By IJEOMA UKAZU
Approaches that aim to improve the welfare and livelihoods of people living within a community seek to empower the people, create stronger and more connected communities.
Community development is a process where community members are supported by agencies to identify and take collective action on issues which are important to them.
In Nigeria some communities are lacking in basic necessities of life such as; health care, education, drinking water, housing and roads.
Challenges like these are relatable to communities especially rural dwellers whom the dividend of governance is not felt, thereby, calling attention for intervention that would make the necessary impact in their lives.
For a food and beverage company like Nestlé Nigeria, its aim is not just to make profits from host communities but also build infrastructures that would create shared value on the lives of the people.
Creating shared value is the practice of creating economic value in a way that also creates value for society by addressing its needs and challenges.
Over time, Nestlé Nigeria has demonstrated the spirit of creating shared value to communities where its business is located in a way that is mutually beneficial.
One impact amongst others is the renovation of Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Shagamu a community in Ogun state. The firm refurbished some facilities and equipped the laboratory at Ajaka PHC.
This intervention, Nestlé says it will help improve the delivery of healthcare services to over 200,000 indigenes who depend on the centre.
According to the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Mrs. Victoria Uwadoka said, “Nestlé Nigeria completely renovated the buildings within the centre, constructed sanitation facilities and a kitchenette; just as it also installed an alternative source of power supply and provided new equipment.
“To address the security challenges experienced by the centre, Nestlé Nigeria built a perimeter fence around the facility and installed gates to control access. This intervention supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well Being. It is also in line with Ogun State Government’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of primary health care in the state.”
In her words, “At Nestlé, we recognize that access to adequate health care delivery is crucial to improving quality of life. This is why we invest in the improvement of healthcare delivery through various projects including the Ajaka Health Centre which we are here to commission.
“We are glad that with the commissioning of this project, over 200,000 indigenes of Sagamu now have access to improved health care services.”She also commended the management of Transit Gas who provided additional equipment for the health centre,” she said.
Another notable impact the company has made in the development of communities is the commissioning of a fully equipped block of three classrooms renovated by Nestlé Nigeria in Agbara.
This is part of a project comprising two blocks of five classrooms and a crèche as well as reactivating the solar system to power the facilities within the school premises.
Learners of Salvation Army Primary School 1 Agbara, Ogun State though the creating shared value now enjoy a more conducive environment courtesy of Nestlé Nigeria.
Also the school is one of the beneficiaries of the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK), a school-based nutrition education program which equips children to make better nutrition decisions from an early age to promote a healthier future.
Nestlé for Healthier Kids has reached 17,000 children in 30 schools, 20 of them in Ogun State and 10 in the Federal Capital Territory. The program is delivered in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Ministry of Health, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, FCT Universal Basic Education Board and the Nutrition Society of Nigeria.
Nestlé’s Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, said, “Building a learning culture in early childhood is difficult when the environment is not conducive. This is why we are committed to improving facilities in the schools closest to our operations. Strong in the belief that access to quality education increases opportunities for a better quality of life, Nestlé Nigeria has invested in enhancing infrastructure in public schools, reaching over 4,000 children in Ogun State and Abaji in the FCT in the past 3 years alone.”
Efforts by the company is achieving its objective of building thriving communities in collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Boards to support government’s efforts to reposition the education sector for improved performance.
A fact that was appreciated by the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Olalekan Kuye as he commend Nestlé Nigeria PLC for this laudable intervention which complements governments collective drive to further improve the state learning environment, adding that projects are in accordance with recommended standards.
Comments from the community head applauding Nestlé suggest that the company is impacting lives and building a stronger generation.
The Alagbara of Agbara, HRM Oba Lukman Jayeola Agunbiade who is celebrating his 5th year in office as the Alagbara of the illustrious Agbara community said, “I sincerely appreciate Nestlé for remaining a responsible member of this community, and for investing in improving teaching and learning facilities in Salvation Army Primary School among others. I am therefore pleased to receive this project on behalf of my people.”
In the Federal Capital Territory, Nestlé Nigeria, a giant food and beverage company commissioned multiple community development projects Manderigi and Abaji, comprising classroom blocks, water and sanitation facilities.
With the completion of three classrooms at Abaji South Primary School, over 150 children now have access to a more conducive learning environment. The new water facilities in Abaji West Primary School and Manderigi provide over 1,200 individuals including educators, learners and their families within the community access to safe and clean water.
Picture: Pupils of Abaji West Primary School, Abaji, FCT using the newly commissioned water project at their school.
Nestlés commitment to creating shared value has compeled the company to contribute towards improving livelihoods within the communities closest to their operations. While sustaining their investments, it has built water facilities, refurbished health facilities improved infrastructure in public schools,
We have sustained our investment in building water facilities and improving infrastructure in public schools because we believe that access to clean, safe water and quality education
are two of the basic human needs for ensuring our social and economic development.
Photo Splash from Nestlé Nigeria Commissioned multiple community development projects in Manderigi, Abaji in FCT Abuja.
Picture: Solar Powered water borehole at Manderigi community, Abaji, FCT.
Picture: An elated boy washing his hands and face from the newly commissioned water project at Manderigi community, Abaji, FCT.
Picture: Block of three (3) classrooms renovated by Nestlé Nigeria at Abaji South Primary School, Abaji, FCT.
Picture: Solar Powered water borehole at Abaji West Primary School, Abaji, FCT.
Well done Nestlé Nigeria.