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President of the Republic of Senegal, Macky Sall and the federal government of Nigeria have eulogised Africa’s richest man, billionaire industrialist and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote for investing heavily in the continent and ultimately helping to catalyse growth and development in the two countries and the continent at large.
This was just as Dangote urged his fellow African investors to scale up their investments in the continent, noting that the award bestowed on him was a clarion call to spearhead Africa’s rapid industrialisation.
The praises by the two nations followed the conferment of the highest civilian award in Senegal, National Order of the Lion Award, on Dangote by the Senegalese President, in recognition of the successful partnership between Senegal and the Dangote Group.
At the award ceremony held on Friday in Dakar, the Senegalese capital, Sall described Dangote as a blessing to his country and Africa as a whole and lauded the entrepreneurial and philanthropic activities of the frontline businessman.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Government, the Counsellor/Head of Chancery at the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar, Musa Abdulqadir, was quoted in a statement to have also commended Dangote for enhancing Nigeria’s reputation across Africa.
Abdulqadir said Dangote Cement was regarded as having the best quality in the Senegalese market, which he noted, had helped to create a favourable perception of Nigeria in the country.
According to him, Dangote Cement has become a household name, which has rebranded Nigeria and Nigerians in Senegal and proves that quality goods can be produced by Nigerian companies.
In his acceptance remarks, Dangote urged African investors to scale up their investments in the continent, reiterating that “only Africans can develop Africa as they understand the continent better than foreigners.”
He said they should consider it a patriotic duty to continue to invest in Africa, especially in the manufacturing sector.
The Chief promoter of the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which is now in operation, stated that the vision to continue to invest in the continent had propelled Dangote Cement to become Africa’s leading cement producer with 52.0Mta capacity across the continent while effectively eliminating Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement.
Dangote, who commended the government and good people of Senegal for the award, described it as a clarion call to spearhead Africa’s rapid industrialisation.
“I regard this award as a call to do more in terms of investments across Africa as appreciating the efforts of African investors in creating value across the continent will spur them to do more.
“There is an urgent need to move Africa from the export of raw and unprocessed materials and a net importer of finished goods to self-sufficiency in the manufacturing of goods where the basic inputs are available,” he said.
According to him, the decision to invest in Senegal was part of Dangote Group’s Pan-African vision of creating value and providing thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Dangote, who called on African entrepreneurs to invest in other African countries, said, “Our cement plant in Pout, Senegal is one of our leading success stories across Africa.
“It is contributing to the Senegalese economy in taxes, direct and indirect jobs, and a boost of ancillary sectors such as block-making, and building projects, among others. The plant has also contributed to the welfare of its host communities with several corporate social responsibility projects.”
Dangote had earlier been conferred with the Commander of the National Order of Valour of the Republic of Cameroon, the Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin, and Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger.
He was also honoured with the Grand Commander, Order of the Niger (GCON) by the Nigerian Government.
Peter Uzoho
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