Lom & Djerem Division: Dangote Cement Cameroon constructs, equips, hands modern classroom to gov’t.

A ceremony to hand over the donation to Government Primary School Monokoubo, GPS, in Bertoua II Subdivision, held on Thursday, December 11. This was in the presence of administrative, municipal and traditional authorities. 

In his speech, Jean Kamga, the representative of the Managing Director of Dangote Cement S.A, Bertrand Mbouck, said the gesture is a reaffirmation the company’s commitment to education, communities, and to Cameroon as a whole.

Kamga noted that the official hand over of a classroom equipped with desks and benches to the Monokoubo Government Primary School is a part of activities to mark the comapany’s 10 years anniversary on Cameroonian soil. 

“This gesture is part of the celebration of Dangote Cement's 10 years of presence in Cameroon, a decade marked by a constant commitment to local development and community well-being, with a focus on education,” he said.

The donation, Kamga added, is also part of Dangote Cement's robust Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR policy, which aligns with the Dangote Group's mission to meet the basic needs of the population. 

He insisted that among the plethora of needs, education is paramount, as it is the foundation of all sustainable development.

“We firmly believe that the future of our nation depends on quality education that is accessible to all. Providing a classroom and desks means providing an environment conducive to learning, encouraging concentration, discipline and respect for oneself and others,” Kamga assured.

While urging the pupils to make good use of the building to help them grow, learn, dream and build their future, the Dangote official lauded teachers for their dedication and selflessness services in building the future leaders of the country.

“Your role is fundamental, though too often underestimated. We are all, in one way or another, the products of your teachings and influence,” he stated as he voiced out his gratitude for their sacrifice.

Similar donations

The construction and equipping of the classroom at Monokoubo adds to the number donations made as part of its 10th year anniversary celebration. 

As part of the celebration, the company has initiated a series of donations across the 10 regions of the country.

In the North and Adamaoua Regions, Dangote Cement Cameroon donated benches and a digital centre as well as over 500 benches to ten schools in Ngaoundéré I and II subdivisions respectively. 

In addition, the company distributed computer equipment in the West, donated a borehole and solar panels in Littoral. Over in the North West and South West regions, some 220 kits were distributed to pregnant women.

Meanwhile, Dangote Cement is currently building a community hall in Maroua III, Far North region and two boreholes in two orphanages in Oyomabang and Simbock-Yaounde in the Centre region. 

Committed conducive learning environment

The representative of the Divisional Officer, DO, of Bertoua II Subdivision, speaking during the event, highlighted the importance of education which he said is a fundamental right and a key factor in development.

The administrative official assured that the State is committed to providing an environment conducive for learning. 

“This classroom, equipped with everything necessary, is a concrete example of this commitment,” he declared. 

While praising the traditional authorities, parents and pupils for their mobilisation and support for this initiative which demonstrates their commitment to education and to the future of their children, DO’s representative sounded upbeat that the newly constructed classroom will become a place of learning, sharing and success for the children. 

Enter head mistress

The Head Teacher of GPS Monokoubo, Atangana Ondoa Marie Claire, expressed profound gratitude to the Cameroon’s leading cement producer. 

She the classroom donated by Dangote Cement Cameroon will help address the problem of insufficient infrastructure and overcrowding they had been dealing with. 

“We have a large number of pupils in this school, and the real problem we still have is these classrooms, because the students are still sitting in poor conditions. We have classrooms with over 180 pupils in each. We can only say thank you to the Dangote Group for this gesture,” the Head Teacher explained.

Stating that the new classroom will accommodate up to 60 pupils, she launched an appeal for other economic operators to follow in the footsteps of Dangote Cement Cameroon. 

“If they can also invest in schools, as Dangote has done, it will really help the Cameroonian state,” she appealed.

Besides classrooms, the HeadTeacher also mentioned the need to secure the school environment with a fence around the school in a bid to limit vandalism and insecurity. 

“The best way to secure these classrooms is to have a fence. When we have a fence, the Parents-Teachers association will automatically look for a guard who can protect these classrooms,” she added.