Minister Commends Dangote Cement for Empowering Ibese Farmers, Boosting Food Security

Minister Commends Dangote Cement for Empowering Ibese Farmers, Boosting Food Security

L-R, Akintan Iyabo, one of the Beneficiary;Chairman Yewa North Local Government, Hon. Olusola Akinbode; Ochimana Mathew, Mines Environmental Compliance Officer South West Zone, Ministry of Solid Minerals;  Dangote cement Ibese Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu,  During the Dangote Cement Ibese Plant 2025 Farmers Empowerment Ceremony for Host Communities in Ibese Ogun state on Tuesday 22, July 2025.

 

…As Company Distributes Fertilizers, Herbicides, and Farm Tools to Boost Production

Ibese, Ogun State – July 2025

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has commended Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, for its sustained commitment to empowering local farmers and enhancing food security through strategic community development initiatives.

Represented by the Mines and Environment Compliance Officer (South-West), Mr. Mathew Ochimana, the Minister gave the commendation during the 2025 Farmers Empowerment Programme, held in Ibese, where the company distributed vital farming inputs to local farmers across its host communities.

L-R, Chairman Yewa North Local Government, Hon. Olusola Akinbode; Akintan Iyabo, one of the Beneficiary; Ochimana Mathew, Mines Environmental Compliance Officer South West Zone, Ministry of Solid Minerals; Dangote cement Ibese Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu, During the Dangote Cement Ibese Plant 2025 Farmers Empowerment Ceremony for Host Communities in Ibese Ogun state on Tuesday 22, July 2025.

 

L-R, Jamiu Morenokeji, Beneficiary, Dangote cement Ibese Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu; Ogundele Akanmu, Gbadamosi Aremu,  Monsuru Ogunleye, Beneficiaries, Ochimana Mathew, Mines Environmental Compliance Officer South West Zone, Ministry of Solid Minerals Development; Chairman Yewa North Local Government, Hon. Olusola Akinbode, Akintan Iyabo, one of the Beneficiary; Dangote cement Ibese Plant 2025 Farmers Empowerment Ceremony for the Host Communities in Ibese Ogun state on Tuesday 22, July 2025.

Ochimana praised the cement company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, saying they have significantly stimulated local economies, created jobs, supported small businesses, and improved infrastructure in the area.

“This empowerment programme reflects Dangote Cement’s consistent investment in its host communities. Initiatives like this contribute directly to national food security goals, promote economic inclusion, and foster social cohesion,” he stated.

He urged beneficiaries to use the items judiciously and avoid reselling them, noting that misuse would undermine the programme’s objective of increasing food production.

In his welcome remarks, Ayyagari Subbaraidu, Plant Director of Dangote Cement, Ibese, emphasized the company’s unwavering support for agriculture and rural development.

“We are committed to helping farmers improve their productivity by providing them with modern farming inputs. This enables them to cultivate both subsistence and cash crops on a commercial scale. Our goal is to ensure higher yields and introduce a more efficient farming experience,” Subbaraidu said.

This year’s edition, themed “Planting to Profit: Good Agricultural Practices for Cassava and Maize,” saw 240 farmers benefit from the initiative. Each beneficiary received:

3 bags of 50kg NPK fertilizer

2 bags of Urea fertilizer

3 litres of Force-Up herbicide

1 raincoat

1 pair of rain boots

Subbaraidu noted that the empowerment is part of the Community Development Agreement (CDA) signed in 2022, which has supported the cultivation of over 600 acres of farmland across Ibese’s host communities.

“Our social investment model ensures that every tonne of limestone extracted and every bag of cement produced carries proportional value to the people,” he said. “We thank our community stakeholders for their continued support, as it is through partnership that we achieve shared progress.”

Chairman of Yewa South Local Government, Hon. Olusola Akinbode, applauded the company’s timely intervention, aligning it with the Ogun State Government’s broader food security agenda.

“We are on a mission to make Ogun a food-secure state. Dangote’s support complements the state’s recent empowerment of farmers with 11,000 cash crops. With sustained collaboration, Yewa will soon emerge as a major food basket in the region,” he said.

Also speaking, Dayo Ogunyinka, Chairman of the Community Joint Consultative Committee (CJCC), described the programme, now in its fourth edition, as a “well-targeted and impactful intervention” towards achieving food sufficiency and grassroots development.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Dangote Cement for its continued support.

Monsuru Ogunleye, One of the Beneficiary,Chairman Yewa North Local Government, Hon. Olusola Akinbode; Akintan Iyabo, one of the Beneficiary; Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu; During the Dangote Cement IbesePlant 2025 Farmers Empowerment Ceremony for the Host Communities in Ibese Ogun state on Tuesday 22, July 2025.

 

Iyabo Akintan, a farmer from Ijako Orile, said: “Dangote has been a pillar of support. This input will definitely improve our farming practices and lead to a better livelihood.”

Another beneficiary, Olaleye Adekunle, described the gesture as morale-boosting: “With the fertilizers, tools, and protective gear, farming has become easier and more productive, even in challenging weather.”

To ensure effective utilization of the inputs, the farmers were taken through a brief training session on best agricultural practices for enhanced yields.

The Dangote Cement Farmers’ Empowerment Programme remains a key pillar of the company’s commitment to supporting host communities through sustainable agricultural development and poverty alleviation.