As part of its Corporate Social
Responsibility initiatives, Nigeria Bottling Company Limited (NBC) on Friday,
October 21, 2016, donated 'Back to School kits' to pupils of Agidingbi Primary
School, Ikeja, Lagos. The items given to each of the pupils include, school
bags, exercise books, water bottles, pencils and crayons.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony that
held within the school premises, Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company
Limited, George Polymenakos, stated that the 2016 NBC Back to School programme was
also taking place in other locations in Nigeria and "will reach over 3,000
pupils."
George Polymenakos, who was represented by
the company's Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Folasade
Morgan, said ‘NBC’s Back to School Initiative is driven by the need to
positively impact children from a disadvantaged background to support their
education and intellectual development. Our aim is to motivate them to aspire
to be the best they can be and pursue excellence. NBC believes this gesture
will also relieve parents and guardians of some financial burdens.’
According to the MD of the non-alcoholic
manufacturing giant, “over 16,000 pupils have benefited from the initiative,
which commenced in 2011". For us, education of the Nigerian child is an
enormous responsibility that cannot be left alone for government, parents and
guardians." George thereafter implored the teachers to see their work as
special and crucial to the development of the Nigerian child, stating that the
company will continue to support skill enhancement programmes for teachers. He
also enjoined the pupils to strive for academic excellence at all times.
Reacting to NBC's gesture, Chairman Lagos
State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Ganiyu Oluremi Shopeyin, stated that
NBC has been collaborating with stakeholders and contributing to the
development of education in NIgeria, while asking for more support from other individuals
and corporate organisations. Dr. Shopeyin used the opportunity to affirm that
the supervision and control of primary school education in the state is still
under the direct supervision of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education
Board. Adding that other stakeholders interested in contributing to the
development of primary school education can do so though the board. He
admonished parents to ensure their children and wards take good care of the
kits given to them.
Other dignitaries present at the ceremony
include the community leader, Chief Ganiyu Ainde Haruna, Agidingbi Primary School
Head Teacher, Mrs Anjorin Olufunke, and NBC Regional Public Affairs Manager,
Ifoma Okoye.
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