5, 000 pupils benefit from NBC’s ‘Back to School’ initiative

In an effort to boost learning in public primary schools across the country, the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, through its “Back-To-School Initiative,” has donated school kits containing educational materials to pupils.

The initiative designed to support educational development in the country, particularly in the area of enrolment and retention of pupils in public schools, has seen over 5, 000 schoolchildren benefitting in Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Onitsha, Okigwe and Asejire.

Presenting the kits to pupils of Odu-Obure Primary School and Alaba Primary School both in Mushin, Lagos, Managing Director, NBC, Ben Langat, said the initiative was aimed at supporting parents and guardians, and relieving them of financial burden as their children and wards return to school for a fresh academic session.

Represented by the company’s Chief Security Officer, Van Wilberding, Langat stressed that “the programme would also encourage enrolment in public primary schools as well as reduce the number of out-of-school children at primary level.”

Other strategic educational investments by the company in primary education, according to him, include the provision and upgrade of infrastructure in public schools, capacity building for teachers and school support initiatives towards the learning and development of the Nigerian child.

Responding, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, who was represented by Director, Administration and Human Resources, Mrs. Omolara Akin-Adekibigbe, commended the effort of NBC in developing the intellectual capacity of the Nigerian child.

She said, “The initiative is in line with efforts at delivering qualitative education to our children, the future of our country and a manifestation of government’s call for private sector involvement in developing key sectors of the economy, particularly education. The gesture, no doubt, will go a long way in supporting and motivating pupils to be serious with their studies and be glad as they come to school, since children generally derive joy from receiving gift items.”

She urged other corporate organisations to partner government in fighting for the course for the wellbeing of the Nigerian child, as government alone cannot sponsor education.