Furtherance in its Brewing a Better World (BaBW) initiative, foremost brewer, Nigerian Breweries has said it will be commit the sum of N500 million over the next 10 years on the reforestation of a 500 hectares forest reserve located at Olokemeji local community in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital.
The reforestation project is to executed through a joint partnership between the company and the Ogun state Ministry of Forestry and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) serving as the implementation project partner. To this end, the company have presently signed a partnership agreement with the Forestry Ministry with a resolve to ensure that the objectives of the reforestation project was fully realized.
Speaking during a formal endorsement of the agreement held inside the conference room of the Ministry of Forestry in Abeokuta, Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mrs Sade Morgan announced that the project will contribute 600,000 indigenous trees to the forest reserve when completed, adding that under the project Nigerian Breweries will spend N500 million over the next 10 years to achieve the target. She stated that Nigerian Breweries Plc remains absolutely committed to promoting forest regeneration and sustainable ecological conditions which would help to secure a better future for the environment as a whole.
She explained that The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan will be serving as the implementation partner for the project, along with experts in the Ogun State Ministry of Forestry. In her response at the event, the Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Engineer Tunji Akinosi, expressed immense satisfaction and gratitude to the management of Nigerian Breweries for contributing its quota in making the environment sustainable.
She said: “We are highly delighted about this move by Nigerian Breweries Plc which we believe would go a long way to improving the recharge of the Ewekoro and Abeokuta aquifer and enhance the health of the watershed, adding that “By this action, NB Plc has clearly demonstrated that they are not only interested in returns, but also ensuring that they leave the environment safer.”
In her remarks at the signing ceremony, Mrs. Sade Morgan thanked the state government for its partnership and vision towards the preservation of the environment, which aligns with the company’s sustainability agenda, tagged Brewing a Better World (BaBW). “Brewing a Better World (BaBW) is our long-term approach to creating shared sustainable value for all stakeholders, the society and the planet, not only by operating in a socially responsible and ethical manner but by playing an active role in building a sustainable future for our nation.
“Our commitment to the reforestation of the Olokemeji Forest Reserve, which is aimed at improving the quality of life for the community and people of Ogun State, is one of such activities. On completion, it will ensure retention of rainfall runoffs within the watershed and recharge the aquifers, preventing soil erosion and ultimately reducing CO2 emissions.”Nigerian Breweries Plc, is the pioneer and largest brewing company in Nigeria. It serves the Nigerian market with top range of leading alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage brands with exports to other parts of West Africa.The products range include leading brands such as Star, Gilder, 3 Export lager beer, Williams dark ale, Turbo Kings dark ale, Morelager beer, malt drinks, Maltex and Hi Malt. It also offers apple cider, Strongbow (Gold Apple); Star Triple X; Ace Roots, and Ace Rhythm.
