Nigerian Breweries Plc, the leading brewing company in Nigeria, has partnered with the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund and the Lagos State government initiative "One Community at a Time" (OCAT) to inaugurate a newly constructed block of classrooms and additional facilities at Okegun-Odofin Junior High School in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
During the handover ceremony to the Lagos State government, Hans Essaadi, chairman of the Nigerian Breweries Plc Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, represented by Sade Morgan, the Corporate Affairs director of NB Plc, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Lagos State Government’s OCAT program and reflects the company's strong commitment to advancing educational opportunities in Nigeria.
Essaadi highlighted the importance of the newly donated school infrastructure, which includes classrooms, a principal’s office, staff rooms, and restroom facilities, as it addresses the issue of students traveling long distances for education. This initiative also supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to provide inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
“With the completion of this project, we are making a significant advancement in our educational efforts, providing children with a safe, accessible, and supportive learning environment within their own community,” he stated.
He further remarked that the infrastructure investment is aimed at securing a brighter future for children, communities, and Nigeria as a whole. He concluded by stating, “The initiatives under the Nigerian Breweries Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund are designed to align with Nigeria’s national educational goals, enhancing government efforts to improve educational standards and increase access nationwide.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the secretary of the state government, expressed deep gratitude to Nigerian Breweries Plc for their collaboration focused on enhancing educational quality in the state.
Salu-Hundeyin highlighted that the successful implementation of this project exemplifies the effectiveness of public-private partnerships, which have been essential in fostering growth and advancement across multiple sectors. He encouraged all community stakeholders to take responsibility for the school project by ensuring proper maintenance of the facilities and safeguarding the environment for the students.
"In Lagos State, education is a priority for this administration, as we understand that the future of Lagos is dependent on the quality of education we offer our children. The newly constructed classrooms and offices will provide teachers with the opportunity to deliver quality education in a supportive environment, benefiting the first group of students and many more in the future," he stated.
Additionally, Folashade Jaji, the founder of One Community at a Time (OCAT), shared that the initiative was developed with the primary goal of fostering development in local communities throughout the state.