The Dangote Group has announced that it will be investing $1 billion in rice cultivation in five Nigerian states to boost food self-sufficiency. This was made known at the just concluded 2017 Gateway Trade fair which was held in Abeokuta, with the company emerging as the second most patronised exhibitor.
“We are investing about $1 billion in rice cultivation. We have an outgrowers scheme where thousands of farmers are empowered with improved seeds and items needed to cultivate rice,” said Tunde Mabogunje, a director of Dangote Group who represented the Group at the fair.
What made the company the second most patronised exhibitor at the Trade fair?
To mark its Day at the Fair, a subsidiary of the group, Dangote Cement, gave out several tools and implements to the block makers in Ogun State in appreciation of their patronages. Tools such as wheelbarrows, shovels, umbrellas and hand gloves were donated to block makers who assembled from different areas of the state.
During the 10-day trade fair, Dangote Flour delighted customers and participants with free sampling of its new pasta products. The wet sampling made the group’s pavilion the centre of activities at the Fair as participants trooped in for their daily meal. Customers were rewarded with branded coolers, kitchen aprons, notebooks and customised ladles.
Commending Dangote Group for its sponsorship and participation at the Fair, President of Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA) Mrs Adesola Adebutu said the support given by the Group went a long way in making the staging of the Fair a success.
She commended the Pan African Conglomerate for its giant strides in the economic development of the country through massive investments in several sectors of the economy describing the feat as worthy of emulation by other Nigerians.
Mabogunje said that the partnership with OGUNCCIMA is beneficial as Ogun State is the host of the 12 mmtpa Dangote Cement Plant, Ibese, the second largest cement plant in Nigeria.
“Through the plant provides thousands of direct and indirect jobs in the state. As a responsible corporate citizen, we participate fully in all events and activities designed to drive social and economic welfare of the state,” said Mabogunje.
Mabogunje described the theme for this year’s Trade Fair: Promoting Agricultural Value Chain through SMEs for Nigeria Economic Recovery as being apt, given the nation is now paying attention to Agriculture, which has the potential of becoming the major driver of the economy instead of oil, pointing out that in line with the theme the group is at the forefront of job creation and is the largest employer of labour outside government.
“We have been contributing our quota to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. Towards aiding agriculture, we are building a fertiliser plant in the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos State. When completed, farmers will have regular access to fertiliser for their farming activities. The delays and disruptions experienced in waiting for imported fertiliser will cease,” said Mabogunje.
