CORPORATE

A Star is born at the African Leadership Academy

For those of you who have been following the progress of Ife, our very first student at the African Leadership Academy (ALA), you’ll be delighted to learn that she has graduated top of her class and won the top academic prize. Ife will now continue her studies by going on to read Economic at Yale University, one of the top Ivy League colleges in the United States. The ALA is held in high regard, not only across Africa, but throughout the world, and there is no doubt that many future leaders in Africa will be educated at this innovative institution. So impressed is Promasidor with the ALA and Ife in particular, that we have committed to sponsoring one student every year, and this person will be unveiled in our next newsletter. The Promasidor group would like to congratulate Ife and her family on her achievement and wish her all the best in the future.

		Ifedolapo Ayoyinka Omiwole receives her diploma.

 

Promasidor Nigeria extends a helping hand to the Physically Challenged through the Para Soccer Tournament.

Promasidor Nig. Ltd has pledged its support for initiatives aimed at assisting the physically challenged in the society.

This promise was made on Friday, April 2, 2010 at the start of Promasidor Para Soccer Tournament, which took place at the Lagos State Sports Council, Rowe-Park, Yaba, Lagos.

The tournament, which was organized by the Lagos State Paralympics Association and sponsored by Promasidor, had in attendance the First Lady of Adamawa state, Dr. Halima Murtala Nyako, the Afro beat maestro, Femi Kuti who also sponsored a team to the tournament, and other invited guests.

Speaking at the event, the Coordinator Corporate Affairs Department of the company, Mr. Isiaka Lawal, said that the support is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “We are firmly committed to giving back to the society. The competition has helped to create employment and entertainment for participants, and has given hope to the physically challenged in the broader society. Our goal is to contribute to the growth of physically challenged sports and the economy in general through our CSR commitments,” he said.

cowbell

Promasidor Nigeria Launches the Cowbell Football Academy

Promasidor staff pose with members of the academy

Promasidor Nigeria Limited has launched the Cowbell Football Academy, the brainchild of Multisports Services & Entertainment Limited.

During the official launch of the Academy, Chief Keith Richards, MD Promasidor Nigeria, affirmed the company’s commitment to nation building and development through sports, which is one of its core corporate social responsibilities; Cowbell Milk is also the Official Milk of the Nigerian Olympics Team to the 2012 Olympic Games in the United Kingdom.

“Nigeria is blessed with teeming youth with amazing sports talent seeking to fulfil their dreams and make our Nation proud. For this reason, we have decided to help their dreams thrive through the Cowbell Football Academy in partnership with Multisport Services & Entertainment, under the watchful eyes of Nigeria’s own Sports maverick, Dudu Orumen. The Academy is equipped with seasoned and passionate football trainers and it is open to children with the necessary passion and commitment to the sport they love. The Cowbell Football Academy is ready and we are sure the young football stars will soon begin to shine,” Richards noted.

The Cowbell Football Academy is committed to preparing young footballers, between ages 3 – 18 years, to shine as stars in the future. It’s a result of diligent scouting and years of rigorous work to forge a team

that played together as a unit and did the nation and our continent proud. Promasidor Nigeria has continued to inspire young people and support sports annually in different capacities across the country, from schools inter-house sports, the annual Animal Games for primary schools, the Try Rugby camp for kids, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) volleyball tournament and the annual ParaSoccer Tournament for the physically challenged.

Speaking on Promasidor’s involvement in the project, Mr. Dudu Orumen, managing director of Multisports Service & Entertainment Limited said the financial demand of a project like this “far exceeds my pocket”. “The first four and a half years, I was groaning trying to get it going. More importantly, I saw to it that companies like Promasidor, whose brands are for kids, would buy into it. And yes, after convincing the management of the viability of the project, they finally bought into it.”

 

The Cowbell National Mathematics Competition celebrates its 10th Anniversary in style.

The Prize-giving ceremony of the Cowbell National Secondary Schools Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) took place on Tuesday May 25, 2010 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. This year’s edition, which happens to be the 10th year anniversary, was celebrated in grand style.

The Honourable Minister of Education, Professor (Mrs.) Ruquayatu A. Rufai was the special guest of honour. Amongst other dignitaries that were present at the ceremony were The Honourable Minister of Information, Professor Dora Akinyuli, who was represented by Mr. Oshunbiyi Olufela, Deputy Director of Research & Production; The Director General, National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Professor Sam Ale; The Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Plc, Chief Keith Richards; The president of All Nigerian Confederation Of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS-FCT Chapter), Hajiya Fatima Abdulrahman; The president of Parent Teachers Association of Nigeria (FCT Chapter), Alhaji Musa S. Talle; as well as other stakeholders in the Education sector of the federation.

The best 20 students in both the Junior and Senior categories from the second stage exams were present with their teachers to receive their awards. In the Junior Category, Princess Jewel-Essien of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja was 1st with a total score of 97%; Ismail Ibrahim of Nigerian Turkish Boys College, Kaduna State was 2nd; while Aro Ayomide of The Ambassadors College, Ogun State came 3rd. Ogundijo Victor of Federal Government College Suleja, Niger State came 1st in the Senior category with a total score of 88%, while Sanni Ololade of Ota Total Academy, Ogun State and Isung Nsikak of Graceland International School, Rivers State came 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The first, second and third prize national winners in the Junior category received the sum of N130,000, N100,000 and N75,000 naira respectively, while those in the Senior category received the sum of N130,000 plus a laptop; N100,000 plus a laptop and N100,000 naira respectively. The 4th to 10th positions in each category received the sum of N15, 000 naira as consolation prizes. The teachers of the best 10 students in each category also received the sum of N20, 000 naira each. Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja won the Benson Oweka award for the having the most consistent outstanding performance average over a period of three years (2008-2010). The winning schools got 200 classroom tables and chairs, and mathematics textbooks. Other prizes for the winning pupils and teachers include Plaques, Medals, Trophies, Certificates and lots of Cowbell products. Congratulations to all the winners.

		Cowbell Mathematics winners pose with the Minister; Prof. Ale (in black cap) of the National Mathematics Centre, and our MD, Keith Richards in a group photograph.

 

Cowbell’s Community Commitment

As our primary milk powder brand, Cowbell - Our Milk, has demonstrated its commitment to the community through various social initiatives across Africa. From being involved in the building of water wells in Malawi, to maintaining strong educational upliftment campaigns in Nigeria, to sponsoring sports events in Ghana, Cowbell has truly been embraced as “Our Milk.”

Promasidor Zambia Gives back

Zambia, like many other Countries in Africa, has been hard hit by the HIV AIDS pandemic, which has resulted in many children finding refuge in orphanage homes around the country. As a way of giving back to the communities in which we operate and assisting the underprivileged, Sunrise Community School situated in one of Ndola’s townships was identified as a worthy cause by Promasidor Zambia.

The School has 600 children, some of whom live at the Orphanage. The children attend school in groups of 200 due to limited classrooms.

Assistance in the form of 5 million Zambian kwacha worth of assorted Promasidor products was given to the school, much to the delight of teachers and students alike.

Promasidor Malawi ’s newest baby continues to thrive

Moses, the baby elephant, continues to explore his world. He is a bit taller now and his trunk a bit longer so he can reach new heights. Food can no longer be left on the dining room table unattended as the plates crashing down after a ‘trunk investigation’ create havoc. He can now reach up to the lower shelf of the bar so everything has moved up a level. He loves carrying things around in his trunk - a little basket is one of his favourite toys and money holds a huge attraction. Coins are pushed around on the floor and notes are scrunched up and carried around in his trunk until, to his great disgust, one of the carers takes them away.

Moses is now 3 months old and so we are having to adjust the formulation of his milk again. Elephant milk changes in protein content, fat content and lactose content as the baby grows which means that we have to try and emulate this as best we can with the ingredients we have available. This is always a bit of a nerve-wracking time as we know that every time we adjust the formula it does take a few days for his digestive system to adapt, which means that his dung gets very loose and the quantities increase. We have to do these increases in very small steps and one ingredient at a time whilst watching closely for reactions so that we can make adjustments if necessary. We will keep adjusting his formula every few months throughout his 4 years of milk dependency but as he gets older he will adjust to changes more easily. Luckily for us a lot of people have been down this road before us and done the research so that we are able to emulate what they have proven to be the best methods.

He remains a happy little chap who “rules the roost” he has decided that dogs are allowed in the house during the day but if they dare to come in at night time they get chased outside very quickly. Cats are cool and they can come in any time and if they come close to them he gives them a gentle stroke with his trunk.

I was given a “serious lecture” yesterday evening as I was helping Louise set up for the David Kelly exhibition, and so arrived home just after dark to be met by a very cross little elephant, who lay next to me rumbling and grunting for nearly an hour with his trunk wrapped tightly round my arm as if he was telling me exactly how irresponsible I was to leave him with Matimat when, according to his routine, it was my turn to be on duty. He did get over his grump though, fell asleep and by the 8 o’clock feed everything was back to normal. It was worth putting up with the lecture to be able to briefly see the exhibition whilst we were setting up the “Moses corner”. David’s paintings, as usual, were brilliant, and perhaps I am biased but I did think that the two he did to sell on a silent auction to raise funds for Moses were the best of the lot. He did a small painting of Moses and a big painting of a majestic bull elephant to “pictorialise” our vision of where Moses will be one day in the future.

Thanks to all our wonderful sponsors - May has been a great month! Without your help we really could not be doing what we are, and I am sure if Moses could write he would be thanking you all personally.

Promasidor Malawi joins fight against child labour

The International Labour Organization estimates that 250 million children globally between the ages of 5 and 14 are working for a living, and that over 50 million children under the age of twelve work in hazardous circumstances.

Child labour has been a common practice on Malawi tobacco farms for a number of years. A three year programme was launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Malawi in an attempt to prevent tobacco farmers from using child labour. In order to achieve its objectives, it needed the support of various companies in Malawi.

Promasidor Malawi readily joined hands with fellow corporate citizens to form TECS, which stands for ‘Together Ensuring Children’s Security’. The initiative had three primary objectives: poverty alleviation, improving schooling infrastructure and the provision of clean water.

Though TECS no longer exists, it was recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Global Compact and the World Labour Organization. Today communities still benefit from the schools, boreholes, clinics, irrigation schemes and forest that were established.

		One of the water wells donated by Cowbell in Malawi.

 

Promasidor Malawi is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact group, which is involved with anti-corruption and Growing Sustainable Agri-business. Our involvement is in the latter, where the group has a demonstration farm used to demonstrate alternative crops and better farming methods to group of small holder farmers.

Supporting future leaders

Promasidor Nigeria, as a socially responsible corporate citizen, has committed to investing in the Nigerian educational sector through the various sponsorship and social responsibility projects of its brands. Promasidor Nigeria has been active in sponsoring community activities, such as the annual National Cowbell Mathematics Secondary Schools Competition, Cowbell Grassroots Football Tournaments, schools inter-house sports across Nigeria, the Cowbell JAMB awards and the Cowbell Chocolate Reward for Excellence scheme for primary schools.

The purpose of these programmes is to drive the mental and physical development of the youth within the community – the future leaders of tomorrow.

		Stellar student, Uche Monu, was proudly sponsored by Cowbell to attend the General Young Leaders Conference held in the United States of America recently.

 

Cowbell Chocolate Reward for Excellence Scheme

Cowbell Chocolate Milk Powder is similarly associated with education development sponsorship activities within the community. The Cowbell Chocolate Milk Powder Reward for Excellence scheme is implemented throughout Nigeria, and seeks to motivate primary school pupils to strive towards academic excellence. Prizes are awarded to students with the best academic performance in primary one to five. Teachers also receive awards, as they undoubtedly contribute to the success of their students.

The Cowbell brand is also associated with many school activities such as quiz competitions, inter-house sports competitions and prize-giving days, in primary and secondary schools across Nigeria each year.

Miksi Charity Shuttle

The “Miksi Charity Shuttle” visits orphanages in Nigeria each year, donating Promasidor product to these special children. The Miksi Charity Shuttle recently stopped off at the Gusau Orphanage Children’s Home in Zamfara State, which is home to about 120 children. Promasidor Nigeria staff presented the donation of 20 cartons of 400g Miksi milk tins.

The Miksi Charity Shuttle then moved on to the De-Meri Children Center in Kano, where the orphanage director Mercy Tarfa and Pastor Solomon Tarfa accepted the donation of 27 cartons of 400g Miksi tins.

		Promasidor staff with some of the children at the De-Meri Children Center.

 

Drink-O-Pop supports development running in SA

Drink-O-Pop recently joined forces with a local running club in South Africa to host a development running initiative in Johannesburg. This project was planned to assist schools in Diepsloot (a local community) to plan and host athletic days.

Veteran South African runner, Willie Motola, a Comrades Marathon star performer, also attended the event to share some of his experiences with the children. Over 300 children braved the morning cold to participate in running events. The U 10’s and U 12’s ran a distance of 2.5 kilometres and the U 14’s, U 18’s and open age groups ran a distance of 5 kilometres.

A prize-giving ceremony was held after the run and both runners and supporters enjoyed the tasty flavours of Drink-O-Pop soft drinks. This special sports day made it possible for members of the community to share in the experience and excitement of fellow runners. The children were the stars of the day and truly appreciated the effort made by Drink-O-Pop and the local running club in organising a fun event.

		Veteran South African runner, Willie Motola, with the enthusiastic young athletes.

 

Onga feeds the orphans

Onga loves providing a helping hand to the community and visited the Chimwemwe Orphanage in Zambia recently. Over 200 orphans and 40 widows were fed a tasty meal of pap, cabbage and stew that was prepared using Onga Relish Mix.

		Veteran South African runner, Willie Motola, with the enthusiastic young athletes.