By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel

With its massive support in creating jobs for Nigerians over the years, the Coca-Cola system in Nigeria, comprising Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) and Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, has announced that it will invest $ 560 billion. naira in the country in five years.

NBC chief executive Mr. Mathieu Seguin said this during the company’s 70th anniversary celebration in Nigeria on Thursday. He explained that the objective of the investment is to have a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians and to expand the operations of the company in the host country.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Seguin said: “Since 2007, we have invested 1.7 billion dollars in the country and we will invest an additional 560 billion naira in our operations in Nigeria.

“Over the past five years, the Coca-Cola system has also supported the creation of 58,000 jobs along its value chain. “

He reiterated the company’s deliberate plans to invest heavily to positively impact the lives of people in the communities where we work and operate, adding that the business will only grow as communities grow. .

“Over the next five years, we will invest an additional 560 billion naira or $ 1 billion in our operations in Nigeria.

“With the additional capital injection, we are poised to expand the capacity of our manufacturing plants in other parts of the country to reflect the scope of operations at our Ikeja plant.

“This will ensure that all of our product types and packaging options are even closer to all of our consumers nationwide,” the NBC boss said.

This marks one of the many significant contributions the beverage establishment has made directly and indirectly into the country’s economy since its inception in 1951.

Over the past 5 years, the company has trained more than 30,000 young people in entrepreneurship and employability in different cities of Nigeria, coupled with its Tech Relevant Teacher (TRT) project which has so far reached 24 000 students.

Speaking at this milestone event, Mr. Seguin noted that 648 principals and teachers were equipped, as well as the rehabilitation of several class blocks in more than 30 public schools, as more than 30,000 students were affected by the TRT initiative.

Commenting on the celebration, Coca-Cola Nigeria Managing Director Mr. Alfred Olajide revealed that the 70th anniversary ceremony will run throughout the remaining part of 2021 with a series of activities.

He said that these activities were designed to celebrate the milestone with consumers, customers, employees, partners and the general public of the Coca-Cola system, as there would be a periodic stakeholder anniversary event, consumer bootstrap / kickback programs and others.

“With a focus on our current philosophy of Real Magic, we will launch the Nigerians of Coca-Cola campaign, which will serve to tell a visual story of a diverse set of people in key regions of the country with different struggles and histories. positive with Coca-Cola.

“These are people who have directly benefited from the sustainability initiatives of the Coca-Cola system – from our value system to our key program areas, such as women and youth empowerment, waste, wellness. and water management, ”Olajide explained.

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