By Chioma Umeha
Reckitt Benckiser (RB) one of the leading consumer
health and hygiene Company has restated its commitment to a clean and healthy
Nigeria that will boost the capacity and productivity of the citizens
The initiative under the “Clean Healthy Naija”
programme encompasses a number of steps geared towards awareness creation,
education and behavioural change to achieve a cleaner and healthier country.
Mr. Ataur Rashid Safdar, RB’s Senior Vice
President for Africa, who led the RB’s delegation on a courtesy visit to
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State Friday, as part of activities marking
the World Health Day, explained that RB’s vision for Nigeria is where people
are healthier and live better.
He noted that Ogun State is very critical to the
nation’s development because of its investment friendly climate and policies,
which he said can propel the development of the state and the nation at large.
The “Clean Healthy Naija” initiative, according to
Mr. Safdar is aimed at reducing child mortality from preventable diseases like
diarrhoea, malaria in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of
2030. The program will improve public health and sanitation which and end the
menace of open defecation in the country.
Sadfar also informed the governor that the company
will commission a world class redistribution warehouse as part of the new
marketing strategy to distribute their products across Nigeria and West Africa
later in the year.
Also, speaking on the occasion, Rahul Murgai,
Managing Director, RB, West Africa, stated that the company has been in the
country for over five decades and described Nigeria as one of the most
important growth markets and the reference point for other African business
development growth strategies.
Murgai maintained that celebrating the 2017 World
Health Day in Ogun State is paramount to the company because the state remains
the gateway to the nation and the West African sub-region.
He reinforced the company’s commitment to Ogun
state, where RB has invested in a state of the art manufacturing facility and
is now building a world class warehouse that will increase the ability to
service markets and create opportunities for employment in the state that will
help further the economy.
In addition to manufacturing investments in Ogun
state, RB through its ‘Clean Naija’ programme aims to increase the intensity of
education and awareness building in the state among mothers and school children
in Ogun state to drive a culture of good health and hygiene.
Chairman of the Company, Chief Olu Falomo also
thanked the governor for the warm reception and commended the giant strides
recorded by his administration in the last six years.
In his response, Governor Amosun lauded RB for the
commendable initiative and reiterated his government’s commitment to providing
a safer environment that will guarantee robust and healthier lifestyle for
Nigerians.
