Nestlé commissions classroom block for improved learning in Agbara
Nestlé Nigeria on Friday commissioned a block of three classrooms at Salvation Army Primary School, Agbara, Ogun State, with another one almost completed.
Reports state that the gesture is to improve learning and teaching facilities in the school.
The commissioned block of three classrooms at Salvation Army Primary School, Agbara, Ogun State.
Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, said that a conducive environment was paramount in bringing up future generations that would impact positively on the society.
“The youths are our future and for them to be innovative leaders, transformative leaders of the future, they need to learn and to learn, you need a good environment.
“We came to this school and saw the state of classrooms and the number of children in each classroom.
” That really touched our heart and informed this project.
“This is something that we have done in other schools across Ogun State and in other areas where Nestlé has an operation,” she said.
Uwadoka said that the project was part of the company’s Creative Shared Value (CSV) which has been on for 12 years.
“Creating Shared Values with our communities translate to our host communities thriving and when the community thrives, our business also grows.
“We will continue to build a thriving community by improving the living environment and we believe by this project, the children will learn better in a more conducive environment,” she said.
“In addition to building the classrooms, we have also planted trees to ensure that the air stays fresh and that we are replenishing the environment.
“This is also a school where we work with children for Nestlé for Health Care Kids to teach them the importance of hygiene, a good nutrition and an active lifestyle.
“We also talk to them about sustainability and how to go about sustaining the environment,” she said.
Uwadoka said that Nestlé would continue to support the environment and build thriving communities together for the progress of the country as a whole.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Alagbara of Agbara Kingdom, Lukman Agunbiade, said that he was most elated at the commissioning of the project which coincided with his 5th year coronation anniversary on the throne.
Agunbiade said that the block of classrooms that was renovated was in a dilapidated condition before Nestlé took it upon itself to renovate it to a state of the art classroom.
“Nestlé is really living up to expectation with regards to it’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but I urge them to go further in terms of generating employment for our teeming youths.
“However, we are most grateful for this ocassion on my 5th year coronation anniversary because you are still the first company that will be giving a fantastic block for commissioning,” he said.
Mr Olalekan Kuye, Board Secretary, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, said he was glad that Nestlé was collaborating with Ogun State to reposition basic education.
According to him, it is not the first time that the board will be involved with Nestlé for the promotion of basic education.
“We have also commissioned a number of classroom buildings like this that we are doing today in other parts of the state.
“Today’s event is another turning point in our collective drive to improve the state of our learning environment.
“The projects are also unique and in accordance with recommended United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s standard,” he said.
The secretary appreciated Nestlé for the laudable intervention which complemented the ongoing efforts of the state government to reposition the education sector for improved performance.
“It is noteworthy that since the commencement of Nestlé for Healthier Kids Programme in Ogun State, several schools and community based projects as well as nutritional programmes had been implemented.
“This has brought a remarkable change in the well being of the learners,” he said.
Kuye implored other corporate bodies and public spirited individuals to emulate the kind gesture of Nestlé by supporting schools and communities in their need of basic facilities for common good.
“The government alone cannot shoulder the responsibilities but through our collective efforts we can achieve the goals for a better future.
“I charge the school’s management to judiciously utilise and ensure that the buildings are well secured and preserved for continuous use so as to motivate Nestlé and others to do more,” he said.
