Princewill Ekwujuru
Procter & Gambles, Healthcare manufacturers and  Sponsor-A-Child, a Non Governmental Organisation that is partnering UNICEF, and focused on the relief of vulnerable children and the educational advancement of orphans and other children at risk in Nigeria, have launched a manual christened ‘local champions,’ a caregivers training programme that seeks to stimulate change at the micro level in Nigerian institutions.

Speaking, Ms. Patricia obozuwa, Head, Corporate Communications & Brand Public Relations, P&G West Africa As a company, Procter & Gamble continues to be committed to our purpose of improving the lives of people in communities in which we operate. This commitment can be seen in our global corporate social responsibility platform, Live Learn and Thrive.

This cause is focused on assisting the development of children in need between the ages of 0 – 13 by giving them a healthy start in life, providing access to education and   access to programmes that help build their self esteem, social skills and empower them.In Nigeria, our Live Learn and Thrive program now touches the lives of over 2 million children every year through various programs in hospitals, schools and communities working with credible non-profit partners.Sponsor a Child on the other hand, is a not-for-profit education & health mission that has been supporting the total development and social inclusion of orphans. and children at risk in-Nigeria for over six years. This mission reflects the heart of our Live, Learn & Thrive purpose.

With Local Champions, P&G is working with Sponsor a Child to provide Caregivers’ Manuals’ and Training which cut across; health, educational, recreational, psycho-social and protection aspects of child care to professional and volunteer caregivers’ as well as law enforcement officers.We remain committed to improve the social welfare of Nigerian children. We are convinced that partnerships with credible non-profit organisations such as ‘Sponsor a Child’ could have a significant positive impact on children in Nigeria.Her words,  “this work is all about improving lives. That’s P&G’s purpose as a company. We are deeply honoured to partner with Sponsor a Child to help fulfil this mission,” Obozuwa said.

Ms. Olatoun Williams, Co_ordinator, Sponsor-a-child, said the enforcement of the law by Nigeria  will compel families, civil society and government agencies to protect the rights of the disadvantaged children and at the same time give them hope as against what obtains at the moment across the country.