By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana Plant, has increased its tertiary institution scholarship beneficiaries in Oworo land, Kogi State, from 50 in 2025 to 125 in 2026, extending educational support to 75 additional students.
The expansion was announced at the 2026 Oworo Tertiary Institution Scholarship Award Programme in Lokoja Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Mr Ademola Adeyemi, who represented the Plant Director, said the increase reflected the company’s commitment to supporting education beyond its five primary catchment communities.
The communities are Jakura, Oyo, Iwaa, Apata and Obajana.
Adeyemi said the multi-million-naira scholarship scheme was designed to reduce the financial burden on students, parents and guardians while promoting human capital development.
He added that the intervention was particularly important in supporting students from less-privileged backgrounds to pursue their academic ambitions.
President of the Oworo Development Association (ODA), Mr Ibrahim Adoga, commended the company for sustaining its investment in community development.
Adoga described the increase in scholarship beneficiaries as a significant intervention that would ease the financial pressure on families.
He also highlighted other projects executed by the company, including five boreholes drilled across Oworo communities in 2025 and an additional four in 2026.
He expressed appreciation to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Plant Director, management and staff of the company for sustaining the scholarship initiative.
Adoga also urged traditional rulers, youth groups, women and other stakeholders to continue supporting and protecting the company.
Speaking on behalf of parents, Magistrate Ibrahim Eleson Denja thanked Dangote Cement for its continued investment in education and community development.
A beneficiary, Miss Oheda Faith Helen, a Biochemistry student at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, said the scholarship would ease the financial burden on her family and help her concentrate on her studies.
She expressed gratitude to the company for the intervention.
The event attracted representatives of the Federal Mines Office, Kogi State Ministry of Mineral Resources, the Oworo Development Association and the Oworo Education Endowment Fund Committee.
Traditional and community leaders, including the representative of the Olu of Oworo, HRH Alhaji Seidu Adoga Aliyu, and the Obaro of Omuwa Community, Chief K. A. Mahmoud, were also in attendance.
