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Tag: Unilever

  • Microsoft, Unilever, others win Great Place To Work award

    Microsoft, Unilever, others win Great Place To Work award

    Microsoft Nigeria, Unilever Nigeria and six other companies have been declared the best companies to work in Nigeria at the 2015 Great Place to Work Nigeria (GPTWN) Awards.Others that clinched the coveted awards on account of their strong ethical standards and work-friendly environment include Mansard Insurance Plc, Coca-Cola Nigeria, NSIA Insurance, Akintola Williams Deloitte, DHL Nigeria, and Konga.

    While Microsoft beat FITC and DHL Nigeria to clinch the award for the category of Delivering Excellence in Wellness, Sahara Group, a major player in the oil & gas sector, trounced Fidelity Bank and Diageo Nigeria to clinch the award in the category of Delivering Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). FITC, which was first runner up to Microsoft however, won the Delivering Excellence in Leadership category. Lagos Business School and FirstBank of Nigeria was first and second runner up, respectively.

    Also, Akintola Williams Deloitte emerged winner in the Delivering Excellence in Learning & Development category.  The firm beat DHL Nigeria and Accenture Nigeria who were first and second runner up, respectively. A pool of over 75 organisations was assessed from which three were nominated in each category and a winner selected.

    Speaking during the third edition of the award ceremony and dinner tagged, ‘Good to Great,’held on Friday, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Country Manager, GPTWN, Mr. Michael Thomas, said:  “The eight companies that made the 2015 Best Companies To Work for in Nigeria list set a high standard for us all. Their outstanding achievement builds a better society by creating great workplaces.”

    GPTWN is an affiliate of Great Place to Work, San Francisco, US, a global research, consulting and training institute that specialises in analysing, understanding, selecting and publishing best workplace lists in the country.

    The Great Place to Work Awards are a distinctive way Great Place to Work Institute recognizes the accomplishments of organisations across the world who have implemented creative and effective approaches to developing trust, pride, and camaraderie within their unique workplaces.The organisers define great workplaces as companies where employees trust their colleagues, take pride in their work and enjoy the relationship with the people they work with.

    Thomas, who noted that it’s interesting to see lots of companies build great workplace culture however, said it takes a certain level of courage to blaze the trail and build a great workplace culture. He disclosed that unlike past editions, more indigenous companies are among the awardees.

    Also speaking, Chairman of GPTWN, Mr. Ghandi Olaoye, noted that there is a growing desire among companies in Nigeria to build a great place to work. While describing the awardees as exceptional, he said they represent exemplary corporate citizens. He urged them to continue to show the way for others to follow.

    Explaining the key criteria in the process of determining the winning companies, Mr. Olaoye said the selections were made by critically looking at employee perceptions as indicated in GPTWN Trust Index Assessment. “The Trust Index Survey measures employee perception of his company. It looks at how employees see their organisations and this trust index has a whole lot of questions drawn with an international standard. So we don’t do the rating, the employees do the rating and we send it to the Great Place to Work Institute in San Francisco,” he said.

  • Unilever celebrates 2015 first babies

    As part of its commitment to improving the quality of life, Unilever Nigeria Plc, in the company of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola, welcomed Lagos State’ first babies of 2015 with Pears range of baby products in addition to N100,000 each presented to the first two babies delivered.

    Mrs Fashola, who commended Unilever Nigeria’s contribution during her visits to the Isolo Maternal and Child Centre, Ajeromi Maternal and Child Centre, and the Island Maternity Hospital to welcome the first babies of the year, enjoined all parents to build a solid foundation for their children, especially in the first five years of their lives, by exposing them to all the necessary vaccinations.

    Besides carting away Pears range of baby products distributed to all the new born babies delivered in the various maternities visited, the duo of baby Ogunnoiki and Onyejiekwe delivered at the Island Maternity Hospital and the Isolo Maternity respectively, got N100,000 each.

    Speaking during the visit, the Category Manager, Skincare, Unilever Nigeria, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, said “every child has the right to healthy upbringing. As such, Pears has taken it as a social responsibility to partner various clinics/hospitals across Nigeria to educate mothers on how to take care of their kids during antenatal, post natal and child welfare.”

  • Unilever trains filmmakers

    Unilever trains filmmakers

    After three days of intensive workshop on filmmaking, Group Three led five other groups comprising  budding filmmakers to emerge win the Unilever and MOFILM organised clinic. Leader of the group, Mr.Samson Oklobia described the clinic as a rare privilege to showcase his talent and skill in film production. He said Unilever through the platform exposed him and other participants to a lot of training during which they met vibrant and intelligent young Nigerians. “I really achieve a lot and my advice for young and upcoming artists is to be focus and hardworking,” he added. Oklobia spoke on behalf of selected filmmakers at the close of the workshop held at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja Lagos.

    Vice President (Marketing) Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr.  Robert De Vreede said the first edition of the workshop was organized to catch them young. “This is the first edition and what are trying to do is to catch young African talent and improve their skill to standard. This initiative is an opportunity for young Nigerians to work in the industry up to higher level and also preparing them for future in case if anyone has the opportunity to work with Nollywood stars.  It is open to everybody and we don’t charge any amount of money for participant to take part in the event,” he said.

    He noted that at the Unilever, the better they can develop the film industry, the better they can create environment for the brands.  “Hope you will improve your skill and move forward,” he told the participants who were presented with certificates of participation.

    One of the judges, Mr. Femi Odugbemi identified the followings as criteria for selecting the winners; presentation and interpretation of the brief, target audience, theme/message of the story-line, genre, story and structure and director’s treatment.

    In September, UNILEVER Nigeria launched the “Academy for African Filmmakers’ a new initiative which seeks to empower, equip and celebrate African Filmmakers. The academy will develop filmmaking expertise and give students the opportunity to work on live Unilever briefs as well as potential further funding for their work and the opportunity of seeing their finished film broadcast. Unilever is running the academy in partnership with MOFILM. Through this partnership with MOFILM Unilever will enable, develop and promote African filmmaking talent.

    Unilever Nigeria Plc was established in1923 and is presently a leading player manufacturing and marketing of fast moving consumer Goods in Nigeria. The company is a socially responsible and responsive organisation as evidenced in its strategic commitments to consumer and customer satisfaction, human capacity development and various social responsibility interventions in the areas of nutrition/oral care, child welfare/education, water /Hygiene and health/HIV.

  • Unilever kicks off Sunlight Community Wash campaign

    Unilever Plc has taken its Sunlight Community Wash Campaign to the grassroots, promising consumers a clean and fresh wash experience with its two-in-one Sunlight Detergent.

    The Community Wash Train started at Ehanlen community in Uhele-Ekpoma, Edo State, moved to Udoko community, Ondo Town, Ondo State; Oba-Oke communty in Olorunda, Osun State;  Okeho community, Kajola  Oyo State and, and stopped at Owu Community in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The residents came out in large numbers to have a feel of the detergent. The event was attended by key personalities from the communities. They acknowledged Sunlight detergent’s attribute of sensational cleaning and all-day fragrance.

    In Udoko community, Ondo South West Local Government Area(LGA), the playground of Saint Peters Primary School hosted many residents who participated in the wash. The residents, who defied the early morning rain, joyfully took part in the various activities that made up the show.

    The Market Women’s leader in the area, Mrs Adeyemi Christiana, praised Unilever for its quality products, especially the Sunlight Detergent. She said: “We appreciate Sunlight Detergent because, as market women, we are prone to dirt and sunlight detergent is readily available to help us with its two-in-one cleaning and freshening ability.  This is why we called on all our women to be part of the community wash and they were so excited about it.”

    The traditional ruler of Oba-Oke, Oba Adam Iyiola Bamidele Yusuff,  said: “My people have really embraced the product and vowed to henceforth use Sunlight Detergent for all their household washing.”

    Also, pleased with how the community wash ignited and united his community, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha, Adeetan II, the Onjo of Okeho, in Kajola LGA of Oyo State, thanked Unilever for introducing the product to the people in his community.

    Others, who spoke on the quality of the product, said it foams quickly and leaves lasting fragrance on clothes.

    Mrs. Folashade Olaoluwa, a retailer, said: “It is a nice detergent because it foams well, removes dirt and doesn’t make clothes fade. I really fancy its fragrance. All my children use Sunlight Detergent in washing because of its qualities.”

    Mr. Oluwale Olarenwaju, a Man-O-War member, said: “I am excited to see Sunlight Detergent in Osun because that is what I use in Lagos. If you check my khaki uniform that I just washed in this community wash, you will feel that it is brand new.”

  • Unilever launches Pepsodent

    Unilever Nigeria Plc has unveiled a new Pepsodent gel toothpaste.

    At the launch attended by over 1000 school children, parents, teachers and the executive members of the Nigerian Dental Association attended, the Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, David Okeme, said the toothpaste would cater for consumer’ need of consumers.

    “The New Pepsodent Cavity Fighter toothpaste integrates Active Micro Calcium and Pro-Floride Complex. This dual technology is proven to effectively fight cavity and fortify teeth in the long term. Micro Calcium- helps repair tiny invisible holes before they become cavity. Pro Fluoride Complex – protects teeth for longer,” he said.

    He noted that as part of the company’s commitment to supporting the  fight against tooth cavity, Unilever is donating over N10 million worth of Pepsodent toothpaste to Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS).

    The guest speaker at the launch, Prof Adeyemi Olusile, from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, said: “Tooth Cavity is a bacterial infection that causes removal of mineral irons from the dental enamel and destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth. This is a result of the production of acid by bacterial fermentation of food debris accumulated on the tooth surface.

    “Bacteria have means of sticking to our mouth, and if we do not brush them properly in the morning and night, they cause holes in our teeth. Therefore, we must brush our mouth twice daily with calcium and fluoride filled toothpaste, like Pepsodent to reduce bacteria in our mouth and make it not to smell.”

  • Unilever rebrands Sure deodorant

    Unilever Nigeria has launched Rexona, a global Deodorant brand into the market.

    The event held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    With the launch of Rexona, Sure deodorant is changing its name in Nigeria to Rexona. The brand said the reason for launching Rexona and not Sure is that Sure is only sold in the United Kingdom and Unilever wanted to open the market for it.

    Rexona is the number one deodorant brand in the world because it has a better portfolio of variants that can better serve consumers.

    Unilever believes Rexona will be successful in Nigeria because of the great mix they are launching, which involves three male and three female variants. The key format in the launch is the 25ml mini roll-on, which is a first in Nigeria.

    According to James Inglesby, Category Manager, Skin Care & Deodorants for Unilever Nig Plc, “The 50ml roll-on is priced at 250NGN and the 25ml roll-on at a great price of just 150NGN making antiperspirant deodorant affordable to more of the population”.

    Unilever will also be launching Rexona 200ml Aerosols, Axe body spray, Dove roll on and Dove body spray before the end of the year. He added: “Using Rexona makes you feel clean, dry and fresh every day.”

     

  • Unilever Nigeria focuses on long-term profitability

    Unilever Nigeria Plc is making strategic investments and changes that would enhance its long-term competitiveness and profitability, although the immediate impact of these initiatives might constrain returns in the meantime.

    Unilever Nigeria yesterday at its annual general meeting in Lagos unveiled its growth plan to shareholders. While noting the depressed bottom-line in recent years, the conglomerate outlined strategic growth initiatives aimed at strengthening its consumer-centric advantage and ensured it is better placed to provide competitive products through efficient and wide channels at the right prices, irrespective of the changes in the operating environment.

    Addressing shareholders, chairman, Unilever Nigeria Plc, HRM Nnaemeka Achebe, said shareholders might have to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term returns as the conglomerate seeks to strengthen its fundamentals.

    According to him, the performance of the company in 2013, as in the previous years, was indicative of the short-term effects of deliberate investment strategy to achieve a more sustainable future.

    He pointed out that the fundamentals of the company remain strong and ongoing initiatives would lead to more enduring and sustainable corporate performance.

    “As we continue our sustainability journey, it is evident that we will have to sacrifice short-term profitability to build a more enduring business and fully harness the opportunities that the Nigerian market portends.  As we maintain single-minded focus on our consumers and customers, strengthening our core categories, driving cost and complexity reduction with vigour, building people capability and a fit organisation, and leveraging our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan for growth, we are confident that all these deliberate thrusts can only translate into evident value addition in the longer term for all stakeholders,” Achebe stated.

    Citing the improvement in sales in 2013, Achebe noted that Unilever Nigeria is emerging as a sturdier consumer-centric company, which is better fit to compete for consumers of the future.

    He added that the company was committed to driving the implementation of initiatives that would enhance flow of communication with shareholders and almost immediate rendition of returns urging all shareholders to support the electronic dividend and electronic bonus payment systems.

    According to him, automation of dividend payment directly into shareholders’ accounts would reduce the incidence of unclaimed dividend and share certificates.

    Achebe however noted the need for government to address macroeconomic challenges pointing out that the operating environment has remained tough.

    According to him, Nigeria has experienced further decline in the ease of doing business index while power generation cost rose to astronomical heights, affecting not only the cost of production but also putting increased pressure on the disposable income of consumers.

  • Unilever MD inspires UNILAG students

    Unilever MD inspires UNILAG students

    The nation’s leading household products manufacturing firm, Unilever Nig PLC, last Wednesday held a leadership session with students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) which featured inspirational talks on leadership.

    The event held at the Julius Berger Hall of the university, saw the Unilever Managing Director Yaw Nsarkoh prodding his listeners to live up to their role as change agents, and not allow their circumstances to be a stumbling block.

    He said: “You must see yourself as global winners. Do not limit your success to Nigeria alone and never use your circumstances as an excuse for your failure. The daughter of a peasant can be a high person in future and if you want to build sustainable growth, put your mind to it though it requires hard work and diligence; and if you persevere you will get there.”

    Speaking on the topic: “Driving change through sustainable growth’ Nsarkoh a Ghanaian national’ said Unilever dreams an egalitarian society for Nigeria, likening the scenario to the company’s various products which he said Nigerians usually can afford regardless of their social or economic status.

    “We make sure every individual out there, no matter the economic situation can afford our products because we at Unilever believe that the world cannot be sustained if the rich keeps being richer and the poor being poorer,” he added.

    On the event, he said the Unilever is happy for the handshake with the University of Lagos, which he said forms a part of the former’s Corporate Social Responsibility.

    “I appreciate the relationship between the school and our organisation. We are also looking forward to the continual support of the institution. Our organisation is ready to help the students and to change their minds from the idealistic points of view,” Nsarkoh stressed.

    He further said: “Going to campuses are like homecomings to me because I spent a lot of years on the campus, and that feelings of home embraces me when I enter one. Business without conscience will not succeed, that is why we place much value on the populace as we don’t see as charity on our path but as our responsibility”.

    In his reaction, Unilag Vice-Chancellor Prof Rahamon Bello thanked the Unilever entourage for making the students benefit from the company’s experience over the years.

    “I value the importance of this relationship between our prestigious school and your company. I want the university to benefit from the wealth of experience of your organisation and by giving the students hands on training experience. The school is developing a skill acquisition centre to empower the students.

    Alabi Makinde, a 400l-Level Creative Arts undergraduate shared her experience.

    “Now I am enlightened and I know that as a creative art practitioner, I can help to build a business of conscience in the business world. I also realised that we have a very big role to play in sustainable development,” he said.

    Durodola Temitope, another final year student of Economics said she now appreciates the fact that certificates can only get one a job, but will not sustain one except one chooses to develop oneself.

    The Dean of Students Affairs Prof Olukayode Amuud, said the programme was very insightful because it was the first of its kind.

    “They (Unilever) just contributed their own quota to the development of the country as the students have been admonished to be the change they want to be.

  • Unilever donates to less privileged

    In line with its promise to be a force in its society by helping the helpless, Unilever Nigeria Plc has organised a Christmas party for children at Dustbin Estate, Ajegunle.

    The party, held at the weekend in conjunction with Lot Charity foundation was informed by the need to give children a sense of belonging as well as show love to the less privileged in the society.

    Unilever foundation global ambassador, Mr Osita Abana, said it was donepursuant to delivering on the company’s plan to improve the world by reducing poverty.

    Abana said the need to be proactive necessitated the spelling bee competition and hand washing campaign for children in the community so as to reduce sickness.

    He said it is an inner city programme of the company and there will be an avenue for Unilever workers to visit the place often as that is how the growth of the area could be sustained.

    Abana said it is an intervention campaign of the company that is being done globally,in conjunction with their partners.

    Lot Charity Coordinator, Mrs Tolu Sangosanya, said the foundation takes care of the homeless by providing accommodation and education to them so as to be responsible members of the society.

    She said people need to be celebrated and as children, they deserved to be made happy, hence the need for the party.

    Over the years, she said,the Center takes care of vulnerable kids and have after school support programme,which helps in improving their literacy level and teaches them community development.

    Gifts was given to the foundation and the community by Unilever.

  • Unilever showcases CSR

    Unilever showcases CSR

    The idea of doing good is one of the ideals which many existing companies today believe in. Unilever Nigeria Plc, for instance, holds the view and very strongly too that one way to do well is by doing good, and with the realisation that two billion people globally uses its products, it believes no stone should be left unturned in its efforts to impact on the world, and for its branch in Nigeria, all hands must be on deck to ensure this comes to fruition.

    The need for corporate social responsibility, according to the Managing Director of Unilever, Mr. Thabo Mabe, is because they cannot afford to be just a company that makes products and sells them at a profit, but rather see the wide reach of their products as an opportunity for them to be a force for good in the society.

    Mabe said the company is mindful of the changes the planet is undergoing as well as the unprecedented challenges being faced by people each day as presently, one billion people go to bed hungry everyday just as over 200 million people are presently unemployed world over.

    Besides, over 2.6 billion people have no access to modern sanitation and two million children under five years old die every year from diarrhoea and pneumonia, just as the world grapples with increasing world population, climate change and water scarcity.

    One way the Unilever as been able to contribute its quota to the development to the society is through the Unilever CSR/Sustainability Day, a platform which enables it along with its partners, gather together to not just review progress and present to the public the impact they have collectively done but think through more ingenious ways to make the society safer for all.

    According to Mabe, the company initiated the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) in 2010, a blue print to help achieve the vision to double the size of their business whilst reducing their environmental footprint and increasing their positive social impact.

    Through the USLP, Mabe said, Unilever set out to achieve three big goals by 2020 and they are, “to help more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being, to source 100 per cent of our agricultural raw materials sustainably and enhance the livelihoods of people across our value chain and lastly to halve the environmental footprint of our products across the value chain.”

    The global partners are UNICEF, Save the Children, World Food Programme, Population Services International and Oxfam.

    UNICEF, according to its representative, Mr Patrick Osuocha, has been working in Sokoto and Ogun states to help improve access to basic sanitation.

    Appraising the progress made, Mabe said “three years into our 10 year commitment, we are happy to report that working with our global partners around the world, we have made solid progress in some of the key areas we set out to change.”