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Tag: Guinness

  • Guinness, NYSC preach responsible drinking

    Guinness Nigeria PLC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to drive its drink responsible campaign among corps members.

    NYSC Director-General, Sule Kazaure, said the DRINKiQ campaign would be implemented in the communities where corps members are serving.

    Kazaure, who was represented by Director, Community Development and Special Project (CDS&SP), Mrs. Rhoda Kwaki, said at the signing, which took place at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja that under the MoU, corps members and NYSC officials would be trained to carry out the campaign across Nigeria.

    He said: “DRINKiQ is a give back to the society campaign to be implemented by Community Development Services and Special Projects which is bound to impact positively on the corps members, staff and entire society.

    “It is our sincere hope that the programme will be seen in the right perspective by every community.”

    Guinness Nigeria Managing Director, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, who was represented by Director, Corporate Relations, Mr Sesan Sobowale, hoped that the campaign would help to curb abusive use of alcohol in the society.

    “We believe that efforts to reduce the misuse of alcohol are most effective when governments, society, individuals, families as well as industry work together.  Herefore, our approach is built around providing consumers with information promoting rigorous company and industry standards for responsible marketing, supporting effective programmes and partnerships as the one that we are signing today to promote alcohol education and to tackle misuse and advocating effective evidence based policy,” he said.

     

  • Guinness builds water facility in Benue community

    Guinness Nigeria PLC has constructed a solar-powered water facility in Tyowanye community in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

    This is one of three major water schemes by the company this year, which Guiness built with its non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners. It is the 35th project under the firm’s Water of Life initiative.

    The project was executed with OXFAM, an international NGO determined to change the world by mobilising the people against poverty.

    At the handing over, Guinness Nigeria Managing Director, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, restated the company’s commitment to initiatives that would improve access to safe water, saying his firm would continue to play a leading role in promoting safe water in the country.

    He said since 2007, the company had embarked on the Water for Life Programme, which has provided over 10 million people in 18 countries across Africa with access to potable water.

    “We have invested in sustainable technologies that help us to manage our water use. The construction of the Tyowanye motorised solar-powered water scheme is in furtherance of our efforts to help more Nigerians access clean drinking water. Our desire is that by improving access to safe drinking water, we can assist the people of Tyowanye community improve their overall well-being,” Ndegwa said.

    Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom expressed praised the new water scheme. He said the water facility would support the state government’s drive to improve health and hygiene for the state indigenes.

    “As we know, water is life, so he who brings water brings life. Guinness Nigeria has brought ‘life’ to this community through this project and we are very grateful for this intervention,’’ Ortom said.

    He urged the community to protect the investment and use it judiciously to ensure its continued sustainability. He also said the state government would be delighted to further partner with Guinness Nigeria in agriculture where the state, known as the food basket of the nation is able to provide all the agricultural inputs Guinness Nigeria requires in its operations.

    The Tyowanye Water Scheme,   unveiled by Ortom and Ndegwa, comprises two solar-powered boreholes and two blocks of VIP toilets; it will benefit over 10,000 people in  the community.

  • Community to benefit from Guinness, WaterAid initiative

    To boost healthy living, Guinness Nigeria Plc and WaterAid Nigeria have constructed two solar-powered water facilities in Gwam, Ningi Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

    The facility, which was unveiled at the weekend, is one of two major water schemes the brewing giant has delivered this year in collaboration with its international Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) partners, and the 34th site for the Guinness Nigeria/Water of Life initiative in Nigeria.

    The Gwam water scheme – which comprises two solar-powered boreholes and two blocks of toilets – will benefit about 20,000 people.

    The firm’s Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Sesan Sobowale,  reiterated the company’s commitment to initiatives that improve access to safe water. He noted that Guinness Nigeria would continue to play a leading role to promote water stewardship in Nigeria, thanking WaterAid for its promoting health and hygiene in the country.

    “Diageo’s water blueprint articulates the role we will play as a business to tackle a wide range of water-related issues both in Nigeria and globally. In furtherance of this blueprint, Guinness Nigeria has prioritised interventions that improve access to safe water, especially in communities that face acute water scarcity. We have also invested in technologies that help us manage our water use. The construction of the Gwam water scheme is in furtherance of our efforts to help more Nigerians access clean drinking water. Our hope is that by improving access to clean water, we can help people in Gwam community improve their hygiene and overall well-being,” Sobowale said.

    The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Mohammed Ghali Abdulhameed, expressed the government’s gratitude for the new water scheme.

    He observed that the facility would support the state government’s drive to improve health and hygiene for Bauchi state citizens.

    “This intervention is indeed timely and commendable. Water is an absolutely essential resource that is vital for the health and wellbeing of our citizens. We, the people of Bauchi State, are, therefore, delighted that Guinness Nigeria and Water Aid have joined forces to improve access to safe water in our state. We are immensely grateful for this intervention,” he said.

    WaterAid’s International Chief Executive, Ms. Barbara Frost, underscored WaterAid’s vision to help create a world where people will have access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

    She said: “It is great to see that the Bauchi State government, Guinness Nigeria and WaterAid are working collaboratively to tackle the challenge of water scarcity in Bauchi state.

    ‘’I would like to thank the government of Bauchi State for creating a conducive environment that has enabled WaterAid to implement its programmes in the state. WaterAid will continue to partner various stakeholders in Nigeria to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation,” she said.

  • Guinness revamps Eye Hospital in Onitsha, donates N5m equipment

    Guinness Nigeria Plc has revamped the Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha, and boosted its operation with N5 million worth of equipment.

    Commending the company, Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, praised Guinness management for its long-standing involvement in the provision and management of quality eye care centres in the country.

    Chief Obiano said he was extremely happy with the gesture and the re-inauguration of the Eye Hospital.

    He said: “This auspicious project is an important subject, which ties into one of the key enablers of my government. I would like to heartily commend Guinness Nigeria for their huge investment and commitment to providing world class eye care solutions across the country. As a testament, this facility and the equipment, which Guinness Nigeria Plc has bequeathed to the Eye Hospital, ranks among the very best in the world. Therefore, Anambra indigenes do not need to go abroad again to get treated for eye problems.”

    Guinness Nigeria Plc, Managing Director, Peter Ndegwa, said the re-inauguration of the eye hospital was in keeping with the company’s commitment to support Guinness Eye Centres across the country.

    “As a company, our focus on eye care reflects our recognition of the far-reaching impact that good eyesight can have on the overall health and wellbeing of everyone. We are here to celebrate the notable accomplishments, which the Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha, has delivered to many Nigerians. Our investment in the various eye hospitals is keeping in line with our commitment to make a positive impact on the communities in where we operate. By helping Nigerians to preserve their sights, we play a strong role in enhancing their ability to learn, earn and get the best out of life,” he said.

    The Guinness helmsman, who announced a donation of eye equipment worth N5 million to the hospital, thanked past and present staff of the hospital for their unwavering sense of duty and ensuring the sustenance of the institution for over three decades. He urged them to make their services  reach more Nigerians.

    Governor Obiano also used the occasion to announce the launch of a PPP-driven health insurance policy, funded by the government and citizens in the Diaspora to ensure that doctors get paid for treating patients. He also revealed the state government’s plan to provide free eye screenings for 1000 citizens at the hospital.

    The Governor urged the people  to take advantage of the best-in-class services provided at the Guinness Eye Hospital through regular eye screenings and prevent visual impairment and blindness.

    On the rationale behind the revamp, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria, Sesan Sobowale said: “Over the years, we have supported the hospital with funding to purchase equipment so that specialist eye care can be obtained here.

    “In 2015, the management of the hospital drew our attention to the need to upgrade the facilities, create more space for doctors and patients while making the atmosphere more conducive for treatments. We then decided that the request was an investment with merit and therefore, approved the funding for the project and mobilised contractors to site for the reconstruction work. We are really very pleased with the output and the fact that the hospital can now cater for more patients in need of eye care.”

    The Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, who went down memory lane, chronicled the history and achievements of the Guinness Eye Hospital, which had only two consultants to attend to over 850 people yearly at its inception, but has progressively increased its capacity and  caters for over 15,000 patients with a manpower of 144 staff.

    He noted that the hospital has enjoyed continuous support from Guinness Nigeria through subventions such as financial contributions, state-of-the-art optical equipment and various infrastructural upgrades.

  • Guinness renews Reminisce contract as Orijin Brand Ambassador

    Guinness Nigeria has renewed the contract of a rap artiste Remilekun Safaru, popularly known as Reminisce, as its Orijin Bitters brand ambassador.

    At the signing of the new contract at Guinness’Head Office in Ikeja, Lagos, the Portfolio Director, Lager and RTD, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Ms. Eyitemi Taire, said: “The music artist had within his short stay as Orijin brand ambassador distinguished himself and become an integral part of the brand.”

    According to Taire, the company recognises the importance and impact of a dynamic brand ambassador in maintaining its leadership position in the market.

    “Orijin has been successful since its launch into the market and to compound this success and take us to the next level, we needed an icon and that’s why we took him and we have been working together since then in a symbiotic relationship,” she added.

    She added that Reminisce is not just a brand ambassador but an integral part of the brand and that’s why the brewing giant is renewing his contract for another two years.

    She said the choice of Reminisce is in line with what origin is. She noted that Orijin comes from a special blend of the old with the new, the traditional with the modern and these same qualities are epitomised by Reminisce, whose quality and depth of work as an artist makes him a perfect fit as brand ambassador. “He raps in local language and for us there is nobody else in that niche.”

    She said the company is confident that with Reminisce the brand will continue to further widen its appeal with the consumers.

    “Reminisce has been part of our brand campaigns. We have been very big on digital campaigns with him and we have done lots of trade activations with him. We have set up series of icons inform of emoticons with him.”

    She continued: “We have been doing a day in the life of Reminisce which has drawn a lot of conversation around the Reminisce brand and Orijin.”

    Asked why the use of local stars to promote the brand as against international stars, Taire noted: “origin is born here and so is Reminisce and the language that we speak is the language of naija.”

    She described the contract renewal ceremony as a further demonstration of Orijin’s success in a short time. “We always want to be connected to our customers and our intention is to tell our story in a way that allows us to relate to our esteemed customers and consumers. Origin is now a phenomenon in the market comes from nowhere and is now everywhere”

    Responding, Reminisce thanked Guinness for making him Orijin’s brand ambassador, promising to continue to make Orijin the brand that it should be.

    ”I try to live as original as I can be. I don’t attach too much to me as a brand than my music. I want to be as original as I can be and representing Orijin I have to be as original as I can be. There is no sugar coating.”

    Present at the signing were Gbemileke Otun, Brand Manager, Orijin; Olayinka Edmond, Corporate Communications Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc; Ibrahim Okulaja, CEO, Edge Records & Business Manager for Reminisce and  Demilade Olaosun, a lawyer, who represented  Edge Records.

     

  • Guinness partners Oxfam, others on water/sanitation projects

    Guinness Nigeria Plc, a subsidiary of Diageo, is partnering WaterAid, Oxfam and Concern Universal on new Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes this year. The aim is to advance rural sanitation and hygiene via access to safe water.

    The partners affirmed their commitment to building relationships that stretched beyond the commercial bottom line to the engagement of communities to make positive impact on their lives.

    At an event in Lagos to seal the agreement, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr Peter Ndegwa said: “At Guinness Nigeria Plc, we have a real commitment to providing safe water to Nigerian communities and have provided over 25 potable water facilities to communities across Nigeria under our Water of Life programme.  The partnerships we are speaking of today are testaments to that commitment. The NGOs we are working with have a proven track record for delivering highly impactful water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in Nigeria, and other countries of the world.

    “Their work has saved millions of lives, and created a brighter future for many. We are, therefore, confident that their expertise will help us improve the viability of our water and sanitation interventions, as well as the impact on beneficiaries.  Furthermore, it is our hope that our partnership with these NGOs inspires other stakeholders to join in our mission to help more Nigerians have access to clean water and improved hygiene.”

    Under terms of the partnership, Guinness Nigeria will provide funding that will enable the three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) deliver WASH programmes in three states across the country. The Guinness-Concern Universal will deliver the WASH programme in Cross River State; while the Guinness-OXFAM collaboration will apply in Benue State, and the Guinness-WaterAIDprogramme in Bauchi State.

    Through these partnerships, Guinness Nigeria will help to provide water to over 35,800 Nigerians.Each of these programmescomprise water facilities (bore holes and other ancillary facilities, while toilets will also be constructed for the WaterAid and Oxfam programmes).

    Concern Universal’s Country Director, Tim Connell, said the second Phase II of the ‘Safe Water and Improved Sanitation and Hygiene’ (SWISH) programme will provide year-round access to safe drinking water for 15 rural communities in three local government areas in Cross River State,while continuing to promote better sanitation and hygiene behaviour.

    He emphasised that supplying water to open defecation free (ODF) communities will have a direct positive impact on their health status. “As a result, SWISH II will seek to close the gap for Nigeria in fulfilling its national targets and to attaining the new sustainable global goals,” he stated.

  • We’re committed to social investments in Nigeria-Guinness boss

    We’re committed to social investments in Nigeria-Guinness boss

    Peter Ndegwa, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc ahead of the company’s  Annual General Meeting recently spoke on some milestones recorded by the brewery giant. Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf was there

    This is not the best of times for many companies no doubt owing largely to dwindling fortunes across virtually all sectors of the economy. For companies in the fast moving consumer goods segment, they suffer a lot of privations they are not willing to admit. They contend with regulatory headwinds among other tougher challenges.

    But in the midst of these uncertainties, Guinness Nigeria is unfazed. If anything, it sees the challenges as opportunities for growth and expansion.

    Speaking at a pre-annual general meeting/media briefing in Lagos, Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, said one of the priorities of the company is to increase its local content from the current 43 per cent to 75 per cent in the next three years. This, he said, will  have multiplier effect of increased jobs and opportunities for Nigerian small and medium enterprises and suppliers.

    He outlined that Guinness Nigeria was poised to strengthen and accelerate its premium core brand, support innovation as well as build and constantly extend route to consumers at the right price and right quality.

    Ndegwa, who resumed as the chief executive last September, assured that as a global company, Guinness Nigerian will continue to do everything humanly possible to adhere to highest quality standards.

    Specifically, by 2018, three-quarters of materials and products from Guinness Nigeria Plc would be developed from Nigerian sources as the Nigerian subsidiary of Diageo Plc moves to deepen its Nigerian root and drive growths with Nigeria-based innovations and resources.

    While giving performance highlight of the company, Ndegwa said: “In the period under review, sales continued to grow despite a challenging trading environment, being 3% ahead of the same quarter last year. Despite the sales growth, gross profit declined by 12% versus the same period last year due to the impact of exchange rate devaluation, inflation, an increased share of value brands, together with the phasing of costs.

    “Marketing, distribution, administrative and other expenses at N8bn were 2% ahead of the prior year. Reported operating profit at N1.4billion is 50% below the previous year but is significantly impacted by the phasing of costs which is expected to reverse during the rest of the year.”

    On the future priorities of the company, Ndegwa said among others, Guinness was poised to strengthen and accelerate its premium core brand, support innovation as well as build and constantly extend route to consumers at the right price and right quality.

    As part of its expansionist drive, Guinness Nigeria, he said, has agreed to the acquisition of the distribution rights to Diageo plc’s International Premium Spirits (IPS) brands in Nigeria.

    As part of the transaction, Guinness Nigeria will also take over various assets, including the current inventory of Diageo Brands Nigeria Limited, the wholly-owned Diageo business which currently distributes and markets the IPS brands in Nigeria.

    The consideration for the transaction is approximately N2.35bn. The transaction was concluded by December 31, 2015 and the new distribution agreement for the IPS brands became effective on January 1, 2016 subject to receiving all regulatory approvals.

    Speaking on the deal, Ndegwa said: “The transaction we are announcing today will facilitate the achievement of our ambition to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products company in Nigeria by leveraging the strength of our unparalleled portfolio of beer, adult premium non-alcoholic drinks (APNADs), ready to drink (RTDs) as well as spirits.

    “The integration of the Diageo IPS brands with the Guinness Nigeria brand portfolio best fits our strategy of filling the gap in our total beverage alcohol portfolio, and allows us to compete across segments within the market.”

    For a company committed to its social investment, Ndegwa said nothing is left to chance.

    “We’re a company that adds a lot of value to the progress of this country and we will continue to do so. We’ll continue to give scholarship to people we think are deserving of this. Our support to small and medium scale companies is also very unique because these are businesses that can turn around the economy.  Adding value to all the stakeholders and that is what Guinness Nigeria is all about.”

    The company which prides itself as Nigeria’s investment ambassador has further assured that it will continue to invest in the country in spite of the current environmental conditions in the country.

    “We’re 65years now but we believe we still have a long way to go in this country. Our flagship social investment is also important to us.”

    The Guinness Nigeria boss said, some of its flagship social investments like the Water of Life Project by Guinness Nigeria dedicated to provision of clean and safe drinking water to deprived communities across the country.

    “There is hardly any state in Nigeria that we don’t have the project or about to start. We only recently commissioned a project in Abeokuta in a place called Ajide. We added water to three local governments in Cross River State under the Safe Water and Hygienic programme. We will continue to also add value by supporting our Eye Hospitals. I’m sure you know of Guinness Nigeria Eye Centre, Idi Araba at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. We’ve another one in Onitsha and this year we hope to put a lot of facilities in those hospitals so that they can continue to be beneficial to the communities.”

    It would be recalled that National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) had few weeks ago slammed a N1 billion fine on Guinness Nigeria as “administrative charge” for alleged non-compliance with certain guidelines on raw materials revalidation and disposal.

    But Ndegwa said the company was doing everything to ensure the issues with NAFDAC are resolved amicably.

    He said while the circumstances that led to the imposition of the fine were very regrettable, it was not a deliberate effort on the part of the company to flout extant rules and guidelines for quality control.

    “As a global company we set store for the ideals of quality, which has earned us accolades from around the globe and even locally from our regulators, including NAFDAC. The material was not even found inside our factory. It was from one our hired warehouses. The raw materials had not even gone through our brewery process. This is just a one-off thing that would be resolved amicably,” he said.

  • Guinness Nigeria acquires rights to USL’s brand in Nigeria

    Guinness Nigeria acquires rights to USL’s brand in Nigeria

    Guinness Nigeria Plc (“GN”) has agreed to acquire the rights to distribute McDowell’s’, a mainstream spirits brand of United Spirits Limited (USL) in Nigeria, says Guinness.

    The Corporate Relations Director of Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Sesan Sobowale in a release issued yesterday said USL is an Indian mainstream spirits business which is also a subsidiary of Diageo Plc. He said the transaction will become effective on February 1, 2016.

    Industry analysts believe the move by Guinness Nigeria is part of strategic efforts to deepen its leadership in the Nigerian market especially in other category other than beer..

    It will be recalled that Guinness Nigeria Plc recently acquired the exclusive distribution rights to Diageo plc’s International Premium Spirits (IPS) brands in Nigeria.

    As part of the transaction, Guinness Nigeria will also take over various assets including the current inventory of Diageo Brands Nigeria Limited, the wholly-owned Diageo business which currently distributes and markets the IPS brands in Nigeria.

    The consideration for the transaction was put at N2.35 billion with the transaction expected to be concluded by 31 December 2015 and the new distribution agreement for the IPS brands to become effective on 1 January 2016 subject to receiving all regulatory approvals.

    The Managing Director/CEO of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Peter Ndegwa, was quoted as saying that “The transaction will facilitate the achievement of Guinness ambition to create the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer products company in Nigeria by leveraging the strength of our unparalleled portfolio of beer, adult premium non-alcoholic drinks (APNADs), ready to drink (RTDs) as well as spirits.

    ”The integration of the Diageo IPS brands with the Guinness Nigeria brand portfolio best fits our strategy of filling the gap in our total beverage alcohol portfolio, and allows us to compete across segments within the market.”

  • N1b fine: Guinness, NAFDAC begin settlement talks

    N1b fine: Guinness, NAFDAC begin settlement talks

    An Igbosere Lagos State High Court, yesterday adjourned a suit filed by Guinness Nigeria Plc against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) till February 8, next year, to give the parties time to resolve the dispute.

    Justice Wasiu Animahun adjourned the suit following submissions of counsels that a meeting was ongoing to settle the matter out of court.

    NAFDAC had imposed a N1billion fine on Guinness “as administrative charges for various clandestine violations of NAFDAC rules, regulations and enactments over a long period of time”.

    In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc, Peter Ndegwa, by the Head, Investigation and Enforcement of NAFDAC, Kingsley Ejiofor, the regulatory agency had requested for the payment of the N1 billion as administrative charges for infractions such as the destruction activities carried out by the company without the authorisation and supervision of the agency.

    The agency, among others, accused Guinness of revalidating expired products without authorisation and supervision by NAFDAC, as well as failing to secure the gate of its warehouse, which left the raw materials used in the production of beer and non-alcoholic beverages permanently open to intrusion and exposure to the elements and rodents.

    Dissatisfied, with the N1billion fine, the company approached the court asking it to restrain NAFDAC and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) from enforcing the sanction pending the determination of the suit.

    When the suit came up yesterday for mention, counsel to Guinness, Mr. Olasupo Shasore (SAN), told the court that representatives of Guinness Plc and that of NAFDAC were meeting on the sanction imposed on the company, adding that he was hopeful the matter would be resolved.

    Addressing the court, NAFDAC’s lawyer, Mr. O. M. Abutu, acknowledged that parties met on Monday (December 21), but that he was not privy to what actually transpired at the meeting.

    He said: “I confirm that the applicant (Guinness) met with the agency yesterday, but I was not part of the meeting and I have not been briefed about the outcome of the meeting.”

    Abutu urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable NAFDAC reply the originating process filed by Guinness and for possible out-of-court settlement.

    In his submission, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. T. Mokuolu, said he had no objection, if parties decide to resolve the issue out-of-court.

    Guinness had in its originating motion prayed the court for an order restraining NAFDAC and the AGF from imposing any sanction on it other than as recognised by law and the constitution.

    It asked the court for perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from imposing/or continuing to impose any sanction whatsoever on it.

    The applicant sought a declaration that NAFDAC refused to grant it an opportunity to be heard in relation to the allegation.

    The company urged the court to declare that the fine imposed by NAFDAC violated its right to fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the Constitution.

    Justice Animahun had in a ruling delivered on December 14 restrained NAFDAC from enforcing the N1billion fine pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

    The matter has been adjourned till February 8 for mention.

  • Guinness Nigeria predicts better performance

    Guinness Nigeria predicts better performance

    •Shareholders approve N4.8b dividend

    Guinness Nigeria Plc has assured shareholders that it would work to create better returns in the years ahead as the brewing company reiterated its commitments to global best practices and the Nigerian economy.

    At the annual general meeting of the company in Abuja yesterday, shareholders approved gross dividend of N4.8 billion, representing a dividend per share of N3.20. The dividend will be paid today.

    Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Babatunde Savage, said the board and management of the company would maintain sustainable growth by implementing good business strategies and sustaining the top-end quality of its products.

    He noted that although the operating environment remained daunting, the company recorded a credible performance in its full year results and is now poised for better performance in the 2016 financial year and beyond.

    “Going into the 2016 financial year, the board and management are resolute in their commitment to improve the performance of the company and deliver greater value and return on investments to shareholders,” Savage said.

    He reiterated the commitment of Guinness Nigeria and its parent company, Diageo to supporting Nigeria’s developmental aspirations by strengthening the country’s manufacturing base, employment creation, manpower development and fuelling overall economic growth.

    He added that in the area of corporate social responsibility, the company has continued to maintain a strong focus on impactful projects across its host communities in the areas of health, water provision, environmental protection and road safety.

    Responding to questions on the issue of sanctions on the company announced by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over alleged infractions, Savage emphasized that Guinness would continue to explore every path for a fair resolution of the matter.

    “We have had very robust relationship with NAFDAC for as long as I can remember. We intend to maintain that relationship. Discussions are ongoing. I believe the issues will be amicably resolved,” Savage said.

    He reiterated Guinness’ commitment to continuously entrench the highest standards of good manufacturing practices and to ensure its products are top quality, noting that many of the company’s brands have been in existence for very many years, which is made possible by its focus on quality and customer satisfaction.

    Managing director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, assured that Guinness Nigeria will continue to strengthen its business through significant investments in manufacturing processes, local content development, product innovation, cutting-edge technology and capacity building.

    “Our strategy of maintaining a franchise that continues to generate sustainable returns to our stakeholders remains unshaken. Our continued investment in staff training, technology, innovation and system upgrades is to accelerate sustainable value creation for our customers and shareholders, as well as ensure that products rolling out of our plants are comparable to the best in quality in any part of the world,” Ndegwa said.