Ogun Trade Fair: Dangote promises self-sufficiency in all areas of economy

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Dangote Group on Thursday held its Special Day at the ongoing 13th Gateway International Trade fair in Abeokuta with a pledge to ensure Nigeria attains self-sufficiency in all the economic sectors where it operates.

This is even as the Ogun State Government lauded the management of the Dangote Group for its investments in the state which has lifted its economic fortune.

The Company also hosted members of the Ogun State bricklayers and block moulders associations to a practical demonstration of the right application of different grades of Cement to mark the day.

It was a beehive of activities at the Company’s stand as visitors and customers thronged the pavilion to take advantage of the pocket friendly prices at the fair to buy Dangote products. This is just as intending retailers and distributors also took time to enquire about the process of registration.

The Special Day afforded the guests and customers to know more about Dangote products as each of the company’s subsidiaries showcased the strength, uniqueness of their products and kept the public abreast of recent developments within the Group.

Speaking at the event, Regional Sales Director, Lagos/Ogun, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Dolapo Alli, said the Dangote Group as a pan-African conglomerate has adopted as its mantra Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in all sectors where the company operates.

He explained that the Group has been a reliable partner to many trade fairs across the country because the management believe that Chambers of Commerce & Industry occupy a unique position in driving economic development through their activities.

He stated that Dangote Industries Ltd considers OGUNCCIMA as being unique because Ogun State has one of the largest concentration of industries in Nigeria and serves as a corridor for transportation of goods, services and people between the nation’s commercial center of Lagos and the rest of Nigeria, and even ,neighbouring countries, Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana.

“Gateway International Trade Fair therefore remains an avenue for us to connect with our customers in South-West and other parts of the country. It is a homecoming as the region is known for innovation and industry. We at Dangote Group and people of South-West share the trait of ever pushing beyond the limits and discovering new levels of success.

“Despite our progressive position, we are innovative and always thinking of strategies that will drive business and create value for our customers. This, we achieve, by increasing the number and quality of products in our portfolio, as increased range of products provide more options, alternatives and business for our customers,” he said.

Mr. Alli noted that the Company’s continuous efforts to innovate, create value and invest in Nigeria are borne out of its belief in the vast economic potential of Nigeria adding that this informed the management’s  desire to invest massively in states across the country.

According to him, the company’s food subsidiaries, Dangote Sugar Refinery, NASCON Allied Industries (Dangote Salt) and Dangote Rice are providing jobs through various schemes saying Dangote Sugar Refinery, through its out-grower scheme has provided jobs to thousands of farmers in the host communities.

He said, “The coming of Dangote Fertilizer has to a great extent helped to change the face of agriculture in Nigeria while the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, when functional will drive the development of ancillary industries which will utilise the byproducts as raw materials.”

He also noted that, Dangote Sinotruck West Africa Ltd, its automobile subsidiary was participating at this year’s trade fair for the first time as a sign of its commitment to offer customer full range of products and services. Dangote Sinotrck, he pointed, assembles full range of different types of commercial vehicles covering heavy duty trucks, medium truck, light truck, semi-trailers and buses.

“The company aims to meet expected increased demand of segments like logistics, constructions, food and beverage industries as government focuses on boosting the economic development across the country. It has capacity to produce 10,000 trucks annually and is creating thousands of jobs both direct and indirect.

“Dangote Fertilizer within the short period it commenced operations has already become one of the market leaders. Therefore, those who want to know how to key into the fertilizer sales as Distributors, retailers or consumers are hereby invited to visit our stand and have talks with our representatives.”