RE -LAUNCHING OF UNION DICON SALT ON 4 AUGUST 2025, AT KIRIKIRI LIGHT TERMINAL LAGOS

RE -LAUNCHING OF UNION DICON SALT ON 4 AUGUST 2025, AT KIRIKIRI LIGHT TERMINAL LAGOS

The  UNION  DICON SALT (UDS), the foremost iodised salt in the country, was relaunched on Monday, 4 August 2025, after 21 years of absence from the market. The launching was performed by the Chairman of the UDS, Gen TY Danjuma GCON (rtd), ably represented by the Director General (DG)  Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj Gen BI Alaya. The August event took place at Kirikiri Light Terminal, Phase II, Apapa, Lagos.

Speaking during the epoch-making event, the DG DICON, Maj Gen BI Alaya, revealed that Gen TY Danjuma ordered the reactivation and expansion of UDS. The Chairman tasked the DG DICON to come up with the requirements for expansion of UDS to assume its leadership position in the Salt industry. Maj Gen Alaya commended the management of UDS for their hard work and resilience. He noted that his appointment came at the time both DICON and UDS are rising from the doldrums but promised to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by the Chairman. The DG challenged workers to work hard for a better future. He prayed for a long life for the Chairman to enable him to continue the good works.

Earlier in her speech, Barrister Mrs Florence Iroye, the Acting Managing Director, expressed appreciation to the DG, Past DGs,  representative of the Ministry of Defence, UDS workers, Board members,  shareholders and audit committee members, for their team spirit and cooperation. She traced the history of UDS journey and concluded that it was frought with challenges. UDS at one point was rebranded and also went public. In 2004,  the production facility was shut down but the  dream of reviving the company never died. A visibly elated Ag MD concluded her remarks by stating that today UDS is set to resume operations after 21 years of inaction.

The DG later commissioned the UDS factory to the glory of God, and this was quickly followed by a facility tour of the brand new Factory. Sections visited include raw material storage, production line and laboratory, among others. Attendees were impressed with the factory’s neat layout and state-of-the-art facilities.

The event was later on rounded up in the hall where notable speakers took time to praise the passion and immense contribution of the Chairman, Gen TY Danjuma GCON ( rtd) in reviving the UDS. Mr Illiya Sakaba, a board member, summarised the journey of UDS as a dead man resurrected back to life through the hard work of the UDS management staff, and the Chairman’s vision and invaluable support. A cross-section of those who attended the event includes UDS board members, shareholders, DICON liaison personnel from the Lagos office, audit committee, contractors, consultants and UDS  external solicitors.

CHRISTOPHER AGU

Lieutenant

Media Relations Officer DICON