Dangote Cement Plc has launched a football tournament across its Ibese and Okpella operations, using grassroots sports to promote youth development, peaceful coexistence and stronger relationships with host communities.
The maiden competition, fully sponsored by the company, brings together young footballers from communities around its cement plants in Ibese, Okpella, Obajana and Gboko, providing a platform for talent discovery and interaction across community boundaries.
Speaking at the ceremonial kick-off of the Ibese edition, the Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu, described the initiative as part of the company’s commitment to the socioeconomic development and wellbeing of its host communities.
He said the tournament represented an expansion of Dangote Cement’s social investment strategy, which focuses on education, health, infrastructure and empowerment.
According to him, the initiative is designed to provide young people with constructive opportunities for engagement, development and empowerment.
Subbaraidu said the competition goes beyond football by encouraging friendship, mutual understanding and peaceful relationships among participating communities.
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He added that the company considers unity and stronger community ties the tournament’s greatest achievements, regardless of which team wins the trophy.
At Ibese, 17 host communities have been grouped into eight teams for the competition. Subbaraidu said the arrangement demonstrates how sports can break down barriers and promote interaction among communities.
He also expressed optimism that the tournament would help identify promising grassroots footballers who could develop into players capable of competing at national and international levels.
The plant director urged players, officials and supporters to uphold sportsmanship, discipline and mutual respect, warning against violence and confrontations that could undermine the competition.
The tournament also commenced at the company’s Okpella operation, where Plant Director, Mohammed Ismaael, said football had the ability to unite people regardless of their backgrounds or social status.
He described the competition as an investment in young people, peaceful coexistence, and the long-term relationship between Dangote Cement and its host communities.
Ismaael said the initiative would provide young people with opportunities to showcase their abilities, interact positively and build friendships beyond their immediate communities.
The simultaneous launch in Ibese and Okpella reflects Dangote Cement’s broader effort to extend its community engagement programmes through grassroots sports, complementing its existing interventions in education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic empowerment.
