Journalists in Lagos State have conferred an award of excellence on Dangote Industries Limited for its outstanding contributions to the economic development of Nigeria and Africa in general.
The award, according to the group, was because of Dangote’s aggressive employment generation drive, which has seen thousands of able youths gainfully employed in the Group as well as the commitment to provision of critical infrastructure.
This award presentation was during the Gala/Awards Nite marking the end of the 2023 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council, where some corporate organisations and certain individuals were also recognised for their contributions to society.
The NUJ award for Dangote Group came barely a week after the conglomerate emerged as Nigeria’s Most Valuable Brand for the sixth consecutive year, an achievement that was announced by the brand and marketing firm, TOP 50 BRANDS NIGERIA, as part of its comprehensive 2023 Top Brands perception assessment.
Dangote Cement Plc, is the leading producer of Cement in the country and employs more than 65,000 direct workers and over 100,000 indirect workers, across all its Plants.
The journalists lauded Dangote Group over the leading roles played by the Company regarding backward integration in the cement and sugar industries with continuous expansion of its operations, both within and outside the country, which has transformed the nation from being import-dependent to self-sufficiency and thereby creating the much-needed jobs for the employable youths.
Chairman of Lagos State Council of NUJ, Mr. Adeleye Ajayi said, the council set aside the Gala Nite as an occasion for his Council administration to reflect on its major landmarks, roll out the drums, and celebrate excellence by recognising those individuals and organisations who have made the journey eventful for the council over the years.
As parts of the landmarks recorded in the last three years, the council boss enumerated some of the achievements including the successful completion of the building of the new council secretariat complex, training of journalists, and allocation of lands to the subscribers to the Council estate project at Abaren in Ogun state.
In the category of awards for organisation were the Dangote Group, Airtel Networks Nigeria Limited, and Nigerian Breweries Plc, while individuals conferred with awards included; Senator Mukhail Abiru, of Lagos East senatorial district, Adewale Adedeji, of Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 01, Lagos State House of Assembly and Mr. Fola Adeyemi, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Lagos State.
Speaking on behalf of Corporate Organisation award recipients, Mr. Francis Awowole-Browne of the Dangote Group said, the corporate bodies cherished the award and it will serve as the required catalyst to continue to deliver goods and services that will ultimately transform the country’s economy.
He thanked the NUJ for the honour, describing the award as a call to better partnership with members of the pen profession in the task of building a better Nigeria that can hold its own in the comity of nations.
According to him, the Dangote Group has continued to garner global recognition through its expansion into other countries. These accomplishments, he said, were a clear demonstration of the group’s resolve to be the number one in Africa in meeting the needs of the people.
