Seven-Up Bottling Company, a leading beverage company in Nigeria, has rewarded schools with N5 million following its 2024 Sustainability Week initiative.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the week-long event promoted the concepts of circular economy and environmental stewardship among students in Lagos State, emphasizing the importance of reducing plastic pollution and adopting sustainable practices in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Culminating in the Green-Skill Schools Challenge at Seven-Up’s Ikeja manufacturing plant, the event saw active participation from students, educators, non-governmental organizations, and government officials.
It provided a platform to share innovative ideas and develop strategies to tackle environmental issues while encouraging responsible consumption and production.
The Managing Director of SBC, Ziad Maalouf, expressed his delight at the initiative, saying, “We are incredibly proud of these future leaders who participated in the Green-Skill Schools Challenge. This aligns with SBC’s core values of fostering innovation, promoting environmental awareness, and supporting the next generation of leaders who will drive the green economy forward. It’s inspiring to see how passionate and committed the students are to making a difference.”
The Green-Skill Schools Challenge attracted a significant number of applications from 330 schools across Lagos, with 18 schools selected for the final exhibition.
During the exhibition, students showcased their innovative projects, which included upcycled products and waste-to-resource initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable practices and circular economy principles.
Three schools emerged as winners, sharing cash prizes totaling N5 million.
The winning school received N1 million, the runner-up received N500,000, and the third-placed school received N250,000.
Furthermore, N1.5 million in consolation prizes were distributed among other participating schools, ensuring that all schools involved were recognized for their efforts in promoting environmental stewardship.
In addition to the cash prizes, every participant received a grant of N110,000, courtesy of Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC), Zenith Bank, and Lagos Waste Management Academy.
These grants will facilitate further training and capacity-building through a Green Skill Scale-Up Bootcamp, organized in partnership with key organizations such as Fate Foundation, LAWMA Academy, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, and Green Hub Africa.
The Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, Titi Oshodi, praised SBC’s efforts, stating, “Integrating sustainability into youth education is crucial, and SBC’s proactive role in environmental education is commendable.”
The Commissioner for Education, represented by Grace Akinfoyewa, lauded SBC’s commitment to environmental sustainability, emphasising its importance in equipping students with essential skills to combat waste pollution.
The event was part of SBC’s broader Sustainability Week activities, which also included an internal green competition across its nine manufacturing regions.
Ilorin, Ikeja, and Ibadan plants took the top spots for their biomass alternative fuel, cart recycling initiative, and water efficiency drive, respectively.
Further, SBC distributed waste segregation bins to schools and markets.
Click here to watch video of the week
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