The Chairman and Chief Executive Director of
Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has made a shocking disclosure that
PhD and MBA Holders were among over 13,000 applicants who applied for
the recent Graduate Executive Truck Driver in his company.
Dangote disclosed this Thursday evening during a mentorship chat with
World Bank Youth Forum (WBYF) Coordinator, Mr. Rotimi Olawale with the
support of the World Bank Country Director, Ms Marie Francoise
Marie-Nelly.
Speaking to the surprised youthful audience, the business mogul said
that the company only needed 100 drivers but was surprised to receive
over 13000 graduate applicants and amongst them were about six Phd, 65
MBA, 649 Masters and over 8, 460 Bachelor degree holders.
He said what surprised him most was not the sheer number of the
applicants but the quality and calibre of those that applied who equally
graduated from reputable higher institutions.
"All these things are verifiable, and they all graduated from
reputable institutions which is satisfactory; and our plan is to
eventually make them self dependent", he said.
"Despite the fact that the drivers get trip allowances on each trip
along with their salaries, the arrangement is that they will own the
trucks at no interests or repayments after they must have reached 300,
000 kilometres, which is about 140 trips from Lagos to Kano and a hard
working driver can complete in two years, while lazy ones can take
maximum of four years", he explained.
Speaking further, Dangote stated that his company is already one of
the largest conglomerates in Africa, and disclosed that the group's
five-year target is to reach a net-worth of $75 billion capitalisation
and among the top 100 companies in Africa.
He assured that the group, which have diversified into various
trading and manufacturing subsidiaries can achieve the set target with
just three of them including Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugars/Salt, and
Dangote Flours.
The business icon used the opportunity to advise the youths to be
focused, forthright and that determination to succeed with integrity is
the key to a sustainable wealth.
