dangote news vol-18

8/9/2019 Dangote News Vol-18

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ISSN 0189-5826 15 Sept. - 1 Nov., 2011 Volume 18

The birth of Ibese

ement Plant

The birth of Ibese

Cement Plant6 Million metric tonnes per annum capacity

World-class facilities


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NEWS The Quarterly newsletter of the Dangote Group

| Editorial

w

Dear Colleagues,

Enjoy!

Toni-Anne Uwaifo

victims in Kaduna, Gombe and Bauchi states.

Also in this edition, we have the story of how Ourelcome to another edition of Dangote E- President, Alhaji Aliko Dangote won the award ofNewsletter, which is another harvest of

‘African Business Leader and African Entrepreneur ofWremarkable developments and eventsthe year 2011 by AABLA and CNBC.within our great organisation, in the last couple of

weeks.

We bring to you the exciting story of Yahaya SuckaAs envisaged, our in-house magazine is helping us to

Mohammed, our lift operator. You will find out why hereach out to our important stakeholders both within

is often referred to as the 'landlord' of Marble House,and outside the country. This will, we hope, enable

after reading his interview in 'The Crucible.' Sonnieour publics to know more about us and what we stand

Evbota of Dangote Cement looks at the lighter side offor.

the Lagos Hassle in his article' Living in Lagos'.

We want to thank everyone for their kind comments

Our Super Subs are not left out. We bring you the storyand most especially, all those that have contributed to

of how Dangote Noodles celebrated independencethis success story. We will try hard to maintain this

day with Nigerian Children and visited the Oba ofstandard in line with what Brian Tracy once said:

Ikorodu as captured in pictures.“Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous

ourney that never ends.”

You will read about the security personnel who put

out the fire that broke on a weekend on the 5th floorn this edition, we feature yet again another cover

of Union Marble House.story on cement. This time we are focusing on

Dangote Cement Plant at Ibese, in Ogun State. We

thought it would be nice to keep everyone abreast of

the latest developments at our Ibese plant. The world-

class plant, which will be commissioned soon, has

played host to a number of professionals, high ranking

government officials and other dignitaries from all

walks of life, in recent times. Mr Devakumar Edwin,

our Group Executive Director (GED), Business

We are as usual, open to suggestions on how we canDevelopment, takes us on a journey into how the

improve on the content of the magazine and we lookbese project started.

forward to receiving your contributions.

Dangote Foundation has continued to touch lives

positively with its recent N100m donation to Lagos

state Government to assist the victims of the July 10

flood and also its donation to the post-election crisis

Ours Sports segment make its debut in this edition

with the questions, who is the better player Lionel

Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? And will Nigerians ever

love the local leagues with the same fervor they show

the EPL? The 2 articles on Football provides the

answer.

Milestones

IFRS: Dangote embraces new financial accountingand reporting standard

Dangote donates N100m to Lagos flood victims

2

The birth of Ibese Cement Plant 6

7

8

21

19

10Dangote wins African Business Leader Award,now greatest African entrepreneur

Sports


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| Corporate News

I

“Our vision is to be the number

one in the world”

The birth of Ibese Cement Plant

Cont’d on page 4

The new world-class $800million Dangote Cement Plant at Ibese in Ogun State

is due for commissioning soon. Tracking down the Group Executive Director,

Business Development, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, who is the key driver of the

project for an interview, was no easy task as he is always on the move. Finally,

after several postponements and constant phone calls to his PA, we managed

to secure an appointment with him. He agreed to meet the Dangote News

Editorial Team at his Ikeja office on a Wednesday afternoon. The interview did

not start until 9:30pm, a time when most people would probably be thinking of

going to bed after a hard day's work. But for him, work is a hobby. Even his

personal staff appear to have imbibed this trait as they were still as fresh as if

they had just resumed for the day's work, when we met them at his office. Thisstrong sense of commitment is perhaps one of the secrets of the Dangote

success story. Mr. Edwin, who has spent 20 years in Dangote Group, was at his

best as he took us on a journey into how the Ibese Cement project started, our

vision to become the number one (1) player in the global cement industry

and the future plans of the Group. He also talked about his personal life and

revealed some things that most people do not know about him in this no-holds

barred encounter, which we reproduce in his own words.

3

VIEW CEMENT PACKING AND DISPATCHROTOR PACKER

In the beginning…

Capacity

into the country and that, once local plants. We signed for two lines in Obajana;

capacity is developed to an extent, one line in Calabar and one line in Ibese,f you look historically, former Presidentimportation of cement will no longer be the current site of our cement plant.Olusegun Obasanjo came up with a

Subsequently, we realised that the accessallowed. Apart from us, infact, several

Inumber of policies to safeguard the

road to the Calabar limestone was not soothers were encouraged to invest ineconomy, including clearing of foreigngood, and we also know that it rains a lotcement manufacturing, including Lafargedebt burden, opening up of the telecomthere. So we thought that we shouldand the Flour Mills of Nigeria.sector, strengthening the financial

Some of our investments came into Ogun prioritise our investment instead of goinginstitutions and encouraging theState, which naturally has a lot of into the four different cement plants andmanufacturing activities – specificallylimestone deposits. The limestone belt invested in Obajana.through import substitution policy. These

We started with Obajana. One of theruns through Shagamu, Ewekoro and Ibesepolicies encouraged us to invest in localreasons we started with Obajana isup to Onigbolo, in the Republic of Benin.manufacturing of cement with the

So we looked at both at Shagamu and Ibese because of its central location and its hugeabundant availability of limestone andand in fact, we laid the foundation stone deposits of excellent quality limestone.other raw materials and, fuel in the form of

sev era l years back wit h Presi den t The next stage when we decided tonatural gas. He put up policies in place toObasanjo at Ibese. We were also looking at expand, obviously, was to look at Ibese,ensure that these investments arethat time at Calabar. It so happened that which we consider a strategic investmentprotected by allowing only thosewhen we signed the first contract in because of its proximity to Lagos, which ismanufacturing cement to import cementObajana; we signed for four different closer to the port and has a large captive

market.

The two lines in Ibese today have a

capacity of 3 million metric tonnes per

annum each, making the total capacity of

Ibese to be 6 million metric tonnes per

annum. We are starting three additional

lines immediately, two at Ibese and one at


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| Corporate News

4

Cont’d on page 5

will be at par with the Indonesian plant -

the biggest in the world.

When I came to Nigeria in 1991, I used to

buy cement from Ashaka. We used to pay

and wait for three to four months

minimum before our order could come.

Even when we started cement terminals3

European standard was 50 mg/Nm . In in the year 2000, customers used to pay1fact, our actual emission is around 15 and wait for 1 / months. But today, from2

3stmg/ Nm . So, our actual emission is far 1 January 2011 up to middle of last

lower than the European standards. We month, we normally had one week soldhave made the plant to be highly position. This means that if there is a littleenvironmentally friendly. We have bit of a slowdown in sales, we have buildinvested in ultra-modern robot up stocks in the warehouse. But thetechnology for strict quality assurance forces of demand and supply determine

and we also have high quality products. the price of any product in the market.Our energy efficiency is also one of theObajana, for which we have signed thehighest in the world.contracts. Our plan is that, as from theToday, the capacity of the Obajanayear 2014, Dangote will be putting up I don't want to sound immodest but ourCement Plant is more or less equal to theone cement plant every year between vision is to be the number one in cementbiggest plant in Egypt, and by the end ofIbese and Obajana. production in the world. The first step isthe year when we produce 10.0 millionBy the end of this year, we are looking at to be the number one in Africa. By themetric tonnes; it will be the biggest inhaving a total capacity of 19 million time we finish all these plants we areAfrica and, when we complete line 4, itmetric tonnes per annum in all our three putting up, we will have 48 million metric

cement plants at Gboko, Obajana and tonnes per annum capacity by the end of

Ibese; and 20 million metric tonnes per 2014. This will give us the opportunity to

annum by the first quarter of next year, export our excess capacity. We are goingbecause Gboko will add one more million into at least 14 different Africanmetric tonnes per annum. A breakdown countries. Primarily, our vision is to build

gives: Obajana, 10 million metric tonnes; integrated cement plants. But if you look

Ibese, 6 million metric tonnes and Gboko at the West African belt, we don't have

3 million metric tonnes. The total limestone in many of the countries. So

envisaged capacity for this year will we are going to build cement terminals

therefore be 19 million metric tonnes. and cement grinding plants in those

countries without limestone. We can

build production capacity here in Nigeria

because we have abundant limestone,The cost of building our Ibese Cement

gas and the manpower. Apart from thesePlant is going for about $800million. It is

14 countries, we are also exploringnot a simple investment on a cement

opportunities in others such as Angola,plant because you have investment in the

Mozambique, Kenya, Algeria and Egypt.power plant and investment on mines.

We are looking at setting up cementApart from that, we use very expensive

plants in Iraq and Kazakhstan as well.ultra-modern technology in building ourPeople do not grow if their vision is notplants. This ensures efficiency in ourvery large. We believe that the sky is theprocesses, which meet the highestlimit for us to grow. But we have to getstandards anywhere in the world. We areour strategies right. The only thing weinvesting in technology. We are alsohave to be careful with is acquisitions.investing in environmental friendliness.Today, some of the cement makers are inThe Nigerian standard for dust is 250

3 trouble because they went and boughtmg/Nm ; we have invested in a plant that3 companies at expensive prices withguaranteed 30 mg/Nm , even when

Solution to scarcity

Pan-African expansion

Investment cost

Today, the capacity of the

Obajana Cement Plant is

more or less equal to the

biggest plant in Egypt, and by

the end of the year when we

produce 10.0 million metric

tonnes; it will be the biggest

in Africa and, when we

complete line 4, it will be at

par with the Indones ian

plant - the biggest in the

world.

The birth of Ibese Cement Plant Cont’d from page 3

INSIDE VIEW CCR/ LAB

POWER PLANT MAIN CONTROL ROOMCEMENT SILOS


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| Corporate News

5

Cont’d on page 6

But the petrochemical complex will be

totally focused for export because there is

no major plastic industry in Nigeria. We

are going to produce products for the

export market. We have abundant gas in

Nigeria which is a primary input for the

petrochemical industry. If you look at

petrochemical complex, there are two

basic operations: one is gas-based and the

borrowed money. So, acquisition is one other is oil-based. Gas is available inIbese. We will build boreholes for waterarea where you can go wrong and also limited countries. So those operatingsupply; provide scholarship schemes forbuying businesses through borrowed petrochemical complexes in countriest h e c h i l d re n o f o u r i m m e d i a t efunds. You would recall what happened a where you have gas immediately have acommunities; and we will build a schoolfew years ago when people, who bought price advantage.and upgrade the existing clinic in theshares from the booming stock market community. We also plan to roll out awith borrowed money from the banks, micro-credit scheme for the community.lost their investment when it collapsed. I joined the Dangote Group in 1991. AtWe have these schemes existing in Gboko

So far, our borrowing has been very that time, the Group was into trading andand Obajana. Our President has a vision tolimited and we normally plough back wanted to move to manufacturing. Inuplift the society with his wealth througheverything we generate into the business. those days, we were exporting agro-basedcreation of employment.That is helping us a lot. We could not have commodities and importing finishedhad a $1.2billion investment in Obajana if products. Dangote's name was renownedwe had not set up a proper payment Another area we are looking at is in the sugar trading market because of thestructure for the plant. petrochemicals and fertilisers. If you look volumes we used to buy. The focus of theWe are also extending our activities across at the whole of Africa, apart from the business was buying in large quantitiesAfrica because the market is very good fertiliser plant in Egypt and South Africa, and paying cash. So we get it at a very loweven though it is regarded as a high risk there is no other fertiliser plant. So, there price and then sell at a low price and makeenvironment. But the high risk also gives is a huge market opportunity for us both good margin because of the huge volume.high returns if you know how to manage it. within and outside Nigeria. Fertiliser will

I have been with the Group for the past 20There is one area we are being careful definitely be another success story. We years. I have had the opportunity ofabout and that is to manage our growth. have signed agreement for the setting up setting up virtually all our factories. This isWe grow to a certain extent and then of two fertiliser lines in Edo State. When one of the reasons why I find my job as astabilize our investments. These assets completed, the plant will be the largest hobby. I put up a new textile plant in Kanohave to be properly managed. We rapidly capacity plant in the world. That is where and sack factory here in Lagos. I also putexpanded between 1997 and 2000. Up to we are in fertiliser. up the sugar refinery, the flour mill, pasta,2002, we consolidated all these assets and noodles, cement terminals and cementat that time, I was in charge of all our plants. I handle all the projects in themanufacturing businesses. We took about Group. So it has made my work verytwo years before we decided that we will interesting.go into Obajana. Between 2000 and 2002,

it was only consolidation. The same thing

we did with Obajana and Gboko. We built When you run a business, you should be aup the plants, consolidated before we good leader. But when it comes tolaunched into the next stage of growth. decision-making, you should be as sharpWe consolidate before we grow. as a judge. If a judge has to take a decision,

it must be seen to be impartial to build

confidence. If somebody has to beWe have it as a matter of policy to embark hanged, for instance, then the judge hason robust corporate social responsibility to take that decision. If he does not, he is(CSR) projects in all the areas where we not applying the law and he is beingoperate. We did it for our host community partial.

in Obajana and Gboko. We will do the When it comes to decisions, I like to besame thing for our host community in very firm. If one of my staff is doing a very

From trading to manufacturing

Foray into petrochemicals and fertilisers

Human capital issues

CSR

We will build boreholes for

w a t e r s u p p l y ; p r o v i d e

scholarship schemes for the

children of our immediate

communities; and we will

build a school and upgrade

the existing clinic in the

community. We also plan to

roll out a micro-credit scheme

for the community. We have

these schemes existing in

Gboko and Obajana. Our

President has a vision to uplift

the society with his wealtht h r o u g h c r e a t i o n o f

employment.

The birth of Ibese Cement PlantCont’d from page 4

GTG 1,2&3 CEMENT MILL


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| Corporate News

The birth of Ibese Cement Plant

6

good job and the other fellow is not have to let them go, keep a track of

pulling his weight, and I treat them them.

For instance, I am in charge of theequally, the one that is hardworking will

continuous improvement activityget de-motivated. So, I don't treat

including ISO 9000, OHSASpeople equally. I believe in the principle

18000, ISO 22000, etc. in of allof giving incentives and motivatingthe plants in the Group.people who work hard and not

There was this goodaccepting inefficiency. I normally adopt

staff of mine,a policy of zero tolerance for inefficiency.

who workedBut I also realise that everybody is not

with meequal. I can't say for instance, that I will

i nhave only highly efficient people but I do

eliminate inefficient personnel. I always

try to lead by example.

I remember in 1992, when one of my

staff bought a crate of coke from the

factory and the guy added N15. I buycoke in my house and I know the price. I

told my driver to go and check. It was

discovered that the guy asked the sellerNTM. His name is Sani Mikhail. I sent him

to give him a blank receipt and he addedto Turkey and India for training. One fine

N15. The man had to go. For me, it was aday, he came and told me he wanted to

question of moral integrity. It was not aleave. I let him go because he got

question of how much he stole. I haveanother good job. I told him that I would

zero tolerance for people who areget him back if I am able to match his

corrupt.new salary. After three years, when we

To build a company is like building awere doing well at Kano, I called him

house. When some blocks are not good,back. Today, he is back with me, and hasyou just throw them away; others thatimplemented ISO in our various plants.

are slightly broken can be used bySo, when you have good people, don't

chiseling and shaping it and fitting it atlet them go.

an appropriate place; and the good

ones, you can always rely on. The house

is complete when all the men are thereAt a certain point in my life, I realised

to run the plant efficiently. So we keepthat working is a hobby. In the last three

watching to know the people that aremonths, I don't think my staff have

not efficient and encourage those thatclosed any time before midnight

are efficient till the whole edifice is builtbecause we are close to completing

up. So I am firm when it comes to taking

these projects. So, work for me, is adecisions. We have to have the righthobby, a means of relaxation.

team in place.Fortunately, for me, I have a boss, whoAlmost half of my textile workers, whoshares the same philosophy.worked with me in Dangote Textiles,I have been a trade union leader in my

Kano, in 1991, are again with me in ouryounger days, and throughout my career

Obajana Cement Plant today. After wetill I became managing director. I

shut down the Kano textile factory,passionately believe in causes and I have

many of them came to me. I know themled strikes in my school and I have led

by name because they are highlyshut-downs at my work places – but for

efficient workers. Even my driver, whothe right reasons ie. in the sole interest

worked with me in 1992, is now workingof the respective factories and not for

with me today. Once you have the right any benefit for any of the staff members.people, don't let them go. But if you

Personal life

Almost half of my textile

workers, who worked with

me in Dangote Textiles,

Kano, in 1991, are again

with me in our ObajanaCement Plant today. After

we shut down the Kano

textile factory, many of

them came to me. I know

them by name because

they are highly efficient

workers. Even my driver,who worked with me in

1992, is now working with

me today. Once you have

the right people, don't let

them go. But if you have to

let them go, keep a track of

them.

Cont’d from page 5


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| Corporate News

A A

attained global recognition.

Embracing a single set of world-wide

standards and financial reporting

language that will be recognised in

the international marketplace will

further boost DIL’s image.

As DIL entities also expand across

different countries in Africa and

other parts of the world, IFRS will

provide a standardised and

comparable basis for financial

reporting amongst these entities. In

addition, these listed entities will be

able to compare their financial

performance with international

competitors to demonstrate clearleadership.

called IFRS. The NASB added that thiss part of our commitment towards

would put Nigeria in the league of otherm a i n t a i n i n g w o r l d - c l a s s This conversion will also attract foreignadvanced countries, which have adoptedstandards in all that we do, investors into our business and grant easythe IFRS.Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) has access to foreign capital markets such as

formally joined the growing list of global the London Stock Exchange (LSE), whereIn order to facilitate a seamless transitioncompanies that report under the new IFRS reporting is a requirement. It will inof Nigeria companies to the IFRSnternational Financial Reporting addition, enable us to comply with theframework, the NASB introduced aStandards (IFRS). We believe that this will local regulation and the Securities androadmap to guide the process. Thefurther enhance our status as a global E x c h a n g e C o m m i s s i o n ’ s ( S E C )roadmap mandates all listed companiesbrand.

requirements.and significant public interest entities

(“PIEs”) to comply with the new IFRSFRS is a globally accepted set of The conversion to IFRS framework willframework for period ending 31accounting standards and interpretations represents a fundamental change inDecember 2012.establ ished by the International accounting and financial reporting of DIL-

Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and listed entities including the way we recordIn the light of the changes brought aboutused by several advanced countries and our transactions, interpret our contractsby this NASB’s pronouncement, as well asglobal companies. with our suppliers, customers and bankersour commitment to global standards, DIL, and relationships within the Dangoteas a proactive corporate parent, has takenFurthermore, in September 2010, the Group. In addition, the transition will haveimmediate steps to ensure all its listedNigerian Accounting Standard Board far-reaching implications for ourentities (Dangote Cement Plc, DangoteNASB) - the government regulatory information systems, business processes,Sugar Refinery Plc, Dangote Flour Mills Plcagency responsible for defining the rules performance management and ultimatelyand National Salt Company of Nigeria Plc),with which organisations prepare their the people that manage these systems andcomply with the NASB’s directive beforeaccounts and financial statements, processes - YOU. The impact will not bethe deadline.announced the adoption of IFRS in the restricted to only finance and accounting

country. This pronouncement has ushered functions but will also impact severalDIL management is partnering KPMG, onen a new era of accounting and reporting in departments across the Dangote Group.of the leading global advisory firms, toNigeria.assist in making the process of transition to The IFRS conversion exercise has beenthe new framework seamless and timely.The NASB explained that Nigeria will move tagged “Project Foster”. The Project

away from Statement of Accounting Foster team will subsequently disseminateThe move to become IFRS-compliant isStandards (SAS), the current framework additional, relevant information on thenecessary because some DIL listed entitiesand rules guiding the ways companies specific impact of the conversion onsuch as Dangote Cement Plc, which is nowprepare the accounts and financial Dangote Group’s staff and expected role ofa Fortune Global 2000 company, havestatements, and adopt a new framework each staff in our forthcoming publications.

IFRS: Dangote embraces new financialaccounting and reporting standardBy Toni-Anne Uwaifo

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| Dangote Foundation

D D

earthquake here and there. The flood

in Lagos came about as a result of

heavy torrential rain that should have

spanned three months, but which

happened in a day.”

Fashola, who disclosed that the state

has increased its budgetary allocation

to the ministry of environment, to

enable it to tackle environmental

issues, said Lagos will host aninternational conference of Mayors

on Climate Change soon, to share

experiences with other cities.

angote Group donated In his remarks after receiving the He said the state is constructingN100 million to the Lagos cheque, the governor thanked resettlement centers at Epe, andState Government to assist Dangote and his team for the Alimosho, adding that all the state

n the rehabilitation of the victims of unsolicited donation. was putting up was mitigation and

the recent flood disaster in the state. adaptation strategy.“The donation he has made today

President of the Group, Aliko demonstrates the high degree of his

Dangote, made the donation when public spirit,” he said. “The strength

he led a team of the management of of our nation lies in giving back to the

the Group to the Marina, Lagos society to help the needy. So many

Government House in September. He contributions to the state from him

nformed Governor Babatunde never get publicised.”

Fashola of Lagos State, who received

The governor, who said the disasterthe Dangote entourage that the

was unavoidable, added: “We havegesture was to complement the

taken too much from nature and thegovernment’s efforts in resettling the

reaction is the damage we arevictims of the devastating July 10

experiencing and it is too much. Theflood. Dangote called on other well-

only thing we could do is to developmeaning Nigerians and public-

strategies to contain it. The effect ofspirited organisations to assist the

the global warming is much. All overgovernment as it cannot meet the

the world, we could see the effect ofneeds of the society all alone.the climate change; flood and

Dangote donates N100m to Lagos flood victimsBy Omowumi Akinmoladun

The strength ofour nation lies ingiving back to the

society to help theneedy. So manycontributions tothe state from himn e v e r g e t publicised.

“

”8


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| Dangote Foundation

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and Gombe States.

The displaced persons in Bauchi received cash and

relief materials worth N40.22 million; those in

Gombe got N9.38 million in cash and materials;

while Kaduna victims, who had earlier received

some materials, also received N317.10 million

cash.

The relief materials donated to each of the victims

included a full range of consumer products of the

Dangote Group such as Danvita, pasta, noodles,

sugar and salt, spaghetti. The items also included

support kits like mosquito nets, tarpaulins,

wrappers, cooking pots, plastic buckets, blankets,

tooth paste, tooth brush, petroleum jelly and

others.

“The gesture is in line with the Foundation’s

commitment to assisting victims of crisis,” Iya

added. “We are giving out items consisting offood, clothing, and shelter because they are the

basic needs of man. We are also making a cash

donation to help the victims to settle down to

normal life.

retty Zainab Kabiru, just like any other girls somehow we escaped to the police station. They “As a responsible corporate citizen, Dangoteof her age, had tall dreams in life. At 15, she protected us, before we knew it we have lost Foundation, the vehicle for the Group’s socialwas already learning sewing, a vocation everything. It was from the Police Station that we responsibilities felt compelled to lend a helping

he had become quite proficient in. By the time were relocated to the Hajj camp over four months hand to the people who have sufferedhe was 17, she was given out in marriage and was ago. Life has not been the same again. We have psychological and emotional torture occasionediving happily with her husband and other not been seeing anybody.” by the post-election crisis."elations in Zonkwa, in Zonkwa Local Government

Area of Kaduna State. By the time she was 20 year It was in this pitiable condition of feeling However, he reiterated that the relief materials

old, she was already a widow, nursing two kids. abandoned that the Dangote Foundation, the were not intended as compensation for the lossesCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) vehicle of suffered, but to assist in complementing the

Her last child was about three months. But before the Dangote Group, moved in to provide succour government’s efforts at ameliorating the pains thehe child turned four, she had become a widow. for them. victims are going through.

Her husband and other relations had been cut

hort in their prime. Their home was not spared; it Smiles returned to their faces when Dangote Obviously elated at the gesture of the Foundation,was one of the houses razed in the bloody rage trucks drove into the camp. It started with the Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State commendedhat followed the last April Presidential election. distribution of 6,000 cartons of Dangote noodles Aliko Dangote, describing him as a Nigerian, who

Zainab and her two children have been displaced to sustain them during the Ramadan. Mr. Ahmed has the spirit of human kindness. He noted thatand she is now one of the 65, 000 persons taking Iya, the Executive Director of the Foundation the Dangote Group has spent billions of naira inefuge in many of the camps scattered across the explained that items that had already been given humanitarian service in Nigeria and across thetates in the North, created in the aftermath the out to some other displaced persons included; world.

post-election violence. textile materials, salt, sugar, tooth-paste, tooth-

brush, trays, bowls, water bottle, toilet soaps,

Zainab with her second baby at her back, was met petroleum jelly and tarpaulin.

ewing in the hall and when pressed for her

eelings, she summoned courage to speak in At the end of the distribution exercise, Dangote

halting English: “I am not happy at all, we stayed Foundation expended N356 million to lift the

with people at our house; here we are just victims in three states of Bauchi, Gombe and

solated. My husband and my relatives were killed. Kaduna. They comprise 2,265 families in Kaduna;

was with my kids when the problem started; and 273 and 67 families, respectively, in Bauchi

By Francis Awowole-Browne

Helping post-election violencevictims back on their feet again

9


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| Award

P

10

resident and Chief Executive

Officer of the Dangote Group,

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, in far awayPSouth Africa, won two prestigious Africanfocus awards: African Business Leader of

the year and African Entrepreneur of the

Year 2011 awards.

W i t h t h e a w a r d , D a n g o t e i s

internationally recognized as the greatest

African entrepreneur and the leading

business man in the continent.

In the Africa business leaders category,

Dangote currently the Forbes' African

richest man led two other businessleaders; Adrian Gore, the Chief Executive

Officer of Discovery Holdings, South Africa

and Jubril Adewale Tinubu, Chief

Executive Officer and Managing Director

of Oando Nigeria Plc.

For the African Entrepreneur of the Yearbeyond, hence his nomination as the final Bank Group

2011, Dangote came ahead of two otherwinner. Sim Eshabalala, the Deputy CEO, Standard

nominees; Leo-Stan Nnamdi Ekeh,The award ceremony, the guest admitted, Bank Group went away with Leadership in

Chairman and CEO of Zinox Technologies,was a success as they said they were Ar ts Aw ar d, wh il e th e Li fe ti me

Nigeria and Bharat Thakrar, Director andleaving the venue better inspired and Ac hi evem en t Aw ard wa s wo n by

CEO, Scangroup Limited, Kenya.more motivated to achieve more, having Raymond Ackerman, Founder, Pick 'n Pay.

Captains of industry from within and listened to the success stories of the Amongst the honoured guests inoutside the African continent witnessedvarious award winners. attendance at the ceremony was MEC for

the ceremony as Dangote was announcedIt would be recalled that earlier this year, Economic Development; Qedani Dorothy

winner of the inaugural awards afterthe ABN Productions announced the Mahlangu, Director General Sibusiso Xaba

leading three other finalists, includinglaunch of AABLA in an attempt to identify of the Department of Arts and Culture,

another Nigerian, to emerge the winner inand honour Africans who are making a retail pioneer, Raymond Ackerman.

the two separate categories of the awarddifference through innovation and In his response, Dangote who was

organized by the All Africa Businessinspiration in their industrial sectors. represented by the head of the group's

Leaders Award (AABLA), in collaborationFounder of AABLA and Vice Chairman for corporate communications, Mr. Tony

with the prominent cable television CNBC.ABN Group, Rakesh Wahi said his vision for Chiejina, expressed his appreciation to

He was named the winner after thethe awards is for it to continue to serve as God and organizers of the award for

screening exercise that produced thea platform to discover the business considering him for the honour despite

finalists who were revealed by a highleaders who are creating a culture of the available array of African businessmenprofile panel of judges headed by Dr.ent rep reneur shi p, develo pin g bes t who are also projecting the continent in

Yunus Suleman, Chairman of KPMG, Southpractices and carving out powerful and good light to the outside world through

Africa.sustainable models of business in the their business investments.

AABLA explained that Dangote emergedglobal economy. He assured that the two awards wouldthe winner of the two awards afterMeanwhile Maria Ramos, Group CEO, spur him to strive harder to do more

thorough and rigorous screening exerciseABSA Group, South Africa, emerged the investment within the continent as the

among about 100 shortlisted businessAfrica Business woman of the year in the only potent means of dealing with the

persons within Africa from where he waswomen category coming ahead of two scourge of poverty through provision of

nominated as the winner from the threeother finalists. gainful employment to Africans.

finalists. Other winners and their awards included With the presence of the Dangote group

Announcing the winners at a colourfulthe Young Africa Business Leader of the in 14 African countries, the business

ceremony held at the Sandton Sun,

Year, which was won by James Mworia, mogul said the conglomerate wouldJohannesburg, the organizers describedCEO, Centum Investment. The CNBC Africa continue to tap into the African potentials

Dangote as an exemplary entrepreneurBusiness Success in Africa Award went to and use it to transform the continent to

and real business leader in Africa andSim Tshabalala, Deputy CEO, Standard the benefit of all.

Dangote wins African Business Leader Award,now greatest African entrepreneur

Happy Ntshingila (Chief Marketing and Communication Officer, ABSA), (middle) is Anthony Chiejina, Group

Head, Corporate Communications Dangote Group receiving the award for African Business Leader of the year on

behalf of the President, Aliko Dangote and with them (left) is Roberta Naidoo (ABN, Special Assistant to the MD).


11/22


| The Crucible

The ‘landlord’ ofUnion Marble House

Can we get to meet you sir?

So how did you join Dangote Group?

Let us start from the nickname. You are

popularly known as ‘landlord’ around

here, how did you get that name?

And you were working as a lift operator?

Really? You mean Dangote Group has

been here since 1989?

in 1989. Then, this officials were around. Those days were

building was a rare dreary! At the end of 1996, NDIC

edifice and one of its liquidated the bank. The House was later

kind in terms of the sold to Union Assurance Trustees, a

quality of materials subsidiary of Union Bank. And that was

used and its design. how it came by its present name ‘Union

There were not very Marble House.’

m a n y h i g h - r i s ebuildings in Lagos

am Mohammed Yahaya, the lift operator then. There was a garden right in front offor Dangote Group here in Marble House. the building (at the present day car park Well, even after the closure of CMB, I

for Directors and the President) with continued to work as a lift operator after

peacocks strutting around. People even the new owners Union Assurance

used to come and take a tour of facilities in Trustees had taken over because of my

the building. familiarity with the elevator systems in

the building and also because they were(Laughs) People call me ‘landlord’ impressed by the efficient and jovial way Ibecause I have been working here from went about my job. One day in late 2001,the day this building was opened to the

Yes , t he el ev at or s w er e r un ni ng the President/Chief Executive, Dangotepublic in 1989, till date. And I am as excellently then. We even had intercoms Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, came toacquainted with the building and all its inside all the elevators, in case of inspect the building. He told me hefacilities like the back of my hand. emergencies. You see, a person like the wanted an office that was structurally

late Chief M.K.O Abiola used to be one of sound and strategically located on the

the frequent faces around here. Then island. I showed him around the building,

came 1996, when Continental Merchant giving him a tour of the facilities. He was

Bank joined the list of failed/distressed impressed with what he saw. During hisNo, not Dangote! Well, let me tell you a banks and was promptly closed by the subsequent visits to the House, he cameittle about Marble House, and then you Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The to know of my history with the building.

may understand what I mean. This House building was deserted and became like a He was particularly impressed with mywas originally built for Continental ghost town. However, I still continued to diligence and assured me of a job with his

Merchant Bank (CMB) around 1984 - come to work, because the Nigerian organisation when he relocated to the1986. It was not known as Union Marble Deposit Insurance Company (NDIC) House. When Dangote Group eventuallyHouse then. I joined CMB as lift operator

What was the first thing you did as you arrived for work thismorning? You probably pressed the elevator button, waited for it

to arrive; you hopped in, rode to your floor, got out safely and

went about your business of the day without further thought to

the inner workings of the elevator system. Some take the elevator

countless times daily, while others choose to use the stair case.

Whatever the case, if you work at Union Marble House, Falomo,

Ikoyi, Lagos, chances are that you would have used the elevator

at one point or the other

Well, meet Mohammed Yahaya who speaks the language of the

elevators. He knows the elevators and they know him. In this

interview withToni Anne-Uwaifo

, he tells us how he came to be

known as ‘the landlord of Marble House’, a typical day in the life

of a lift operator and much more…

11

Cont’d on page 12


12/22


The ‘landlord’ of Union Marble Housemoved here in 2002, I joined the Personally, I also advise people who ride

organisation, once again as the elevator elevators regularly to have their mobile

operator. phones on them. There have been Well, we have the management of

in st an ce s wh er e th e al ar m be ll Dangote Group to thank for that. You seemalfunctioned and did not ring. So, it is these elevators are supposed to be

safe to have your phone on you so that managed by Union Properties. But they

you can call someone else in the building, are usually slow in responding to calls for

A typical work day is eventful and tasking. who will alert the elevator operator about maintenance or repairs of the elevators,

When I get to work, I inspect the machine your plight. Whatever you do however, do so the General Service Department,

room at the rooftop to ensure the not panic! which is the department my operations

el ev at or s ar e in so un d wo rk in g fall under, intervenes and carries out

conditions. Then I ensure that all the repairs by themselves instead of waiting

elevators are clean, odourless and the for Union Properties. This intervention

fans installed in them are in good working performed by the Group has resulted in

conditions. After that, I remain at the th e op ti ma l pe rfor ma nc e of th e

ground floor to monitor the various elevators. The elevators are old and need

elevators to ensure there are no glitches. I to be changed, Union Properties has

also listen for the elevator bell, which promised to replace them. Well, we are

signals distress for any of the lifts. Once still waiting.

the particular elevator is identified, I

quickly rush to see what form of

assistance is required. If it is power

problem, the problem is resolved Yes, I derive a lot of satisfaction knowing

automatically when the generating sets that the service I render contributes in its

co me on . If it is th e el ev at or own little way to the success of the

malfunctioning, I use the release key to organisation.

open the elevator doors manually.Sometimes, the lift is stuck halfway

between two floors. That is—it is neither I am from Bajoga Local Government in

on one floor or the other. In that case, I Gombe State. I came to Lagos in 1983

cannot open the elevators because the after completing my secondary education

walls are covering the doors. So, I use the in Gombe. My wife and I have lived in

inner ladder to get in and manually use Lagos since that time, so this state is like a

the levers to pull the elevator to a floor, so second home to us . I have four

we can have access to the elevator doors. children—two boys and two girls. The

eldest is a girl, Aisha, and she is currently

studying at the University of Maiduguri.

I am very pleased that in all my years ofworking here at Marble House, we have

not recorded any deaths or injury relating

to or arising from the use of the elevators. Always have a mobile phone with you. If

I am very glad you asked this question. an elevator stalls, don’t panic. Use the

The next thing to do if you are trapped in distress button with the bell sign on it.

an elevator is to look for buttons in the And please do not press the elevator

elevator with the bell sign, when you buttons multiple times as this could

locate the button, press the button. The Never! It has never happened here in damage the elevators.

button triggers an alarm which tells the Marble House, even though the building

elevator operator there is distress in one is almost 30 years old, the longest

of the lifts. The elevator operator traces duration of someone been trapped in the It has been my pleasure.

the particular elevator and goes with his elevators here is less than 2 hours.

release key to manually open the lifts.

Wow! That is an impressive record, how

do you manage that?

What is a typical workday like in the life

of an elevator operator?

You sound so enthusiastic about your

job. So, tell us, do you enjoy this job?

So tell us a little about yourself

You have worked as an elevator operator

for over 20 years. During this time, have

you had any incident or casualty

resulting from an elevator incident in

Marble House?

Your answer brings me to my next

question, let’s says there is no poweroutage but the elevators suddenly stop Before we go, can you share with us

working, and I am trapped in the safety tips on using elevators?

elevator. What should I do next?

Really? What about trappings, has there

ever been an occasion when someone

was trapped for say, a day?

Thank you for your time, sir.

| The Crucible

12

Cont’d from page 11


13/22


| Super Subs

Dangot e n eN roo ilddl hes Cfe riantes Nige

13


14/22


Pnothing. The bus conductors have the funnyerhaps, I am the only one who

habit of joining male and female passengersbelongs to the school of thought

without ‘sense’ (some couples in Lagos metthat believes 24 hours is barely

through this arrangement, I was told). Andenough for one to conclude one’s tasks in

if you want to receive a synopsis of your lifeone day. What with putting in 12 hours at

history added to the already messed upwork (I doff my hat for Alhaji, President of

morning, dare to confront the uncouthDangote Group who puts in 15); another

conductors.wo hours crossing the Third Mainland

Bridge to Surulere; one hour explaining toThe next baptism is the gridlock that maymadam and the kids (if they are still awake)take hours even on a very good day. It couldwhy you are just coming in when Mr. B in thebe worse if your danfo is right behind one ofopposite apartment has been home sincethose ungainly mechanical contraptions6.00 p.m. tomorrow. To keep the medulla oblongatacalled molue with mobile chimneys instead functioning at optimum levels, weof exhaust pipes (Fashola has brought inAnother hour is spent taking your bath and

some sanity now with BRT).ushing dinner that was prepared about

5.00 p.m. The resultant constipation has patronise those seedy joints, whoseYou manage to get to the office and you aregiven rise to more pot-bellied men in inhabitants believe hygiene is only a word infaced with the option of having to wait forcirculation these days. You hit the sack the dictionary, for lunch—particularly thosethe elevators to come on or take the stairshereafter with one eye open because of of us who cannot wait for the caterers whoto your office. While you are still trying tohe threats of bombing in the country. arrive at 1.30 pm on a very good day.catch your breath—if you opted for the

latter—the gentlemen in black walk up toYou sleep in a hurry—that is if the noise The vicious cycle ends and you hit the roadyou demanding to see your ID cards, tiesrom the “I-better-pass-my-neighbour” again. Thank God for those air-conditionedand hats/cap. The exchanges between themade-In-China contraptions allows you to. Fashola buses that keep pick-pockets at baysecurity men and the defaulters are betterWhen you are about engaging gear into till you alight at your bus stop. While inleft for another day.drive for deep slumber, the voyage to traffic, you come face to face with traffic

dreamland is cut short by your alarm clock. urchins who sell epa, guguru and kulikul iYou take a trip to the water dispenser toYou manage to wake up and rush to the bath without NAFDAC registration numbers orlubricate your alimentary canal. Lo andub—if you live in an apartment—or queue expiry dates, and the LASTME N, who ratherbehold, that is when the water vendorsup for the matchbox convenience if you live than control traffic, prefer to lay ambush fordecide to apply the handbrakes! Stilln one of those “face-me-I-face-you” traffic offenders. They have since mellowedsmarting from that experience, you engrossapartments. PHCN, still with no legs to down, no thanks to the recent High Court

yourself in your work as if there is nostand on, or knee caps to crawl on, is at its judgment. When you want to settle downusual best. You rush out in a hurry to for a smooth ride—if you have a car—you

commute in the ubiquitous danfo buses come face-to-face with the RRS olopas whonow you know why we forget our caps and want to know what you have even in your

ies). wallets.

You get to the bus stop and your first After all the hustle and bustle, we take our

baptism is the pungent odour emitted by cases to God on a Sunday after doing the

he igbo smoking touts demanding ‘union household chores on Saturday. You could be

ees’ from the danfo drivers. The first insult lucky to belong to one of the new

you receive from the conductor is “enter generation churches where dress codes are

with your ‘sense.’ I no get sense ooo! I go imposed, otherwise, you are seated beside

oin you if you no get sense o!” Not to worry, one of those descendants of Jezebel.he ensuing match-making costs next to

| Sonnie’s World

P

Sonnie Evbota of Dangote Cement, Head Office looks at the humorous side of living in Lagos

Living in Lagos

14


15/22


| Staff of the Month

T They are not your regular fire fighters.They are actually Dangote Group's

security personnel. These 14 men (whose

photographs are shown below) worked hard toth

put out the fire on the 5 Floor of Union Marble

House.

It all started when Michael Onyega, who isth

stationed on the 5 Floor, detected smoke

during his routine half-hour inspection of theth

offices on the floor on Saturday, May 7 2011 at

about 5:45pm when he was about to changeduty with the security personnel on the night

watch.

He quickly alerted other security personnel who

all tried various means to put out the fire as one

of them, Adamu Kemsalem, hurried off to the

Ikoyi Fire Service Station to get help. While

Kemsalem was away, the other security

personnel broke the glass window to the

affected office to enable them to have access to

the office as the keys to the office were

unavailable.

They used the fire extinguishers available to

douse the fire and succeeded in putting it out

before the Fire Service men arrived. The fire

service men later traced the cause of the fire to

faulty electrical sockets. Items destroyed in the

inferno include: tabletop fridge, microwave,

laptops and several other office equipment.

The entire security men on duty that day worked

hard to ensure that the fire did not spread to

adjoining offices or to other floors and for theirhard work and efforts we highly commend them

and enjoin all staff to emulate their courage.

The Fire FightersBy Toni-Anne Uwaifo

Emmanuel Anyebe Musa Bukar Charles Odumodu

Michael Onyega Adamu Kamselem Aminu Iliya

Ayuba Bebeji Suleimon Mohammed Mohammed Lawal

David Ochigbo Udosen James Hope Hassan Zourkaleyin Aliyu Mohammed Gombe Abubakar Umar

15


16/22


| Security Tips

locate or identify your car Ø Try to plan your visit to an ATM

Ø When using a commercial bus, be

sure to have your transport fare out Ø Guard your number plates

and ready before you leave your carefully by making sure they

home or the office. are properly fixed to the cars to

avoid falling off

Ø Plan your route to use the busiest,

best-lit areas. This is very

Ø Safety is very important as life isimportant, both to get on and off

preciousthe bus.

Ø Be cautious whenever you are

taking a walkØ If you must wait, stay near the

Ø Choose busy streetsattendant's stand or in the best-litØ Avoid going through vacant lots,area available.

alleys, or other deserted areasØ Keep your purse, shopping bags, during the day, rather than afterØ At night, walk in well-lit areaspackages, etc, on your lap, in your dark

whenever possiblearm, or between your feet – not by Ø Choose an ATM location that is in aØ Take a friend or neighbour alongthemselves or on an empty seat, busy public place

for company, when walking orwhen you are inside a bus. Ø Avoid withdrawals in isolated joggingØ Seat near the driver, but not right areas

Ø Get to know the neighbourhoodnext the door. Ø If at all possible, take along aand neighbours where you liveØ Don't let yourself doze off on a bus. friend who can watch the

or workIt can make you a target! surrounding while you areØ Carry your purse/wallet close to conducting your transactions

your body and keep firm grip on Ø Pre – plan your transactionsitØ Always lock your vehicle and take the carefully, and don't spend too

Ø Avoid pickpockets by carryingkeys, even if you will go for a short much time at the machineyour wallet in an inside coatperiod of time Ø When you make withdrawal,pocket or front trouser pocketØ Keep your car in good running quickly place the money in your

condition, and keep the tank at least purse or pocket and leave as soonone quarter full as you finish the transaction

Ø Lock doors while driving Ø Watch out for suspicious looking

Ø If your car breaks down, raise the people waiting around they mayhood and place emergency reflector not really be customersmeters away from the car Ø If someone offers to let you go

Ø Don't just accept help from just ahead of them decline politelyanybody and leave

Ø Be watchful especially of people with

rough bags God will save us all.

Ø Don't give lift at night, especially to

ladies -Madami is the CSO/Investigation Officer

Ø Control your car keys jealously; never at the Head Office

leave identification mark on thekeys. Such marks help thieves to

When using public transportation

Safety on foot

While in your car

Using an ATM

Security TipsBy Joshua Madami

16


17/22


| Book Review

17

£ Defeat may test you; it need not stop you. If at first you don’t succeed, try another way. For everyobstacle, there is a solution. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. The greatest

mistake is giving up.

£ The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without

feeling guilty about it.

£ Borrow money from a pessimist-they don’t expect it back.

£ Laughter is the shock absorber that absorbs the blows of life.

£ I have learned that everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growthoccurs while you are climbing it.

£ Did you realise that opportunities are never lost? That ’s because someone will always take the onesyou miss!

£ If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito!


18/22


19/22


| Sports

They are generally regarded as two of the best allowed to be ‘selfish’ with the ball. He shares this more on his teammates than Ronaldo does. Unlikefootballers in the world today. They also play for ‘selfish gene’ with ex-French international and Messi, Ronaldo has been highly influential in the

two of the best teams in the world. Goalkeepers Arsenal top striker, Thierry Henry. Portuguese National Team. If both players swapped

sincerely do not look forward to games against teams, I think Messi could score less goals, while

them because of their penchant for scoring goals. However, suppose for one minute that Messi Ronaldo could have more due to the reasons cited.

switched teams and position with Ronaldo, what

Lionel Messi, who plays for Barcelona FC of Spain, is would happen? Ronaldo could have been the World’s Best Player if

currently the World Footballer of the Year. On the he were on this fantastic Barcelona team because

other hand, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is also prolific Ronaldo would for a start, have to learn to share the he would have a better supporting cast. That would

goal scorer, plays for another Spanish giant Real ball—and this might not go down well with him, like have made him more dangerous! Messi might not

Madrid CF. He is considered one of the best strikers most selfish players. But he would flourish well in be as successful in Real Madrid, because many of

n the world today. Messi’s club, Barcelona, are also Barcelona with Xavi and Iniesta behind him his goals are facilitated by the support from his

regarded as the best team in the Spanish La Liga, because he is a clinical finisher. teammates.

and the world currently—a position once

comfortably held by Real Madrid. Though, Messi on the other hand, is a top goal One also has to consider the fact that Ronaldo hasscorer for Barcelona, the reason for his success is been tested in three different leagues; Portuguese

A look at their pattern of play shows that Barcelona perhaps, the superior midfield that he plays with at League (Sporting CP: 2002 - 2003); English Premier

are a team dependent on passing and possession Barcelona. Check out his games with the Argentine League (Manchester United FC: 2003 – 2009); and

system, orc hes trated by their wor ld- class National Team: he has not had the same goal Spanish La Liga (Real Madrid CF:2009 till date). He

midfielders: Xavi Hernandez and Andreas Iniesta. scoring success. This suggests that Messi may rely can therefore fit into the Barcelona team or any

These two feed Messi with other team.

strategic passes, which he

converts to goals. Messi fits in It is doubtful if the same can be said

well with this system. Messi about Messi, who has been with

re ce nt ly ma de hi st or y in Barcelona virtually all his football

Barcelona by emerging joint playing life.

second highest goal scorer with a

tally of 194 goals. He tied with But the question is still open: If

Hungary’s Laszlo Kubala, who Ronaldo and Messi swapped teams,made waves in the 1950s. who would do better? Ronaldo or

Messi? Barcelona or Real Madrid?

But with Real Madrid, Ronaldo is

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are perhaps two

of the best strikers in the world today. Both currently

play for the two top teams in the Spanish La Liga:

Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively. While they

are both prolific goal scorers, Nefertiti Ohimain , who

works with Projects, looks at what would likely

happen should Messi and Ronaldo for some

inexplicable reason, switch teams.

Cristiano Ronaldo

vs

Lionel Messi:Who’s better?

19


20/22


| Sports

T

The English Premiership League (EPL)

is perhaps the most interesting

league in the world today. There are

20 clubs in the EPL, which parades high

profile footballers from all over the world.

A number of professional Africanin Nigeria where you often find stickers and bought Manchester United some years

ootballers feature on the EPL. A few ofemblems of Manchester United, Chelsea, back, when the club was facing financial

hem include Didier Drogba (Cote D’Ivoire);Arsenal and Liverpool, on cars. Some even crisis, even though the diehard English fans

Michael Essien (Ghana); and Mikel Obigo as far as buying the jerseys for their did not exactly like the idea. Roman

Nigeria). All three of them play for Chelsea,children with the names of their favourite Abramovich, a Russian, owns Chelsea

currently one of the top two clubs in thestars boldly inscribed on the back of the Football Club. At a time, it was widely

EPL. Chelsea appears to be a great favouriteshirts. reported in the media that our

among Nigerian football fans, perhaps duePresident/Chief Executive, Aliko Dangote

o the large number of Africans in the club.EPL is unique in several aspects, which was interested in buying Arsenal.

make it different from the other European Companies are also into sponsorship of theHowever, even though Manchester United,leagues such as the Spanish La Liga, the EPL. Some of the big brands include: AIG,

another top club in the EPL and the richestItalian Seria A and the German Bundesliga. Samsung and Emirates.

n the world, does not have Nigerians on theOne of the things that make it unique is the

eam, the ‘Red Devils,’ as they are oftenfact that it is a huge money-spinner. It has But the EPL is not without its critics in

alled, have a huge fan base in Nigeria.got to a level where even parents will want Nigeria. For instance, while some Nigerian

Another club that has large followers intheir children to choose football as career, stars in the EPL do well at club level, it

Nigeria is Arsenal, popularly referred to asbased on the weekly wages of a football seems they are not able to replicate the

he ‘Gunners,’ while Liverpool also has a lotplayer, who earns 150,000 pounds weekly, performance in the National Team, the

of fans.apart from extra bonuses. Super Eagles. This has led to calls for a

second National Team made up of localAt social gatherings, in the office and evenThe fact that a large number of Africans play players by some critics of the EPL, who feel

within the family setting, EPL is often thein the EPL compared to other European that Nigerians are giving too much

major subject of discussion, particularlyleagues, also make it popular among attention to it to the detriment of the local

when there is a match in the offing, or oneNigerians. In addition, EPL offers league.

had just taken place. These have helped toprospective investors an attractive

make the EPL to become more popularproposition such that even if a club is at the Despite criticisms, Nigerian fans and brands

a m o n g N i g e r i a n s . D e s p i t e t h everge of running bankrupt, buyers and big will continue to devote attention to the EPL

heterogeneous nature of the Nigerianmoney spenders scramble to acquire such until perhaps, the local league is developed

ociety, in football, Nigerians appear toclubs. to such a point that it can begin to compete

peak one language.favourably with the EPL and other top

For instance, Malcolm Glazier, an American leagues around the world.We have different fanatical fans of the EPL

Tunde Adenuga of Dangote Cement(Head office) writes on the attraction for the

EPL among Nigerians.

The craze

for EPL

20


21/22


| Milestones

Mr. Olakunle Alake, our Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO),

attained the proverbial Golden Age on August 11. In our usual

tradition, top management and staff of Dangote Group as well his

friends and well-wishers outside the Company, gathered in his office

to celebrate the colourful occasion with him.

GCOOclocks

50

Our Group Executive Director, Logistics and Distribution, Alhaji

Abdu Dantata, was a year older on September 24. Management

and staff of the organisation trooped out to his office to felicitate

with him and to wish him well in his future endeavours.

GED,Logistics & Distributionmarks birthday

21

Marked on October 13. Marked on October 14.


22/22


| Milestones

Mr. Mufutau Okeowo of the Admin. Dept.

Dangote Group HQ. gives gratitude to the

Almighty ALLAH (SWT) for His Blessed Gift of anew baby girl to the Okeowo family. The baby

was born on the 9th of June, 2011 and named:

BALQIS ENIOLOHUNDA OKEOWO.

It’s a girl!!!!

GM, Admin

& E s t a t e

c e l e b r a t e s

birthday

The GM, Admin and

H R , M r . N k e m

O s u a g w u a l s o

marked his birthday

on June 28 and was

treated to a party by

s t a f f a n d w e l l -

wishers.

Bilikisu Adedeji’s twins

mark birthday Basirat celebrates

Mr Eno Ema Okon of Borkir Int’l Ltd. took former

Miss Uto Ekong to the altar on

at Christ for the World Mission, Uyo, Akwa

Ibom State. Dangote News wishes them a happy

married life!

11th September,

2011

conjugal bliss

A conjugal bliss

Taiwo Muyeenat Adedeji and Kehinde

Muyeebat Adedeji, twin daughters of Mrs.

thBilikisu Adedeji of DFM, celebrated their 10birthday on August 29 2011

A k i n o l a B a s i ra t o f o u r I m p o rt

Documentation Unit in Head Office,t hcelebrated her birthday on 24

September, 2011. With her is Roees, her

son.

Maryoud Elsunni

joinsDangote Group

We are pleased to welcome to the Dangote Group

Mr. Maryoud Elsunni who has recently joined as

Executive Director (Eng. & Ops) at Dangote Sugar

Refinery.

Prior to joining us, he was head-Technical, Sugar

Project of International Fine Food Company

(IFFCO), United Arab Emirates.

dangote news vol-18

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