “they invest in their families’ education, health, and well-being, breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities.”
Olayiwola said the programme will enable the women to generate more income to sustain their families and reduce over-reliance on their husbands. He said the money is a grant and would not be paid back to Dangote Cement.
According to him, traditional leaders of Quarry, Tse-Kucha, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur, and Pass Brothers host communities, as well as the Dangote Community Consultative Committee, are responsible for the identification and selection of beneficiaries.
Recall that jubilation had swept through Gboko communities last year when Dangote Cement Plc and six host communities signed a historic Community Development Agreement.
Olayiwola said the company will monitor the progress of the women entrepreneurs and evaluate how the money is being invested.
The acting Plant Director, Munusamy Murugan, said the empowerment will be an annual event. Represented by Tavershima Soom, he noted that other economic empowerment programmes lined up include the ones for farmers, youths, among others.
The Head of Social Performance, Gboko Plant, Johnson Kor, told the community representatives that the company was doing a lot to support members of the communities, urging them to be good ambassadors of Dangote Cement Plc.
A beneficiary, Ruth Tser, said she would invest the money in her cassava farming business. She and other beneficiaries commended the company for the support.
