60 Years Celebration: NBC Targets 15,000 Students

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), bottlers of Coca-Cola brands in Nigeria, has unveiled activities for the celebration of 60 years of Coca-Cola in Nigeria.

L-R: HRM Alaiyeluwa Riliwanu Babatunde Aremu Akiolu I,
Oba of Lagos; Ambassador Segun Apata, Chairman of Nigerian
Bottling Company Plc (NBC) at the unveiling of
NBC’s 60^th Anniversary in Lagos at the weekend

L-R:, HRM Alaiyeluwa Riliwani Babatunde Aremu Akiolu I, Oba of Lagos, Ambassador Segun Apata, Chairman of Nigerian Bottling Company Plc (NBC), Mr. Kelvin Balogun, MD Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Mr. Ben Langat MD NBC at the unveiling of NBC’s 60^th Anniversary in Lagos at the weekend. 

Ambassador Segun Apata, chairman of NBC disclosed at the 60^th Anniversary Formal Public Briefing and Breakfast held in Lagos at the weekend, remarking that from a modest operations in 1953, two years after its incorporation, NBC now has 13 plants, 60 depots and 400,000 partner distributors across the country as well as providing livelihood for millions of Nigerians

He said the planned commemorative activities which has been designed to touch NBC’s stakeholders, would include a community project that would equip more than 15,000 students in disadvantaged communities across the country with ‘Back to School’ materials, an appreciation of the company’s dealers pan Nigeria; consumer appreciation programmes and an arts competition that would be opened to the general public among others while the anniversary would be rounded off with a gala dinner

The chairman further explained that the anniversary would the give the company the opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for making Coca-Cola the huge success that it is in the country.

He pledged the continued commitment of NBC to growing the business in Nigeria by investing in the modernization of infrastructure, enhancement of supply chain capabilities, strengthening of the commercial platform and expansion of its corporate social responsibility programmes.

Apata said “In the century, we will continue to refresh our consumers by offering a wide range of high quality beverages, create wealth for our customers and value and benefits for our local communities.

Mrs. Adeyanju Olomola, the head of Public Affairs and Communications of NBC noted in a statement that 60 years is a major milestone in the life of any institution, adding that the company will use the anniversary to celebrate individuals who have made the Coca-Cola business in Nigeria a resounding success from the founder, Chief Anastastios G. Leventis to consumers, partners, dealers, distributors, retailers, communities and members of staff.

She explained that Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence, was chosen as the location to kick off the celebration because the state remained the home of NBC, the company having launched its first bottling plant in the Oyingbo area of Lagos in 1953 two years after the commemcement of operations in Nigeria.

Olomola said, “Although we have expanded our operations to all parts of the country in the last 60 years; Lagos remained the home of NBC and we are very proud to be associated with Lagos and Lagosians.”

Speaking on Coca-Cola: From Atlanta to Nigeria, Mr. Kelvin Balogun, managing director of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited (CCNL); said Dr. John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola could only get the correct formulation for Coca-cola after 18 trials because of his resilience.

He said its introduction into Nigeria in 1951 was fueled by the World War II because of the need to serve it where the US soldiers were at that time.

HRM Alaiyeluwa Rilwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I unveiled the anniversary bottles while Mrs. Modupe Oyebola, the company’s distributor since 1973, unveiled the anniversary logo.