There is a popular belief that consuming heart-friendly meals that will keep one’s heart strong and healthy should be the concern of older people who are the most susceptible to coronary heart diseases. But this is a misconception that may lead to a carefree attitude when it comes to the choice of healthy edible oil to cook with for younger people. Ensuring a healthy heart should be a priority for people of all ages.

Standing in the kitchen, Funlola Rhodes, a Lagos-based housewife, was shocked at her mother-in-law’s reaction. In her eight years of marriage, she had never heard the typically playful Mama Gbolahan raise her voice. Not even to scold any of her grandchildren.

Funlola had just poured a few centiliters of soyabean oil into the pot of sizzling vegetable soup when her husband’s mother reprimanded her. “What are you doing?!” Mama Gbolahan exclaimed. “Soyabean oil? In everyone’s food?”

For a brief moment, Funlola wondered if this was one of the septuagenarian’s pranks as she was one to take the pressure off big family events with practical jokes. But any doubts Funlola may have had about Mama Gbolahan’s seriousness quickly disappeared with her next words, “Don’t you know soyabean oil is only for the aged?”

Funlola and the other family members in the kitchen could not help but burst into laughter. “Mama, that’s just a myth,” she said. “Soya bean oil is actually great for everyone, even children!”

Mama Gbolahan’s erroneous sentiment on Soya bean oil seems to be gaining ground but it is important to reiterate that Soya bean oil is essential for everyone despite their age. However, given the increased risk of heart disease with age, it is easy to see how Soya bean oil has slowly gained a reputation as a “geriatric” cooking oil.

The journey to a healthy heart begins from childhood, therefore starting early with the right choice of edible oil is critical for growth, development, and long-term heart health.

Soya bean oil is an edible cooking oil that has been associated with several health benefits due to its high PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acid) content. In particular, it helps promote skin health, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent bone loss, and provide essential Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. What’s more, it is a versatile cooking oil, making it easy to incorporate into a variety of recipes as part of a healthy diet for people of all ages.

Everyone can enjoy the benefits of Soya bean oil as it is a powerhouse of PUFA content, which is generally regarded as “good” fat. When consumed in the earlier stages of life, PUFA intake plays a preventive role against Coronary Heart Disease, cognitive decline, and some cancers in adults. For children, PUFAs are required for normal cognitive and psychomotor development.

The body cannot create PUFA hence it must be deliberately included in one’s diet as part of a healthy lifestyle throughout one’s life.

According to the research by Soyconnection.com, dietary recommendations support incorporating Soya bean oil into healthy dietary patterns for general health and chronic disease prevention.

“Soya bean oil, when used as a replacement for other types of edible oil which are laden with saturated fat, improves good blood cholesterol levels and may lower the risk of heart disease, thereby making it a heart-healthy dietary choice for people of all ages,” the report stated.

With 5x more PUFA than the popular Palm Olein (Vegetable Oil) brands, Golden Terra Soya Oil ensures heart health for people of all ages by providing the requirements for optimal development.

As you prepare your next meal, feed your heart 5x PUFA with Golden Terra Soya Oil, the leading soya oil brand in the Nigerian market with its increasing presence across the country. It is 100% pure soya oil, totally sourced and manufactured in Nigeria. Individuals and families that use Golden Terra Soya Oil every day enjoy heart-healthy and brain-boosting meals that enable them to drive for the optimum daily.
Golden Terra Soya Oil is available in sachets, 700ml pet bottle, 2.5L & 4.5L kegs.

You probably have used edible oil in lots of your homemade meals. But have you ever paused and wondered what is it made of and what sets edible oils apart from one another? How does your oil compare with others in the market in terms of health benefits and is there a merit in switching the edible oil?

There are plenty of choices of variety of edible oils available in the market, the most common  being Palm oil, Vegetable oil, Soyabean oil, , Groundnut oil, Olive oil ,coconut oils etc. While each of them may look the same, but scientifically, they are all very different from each other – in their fundamental construct and health benefits they provide.

Scientifically, all edible oils are 100% Fatty acids – This is true for all types of oils! However, what makes them different are the type of Fats they contain, and it makes them good or bad for you. The fatty acids of all edible oils belong to one of the following – Saturated Fatty acids (SFA), Mono-unsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) or Poly-Unsaturated Fatty acids (PUFA), depending upon the saturation of the Chemical bonds inside them. All edible oils essentially contains a different proportion of the above 3 fatty acids and these fatty acids aren’t built alike! There are plenty of scientific literature available to understand these Fatty acids and their impact on the human body..

Saturated Fatty acids (SFA),  sometimes called solid fats have been suggested to be Bad Fats – They have been associated with increased levels of bad (LDL) Cholesterol in people. LDL Cholesterol is associated with increased risk of heart diseases and stroke. They may increase health risks if a person consumes too much over a long period. Many health authorities, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the British Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, the World Heart Federation, the British National Health Service, amongst others advise that saturated fat is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and their consumption should be minimized.

On the other hand, Unsaturated fatty acids are liquid at room temperature and  may be either Monounsaturated Fatty acids (MUFA) or Polyunsaturated Fatty acids (PUFA). They are defined by the un-saturation in their chemical structure.  Contrary to Saturated Fats, unsaturated Fatty acids have been associated with lowered risks on hearts – Many careful studies have found that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or strokes. These studies prompted many medical organizations and public health departments, including the World Health Organization to officially issue that advice. The un-saturated fats help protect your heart by maintaining levels of “good” HDL cholesterol while reducing levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol in your blood. PUFA are mainly of 2 types – Omega 3 or Omega 6, the benefits of which are well documented. The more un-saturated fats an oil has, is better for consumption.

As evident, the type  of fat in the diet is important –  They have an  impact on  growth and development, heart and body functions,  brain functions and general well being. .

Also, the World Health Organization estimates that every year trans-fat intake leads to more than 500,000 deaths of people from cardiovascular disease. “Trans fats increases levels of LDL-cholesterol, a well-accepted biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk, and decreases levels of HDL-cholesterol, which carry away cholesterol from arteries and transport it to the liver, that secretes it into the bile”

It is common to find vegetable oil brands made from refined Palm Olein marketed as Vegetable oil in the Nigerian market. To put it in perspective, the refined Palm Olein sold openly, is crude palm oil that has undergone physical refining or chemical refining and fractionation. The various brands of vegetable oils made from Palm Olein all say that it is healthy but is Palm oil  really healthy?

Palm Olein is rich in saturated fatty acids and is often considered as being atherogenic (food High in saturated) nutritionally. According to a report by the Nutrition Information Centre, Stellenboch,  Vegetable oils contain about 10% polyunsaturated fat (PUFA), 48% monounsaturated fat (MUFA) and upto a whopping 52% Saturated fat (SFA));  Compare that with Soyabean oil – another commonly available oil in Nigerian market which has  61% polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) , 24% monounsaturated fat (MUFA) and only 15% saturated fat (SFA). This simple comparison makes it amply clear of which oil is healthier and should be adopted by Nigerian consumers for their overall and their Heart well-being.

A healthy body is needed to drive all of life aspirations; healthy oil consumption habit starts with a step in the direction of Golden Terra Soya Oil. Golden Terra Soya oil has recently emerged to be the leading SoyaBean oil in Nigerian market with its increasing presence across Nigeria. It is 100% pure Soya oil, totally sourced and manufactured in Nigeria and should be adopted by every Nigerian for a healthy life!.

The Nigerian healthcare sector is set to receive a boost in the delivery of primary healthcare services to communities across Nigeria.

MTN Nigeria through its Foundation will be donating six state-of -the -art mobile medical vehicles to six states in the country to boost access to primary healthcare services, through the MTN Y’ello Doctor Medical Intervention Scheme.

The six states that will be benefiting from the third phase of the intervention are Lagos, Anambra, Rivers, Kano, Gombe, and Kwara.

The selected communities and markets in these six states will enjoy free medical services including medical screening, diagnosis, and consultations, treatment, and drug prescription, as well as referral services.

The MTN Y’ello Doctor Initiative is one of the health interventions under one of the Foundation’s key focus areas which is National Priority, that provides free medical care and drugs for people in semi-urban and rural areas in Nigeria through mobile clinics.

The intervention is being carried out in partnership with the State Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency at the state level.

“If Nigeria is to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 on ensuring good health and well-being of Nigerians, we must invest heavily in our health sector especially at the primary level, by ensuring the prevention and treatment of common communicable/childhood diseases and non-communicable disease such as malaria.

“The government needs support from the private sector to ensure every Nigerian has access to quality healthcare services. MTN will continue to partner with the government to ensure we improve the well-being of Nigerians by making primary healthcare available to people in the communities”, said Odunayo Sanya, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation.

 Taraba, Abia, Ogun, Delta, Katsina, and Niger states have benefitted from the first two phases of the Y’ello Doctor intervention since 2014, which has impacted over 500,000 people and 100 communities that have been provided with healthcare.

In furtherance of its efforts to support communities and governments to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) and Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, has donated business start-up equipment to women and youths in communities in Aba, Abia State and Port Harcourt in Rivers under its post COVID-19 community interventions.

The beneficiaries, who had earlier been trained by a local NGO, Genius Hub, on behalf of the Coca-Cola System, received shoe-making and tailoring equipment to start their businesses and begin their journey to self-reliance.

The Coca-Cola System, which has always supported its stakeholders and communities with positive and impactful interventions, implemented the program with funds from The Coca-Cola Foundation.

The beneficiaries, who beamed with smiles while receiving the equipment, expressed gratitude to the Coca-Cola System, noting that the gesture would improve their economic status.

“I am very grateful for this sewing machine and other fashion designing equipment given to me, and I want to thank you, Nigerian Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Nigeria. You have not only given us fish, but you have also taught us how to fish,” one of the beneficiaries, Mrs Gift Ejike, said.

Another beneficiary and a community leader, Elder Azubuike Erondu, also commended the NBC and Coca-Cola Nigeria for the intervention, describing it as a more sustainable approach to helping communities overcome the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“The NBC and Coca-Cola Nigeria have done excellently well for us, and we are grateful. This is a timely intervention, especially for people who are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. The pandemic affected businesses and brought untold hardship on many people. But through this intervention, we have gained valuable skills and received start-up equipment and support to launch our businesses and create value,” Erondu said.

According to the Director of Public Affairs and Communications, NBC, Ekuma Eze, the intervention, tagged ‘Making a Difference’, ‘was a continuation of the Coca-Cola System’s support for Nigerians adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are witnesses to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially to families, small businesses, artisans and other vulnerable Nigerians. As a responsible organisation committed to the growth of our communities, we believe this initiative will support and empower vulnerable people in our communities to regain their feet post-pandemic.”

“We also recognise the critical role and contributions of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector to the Nigerian economy.  Therefore, this intervention will not only lift the beneficiaries out of their present predicament, but it also presents an important avenue to stimulate the growth of this important sector.

Ekuma, who assured that the equipment grant was a precursor to many more rewarding programs to support host communities, commended its implementing partner, Genius Hub, for the diligent execution of the program and reiterated the System’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

Also speaking, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, said: “Without a doubt, entrepreneurship remains a veritable tool to promote economic empowerment and build a sustainable economy for the benefit of us all. This is why, for the past 70 years, we have remained committed to continually unlock new vistas of opportunities for our people and communities to thrive. “

The ‘Making a Difference’ program is the latest COVID-19 and post-pandemic intervention by the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria. The company launched a food relief intervention to support vulnerable households in the wake of the pandemic.  The System also donated over 13 million centilitres of its beverages, including Eva premium table water and soft drinks, to provide hydration and nourishment for patients and healthcare workers at Isolation and Treatment Centres across different states in the country.

Besides, both companies also supported the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to develop risk communication materials to complement the government’s public education and mobilisation initiatives in the fight against the Coronavirus outbreak.

Newly launched specialist life insurance company, Heirs Life Assurance (HLA) has partnered Avon Medical to organize a blood drive in commemoration of the 2021 World Blood Donor Day. The event, which was held on Monday, June 14, 2021, at the ultramodern Avon Medical Dialysis Centre in Ikeja, Lagos had individuals present to donate blood for those in dire need of medical attention.

This year’s edition, the first partnership between both companies, set out to increase awareness of the importance of safe blood for transfusion and highlight the critical role voluntary blood donors play in national health. The Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Life Assurance, Ifesinachi Okpagu confirmed that the partnership is in line with the company’s goal of promoting, not just the importance of life insurance, but wholesome living.

‘At the core of our business operations at Heirs Life Assurance is care for people and their families and we are pleased to have demonstrated this with our partnership with Avon Medical. There are several statistics that show that blood donation is of much benefit to the end user as much as it is to donors and here today, we are raising awareness for the need to encourage this culture and celebrate as many that have come out to be superheroes’, she said.

Shekinah Olagunju, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at Avon Medical, also expressed delight in the partnership, describing it as laudable especially as it helps both companies further their commitment to building a healthier nation and, in the process, improving the economy and transforming Africa; values held by the companies within the Heirs Holdings group portfolio.

Since its official launch on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Heirs Life has continued to actively push its offering of life insurance that is simple, quick, accessible, and reliable with its array of value adding products, served on several easy-to-use platforms. Heirs Life’s product offerings comprise of insurance-backed savings plans and life insurance security for individuals, families, children’s education, debtors, creditors, entrepreneurs, and employees. The company is backed by top-notch Reinsurers to provide second-layer security for its clients’ insurance portfolios.

Ugo Aliogo

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Rev, Dr.Alfred Adewale Martins, has advised the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to ensure that people continue observe basic COVID-19 Protocols nationwide, rather contemplating another lockdown in 2021.

Martins, who gave the charge during his New Year message with the theme: ‘Be Courageous, Don’t Enter the New Year with Fear’ stated that lockdowns have always created many other problems.

He also stated that the church has a huge role to play in the fight against COVID-19 especially in educating people on what needs to be done and how it needs to be done to stem the tide of the pandemic.

“I will suggest the church should follow the COVID-19 protocols that have been laid down by government, it might be uncomfortable, but it is a small price to pay for safety of oneself and others. I hope there will not be another lockdown,” he stated.

The clergy tasked government at the federal, state and local levels, to be proactive in addressing the myriad of fears being expressed by the citizens.

Martins expressed concerns with the rising insecurity issues from kidnappings, ritual killings, endemic rape; the ongoing health crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic; and the challenges from the current economic recession, collapse of some industries, and worsening poverty.

According to him, “Government needs to urgently address these issues by putting in place appropriate measures and policies that would mitigate against the projected renewed economic challenges that may come with the New Year.

“There is need for more pragmatic approaches in tackling the health challenges occasioned by the new strain of the COVID-19 virus in order to guard against another round of total economic lockdown; in view of the colossal losses it would cost the entire nation.

“We thank the good Lord for making it possible for us to see the beginning of the New Year 2021. We pray that the souls of our brothers and sisters who died in the year 2020 may rest in peace.

“In this New Year, my admonition to Nigerians is to be bold and courageous and not to allow fear to rob them of the joy of seeing a New Year. I understand so many predictions have been going around in the social media that the year 2021 will be a tough year. But I urge you to be strong and not afraid.

“Rather than succumb to fear and its corresponding apprehension, people should be optimistic and place their hope and trust in the Almighty God who is able to turn around all things for good. Yes, there are ominous situations that indicate that the year would be tough but faith and trust in God should make us optimistic and encourage us to go into the New Year with courage.

“Let us start each day with prayerful optimism and go about our responsibilities with utmost caution and in strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols. However, as we pray with hope for divine intervention, we must also be prepared to work hard and be more productive in order to make the New Year a good and fruitful one. Each one of us is required to make necessary sacrifices and meaningful contributions towards the growth of our nation.

“Certainly, government has a crucial role to play by diligently attending to its constitutional responsibilities without playing unnecessary politics with issues that affect the daily lives of the masses. For instance, so many challenges came up in 2020 in various areas: particularly in the economic, health, security, and education sectors,” the Archbishop noted

In commemoration of the 2020 World Toilet Day, Harpic, Nigeria’s leading toilet cleaning brand from Reckitt Benckiser (RB), the market leader in health, hygiene, and home care products, has partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources to upgrade and refurbish 47 public toilet units for six communities in Lagos. The donation was done alongside the flag-off of the ‘Clean Lagos: Use the Toilet’ campaign on November 19.

The newly refurbished public toilets are located at Oshodi, Ojota, New Garage, Apapa, Costain, and Leventis in Victoria Island.

Speaking at the official commissioning of the toilets and the flag-off of the ‘Clean Lagos: Use the Toilet’ campaign in Lagos, Country Manager, RB Hygiene West Africa, Mr. Asif Hashimi reiterated Harpic’s commitment to changing the stories surrounding open defecation and toilet sanitation in Lagos, and Nigeria in general. He added that the brand was interested in tackling the challenge of open defecation in Nigeria as a way of ensuring Healthier and Happier lives in Nigeria.

According to him, “At the moment, Nigeria ranks first among countries practicing open defecation globally. This ‘stigma’ can only be removed if we all join hands to work towards this goal. Harpic’s purpose is to help Nigerians access hygienically clean toilets and also be an enabler for change in the fight for improved sanitation in Nigeria. The Harpic toilet refurbishment project will inspire a big positive attitudinal change, which will impact the lives of the people and the environment. It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.”

Harpic has been at the forefront in the fight against open defecation, donation and refurbishment of public toilets in Nigeria. Since 2018, Harpic has donated about 80 toilets and refurbished 10 public toilets in Lagos State alone.

At the commissioning and flag-off ceremony which held immediately after a sensitization walk around Ojota axis of Lagos to sensitize Lagosians on the need for proper toilet practices, the government commended Harpic for her continued support in building a hygienic and healthy environment in the state, stating that the donation of public toilets by Harpic is another step taken in the right direction.

Present at the commissioning were notable dignitaries from the Lagos State Government, heads of government agencies, key executives of RB and Harpic Brand Ambassador, Dr. Helen Paul.

PepsiCo Nigeria today unveiled 1 Million GiveMealsGiveHope initiative to provide meals to vulnerable communities amidst the COVID-19 crisis. This initiative led locally by PepsiCo and enabled by The PepsiCo Foundation – the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, will serve more than 1 million meals to communities most impacted by the socio-economic crisis caused by the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has worsened the existing food insecurity situation in Nigeria. In response to this unfolding global social and economic crisis, PepsiCo is committing to supporting and partnering with reputable NGOs to target communities and alleviate the impact of COVID-19. The #GiveMealsGiveHope initiative will be rolled out in partnership with FoodClique– local NGO experts, fighting hunger by identifying the most vulnerable communities through their volunteer network and working with community leaders. 

PepsiCo’s Sergio Paya, General Manager Sub-Saharan Africa Beverages said, “We launched the Give Meals, Give Hope program to meet the basic needs of the most impacted segments of the Nigerian population, as food is at the heart of what PepsiCo does. As one of the leading food and beverages companies in Nigeria and across the African continent, we believe that we have a responsibility to focus on providing essential food items to those affected by this pandemic.”

FoodClique’s Founder and CEO, Bolajoko Fadipeexplains, “We are on the forefront of the fight against hunger in Nigeria. The current pandemic has exacerbated the need for food across the country. Through the Give Meals Give Hope partnership with PepsiCo we will be able to organize food boxes and leverage on our network to distribute to those who need support the most.”  

The #GiveMealsGiveHope relief initiative is part of a US$45 million global initiative launched by PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation, focused on helping people and communities most affected by this devastating virus. The company is funding vital support including protective gear for healthcare workers, testing and screening services, and is already in the process of distributing more than 50 million nutritious meals to at-risk populations by supporting Food Banks and other partners around the world.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $67 billion in net revenue in 2019, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Lays, 7UP, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Sting, Kurkure and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. “Winning with Purpose” reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of the business.  For more information, visit www.pepsico.com. 

About The PepsiCo Foundation

The PepsiCo Foundation: Established in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we’re focused on helping alleviate hunger, managing water and waste responsibly and supporting women as champions of nutrition from farm to family. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsico.com/sustainability/philanthropy.

About FoodClique

A Non-Profit Charity Organization that stores and distribute purchased or donated perishable and non-perishable foods to the food insecure people through community outreach and partnership with other agencies. Since inception FoodClique has been at the forefront of fighting wide spread hunger, using various programs, among them are a community kitchen, Free School meal program for children of low-income parents, Bag of Hope for the elderly, Inmate Relief Program for prisoners, After Hunger Rehabilitation program, Food Hampers for the Destitute or Homeless, Food for Tot.

9mobile has provided free access to health and educational website for its customers. Access to these websites ensures that 9mobile customers and Nigerians remain connected and have more access to basic essential services which they require.

Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs at 9mobile, Abdulrahman Ado, explained that health and education are two out of the three pillars of 9mobile’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

“The decision to focus on these two areas at this time is borne out of a desire to provide access to health and educational information and services, a critical requirement during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a responsible organisation, we felt the need to support the increasing recourse to online learning by a growing number of academic institutions during this period of lockdown,” he added.

Some of the pre-selected websites on this service include educational sites such as Schoolgate, MobileClassroom, (in partnership with Federal Ministry of Education) National Open University, KhanAcademy and Seesaw. Also included are health related sites such as Mobihealth, World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria Health Watch, HealthLine, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), amongst others.

International Breweries Plc., (IBPlc) a part of the Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) family, has demonstrated its commitment to collaborate and partner with its stakeholders, including government, to reduce the spread and impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria.

Building on the company’s longstanding commitment to its vision of ‘Bringing People Together for a Better World’, IBPlc, in a statement, said its COVID-19 support efforts have been “based on a collaborative approach of gathering insights from our communities and stakeholders so we can provide tailored interventions with the greatest impact”.

Breakdown of the company’s donation to the governments of Anambra, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and Rivers State; and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) amongst others shows:  30,000 bottles of hand sanitizers are being distributed to the states, hospitals/government institutions, and communities; 60,000 bottles of  nutritious non-alcoholic beverages (Beta Malt and Grand Malt) have been donated to support the food distribution drive by the government in various states. Tens of millions of naira committed to providing medical consumables which include: COVID -19 test kits, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for the frontline workers and medical personnel: coveralls, hand gloves.  Infra-red thermometers.  N10m donated by the Trophy Stout brand (during an e-concert by TuFace) to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the procurement of test kits.

Speaking on the company’s COVID-19 intervention,  Hugo Dias Rocha, Managing Director, International Breweries Plc. in the statement said, “As an organization, we are always looking to support our local communities and are positive that our donation will assist and support the government and the communities greatly in the fight against the spread of this pandemic.

“We appreciate and lend our voice to the various initiatives by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the State Governments, the private sector to which we belong and all other sectors, organizations, individual and players that have all teamed together to assist in curbing the spread of COVID-19. We stand with you, and indeed the world, in the joint resolution to eradicate this virus and its impact on communities and economies”.

In the same vein, Temitope Oguntokun, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, said, “Our longstanding commitment to our core values of Health, Safety, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), readily serves us in this trying time. We will continue to drive COVID-19 awareness and interventions with our employees and in our communities. A number of the donations have been distributed across the states and communities while some are still ongoing”.

Oguntokun said aside from the donations, IBPlc has been supporting its employees with resources and consistent COVID-19 information to stay safe and healthy. In addition, she informed that as part of the company’s other ongoing collaboration against the virus, the company, through its International Breweries Foundation is currently engaging with government and other stakeholders on the production of local face masks.

“We believe this intervention will go a long way to reduce the further spread of the virus while also boosting our already challenged economy through youth entrepreneurship”.