The company devotes 1 million euros to youth and the empowerment of women | The Guardian Nigeria News
The parent company of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, Coca-Cola HBC, has announced a €1 million donation to support community empowerment and social impact programs in Nigeria.
The brand’s CEO, Zoran Bogdanovic, made the announcement during a stakeholder reception during his recent visit to Lagos.
According to the company, the €1 million fund would be deployed to support four key initiatives, including the Federal Government of Nigeria’s journey towards the elimination of open defecation (ODF) by 2025; upskill underserved youth and women in high-demand skills and community retraining initiatives.
Commenting on the donation, Bogdanovic said, “This donation underscores our commitment to improving the lives of our communities. Through this support, among other ongoing sustainability initiatives, we hope to help drive the growth of the Nigerian economy and enable better living conditions for local communities.
The donation will be earmarked for the empowerment of youth and women and the provision of water and sanitation facilities.
He noted, however, that fund partners were selected based on a rigorous due diligence process and their track record, as well as their ability to deliver value and impact in communities.
“The remaining three partners will be announced soon,” he said.
Regarding the company’s legacy in Nigeria over the past 70 years, Bogdanovic said, “Our roots are in Nigeria and its spirit still runs through our company today. This is why we have been a proud contributor to the growth of the Nigerian economy throughout our history. Over the past 10 years, we have invested over €1 billion in our operations in Nigeria, which has supported the expansion of production capacity, construction of modern warehouses, investment in logistics respectful of the environment and especially the creation of jobs for young Nigerians. throughout the value chain. Today, with The Coca-Cola Company, we support more than 58,000 jobs a year across the nation’s value chain. »
Bogdanovic further stated that over the past 10 years, the Coca-Cola system has invested more than N9 billion in improving the living standards of communities in Nigeria through locally relevant initiatives. Additionally, the company has resized its goals for gender diversity and inclusion, youth and women empowerment, water stewardship and its broader agenda for a waste-free world.
