Dangote conglomerate has started building the N1 billion Industrial Academy at Obajana, Kogi State that promises to be the best in Nigeria when completed in December.
The Dangote Academy will not only admit students but will offer them employment after a 12 months’ training programme, a statement from the group said.
While the building of the academy complex is continuing, admission and classes have since begun.
Last week, the academy inaugurated 50 new Ordinary Diploma holders into its vocational class.
The Graduate Engineer Trainees (GET) who came nine month earlier, were drawn from universities and polytechnics (HND) having completed their compulsory NYSC scheme.
Speaking to newsmen at the academy’s location at Obajana in Kogi State, head of training and development Engr. Haruna Adinoyi said, “here, we are dealing with graduates from universities and those with HND. It is a one-year programme before they can be absorbed into our different plants.”
The vocational training scheme started in October 2010 with 50 trainees and later brought in additional 50, making it 100.
“In 2012, we want to bring in 200 trainees. We have brought in the first set of 50 which is in the batch three currently in Oshogbo undergoing their technical training.Today, we are bringing another batch of 50 which will now make it 100. We are also planning the finance cadre and may bring some 50 graduates. So the academy is in the right direction,” he said.
Also speaking, Head of Administration, Finance and External Relations of the Dangote Academy Malam Usman Muhammad said that the facility is the best in the country.
“I came from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and we used to go round to inspect facilities of industries. Of all the facilities I have seen, I don’t think the facility that is found here can be found anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.
The statement also said that the conglomerate donated about N15.5 billion in 2011 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The statement also said that the conglomerate donated about N15.5 billion in 2011 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
