By CrossRiverWatch Admin
In line with its commitment to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by aligning its operations to support the reduction of poverty in Nigeria through quality education as well as gender equality, reduced inequalities and through alliances and partnerships, Lafarge Africa Plc has launched “Back to School” campaign.
The campaign is to support school enrolment and address the challenges of out-of-school children in its Mfamosing host community schools. The company’s efforts and commitment to education are in line with the SDGs Goal 4-Quality Education.
Lafarge Africa Plc is complementing Government efforts to raise the standard of literacy and primary education in Nigeria through the provision of basic educational materials such as tuition fees, uniforms, sandals and school bags which affected school attendance rate in Mfamosing, one of its host communities.
While flagging off the Back 2 School initiative at the Mfamosing Primary School, the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Amanke Ogar applauded Lafarge Africa Plc for consistently investing in initiatives that have direct impact on the literacy ratio in the country.
He noted that Lafarge Africa Plc is indeed contributing to the development of the Nigerian child through its numerous educational interventions.
Speaking on the Back 2 School campaign, the Industrial Director at Lafarge Africa Plc, Segun Shoyoye said: “For a country like ours, we owe it a duty to collaborate with the Government to urgently fix the education sector today to better equip generations and prepare them for the future.”
The Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development Director, Folashade Ambrose Medebem in her remarks said, “At Lafarge Africa Plc, we are proud of our contributions towards complimenting the efforts of stakeholders in bridging the literacy gaptogether. Nigeria is reported to have one the highest number of out-of-school children according to UNESCO and we look forward to forging strategic partnerships that can help in reducing this number.
“We are committed to supporting the improvement of learning experience for the pupils in our Mfamosing host community. This is in addition to all the contributions of Lafarge Africa Plc to supporting educational infrastructure on a national scale.”
Folashade Ambrose also acknowledged staff members of Lafarge Africa Plc under the auspices of Friends of the Community (FOC) who make personal contributions to prepare the future generation to compete globally with ease.
Lafarge Africa’s commitment to helping the future leaders improve the level of literacy and quality of education is evident as the Back 2 School campaign facilitated by Lafarge Africa’s Friends of the Community provided 2,000 pupils from its host community with school uniforms, bags, sandals and writing books.
In addition to this, Lafarge Africa is also investing in vocational skills training schemes as well as Technical Apprenticeship/Employability Programs to equip indigenous young school leavers with skills to chart a career path in life.
Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading Sub-Saharan Africa building materials company is a subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, a world leader in building materials. Listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Lafarge Africa is actively participating in the urbanization and economic growth of Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa.