In commemoration of its 2023 Community Day Celebration, the leading building and innovative solutions company, Lafarge Africa Plc., recently launched several CSR projects across its various host communities nationwide. This event is an annual celebration that Lafarge Africa undertakes to give back to its host communities and demonstrate its commitment to doing sustainable business in Nigeria as a responsible corporate citizen. Lafarge Africa operates in Ashaka, Gombe State; Mfamosing, Cross Rivers State, and Ewekoro, Ogun State and the community day is celebrated across all these locations. In Ewekoro, several projects were launched in each of the host communities after careful planning and collaboration with the community.
One of the royal fathers in Ewekoro, the Onipapa of Papalanto Land, HRM, Oba Abdul-Rasaki Famuyiwa, says these projects have had a positive impact on the communities over the years.
In an interview with MARY NNAH, Oba Famuyiwa highlights these projects and their impact on the communities over the years
Your Majesty, could you please share some information about your background with us?
I am the Onipapa of Papalanto, Ewekoro Local Government, Ogun State. I was born and raised in Papalanto, where my great-grandfather founded the community many years ago. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to attend school and pursue my career elsewhere before returning to Papalanto to become the Kabiyesi of the community in 2008. Since then, we have been working together to manage and develop the area. All glory to God.
Share with us your experience and life in the community when you were growing.
As I mentioned earlier, I was born and raised in Papalanto. My mother owned a house here and my father has deep roots in the community. I attended primary school here before pursuing further education outside of Papalanto. After completing my studies, I worked for many years and eventually joined Lafarge, where I worked for nearly 20 years. In 2008, I was honoured to be called upon to serve as the Kabiyesi of Papalanto. Since then, I have maintained a strong and positive relationship with the people of this community. Even those who knew Papalanto many years ago are impressed by the positive changes we have made here. Over the years, Papalanto has experienced significant growth and development. Although the community used to consist of 25 villages, we now manage around 15 villages. We welcome visitors and other ethnicities to Papalanto with open arms. We have established good relationships with local companies, colleges, and plastic industries. We are proud of the progress we have made and the relationships we have built. Papalanto is a welcoming and thriving community, and we are grateful for all those who support us.
Let’s talk about your educational background and career growth, sir.
I have worked in the electrical department of Lafarge for 19 years. Although I didn’t attend university, I did start from technical school and have acquired every certificate necessary for my work. I have attended another technical school, as well as the Lafarge African Training Center in South Africa, where I received additional training and certification in electrical work. Throughout my career, my focus has been on electrical work.
How has the community changed since you became the Kabiyesi of Papalanto? What have been the key social and economic changes during your reign?
As I mentioned before, those who knew Papalanto before my time as Kabiyesi would recognize the significant changes that have taken place. Many people used to believe that the only place called Papalanto was the Expressway, but I am grateful to have played a role in establishing this community. Before my reign, there were only a few areas called Papalanto with limited development. There were only a few homes and one company, Benson. However, when I became Kabiyesi, we brought in several companies and initiated more development projects. Today, it can be challenging to find available land to build a house in Papalanto due to the fast-growing development. Our community has transformed significantly and continues to do so, with the help of Lafarge, a company that has contributed to our growth as part of our host community. Evidence of their impact can be seen left and right as you come into the community, as well as in the primary schools they have helped to build. I believe that God is working with us and is in control of our progress.
I have a strong personal connection with Lafarge. My junior brother works there, my senior brother received his education from the company, and even our children are employed there. I challenge any of the 12 host communities in Ewekoro to come forward with negative feedback about Lafarge. I stand by Lafarge’s contributions to our communities; I stand by the fact that Lafarge has done so much for our communities. While the government may not be able to do everything, Lafarge has helped us significantly and they have done far more for us than the government has. If we feel that they could do more, we should communicate that to them directly instead of resorting to underhanded tactics or resorting to blackmail. Speaking for Papalanto, we are grateful for everything Lafarge has done for us.
Lafarge’s projects have been a boon to many communities, but it’s concerning that they don’t seem to take the population of a community into account. Giving an equal share of resources to a village of 20 and a village of 120 is not fair. As a responsible corporation, Lafarge should consider the population of each community and allocate resources accordingly. This would ensure that everyone benefits equally from their projects and no one is left behind.
Would you kindly provide an overview of the projects implemented by Lafarge Africa Plc. in the Ewekoro communities?
Lafarge Africa Plc. has executed various projects in the Ewekoro communities. They have trained and equipped 48 individuals from the host communities with skills and tools to start their businesses. They have granted bursaries to support 204 local students enrolled in public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
They have distributed educational materials such as school uniforms and writing supplies to improve learning standards in public schools within their host communities. They have also provided business equipment to 192 elders residing across their host communities. The company has been involved in supplying health centres in the Papalanto community with essential equipment and medicines. They constructed a culvert in Wasinmi Alafia to improve access to the outside world and furnished staff quarters at the Elebute community’s health centre, as well as erecting a fence around the community town hall.
They also embarked on building a 100-meter reinforced concrete road in the Alagutan community. They renovated and fenced the Egbado Ajegunle health centre and constructed staff quarters for the Itori community magistrate court. Currently, they are constructing a culvert in the Olapeleke community and extending electrification services to the newly relocated Okeoko Egbado community.
They are replacing a 330KVA transformer at the Okeoko Sekoni community and also at the Akinbo community. The company conducts medical outreach programs and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of the Ewekoro community members. They have distributed over 5,000 exercise books to primary and secondary schools in the host communities.
However, just because my family members and I have worked there does not mean I will not speak the truth. Lafarge is a company that has done a lot for the people in our community. My father was employed there in 1957 as the first driver, and my elder brother attended their trading school before becoming the manager at Central Bank. He has since passed away.
I also worked at Lafarge for over 19 years and was fortunate to travel the world and receive a lot of training. My younger brother still works in Lafarge’s mechanical section today, and many of my service chiefs worked there for 30 to 35 years.
Lafarge provides many benefits to our community, including scholarship schemes, bursaries, and support for our elderly and artisans. They have built a magnificent Health Centre in Papalanto and are now equipping it. They have also provided significant support to our primary school. While the government has done its best, we must work together to support our community, and Lafarge has been a vital partner in this effort.
Although we are grateful for what they have done, we will continue to ask for more, including support for our Kabiyesi and other community leaders.
Okay, sir, tell me honestly, how the community has felt about the presence of Lafarge in this area.
I am grateful to God for creating a company like Lafarge in our community. Although there is still room for improvement, they have done a lot and provided job security to many people. Lafarge has positively impacted the lives of many people living in villages that were once unknown and now thriving, thanks to the company’s presence.
We thank God for Lafarge’s contribution to our community, which is so enormous and pray that the company continues to grow and thrive. We hope that more companies like Lafarge will come to Ewekoro so that our infrastructure and community can continue to grow.
So, are you saying that Lafarge has never had any negative perception in Ewekoro?
It is natural for some people to complain, even if they are given equal treatment. For example, even if a parent loves all their children equally, one child may still feel that they are not loved enough. Similarly, Lafarge, a company that provides funds for community projects, treats all sections equally and does not show favouritism to anyone. However, some sections may not use the project funds given to them properly and then complain about a lack of resources. When this happens, they blame Lafarge for their misuse of funds. Therefore, some individuals will always ask for more, just like Oliver Twist.
However, when communities have issues amongst themselves, they should not associate it with Lafarge. The problems that arise within the community should not affect Lafarge. Lafarge only makes a host community if they identify valuable resources within your community, such as mineral resources. Only then will they approve you to become part of the host community?
Ewekoro has been benefiting from Lafarge for over 20 years. I can confidently say that Lafarge has been providing them with project funds and other resources. However, it would be great if they could showcase the projects that were executed with the funds received. They must be aware of where they are investing their money.
My brother, father, and many others have worked with Lafarge for almost 35 years. Some of them are still alive and aged, while others have passed away at ages 80 to 90. I have never seen any of them taken to the hospital during that time and told that it was the cement that caused their illness.
So if they’re having their problems they should not involve Lafarge. How is it possible for a small village to have two leaders, while one section that does not benefit from the project money is now going to the media to criticize the village and Lafarge? It’s unfair to write negative things about Lafarge, which has been benefiting the community. One section out of twelve cannot continue to create problems that affect other communities. If we do so, it will bring negative impacts on those who are benefiting from Lafarge. I still have children who have the potential to benefit from Lafarge, so I do not want Lafarge to go extinct.
What advice do you have for investors looking to do business in the community?
If there are any more investors interested in Ewekoro, they are welcome. We do not engage in ‘omo onile’ practices here, so you can be assured of a safe investment. There is a rumour that visitors are not allowed to stay in Papalanto, but that is not true. Visitors have always been welcome here, even more than the locals. Investors can buy land here and leave it until they are ready to develop it. The land will remain intact and ready for development. Ewekoro is a highly conducive area for investments.
