As part of its commitment towards enriching lives in its host communities, a main thrust of its Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Development programs, Nigeria’s non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing giant, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) recently renovated a block of four classrooms for Ngwo-Uno Secondary School in Udi Local Government, Enugu State.
The school block which was initially constructed by NBC in 1997, in a bid to bridge the infrastructure gap identified in the school at the time, was recently renovated to maintain the facility as a conducive environment for students to keep learning.
The commissioning ceremony held on the 12th of November 2018 and had in attendance, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo; Chairman Udi Local Government (Host LGA) Honourable Nestor Ochin; the Commissioner for Education, Enugu State, Honourable Uchenna Eze; His Royal Highness, Igwe Basil Ugwuozor Ozor; the Principal, Ugwo-Uno Secondary School, Mrs. Victoria Okafor, other community leaders amongst others.
Commissioning the facility, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo commended the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited for the worthy initiative which would help enhance the learning environment for children in the school.
“This NBC project compliments an on-going initiative of the state government on the extensive renovation of school buildings and the construction of new structures in schools at all levels in the state. In addition, the state government is providing instructional materials and other necessary equipment to the schools. It is refreshing to see the commitment from private organizations to positively impact lives and living standards in their local communities” she said.
She further encouraged other well-meaning private sector organizations as well as individuals and groups to emulate the efforts of the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and make their own contributions towards providing a better learning environment for children.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on behalf of the Managing Director of NBC, the Country CSR Manager, Mr. Ekuma Eze stated that NBC embarked on the project because it was identified as an impactful way to support development in one of its host communities, with the knowing that students learn better when they view their learning environment as positive and supportive.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman, Post Primary Schools Management Board, Barr. Nestor Ezeme assured the management of NBC of the board’s support in ensuring that the facility remains conducive for learning. “Now that the Nigerian Bottling Company has provided us with this block of classrooms, we would further equip it with the computers initially promised by the state government” he stated.
Reacting to the kind gesture, His Royal Highness, Igwe Basil Ugwuozor Ozor commended Nigerian Bottling Company Limited for the laudable initiative which he noted would have far reaching positive impact on the children of the community. He further urged other corporate entities to emulate NBC’s contributions to community development and youth empowerment.
