Nigeria’s healthcare sector received a significant boost on Friday as Dangote Cement Plc commissioned a multimillion naira Cottage Hospital in Obajana, Kogi State, to improve access to quality healthcare for residents of the host community and neighbouring areas.
According to The Guardian, the commissioning ceremony also featured the conferment of traditional chieftaincy titles on several management staff of the company in recognition of their contributions to the development of the Obajana Kingdom.
The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Arvind Pathak, was conferred with the title of Mayegun of Obajana Kingdom, while the Plant Director of the Obajana Plant, Engr Azad Nawabuddin, received the title of Babagunwa. Head of Social Performance, Mr Wakeel Olayiwola, was honoured with the title of Adeyanju, General Manager, Social Performance, Ademola Adeyemi, became the Imokan of Obajana, while Head of Human Resource and Administration, Dangote Packaging Limited, Bashir Uba, was installed as the Eri Oba of Obajana Kingdom.
The newly commissioned hospital forms part of Dangote Cement’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving the wellbeing of residents in Obajana and surrounding communities.
The Bajana of Obajana, Engr Idowi Isenibi, described the completion of the hospital as a dream fulfilled, assuring that the community would protect the facility and ensure it serves its intended purpose.
Speaking at the event, Acting Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, Engr Panjala Sreedhar, said the hospital was conceived following extensive consultations and community needs assessments, which identified healthcare as one of the community’s most pressing needs.
He explained that the Cottage Hospital was established to provide comprehensive primary and secondary healthcare services, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances to access medical care.
According to him, the facility 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 hospital would improve maternal and child healthcare, strengthen health service delivery and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
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 the approval of additional community projects, 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 Universal Basic Education Secondary School in Apata.
Sreedhar reaffirmed the company’s commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with its host communities and creating shared value through impactful development initiatives.
He also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, noting that the administration’s support has contributed to the continued growth of Dangote Cement’s operations in Kogi 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 urged the company to provide medical personnel to operate the hospital pending the deployment of healthcare workers by the local government.
Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, described the facility as a major intervention that would improve healthcare access for residents and appealed to Dangote Cement to continue supporting local security outfits, particularly vigilante groups, to strengthen peace and security in the community.
Also speaking, the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman of the Okun Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Owoniyi, commended the company for delivering the healthcare project, describing the Cottage Hospital as a significant contribution to community development. He urged residents to take ownership of the facility by ensuring its proper maintenance.
Group Head, Socio Performance, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr Wakeel Olayiwola, attributed the successful execution of the project to the cordial relationship between the company and its host communities, adding that the company had taken note of stakeholders’ observations and requests.
Olayiwola disclosed that since 2025, Dangote Cement has expanded its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives beyond its immediate host communities and pledged to continue implementing projects that improve livelihoods and promote sustainable development.
General Manager, Social Performance, Obajana Plant, Ademola Adeyemi, said the company has additional Corporate Social Responsibility projects and Community Development Agreement initiatives lined up for execution.
He thanked the traditional rulers for honouring the company’s management staff with chieftaincy titles, noting that the recognition would further motivate Dangote Cement to deepen its commitment to community development and sustain the peaceful relationship it enjoys with its host communities.
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