By Emeka Mamah

ENUGU — The Nigerian Breweries Plc, NB Plc, last week, commissioned three community relations project in two communities and the customs barracks in Enugu State, as part of its social responsibilities to its host communities. The projects included a water borehole and a toilet for the Community Primary School at Oma-Eke in Udi Local Government Area; a six classroom block with a library and toilets at Ogwofia Imezi Owa Community Secondary School as well as an Officers’ Mess at the Nigerian Customs Service, Enugu barracks.

NB Plc Corporate Affairs manager, Kufre Ekanem commissioning the 6 room class room block.

Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nigerian Breweries, Nicolaas Vervelde, represented by the Corporate Affairs Manager, Kufre Ekanem said while commissioning the six classroom blocks that the company regarded education as the greatest legacy to be bequeathed to children, as it remained “very paramount to our existence and sustainable development,”

adding that the NB Plc would continue to identify and respond positively to the cause of the people through “our various corporate social investments in education, environment, water, youth development,” among others.

His words, “In 1994, we established the NB Plc Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund to take a more active role in educational and research activities towards the development of education in Nigeria. Our investments and initiatives have continued to contribute immensely to improve various aspects of education all over Nigeria in line with our philosophy of ‘Winning with Nigeria.’

“What you see here today is an outcome of this investment. Within Udi LGA alone, we have commissioned similar school blocks like this in the past few years including Nsude, Ngwo Uno, Ahwum and Eke communities.”

Turning to both the teachers and students, Verlvelde said, “My dear children as you learn in this complex, and acquire the desired knowledge for growth, you should always think of the right ideals for you to be better Nigerians. You must shun violence and other vices militating against our economic development and nation building.

“I hope this motivates you (teachers) and encourage you to double your dedication for the development of our children who are leaders of tomorrow. If they lack the capacity today, tomorrow will be bleak for us all and our children unborn.”

Verlverde then commended members of the community for their support towards the commercial success of the company, even as he looked forward for sustained and improved relationship between both parties.

At the commissioning of the Customs Officers’ Mess, Verlvelde said that the NB Plc was aware of key role of the Customs as money spinner for the nation’s economy adding that it was in recognition of this “that we acceded to the request by the Enugu command to support a rebuilding of this mess which was in dilapidated and pathetic shape.

“We have constructed and furnished this mess to a comfortable level and do hope it will serve its purpose for a long time in the future with your care and maintenance.”

The Comptroller Enugu command, Emmanuel Amaka expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Breweries for the gesture and assured that only products of the company would be on sale in the mess even as NB Plc provided its brands of beer for quaffing by the officers and their visitors during the event.