The participating youth were selected from the host communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Apata, and Obajana.
According to the Plant Director, Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana, JV Gungune, the Tchnical Skills Acquisition programme, is aimed at empowering the youth and developing entrepreneurial skills in its catchment areas.
Speaking during the induction, Gungune, said that the participating youths were selected from the host communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Apata and Obajana of Kogi.
He said: “The Technical Skills Acquisition programme which has been on for three months. is aimed at empowering the youths and developing entrepreneurial skills around its catchment areas.
Starting with these youths, numbering 23, which also include female trainees, is indeed a plus more so that they are mostly secondary school leavers.”
Also speaking at the inauguration of the scheme, General Manager, Community Affairs/Special Duties, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, said that the trainees would be paid monthly stipends while the training lasted.
“It’s our belief that when the training is completed, the youths will add great value to their various communities, Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Also commenting on the programme, the Divisional Director Transport of the Dangote Cement Plc, Ajay Singh, said some of the areas of the training to include: Auto Mechanic, Auto Electrical, Welding and Panel Beating/Fabrications.
The Workshop Manager, Engr Alfa Adamu, said that the trainees were shared into different engineering sections based on their strength and interest. A mechanic trainee, Mrs. Bamidele Gbenga, 38, from Iwaa Community, expressed joy over the training, which she said has been going on very well.
“I am very happy that I am learning very fast,” she said.
Similarly, Mrs. Adebayo Rechel, 38, from Oyo Community, thanked the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for giving them such an opportunity.
“There is nothing I cannot repair on Air Conditioner system now,“ she added.
Speaking in the same vein, another trainee, Micheal Roseline, 22, from Obajana Community, and a holder of National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, described the Dangote Group as a “blessing to humanity”.
On his part, Micheal Roseline, 22, from Obajana Community, and a holder of National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, described the Dangote Group as a “blessing to humanity”.
Speaking in the same vein, 25-year old Joshua Oshe-Olorunsogo said that given the huge value of the programme, he believes it would help sustain him and his family.