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2022: Dangote Industries Wins FMDQ Largest Corporate Lodgment Award

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…As Dangote Cement named Most Trusted Brand of the Year

 

In a blaze of honour, the Pan-African conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its Africa’s leading cement manufacturer subsidiary, Dangote Cement Plc were adjudged the Largest Corporate Bond lodgment on FMDQ in gold category and the 2022 Most Trusted Brand of the Year respectively.

 

On the back of the Largest Corporate Bond lodgment on FMDQ award came another recognition with the Dangote Group named as the Most Outstanding Conglomerate in Environmental Sustainability.

 

The cement giant came tops in the stock market for its unprecedented N116 billion Series 2 Bond issuance back in May this year.

 

The FMDQ Gold Awards recognises excellence in Fixed Income, Currencies and Derivatives market. It also recognises demonstrated resilience and agility of the Nigerian financial markets participants and acknowledges the valuable efforts of the stakeholders and their participation in the FMDQ markets and across the financial market. It is also given to the corporate entity for the highest total bonds value admitted on FMDQ Depository.

 

During the annual Most Trusted Brand Award, organised by leading research firm Brand Health Ltd, Dangote Cement was chosen as the most trusted cement brand in a survey of 13,000 consumers.

 

The Chief Executive Officer, Brand Health Ltd, Emman Udowoima commended Dangote Cement for the achievement, describing it as a brand of trust and choice indeed. According to him “four out of ten consumers who took part in the study voted Dangote Cement as the Most Trusted Cement Brand in Nigeria. The popularity and the confidence in the brand is overwhelming as its closest rival scored just 12% while Dangote scored 41%.”

 

Other cement brands with substantial mentions scored between 3% and 8%. Some of the elements of the survey include questions like ‘the brand that you feel most confident in, the brand that offers you what you want, the brand that offers highest quality, the brand that is distinctive, and the brand you would recommend to your friends and relatives.

 

Udowoima stated that about 13,000 respondents participated in the 2022 survey and were interviewed across 12 states in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory. The States are: Lagos, Oyo, Enugu, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Plateau, Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna and Kano and the respondents were drawn from both urban and rural communities.

 

The survey, he said, used quantitative method to elicit responses from the consumers, and also focused on such demographics as gender – Male 50%, Female 50%; Social Class: AB 15%, C1 C2 40%, DE 45%; Age: 18-25, 30%, 26-35, 30%, 36-50, 25%, 51+ 15%.

 

He explained that “The Most Trusted Brands (MTB)” Awards was instituted in 2010 to reward brands that keep promises to the consumers. The award is an enabler for brands to do more for consumers, knowing full well that consumers either reward or punish brands according to their experiences.

 

The Dangote Industries Limited also received the award of the Most Outstanding Conglomerate in Environmental Sustainability. The award was given by the Environmental Sustainability Conference, Expo and Awards (ECOSEA) initiated by Brand Communicator, a frontline brands and marketing publication.

 

Joshua Ajayi, the convener of the conference and awards said, “corporate sustainability practices evolved rapidly in the country’s business space, from just being a cosmetic charity activity into organised sustainability needs built into a vision with specific goals.”

 

The award, which took place during the celebration of the organisation’s World Environment Day recently also gathered the best sustainability players to discuss various issues in sustainability during the conference themed Only One Earth: Building a Safer Environment.

 

Dangote Industries, a fully diversified conglomerate with annual group turnover of US$4billion has invested heavily in building a sustainable business which cuts across Cement, Sugar, Salt, Petroleum, Fertiliser and food.

 

Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer at Dangote Industries thanked the organisers, describing the awards as another milestone in the Dangote Group’s business trajectory. He said it is a testament to the strategic business model being executed by the manufacturing giant, which is aimed at rejuvenating Nigeria’s economy and engendering developmental growth of Africa.

 

He expressed the assurance that the Dangote Group would not relent in its commitment to Africa’s development, adding that, “we will continue to impact lives positively through production of goods that meet the peoples’ need.”

BIG STORY

Cybercrime Unit Recovered N8bn, $115k In 2024, Rated Best In Africa — Nigeria Police

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reports that its cybercrime unit recovered over “N8 billion” and “$115,000” in 2024.

In a statement on Tuesday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, revealed that the unit’s strategic operations led to the arrest and prosecution of 751 individuals involved in cybercrime.

Adejobi mentioned that the recovered amount had been restituted to the victims of cybercrime, emphasizing that this action reaffirmed the force’s commitment to protecting citizens and ensuring justice for those impacted by fraudulent activities.

He also added that the unit recovered 685 devices related to cybercrimes, including 467 mobile phones, 137 laptops and computers, 46 routers, four servers, one drone, and four “Starlink” devices.

“Additionally, the operations led to the confiscation of 16 houses, 39 plots of land, 14 land documents, and 26 vehicles, further dismantling the infrastructure supporting cybercriminal activities,” he said.

“In recognition of its outstanding performance and dedication, the NPF-NCCC has been awarded the title of the Best Cybercrime Unit in Africa for 2024 by the INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate based in Singapore, securing the top position among 54 participating African countries.

“These achievements reflect the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to fighting cybercrime and enhancing the safety of citizens in the digital space.”

Adejobi also mentioned that operatives of the unit apprehended four suspected criminals identified as Douglass Victor, Egbo Martins, Lucky Adesunloye, and Ndifreke Joseph Moody for cyber-related offences.

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BIG STORY

Ibadan Stampede: Court To Decide Bail For Ooni’s Ex-Wife, Oriyomi Hamzat January 13

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A high court in Ibadan has fixed Monday, January 13, 2025, to rule on the bail applications filed by Naomi Silekunola, ex-wife of Ooni of Ife, Oriyomi Hamzat, CEO of Agidigbo FM, and Fasasi Abdullahi.

Abdullahi serves as the principal of Islamic High School, the site of the stampede incident in Ibadan.

The trio are standing trial over their alleged roles in a stampede at a funfair in December, which claimed the lives of over 40 people, most of them children.

The defendants were remanded at Agodi correctional centre on December 24 after being charged with conspiracy, negligence causing harm, and failing to provide adequate security and medical facilities.

At the hearing on Tuesday, their legal representatives presented separate arguments for bail.

Silekunola was represented by Musibau Adetunmbi, while Hamzat and Abdullahi were represented by Adekunle Sobaloju.

The prosecution, led by Abiodun Aikomo, Oyo state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, opposed the bail applications.

He asked the court to deny the defendants temporary release.

After hearing the submissions of both defendants and prosecutor, Kamarudeen Olawoyin, the presiding judge, reserved his ruling for January 13.

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BIG STORY

NDLEA Arrested Over 18,500 Suspected Drug Traffickers In 2024 — Agency Chairman Marwa

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Buba Marwa, the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), says operatives of the agency arrested over 18,500 suspected drug traffickers and seized 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs in 2024.

Marwa spoke in Lagos on Tuesday during the inauguration of the NDLEA central exhibit office.

The US government donated the NDLEA central exhibit office located at the agency’s headquarters annex in Ikoyi.

Marwa said the steady operational successes being recorded by the agency in its drug supply and demand reduction efforts were attributable to the support given to it by the US government and other partners.

“Today, I am particularly pleased to acknowledge one of such gestures, namely the donation of the office for our central exhibit custodians,” he said.

“This donation acknowledges the critical need for efficient and secure handling of evidence, which is essential for the successful prosecution of drug-related cases.

“This contribution will not only strengthen our operational framework but also set a new standard for accountability and transparency in drug law enforcement

“It is an investment in the security and the future of our nations.”

Marwa said in spite of the agency’s improved performance, its personnel recognised that the war against drug trafficking and abuse is far from being over.

“As an organisation, we are committed to surmounting the challenges,” he said.

The NDLEA chairman noted that tremendous successes had been recorded on all fronts against the drug menace despite many challenges.

“So far, the results have been justifying. In 2024, we seized over 2.6 million kilograms of illicit drugs across the country,” he said.

“We arrested more than 18,500 drug trafficking offenders and got over 3,250 convicted, including 10 drug barons, with more than 220 hectares of cannabis farms destroyed.

“While in the same breath, we counselled and rehabilitated over 8,200 drug abusers.

“We organised more than 3,000 sensitisation and advocacy programmes across the country in schools, markets, motor parks, worship centres, workplaces, and communities, among others.”

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