…..GMD, Plant Director, Others Bag traditional titles

Nigeria’s healthcare sector received a major boost on Friday as Dangote Cement Plc commissioned a multimillion naira hospital in Obajana, Kogi State.

The commissioning ceremony also featured the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak, the Plant Director of the Obajana Plant, Engr Azad Nawabuddin, Head of Social Performance, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, General Manager Social Performance, Obajana, Ademola Adeyemi, Head Human Resource and Admin and Dangote Packaging Limited, Bashir Uba.

Mr. Pathak was conferred with the prestigious title of Mayegun of Obajana Kingdom, while Engr. Nawabuddin and Mr. Olayiwola received the traditional titles of Babagunwa and Adeyanju, respectively. Mr. Ademola was honoured with the title of Imokan of Obajana, while Mr. Bashir was installed as the Eri-Oba of Obajana Kingdom.

The new hospital is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme designed to improve access to quality healthcare for residents of Obajana and neighbouring communities.

The Bajana of Obajana, Engr Idowi Isenibi, described the project completion as a dream come true, adding that his community will protect the facility and the equipment, and ensure that it serve the purpose.

“Dangote is a blessing to this community,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Engr. Panjala Sreedhar, said the project was conceived after extensive consultations and community needs assessments that identified healthcare as a major priority.

He explained that the Cottage Hospital was built to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services, reducing the burden on residents who previously travelled long distances to access medical treatment.

“The Obajana Cottage Hospital is a direct response to the healthcare needs identified through our engagements with the Obajana community. The facility is designed to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services to residents of Obajana and surrounding communities,” Sreedhar said.

According to him, the facility is equipped with male, female and children’s wards, private wards, consulting rooms, a meeting room, 19 sanitary facilities, digital blood pressure monitoring devices, a dedicated borehole water supply and other essential medical infrastructure.

He expressed confidence that the hospital would improve maternal and child healthcare, strengthen healthcare delivery and enhance the overall wellbeing of residents in Obajana and surrounding communities.

Sreedhar noted that Dangote Cement has consistently invested in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and livelihood programmes across Obajana, Oyo, Iwaa, Apata and Jakura communities through continuous engagement with stakeholders.

He announced that the company has also approved additional projects, including ICT centres for Oyo and Iwaa communities, electrification projects in Jakura, vocational and skills acquisition programmes for youths, perimeter fencing of the Obajana Cultural Heritage Site and fencing of the UBE Secondary School in Apata.

The Acting Plant Director reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustaining strong partnerships with its host communities and creating shared value through impactful development projects.

He also appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, saying the administration’s support has contributed significantly to the growth of Dangote Cement’s operations in Kogi State.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Ododo, the Special Assistant on Corporate Social Responsibility, Hon. Paul Sunday, commended Dangote Cement for its sustained investments in community development and urged the company to provide medical personnel to operate the facility pending the deployment of health workers by the local government.

Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, described the hospital as a major intervention that would improve healthcare access for residents, urging members of the community to make effective use of the facility.

Adamu also appealed to Dangote Cement to sustain its support for local security outfits, particularly vigilante groups operating within the Obajana community, to further strengthen peace and security.

The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Owoniyi, praised the company for delivering the healthcare project, noting that although a general hospital would have been preferable, the Cottage Hospital remained a significant contribution to community development.

The royal father urged the people of Oworo land to take ownership of the facility by ensuring its proper maintenance while pledging the support and cooperation of the host community.

Group Head, Socio-Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the cordial relationship between the company and its host communities made the project possible, adding that the company had taken note of the observations and requests made by stakeholders.

Mr. Olayiwola disclosed that since 2025, Dangote Cement has expanded its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes beyond its immediate host communities, assuring residents that the company would continue to undertake projects that improve lives and support sustainable community development.

General Manager Social Performance, Obajana Plant, Ademola Adeyemi, said the company has several other programmes lined up for execution as CSR and those contained in the Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Hec thanked the traditional leaders for the titles conferred on management staff, saying it will spur the company to do more, as it enjoys peaceful relations.