Dangote Cement said it has launched a circular economy programme, called ‘DangCircular’, an initiative designed to promote recycling and reuse of scarce resources in society to decrease land filling and generate wealth as a donation to environmental sustainability.
A statement issued by the cement company stated that DangCircular was rolled out during this year’s Dangote Sustainability Week, targeting students of Nigerian higher institutions. The company partnered with the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, and UNESCO-UNEVOC (UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training) in a competition tagged ‘Yaba Green Challenge’.
Dangote employees, volunteers and executives attended the finale of the competition to witness the presentation of 10 sustainability innovations the students created from waste after a screening of over 30 entries.
Among the panel of judges were the academic staff of Yabatech, officials, and UNESCO UNEVOC, as well as Dangote Cement Technical Director, Duraisamy Anandam and General Manager Regional Sales, Johnson Olaniyi.
The judges engaged finalists on their projects, which included mixed media painting from sawdust, fungal growth medium from industrial wheat waste and medicinal mushrooms from sawdust and water hyacinth.
The Yaba Green Challenge competition had over 300 staff and students, with the Rector of the College, Obafemi Omokungbe endorsing the initiative, described the partnership between Yabatech and Dangote as a very strategic and exciting one.
“Talks are ongoing to obtain patent rights for the innovations showcased at the event to share with the private sector for adoption,” he said.
Leading the Dangote delegation was General Manager, Sustainability, Dr Igazeuma Okoroba, who expressed satisfaction at the exhibition.
