Dangote revamps Kano flour mills with N10b, sustains 3,000 jobs

…Rewards outstanding customers

The President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has stated that his conglomerate has revitalised Kano flour mills with N10 billion to secure the 3,000 jobs of the employees who were at the verge of losing their jobs before its acquisition from Tiger Branded Consumer Goods by Dangote group.

Dangote who said this during the re-opening ceremony of the mill in Kano on Friday, noted that he would create employment opportunities for the youths in the State, stressing that the company has re-engineered the mill to meet the emerging challenges in the market place and also to meet the ever changing needs of its esteemed and loyal consumers.

He stated; “I will like to assure you that we are back for good and we will never close this mill again. It has always been my desire to increase our investment in Kano. We are also looking forward to venture into farming in the State where we can create a lot of jobs and I think this flour mill will help us achieve this in Kano. Kano is very strategic because our products receive tremendous patronage in the State and the company’s return to Kano is an indication of great expectation.”

“We decided to make this investment in November when Tiger Branded Consumer Goods decided to leave the country and we do not want over 3000 jobs to be lost. You can imagine these 3000 people going back into the job market in Nigeria. So we decided to seek ways to assist to ensure that these jobs are secured by injecting fresh cash of about N10 billion into the business.

“I want to assure our customers that we will continue to support you to make sure that we assist you with the necessary things needed to make your businesses a lot easier and more profitable. I am looking forward to you supporting the entire team to make sure the company surpasses its targets of 900,000 metric tonnes of wheat annually. I want to assure you that with the new board we have, this company will definitely excel with or without my presence.”

‎Earlier in his speech, the Chairman, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Ighodalo Asue, said that the acquisition of the mill by Dangote will make it stronger, better sophisticated and more focused, adding that it has taken a lot of steps to reposition the company through expansion and innovations programmes.

Asue said, “We are also using this medium to restate our commitment to increasing our shareholders value and our dear customers. We will continue to invest in the State and other parts of the country and even beyond the country, because we believe in job and wealth creation. It is our hope that our return to Kano will create more job opportunities and impact positively on the economy of the State.

“I will like to commend Aliko Dangote for his investment in Dangote Flour Mills, a few months ago when Tiger Branded Company was going to leave the country, it appears that the fate of the company was in jeaopardy, but Aliko Dangote’s decision to buy back the company has saved the jobs of about 3000 employees and the shares of over a million shareholders. More importantly, the multiplier effect of his investment in the country is incalculable. We want to use this medium to thank you for your foresight and your hardwork.”

Thabo Mabe, Group Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Flour Mills, commended the customers and distributors for their unwavering support and outstanding support for the company during its challenging period.

Mabe stated; “I am particularly glad about the huge turnout of customers and distributors who came from far and wide to witness the occasion. We are using this opportunity to thank our loyal customers and distributors for their patience and understanding during our challenging moments. We have fully repositioned as a company to serve you better and to say we are here for a long haul.

“We do not only create jobs for people but provide a lot of incentives to customers to encourage them to grow their businesses so that you can grow our business. As our customers, you are critical stakeholders in our business and we will ensure that your needs are fully met.We will continue to count on your support as we also move to grow our market share in the industry. It is my hope that we continue to impact positively on your business and the entire economy at large.

Hajia Halima Dangote, Executive Director, Commercials, stated that the re-opening of the mill will have a multiplier effect, not just in terms of the number of direct jobs that it will create, but also in terms of its ripple effects through thousands of indirect jobs that it will create.

She said; “This, will in the long run, impact positively on the economy of Kano State and other neighbouring States. The company has undergone a successful transformation that will make it more responsive to the needs of its consumers and also the needs of the times. I would like to thank you for keeping faith with the company during its difficult moments, and I would like to reassure you that your faith has not been misplaced. We will strive to create a ‘win-win’ situation for all.”