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.
Source: Thisday