By Miriam Humbe
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has said that the Dangote Industries Limited, (DIL), is a trail blazer of local content values.
DIL, under the visionary leadership of the foremost Business man, Aliko Dangote, has been championing the cause of local content and contributing significantly to the economic growth of Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.
He was represented at the ongoing Kaduna International Trade Fair by his Special Adviser, Fatima Wali-Abdulrahman.
She said local content, at its core, is about harnessing the potential within a country’s borders for the benefit of its people.
She said: “By investing in local industries, talent, and resources, DIL does not only create jobs but also empower communities and foster sustainable economic growth”.
She said that the aim was to commit to deepening local content values across its various business sectors in line with the theme of the 45th series of the Kaduna Trade Fair-Sustainable Economic Recovery Through Deepening of Local Content Value Chain.
Mrs Fatima reiterated that Dangote Industries sourced it’s limestone locally, and was adjudged the biggest employer of local labour in Nigeria, and now refining its crude to bring succor to Nigerians.
Dangote Group has made substantial investments in industrialization-from cement to sugar, from salt to agriculture and more recently oil & gas, all strategically positioned to leverage local resources and contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP with resounding results like the creation of employment, skills enhancement, capacity building, etc.
She noted that in the area of Philanthropy, Dangote would continue to support the people and government of Kaduna State and Nigeria through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
She said: “In addition to these domestic contributions, the Dangote Group has expanded its footprint across the African continent, promoting regional economic integration and positioning Nigeria as a key player in intra-Africa trade.”
She described the theme of this year’s trade fair as a clarion call for Nigerians to prioritize and deepen commitment to local content values as the Group stands as a shining example in this regard.
While congratulating the Council Members of KADCCIMA, Kaduna State Government and the people of the state for hosting yet another successful Trade Fair, she enjoined all and sundry to visit Dangote pavilion and take advantage of its numerous innovative products.
President of KADCCIMA, Ishaya Idi in his comments said this year’s theme focuses attention on a critical economic game changer.
I’d said: “The chamber has noted with great concern that despite the abundance of solid minerals, agricultural commodities and raw materials, our nation continues to lose billions of dollars annually on account of lack of value addition in its handling, production and export processes.
“Focus is placed more on instant profits from exporting raw materials. with low level of value chain addition
Idi expressed gratitude to Aliko Dangote for the unending support to KADCCIMA.
“The chamber has enjoyed the partnership and support of Dangote Group in promoting the competitiveness of our nation in the global market arena through aggressive value chain development.”
The new Dangote Dangote Refinery, reported to be one of the largest in the world with daily capacity of upto 650,000 barrels per day is more than twice the daily consumption of Nigeria, even as Dangote fertilizer continues to make local and international farmers happy due to its high quality.
The Chambers therefore congratulated the President of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote for the tremendous progress recorded by the conglomerate, Mr. Idi stated.
