NBC to empower 15,000 youths, stakes $900million on improved production

With over 2000 youths already empowered courtesy of Nigeria Bottling Company’s (NBC) several youth empowerment programmes across the country, it has announced plans to increase the figure to over 15000 youths in 2018.

Indeed, the company added that youth empowerment is key to the realisation of national economic growth and development, stating that a vibrant youth economy is the way to go in ensuring sustainable economic growth.

Besides, the company stated that it has invested over $900 million in infrastructure upgrade in order to be abreast of global technologies used in producing world class products to satisfy the ever changing needs of the Nigerian consumer.

According to the Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Sade Morgan, the company is also looking at empowering over 100,000 youths by 2020 through employability and skill acquisition programmes while adding that the company would continue to partner with government and communities to eradicate poverty and hunger in the country.

Morgan , during NBC’s end of the year media parley, added that the company is targeting youths within the age brackets of 18 and 30 years, even as she expressed concerns about the high rate of youth unemployment which she said has hit double figures.

“Unemployment rate in the country currently at 23 per cent is alarming. This is very high when compared with our counterparts all over the world. This is why we are working tirelessly and coming up with different initiatives aimed at empowering our teeming unemployed youths in the country. This is part of our efforts to contribute our own quota to addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria,” she added.

The Nigerian Franchise Public Affairs and Communication Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, said efforts have been geared up to achieve 100 per cent local content, noting that the company has continued to invest in research and development.