Nestlé Nigeria as Africa's top food and beverage company, known for its quality, excellence, and commitment to creating shared value, in no doubt takes crucial actions to safeguard the environment through sustainable business practices.
The sharp practises adopt by Nestle Nirgeria has led to a greater improvement and development of our Nigeria Eco system as well creating a dominant role which has occassioned even some government Ministies, Department and Agencies to partner with it to bring about development in our society.
Recently, in the cognizance Recognition of the Nestle impact on the society as regards our environment, Ogun State government has taken steps to harmonise taxes and levies towards addressing the incidence of double taxation and create a thriving business environment.
The Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, stated this during a strategic visit to the Head Office of Nestle Nigeria, in Lagos, where he was received by its Managing Director, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, saying the visit was to boost existing relationship with various stakeholders and share ideas on areas of common interests especially on the environment.
Mr. Sofela, who was accompanied by top management staff in the Ministry, added that the present administration in the state had improved land administration system, to enable investors process title documents without delay, informing that government had created new industrial clusters to accommodate influx of investors and in preparation for the future.
In his remarks, Mr. Elhusseini, said 80 percent of his company's investments were domiciled in Ogun, just as he affirmed that the state government was aptly guided in its business-friendly policies.
The Ogun State Former Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, has described sustainability of water supply as a catalyst for peace.Mr. Fagbohun stated this during the celebration of 2024 World Water Day, with the theme, “Leveraging Water for Peace” organised by the Ministry of Environment, in conjunction with Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) and Nestle Plc, at Obas’ Complex, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Fagbohun said irregularities in the distribution of water resources and risk of shortage, were some of the factors that used to cause tension and conflicts between tribes, communities, states and nations, while lack of potable water could spell doom to human existence.
Speaking, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, noted that the importance of water could not be over-emphasised.
“Water can create peace or spark chaos or crisis; when water is scarce or polluted or when people have unequal or no access to water, tension arises.
“Population grows and as climate change impact increases, there is an urgent need within and between countries to unite by protecting and conserving the most precious resource, water”, he said.
The Commissioner charged relevant agencies, industries, commercial facilities, academia, investors, drillers and individuals at all levels, to act on the ripple effects of water scarcity, in order to foster harmony, posterity and resilience.
The representatives of Nestle Plc, Sustainability Manager, Chinwe Obi, appreciated the state government for providing potable water for its citizens and encouraging commercialisation of water production through hygienic processes.
Nestlé Nigeria also works closely with communities closest to their operations to improve access to clean and safe water through sustainable water projects such as the construction of water infrastructure and the establishment of community boreholes.
As part of the collaboration with the Ogun State Government, Nestlé Nigeria will further expand its efforts to promote sustainable water practices. The partnership will focus on raising awareness about water conservation, educating communities about responsible water usage, and implementing initiatives to improve water access and quality.While appreciating Nestle for its commitment to making a positive impact on the society, Hon. Isiaka lauded the automatic employment given to 20 graduating students, affirming Nestle’s immeasurable contributions.
Creating Shared Value - Nestlé Nigeria Empowers Children in Lagos State on Environmental Sustainability
Every year, Nestlé Nigeria teaches over 8,000 children about healthy nutrition, active lifestyles, hygiene and sustainability under Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK). N4HK is Nestlé ’s global flagship initiative which aims to help 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030.
Promoting healthier choices and providing children with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions not only benefits their well-being but also contributes to creating a more sustainable future for everyone. This is one of the ways in which Nestlé creates shared value, making positive impact on individuals, families, communities and the planet while creating value for its shareholders.
At the closing ceremony of the Sustainability Training for Kids in Lagos State in partnership with the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI), the company announced the extension of N4HK to the State this year, starting with 137 children who participated in the sustainability training across 5 primary schools within Ilupeju where Nestlé Nigeria’s Head Office is located.
In her address, the Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka said “We are delighted to see the positive impact of the N4HK sustainability training on children across Lagos state. By instilling a sense of environmental responsibility at an early age, we are nurturing a generation that will actively contribute to a more sustainable future. We recognise the collaboration of our Partners, International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI) and Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) for their unwavering commitment to raising a healthier generation.”
The founder of ICCDI, Olumide Idowu expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating “In partnership with Nestlé Nigeria, we have trained and instilled responsibility and awareness in children about their environmental impact. This promotes sustainable habits, empowers informed choices, and cultivates a mindset of environmental stewardship. By learning about recycling and waste management, children develop environmental empathy and become advocates for positive change.
World Environment Day 2024: Nestlé Nigeria Volunteers Plant 1,000 Trees to Improve Climate Resilience
•Nestlé Nigeria volunteers, plant 1,000 trees at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm in Abuja in collaboration with CBiIL, to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions.
•One tree has the capacity to sequester about 20KG of carbondioxide/annum: Planting 1,000 trees contributes to Nestlé’s broader global mission of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
•Nestlé Cares is the global employee volunteer platform that'll provides an opportunity for employees to act on their commitment to environmental stewardship.
To commemorate World Environment Day 2024, Nestlé Nigeria employees under the global employee volunteer platform, Nestlé Cares, joined forces with volunteers from Convention for Business Integrity Innovations Nigeria Limited (CBiIL) to plant 1,000 trees at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm in the Paikon-Kore grazing reserve, located in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions on the farm and enhance climate resilience.
Since its launch in Nigeria in 2019, Nestlé Cares has provided a platform for employees to give back to society by donating their time and talents to make a positive impact on individuals and families, on communities and the environment. Nestlé employees have lived out their passion for caring for their communities and the panet through various projects including beach cleanup exercises, orphanage outreaches, market cleanup activities and mentorship programs for youth. The tree planting is further demonstration of their commitment to building a sustainable future for all.
Trees play a pivotal role as natural carbon sinks with the capacity to absorb about 20KG of carbon dioxide/annum, hence they actively contribute to carbon sequestration. Planting 1,000 trees within the dairy demonstration farm therefore serves a dual purpose: fortify ecosystem resilience and eventually act as effective windbreakers, mitigating the impact of adverse weather conditions on the farm and safeguarding the well-being of the animals. This is aigned with the World Environment Day 2024 theme of land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, while contributing to Nestlé’s broader global mission of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
During the tree-planting ceremony, Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, highlighted the significance of the event, stating, "Every year, hundreds of Nestlé employees from around the country generously donate their time and talents to activities that positively impact local communities and the planet. By planting a thousand trees today, we are collectively demonstrating our commitment to climate action, both as individuals and as one Nestlé. This marks the beginning of more ambitious tree-planting campaigns as we accelerate action towards improving climate change resilience within our communities. We are grateful to have volunteers from the implementation partner of our dairy development program, CBiIL as well as representatives from the Department of Animal Husbandry Services Of The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) planting trees with us here today."
Hajia Umma Abubakar, Director of Animal Husbandry Services Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), expressed her support, stating “We are thrilled to witness the collaborative efforts of Nestlé Nigeria and CBiIL, volunteers in planting 1,000 trees at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm in the Paikon-Kore grazing reserve. This initiative aligns perfectly with our vision for environmental conservation and demonstrates the power of collective action in building a sustainable future. The trees planted today will not only reduce the impact of climate change but will also be beneficial for the livestock. We commend Nestlé Nigeria and its partners for their commitment to climate action and look forward to further collaborations in environmental conservation”.
Nestlé Nigeria has consistently been at the forefront of environmental protection, collaborating with relevant stakeholders tosafeguard the climate for future generations. Actions include
Nestlé Nigeria and Ogun State Government Collaborate to Champion Sustainable Water Practices on World Water Day 2024
To commemorate World Water Day 2024 with the theme “Water for Peace,” Nestlé Nigeria, the Ogun State Government and the Ogun-Osun Water Basin Authority organised an event to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation and responsible water management practices. The event which took place in Abeokuta, highlighted the role of Public-Private Partnership, (PPP) to spur collective action towards a water-secure future.
Nestlé Nigeria has long been committed to sustainable water practices and has implemented various initiatives to reduce water consumption across its operations. Over the last three years, the company has achieved reductions of 48,898 m3 in water usage, demonstrating its dedication to sustainable water stewardship.
“We are delighted to collaborate with the Ogun State Government to champion sustainable water practices on World Water Day 2024,” said Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, CEO of Nestlé Nigeria. “Water is a precious resource, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and conserve it. Through this collaboration, we aim to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve.”
The head, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka said, “We are delighted to collaborate with the Ogun State Government to champion sustainable water practices on World Water Day 2024.
Nestlé is committed to taking action to protect water resources for today and for future generations. We have therefore implemented water-saving measures to achieve water savings of 48,898 m3 across our operations in the last three years. In addition, we engage with our local communities and other critical stakeholders on water conservation efforts.
Water is a precious resource, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and conserve it. The World Water Day event with the Ogun State Ministry of Environment and the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority is part of the ongoing collaboration to promote more sustainable water stewardship and to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities we serve.”
In his speech at the event, the Honourable commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ola Oresanya said “the responsibility for leveraging water for peace is not solely a government role but the joint responsibility of everyone. The need for cooperation by all relevant agencies, industrial and commercial facilities, academia, investors, drillers, and individuals at all levels is the crux of today’s message.”
“Let us recommit to unite around water and use water for peace and to lay foundations of a more stable and prosperous future. It is time to foster harmony between communities and states, communities and industries, academia, and Government among others. water must be viewed as a shared interest so that management of scarce water resources can lead to cooperation rather than conflict”.
Also, the Nestle Nigeria during the 7th graduation ceremony of Nestle Technical Training (NTT) programme, in Agbara, Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, gave a thump up saying all hands must be on deck to take sports to the grassroots and lay a solid foundation for a policy-driven sporting development in the state.
The MD/CEO, Nestle Nigeria, Mr. Wassim Elhusseini, informed that the training was designed to help bridge the gap in technical skill in the industry, disclosing that it was one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilityto the community.He noted that the technical training programme was designed to sharpen skills, increase productivity rate and employability of students in the labour market, advising the graduands to use the skills and knowledge acquired through the training programme to create employment opportunities for others, mentor and guide the next generation of aspiring professionals, thereby bequeathing an enduring legacy of impact and change.
Tope Bankole
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