Dangote Cement Plc has commissioned a multimillion-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 the host community and neighbouring settlements.
The commissioning ceremony also featured the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on senior officials of the company in recognition of their contributions to the development of Obajana Kingdom.
The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak, was installed as the Mayegun of Obajana Kingdom, while the Acting Plant Director, Engr. Panjala Sreedhar, represented the company during the event. Other recipients included the Plant Director, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, who received the title of Babagunwa, Group Head of Social Performance, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, honoured as Adeyanju, General Manager of Social Performance, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, installed as Imokan, and Head of Human Resources and Administration, Dangote Packaging Limited, Mr. Bashir Uba, who was conferred with the title of Eri-Oba of Obajana Kingdom.
The newly completed hospital is designed to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for medical treatment.
The Bajana of Obajana, Engr. Idowu Isenibi, described the hospital as a dream fulfilled, pledging that the community would safeguard the facility and ensure it serves its intended purpose.
“Dangote is a blessing to this community,” the traditional ruler said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Engr. Panjala Sreedhar, said the project resulted from extensive consultations and community needs assessments, which identified healthcare as a critical priority.
“The Obajana Cottage Hospital is a direct response to the healthcare needs identified through our engagements with the Obajana community. The facility is designed to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services to residents of Obajana and surrounding communities,” he said.
According to him, the hospital is equipped with male, female and children’s wards, private wards, consulting rooms, a meeting room, 19 sanitary facilities, digital blood pressure monitoring devices, a dedicated borehole water supply and other essential medical infrastructure.
Sreedhar expressed confidence that the facility would improve maternal and child healthcare, strengthen healthcare delivery and enhance the wellbeing of residents across Obajana and neighbouring communities.
He noted that Dangote Cement has continued to invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment and livelihood programmes across Obajana, Oyo, Iwaa, Apata and Jakura communities through sustained engagement with stakeholders.
He also announced additional community projects approved by the company, including ICT centres for Oyo and Iwaa communities, electrification projects in Jakura, vocational and skills acquisition programmes for youths, perimeter fencing of the Obajana Cultural Heritage Site and fencing of the UBE Secondary School in Apata.
Sreedhar reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with host communities and creating shared value through impactful development initiatives.
He also commended Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, noting that the administration’s support has contributed to the growth of Dangote Cement’s operations in the state.
Representing Governor Ododo, the Special Assistant on Corporate Social Responsibility, Hon. Paul Sunday, praised Dangote Cement for its sustained investment in community development and appealed to the company to provide medical personnel to operate the facility pending the deployment of government health workers.
Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, described the hospital as a major intervention that would significantly improve healthcare access for residents.
He also urged the company to continue supporting local security outfits, particularly vigilante groups, to strengthen peace and security in Obajana.
The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Owoniyi, lauded Dangote Cement for delivering the project, describing the Cottage Hospital as a significant contribution to community development despite his preference for a general hospital.
He urged residents to take ownership of the facility by ensuring its proper maintenance and pledged the continued support of the host communities.
Group Head of Social Performance, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, attributed the successful completion of the project to the cordial relationship between the company and its host communities, adding that the observations and requests presented by stakeholders had been duly noted.
He disclosed that since 2025, Dangote Cement has expanded its CSR programmes beyond its immediate host communities and would continue implementing projects that improve livelihoods and promote sustainable development.
General Manager of Social Performance, Obajana Plant, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi, said the company has several additional CSR initiatives and Community Development Agreement (CDA) projects scheduled for implementation.
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He thanked the traditional rulers for honouring members of the company’s management team with chieftaincy titles, saying the recognition would inspire Dangote Cement to deepen its commitment to peaceful coexistence and sustainable community development.
