Our employee volunteering initiative, called BETTER WORLD CHAMPIONS is one of the strategic imperatives of our sustainability journey where we are mobilizing our employees on what matters most to us as a business: Bringing People together for a Better World.
The initiative availed our staff the opportunity to express their sense of purpose by giving back to the society and contributing meaningfully to the development of their communities and a more sustainable world.
About 1,200 employees have participated in our volunteering initiatives across the sites and our Lagos offices to give back to the communities. The volunteers participated in activities ranging from clean-up exercises, sensitization programs, to road rehabilitation projects and tree planting exercises.
In 2019, a total of 3,154 hours of voluntary service was rendered to our communities by employees, and 19,601 beneficiaries were positively impacted by the various social interventions courtesy of the Better World Initiative.
Here are some of the volunteering initiatives which our employees have embarked upon:
3.1 Road Rehabilitation
At the Ilesa East district, 80 volunteers rehabilitated a major road within Ilesa which serves over 1,000 motorists every week. This major road- Lawrence Omole Rd is an extremely one, serving as one of the major entry points into Ilesa. Unfortunately, the road along this axis has deteriorated due to the elements and sometimes is a cause of minor accidents and poor flow of traffic. The Champions undertook this initiative so as to forestall accidents and ensure free flow of traffic.
A similar exercise was also carried out in Gateway, where volunteers trooped out in their numbers to fill up potholes along the expressway leading to the factory. This helped to ease traffic and ensure the free flow of vehicular movement.
This is initiative is in line with the SDG Goals 9 and 11- Industry Innovation & Infrastructure and Sustainable cities and Communities. Over 4,000 beneficiaries have been positively impacted by these activities.
Employee volunteers in Gateway during a road rehabilitation exercise
3.2 Clean-up Initiatives
As a show of our commitment towards the Sustainable Development Goal 6 which is centered around Clean Water and Sanitation, our volunteers in Port-Harcourt, Onitsha and Lagos embarked on clean-up exercises around their communities.
In 2019, volunteers turned up to contribute their quota to the creation of a better and safer environment by participating in activities such the cleaning of the textile (abada) market in Anambra; the Kidz beach Lekki and the clearing of the River Banks in Oginigba.
Employee volunteers cleaning up Kidz beach in Lekki
3.3 Tree Planting
To demonstrate our passion for building a sustainable environment, volunteers also engaged in tree planting exercises in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Onitsha.
Employee volunteers planting a tree as part of their volunteering activities
3.4 School sensitization
The KIC (Keep Ilesha Clean) initiative brought together volunteers on the 15th and 19th of June respectively create awareness and drive change amongst students on the importance of waste management and recycling. The initiative is long-term and seeks to educate students across all secondary schools in Ilesha. As a show of commitment towards their goal, the better world champions commissioned a waste collection point for the Ilesa Grammar School.
In Lagos, the volunteering team visited A-Z primary school to sensitize the students about the importance of environmental protection; not just for today, but for the future.
Similar sensitization projects were also carried out in Onitsha and Gateway.
The waste collection point for the Ilesa Grammar School commissioned by our employee volunteers in Ilesha
Students of Ilesa Grammar School during a sensitization program on the importance of waste management and recycling
4.0 Village Football
In Onitsha, we organised a village community soccer tournament to appreciate our every loyal and dedicated consumers while providing an opportunity for young people to hone their football skills and talents.
