Nestle spreads N700 million worth empathy pan Nigeria
The Covid-19 season, though dangerous and deadly as it has been seen, has blown up inherent societal contradictions, both positive and negative sides of our lives. On the positive side, all around, acts of genuine compassion and love for neigbours, the poor and vulnerable, were displayed in many quarters by individuals, profit making corporate organisations, religious groups and charitable organisations to cushion the adverse effects brought about by the global lockdown affected people’s sources of livelihood while shutting down the global economy.
In the wake of the pandemic, President Mohammed Buhari in March 2020 established Presidential Task Force (PTF) to coordinate the multi sectoral and inter governmental interventions to contain the spread and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic measures on Nigerians.
Nestlé Nigeria Plc, in supporting the COVID-19 response efforts led by the Presidential Task force, working alongside other private sector partners in the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), went on a donation spree across its business zones to the tune of N700 million. Food, beverages worth N450 million in an uncommon show of love and empathy to vulnerable Nigerians whose source of livelihood were harshly affected by the impact of the global lockdown. Nestle also made a cash donation of N250million towards the procurement of medical equipment and supplies through the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) to support government’s efforts to protect personnel and volunteers on the frontline to contain the spread the disease.
From Lagos to Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Ondo State, etc., Nestle ensured that every zone where it does business was represented in its generous spread of acts of love and empathy in line with its purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future for all Nigerians.
Lagos State, which is the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic received a generous donation of N106 million worth of food and beverages to reach individuals and families most impacted by the lockdown measures put in place by the government to stop the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, Nestle also donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth N30 million (thirty million naira) to the Lagos State Ministry of health. The donation of the 13,000 N95 face masks was in support of efforts to ensure the safety of medical personnel and volunteers on the frontlines, managing the COVID-19 situation.
Food and beverages worth N50 million (Fifty million naira) were donated to Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) in the Federal Capital Territory to support its assigned roles of coordinating multi-sectoral and inter governmental efforts to mitigate and contain the spread of the virus.
In addition to this, Abaji and Manderigi communities, also within the FCT domain also received Nestlé’s food and beverages worth N5.3 million (Five million, three hundred thousand naira) COVID-19 palliative support.
Nestle continued its donation spree to Enugu, Ondo and Rivers States governments where it donated nutritious food and beverages worth N32 million (thirty-two million naira) apiece to support individuals and families most impacted by the pandemic in the three states.
National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force, Dr. Sani Aliyu who received the donation on behalf of the Federal Government commended Nestlé for providing support to the federal and some state governments’ efforts, including communities at COVID-19 containment.
Also while receiving the donations individually at different occasions, Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Enugu State Deputy Governor, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Chike Princewill, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Segun Ogboye and Abaji and Manderigi communities representatives, Ona of Abaji and Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa and Maderiji Village Head, Alhaji Saidu Garba among others who were on hand to receive the gifts on behalf of their states and communities thanked Nestle Nigeria for their generous donations and the company’s interest in the wellbeing of their indigenes and residents. They assured the company that the products would be adequately deployed to help families meet their nutrition needs in these challenging times.
While presenting the products to the various governments and communities, Nestlé Nigeria Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mauricio Alarcon, said: “In these unprecedented times when our communities need us more than ever, it is important for us at Nestlé, to do everything we can to support the efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus while mitigating its impact. At Nestlé, we care about our communities and are committed to our purpose which is to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. It is our hope that the PPEs will help enhance the safety of medical personnel on the field. As we continue to support and work together with all stakeholders, including the medical personnel who are on the frontlines of the fight, we are confident that we can defeat this common enemy, together.”
Alarcon, who was represented at different occasions, averred: “We are joining forces with government to do everything we can to help those in need through both financial means and product donations in these unprecedented times where our communities need our support more than ever. We are donating nutritious food and beverages to reach more than 600,000 vulnerable families who are the most impacted by the crisis.”
The company boss reiterated that Nestlé Nigeria will, in line with its purpose of enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future, continue to play its essential role of ensuring the uninterrupted availability of food and beverage products which are critical for the sustenance and well-being of millions of Nigerian families who rely on the company to help feed their families every day.
Nestlé Nigeria continues to play its essential role of ensuring the uninterrupted availability of food and beverage products to the millions of Nigerian families who rely on the company to help feed their families every day while providing palliatives to help mitigate the impact of the crisis on individuals and families.
Photo caption – Left to right: South West Branch Manager Nestlé, Boladale Odunlami and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu
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