CSR: Cadbury Splash $1m on Primary Schools in Lagos

Dike Onwuamaeze

Cadbury Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Mondelēz International, has said its signature corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative tagged Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle project, which officially ended on December 9, 2021, had achieved the desired outcomes.

Cadbury stated this in a press statement IT issued yesterday, which said that the four-year project that cost about $1million, was sponsored by Mondelēz International Foundation, and implemented by Helen Keller International.

It said that the CSR activities were aimed at tackling malnutrition and obesity among children in some selected primary schools within its host communities in Lagos State.

Speaking on the CSR, The Managing Director, Cadbury Nigeria, Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, said: “We are pleased with the outcome of this pilot project funded by Mondelēz International, our parent company, as part of its commitment to promoting ‘Snacking Made Right.’ We thank our implementing partner, Helen Keller International, for their dedication and professionalism.

“This is a project that we are all proud of. The results have been quite encouraging. The project has increased the knowledge of the target beneficiaries on how to promote good nutrition and healthy lifestyle. It has also enabled the pupils to participate more actively in class and consume nutrient-rich foods.”

Similarly, Country Director of Helen Keller International, Ms. Philomena Orji, said: “The past four years of work in public primary schools in Lagos have been exciting and fulfilling for Helen Keller. Thanks to our partnership with Mondelez International and Cadbury Nigeria, we have been able to directly reach 11,234 children with nutrition education and supported them to exercise more and grow nutrient-rich crops. Through this project, we have reached over 179,309 Lagosians. We are grateful to Mondelez International for the opportunity to impact the lives of children and their families.”

Also, Hon. Amosu Akeem, Education Secretary, Ikeja Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), said Helen Keller International complemented the efforts of the Lagos State Government by providing basic amenities in the beneficiary schools. “There is no school you will go to in Ikeja that you will not see hand washing bowls,” he pointed out.

Mr. Hakeem Olalekan, Director, Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, noted that: “The intervention of Helen Keller International in our schools and in Lagos State since the year 2018, has been a great blessing.”

Mrs. Bolanle Oni, Head Teacher, Ogba Primary School, and Chairman, Association of Primary Schools Head Teachers of Nigeria, Ikeja Branch, said she attended the training organised by Helen Keller International where she learnt how to establish a home garden and the choice of foods to promote a healthy life. “I want to say a big thank you to Helen Keller International for improving our knowledge on nutrition and the choice of foods we need to eat,” she added.