BIC set to increase investment in Nigerian market, communities
Abimbola Abatta
A world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, BIC, has disclosed its plans to invest more in Nigeria through education, capacity building, and community initiatives.
BIC’s Executive leadership team, Senior Vice President and General Manager at BIC Middle East and Africa, Peter Van de Broeck; General Manager at BIC Middle East, North Africa, West and Central Africa, Abderahmane Fall and General Manager at BIC Nigeria, Guillame Groues, made this known on Thursday during a media parley with journalists at the Moorhouse Hotel, Lagos State.
The trio announced the company’s commitment to improving its environmental footprint by 2025 as part of its ‘Writing the Future, Together’ sustainable development programme.
According to them, BIC is dedicated to achieving its five commitments bordering on “improving the environmental and societal product footprint, acting against climate change, providing our employees with a safe workplace, making supply chain more responsible and reinforcing commitment to education.”
In Groues’ words, “We are delighted to be present in Nigeria today – a young population, and the number one economy and pan market in Africa.
“We are investing in the country, from job creation to youth empowerment, to supporting education and environmental sustainability. We have a lot more to achieve in Nigeria in the years to come and we look forward to being close to our consumers on our journey in this prosperous market.
“Over 90% of the workforce in the BIC factory in Nigeria are females, shedding light on the company’s commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.”
Reeling out some of BIC’s achievements in Nigeria, it was disclosed that “last year alone, BIC reached 25,900 students and 1,200 teachers in 233 schools through its school activation program which aims to support teachers to get their job done by providing them with the necessary writing instruments and material.
“During COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, BIC donated 28,000 writing and colouring items to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to support mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to internally displaced people (IDPs). Similarly, 100,000 units of ball pens and 1,000 teaching aids were donated to Save the Children.
“BIC has further supported young talent in the country through its flagship campaign, Art Master Africa.”
Launched in 2017, Art Master Africa is a competition that encourages talent to showcase their creativity and create a piece of art, using the famous BIC Ball Pen.
Last year, two Nigerian artists were announced in third and fourth place among the top ten Art Masters of Africa and were rewarded with a cash prize of USD500 and USD300 in addition to other branded gift items.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that for over 40 years in Nigeria, BIC’s presence in Nigeria spans across manufacturing and commercial operations, which have created jobs for over 500 Nigerians.
