Nestle train over 1000 children on sustainability
Nestlé Nigeria is helping over 1,000 children, beneficiaries of Nestlé for Healthier Kids
(N4HK) program in six primary schools in Ogun State and the FCT to imbibe a
sustainability mindset at an early age.
In collaboration with the International Climate Change Development Initiative (ICCDI),
Nestlé Nigeria is training the primary five learners on a more sustainable approach to
managing and recycling waste in a bid to enable them become better stewards of the
planet.
This is one of the initiatives to support the company’s ambition of ensuring that none of
its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfills as litter, or in waterways, rivers or
oceans.
In a statement announcing the kick-off of the training at Methodist Primary School 2,
Ago-Oko, Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Manager of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Victoria Uwadoka said, “Nestlé Nigeria is committed to
driving more sustainability awareness to help protect the planet for future generations as
embedded within our purpose at Nestlé. We are therefore delighted with the collaboration
of all stakeholders including the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, Ogun State Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board and
the Special Adviser to Governor on Education on this shared objective.”
“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.”
Elaborating on the objectives of the training, Mr. Olumide Idowu, founder of the
International Climate Change Development Initiative said, “The sustainability training is
designed to equip the children with the requisite knowledge and support, enabling them
take responsibility in school and at home. Everyone, including children, needs to be
involved in this huge task of protecting the environment.”
The Chairman, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Dr Femi
Majekodunmi represented by the Board Secretary, Mr. Olalekan Kuye, commended
Nestlé Nigeria for the laudable initiative aimed at enhancing sustainable environmentfriendly practices within public primary schools in the state. He stated that training
learners on waste management and recycling will ultimately contribute positively to a safe
and hygienic environment.
In her comments, The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Primary and
Secondary Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo appreciated Nestlé’s consistent contribution
and investment in education within the state. She stated that the expected outcomes of
the training are positive behavioral change to enhance environmental sustainability and
in addition, the opportunity for learners to be upskilled on the conversion of waste to
useful items.
In 2021, over 150 children in 2 primary schools in Ogun State benefited from the
Sustainability Training. This year, the program has been scaled up to 6 N4HK beneficiary
schools, 4 in Ogun State and 2 within the FCT. The schools include – Methodist Primary
School 2, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta, Oke Ona United Primary School, Abeokuta, NUD Primary
School, Owode and All Saints Primary School, Owode. The schools in the FCT are UBE
Primary School Kuje and Science Primary School, Kuje.
Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) is a flagship initiative which aims to help 50 million
children globally lead healthier lives by 2030.
In Nigeria, N4HK 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.