Obajana, Kogi State — Dangote Cement Plc has commissioned a multi-million naira cottage hospital in Obajana, Kogi State, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at improving access to quality healthcare for residents of its host communities.
The newly completed health facility, officially inaugurated on Friday, is expected to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services to residents of Obajana and neighbouring communities, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for medical attention.
The commissioning ceremony also featured the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on several senior officials of the company in recognition of their contributions to the development of the Obajana Kingdom.
Company Executives Honoured with Traditional Titles
During the ceremony, the traditional ruler of Obajana Kingdom honoured top management officials of Dangote Cement with various chieftaincy titles.
Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Arvind Pathak, was installed as the Mayegun of Obajana Kingdom, while the Plant Director of the Obajana Plant, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, received the title of Babagunwa.
The company’s Group Head of Social Performance, Wakeel Olayiwola, was honoured as Adeyanju, while General Manager of Social Performance, Ademola Adeyemi, was conferred with the title of Imokan of Obajana. The Head of Human Resources and Administration at Dangote Packaging Limited, Bashir Uba, was also installed as the Eri-Oba of Obajana Kingdom.
Hospital Designed to Improve Healthcare Access
Speaking during the inauguration, Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement’s Obajana Plant, Engr. Panjala Sreedhar, said the hospital was developed after extensive consultations with community leaders and stakeholders identified healthcare as one of the area’s most pressing needs.
According to him, the project reflects the company’s commitment to improving the quality of life in its host communities through sustainable development initiatives.
He explained that the facility is equipped to provide both primary and secondary healthcare services and is expected to strengthen maternal and child healthcare while improving emergency and routine medical services for surrounding communities.
The hospital features separate male, female and children’s wards, private patient rooms, consulting rooms, meeting facilities, 19 sanitary units, digital blood pressure monitoring equipment, a dedicated borehole water system and other essential medical infrastructure.
Sreedhar expressed confidence that the project would significantly enhance healthcare delivery and improve the overall wellbeing of residents across Obajana and neighbouring settlements.
More Community Development Projects Approved
Beyond healthcare, Dangote Cement announced several additional community development projects approved for implementation across its host communities.
According to the company, the new initiatives include Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres for Oyo and Iwaa communities, rural electrification projects in Jakura, vocational training and skills acquisition programmes for young people, perimeter fencing of the Obajana Cultural Heritage Site, and fencing of the Universal Basic Education Secondary School in Apata.
The company noted that its CSR programmes continue to focus on education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and livelihood development through regular engagement with host communities.
Traditional Ruler Praises Dangote
The Bajana of Obajana, Engr. Idowu Isenibi, described the completion of the hospital as a landmark achievement for the community.
He said the project fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of residents and pledged that the community would safeguard the facility and ensure it serves its intended purpose.
According to the monarch, the hospital represents another example of Dangote Cement’s commitment to the welfare and development of Obajana.
Kogi Government Commends Initiative
Representing Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Special Assistant on Corporate Social Responsibility, Hon. Paul Sunday, praised Dangote Cement for its continued investment in community development.
He appealed to the company to assist with the provision of medical personnel to operate the hospital until the local government deploys healthcare workers to the facility.
The Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, also described the project as a major intervention that would improve healthcare access for residents.
He encouraged community members to make good use of the hospital while appealing to the company to sustain its support for local security initiatives, particularly community vigilante groups working to maintain peace in the area.
Traditional Council Welcomes Development
Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council and the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, commended Dangote Cement for delivering the healthcare project.
While noting that a general hospital would have offered broader medical services, the royal father said the newly commissioned cottage hospital remains a significant investment that will positively impact healthcare delivery in the region.
He urged residents to take ownership of the facility by ensuring its proper maintenance and pledged the continued support of traditional institutions for the company’s development efforts.
Company Reaffirms CSR Commitment
Group Head of Socio-Performance at Dangote Cement Plc, Wakeel Olayiwola, attributed the successful completion of the project to the strong relationship between the company and its host communities.
He said the company had carefully noted the requests and recommendations made by community leaders during the event and reaffirmed Dangote Cement’s commitment to implementing projects that improve living standards.
Olayiwola disclosed that since 2025, the company’s CSR initiatives have expanded beyond its immediate host communities, with greater emphasis on sustainable projects that deliver lasting social and economic benefits.
General Manager of Social Performance, Ademola Adeyemi, added that several additional projects contained in the company’s Community Development Agreement (CDA) would be executed in the coming months.
He also expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers for honouring members of the management team with chieftaincy titles, describing the recognition as an encouragement for the company to deepen its partnership with host communities and continue investing in projects that support sustainable development.
