By Emmanuel Edukugho

Obele Primary School, Lawanson Road, Surulere, renovated at the cost of about N30 million by Nigerian Breweries Plc, has been commissioned amidst huge excitement by children , teachers and parents.

Mr. Nocolass Vervelde, Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, in his address, read by the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Mr,. Yusuf Ayeni, said that the event marks another milestone in the company’s host community development initiatives coming after the commissioning of such projects at other brewery host locations across the country.

NB Plc commissions renovated school.

Details of the work carried out include re-roofing, replacement of doors and windows, furnishing of classrooms and offices, provision of toilets, etc.

“This school project undertaken with the active support of the Surulere Local government is also part of our continuous partnership with the Lagos State Government’s support Our Schools initiative which our company remains a committed partner”. He pointed to the company’s robust CRS policies driven by the theme “Connecting with the Community” since it started business in 1949.

The Managing Director said Lagos and indeed Surulere, holds a pride of place as the birth-place of Nigerian Breweries.

“It was in Iganmu, Surulere that Nigeria’s very first brewery was sited in 1949. That brewery has given rise to four other breweries across the country today.” The project was funded by the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund.

“We are happy that our effort has been well received by both the school authorities an the Surulere Local Government Area council and also encouraged by the visible achievements of the Lagos State Government in revamping the educational sector in Lagos.”

The Head Teacher, Obele Nursery and primary School, Mrs. R. Ajayi, thanked management of NB Plc for the renovated school, expressing gratitude of the pupils, staff and parents, adding “this is what we need”.

She appealed to other corporate bodies to emulate what the company has done as it will enhance quality of education at Obele. She promised to put the facilities into good use and prayed that Nigerian Breweries Plc will grow from strength to strength and shine from generation to generation.

Chairman of Surulere Local Government, Dr. Folami expressed joy because for 25-30 years now, the school had been neglected. “Before, the school was dilapidated, I almost cried when I came here, the local government has no fund. We had to look elsewhere for funding for the school to be renovated.

Nigerian Breweries came to our aid. Today, see the edifice that we now have.”

He was sincerely appreciative to the company, saying, “it’s a mind blowing kindness to a generation.”

Disclosing that the local government has constructed 40 boreholes in 44 primary schools in Surulere, Folami said it was done to save our future and the future of our children. “Government cannot do it alone, hence we are seeking help of corporate bodies through public private partnership.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is being used all over the world to help host communities. “He reminded the company that like Oliver Twist, they will always ask for more.

Mrs. Folami, wife of the council chairman, commissioned the project on behalf of the Lagos State First Lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola who was supposed to be the Special Guest of Honour. She commended Nigerian Breweries Plc, for the project, noting that if other corporate bodies do the same, “we will get there.”