NESTLÉ NIGERIA IMPACTING CHILDREN TO SAVE THE EARTH
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Cross section of winners of the nutrition quiz competition organized by Nestlé Nigeria PLC.
The earth has experienced harsher weather in the last decade than it probably ever did in its history.
‘The past seven years were the warmest on record. There is a 48% chance that, during at least one year in the next 5 years, the annual mean temperature will temporarily be 1.5oC higher than 1850-1900 average. As global warming increases, ‘tipping points’ in the climate system cannot be ruled out.’
‘Floods, droughts, heatwaves, extreme storms and wildfires are going from bad to worse, breaking records with alarming frequency. Heatwaves in Europe, colossal floods in Pakistan, prolonged and severe droughts in China, the Horn of Africa and the United States’, says the United in Science Report.
Taking a local perspective. In the past, Nigerians could comfortably predict that their 200-million-strong country has basically two climatic seasons – April to September is rainy season and October to March is dry season.
Even if there are rains in October, it will be quite rare and minimal. But it doesn’t seem so anymore. Who would have imagined that there would be so much rains in October 2022 which would sack states in the North-central, South-south, among others.
A session during the kick-off of Nestle Sustainability training at Methodist Primary School 2, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State
But it’s our fault. ‘The report, United in Science, shows that greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise to record high. Fossil fuel emission rates are now above pre-pandemic levels after a temporary drop due to lockdowns. The ambition of emissions reduction pledges for 2030 needs to be seven times higher to be in line with the 1.5oC goal of the Paris Agreement.’
Yes, it is raining but see how we have managed our immediate environment. Look at the heavy rubbish that we have on our gutters, streets, roads, everywhere seems to have become a dumping ground of sorts. It is garbage in, garbage out.
The refuse won’t go, they return to us in ‘pressed down, shaken together’ format as the Bible said.
What should we do moving forward?
Nestlé Nigeria is setting the pace. Through her Nestlé for Healthier Kids (NH4K) program, Nestlé wants to catch them young with the sustainability mindset, Trek Africa Newspaper can report.
The organisation is training children of primary schools on a more sustainable approach to managing and recycling wastes in a bid to enable them become better stewards of the planet. This will ensure that none of the packaging of its products, including the plastics, will end up as litters in rivers, landfills, and oceans.
L-R: Mr Akinsolu Martins, Director, Quality Assurance and Teacher Development, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Primary and Secondary Education; Mrs. Edidiong Peters, Public Affairs Specialist, Nestlé Nigeria PLC; Mr. Olalekan Kuye, Executive Secretary, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board; Mr. David Solarin, Director, Water Regulatory Enforcement and Advocacy, Ogun State Ministry of Environment with some learners during the kick-off of the Nestle Sustainability training at Methodist Primary School 2, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Victoria Uwadoka reiterated the urgent importance of Nestlé for Healthier Kids (NH4K) program to the world of children and our dear planet Earth.
‘As multiple researches have proven, habits imbibed early in life are more likely to remain with us into the future.
Therefore, training children on the importance of protecting our environment is a strong contribution towards ensuring more responsible management of post-consumption waste as they grow, taking us closer to achieving a waste-free future’, Uwadoka said at the launch of the program in Ogun state.
Nestlé for Healthier Kids (NH4K) program incorporates a school-based nutrition education program, which helps children imbibe healthy habits including good nutrition, active lifestyles through adequate physical activities, good hygiene practices and healthy hydration.
Trek Africa Newspaper can reliably report that the kids for safe environment by Nestlé Nigeria Plc is currently reaching 1000 children in Ogun state and Abuja FCT.
Nestlé Nigeria Plc is one of the largest food and beverage companies in Africa. With a staff strength of over 2,200 direct employees, 3 manufacturing sites, 7 branch offices and a head office located in Ilupeju Lagos, the company produces and markets several iconic brands including Nestlé Purelife, Golden Morn, Milo, Maggi, and Nescafé.
