International Breweries Backs COVID-19 Fight

International Breweries Backs COVID-19 Fight

By Raheem Akingbolu

The International Breweries Plc has backed the effort of Anambra, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and Rivers states among others in alleviating the hardship caused by the COVID-19 on Nigerians.

From monetary donations to provision of testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers, the member of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) family collaborated with government, partners with stakeholders to reduce the spread of the disease.

According to a statement issued by the company, not less than 30,000 bottles of hand sanitisers have been distributed to these states, hospitals government institutions. About 60,000 bottles non-alcoholic beverages produced by the company have also been donated to support the food distribution drive by the governments in various states.

Earlier in the implementation of the stay-home directive to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the company donated N10 million to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the procurement of test kits via its Trophy Stout brand in an e-concert led by popular hip-hop star, TuFace.

Hugo Dias Rocha, IBPlc’s Managing Director, said it was crucial to take solution-driven actions which would shape the future of the country. He reiterated the firm’s commitment to exploring areas of further potential collaboration and support with stakeholders, especially government.

“As an organisation, we are always looking to support our local communities and are positive that our donation will assist and support the government and our communities greatly in the fight against the spread of this pandemic,” Rocha stated.

“We appreciate and lend our voice to the various initiatives by the federal government of Nigeria, the state governments, the private sector to which we belong and all other sectors, organizations, individual and players that have all teamed together to assist in curbing the spread of COVID-19. We stand with you, and indeed the world, in the joint resolution to eradicate this virus and its impact on communities and economies.”

Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, Temitope Oguntokun, in the same vein, expressed the company’s commitment to its core values of health, safety, environment and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

She said while most of the donations had been distributed across the states and communities, some were still ongoing.

Apart from the donations, she pointed out that the company has been supporting its employees with resources and consistent COVID-19 information to stay safe and healthy.

“We believe this intervention will go a long way to reduce the further spread of the virus while also boosting our already challenged economy through youth entrepreneurship,” Oguntokun added.

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