uac of Nigeria Plc has handed over a technical workshop renovated by the company to the authorities of CMS Grammar school, Bariga, Lagos, the oldest secondary school in Nigeria, as part of its  commitment to education in Nigeria by ‘doing good’ in legacy schools across Nigeria.  The presentation ceremony took place in Lagos recently.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director/CEO of uac of Nigeria Plc said the event is a meeting of two great institutions borne out of noble visions.  “Therefore, this ceremony is a veritable meeting of two of Nigeria’s celebrated icons”.

“At the pain of repetition, uac of Nigeria Plc is, undoubtedly, the oldest, surviving private enterprise in the country today, and has the singular honour of mid-wifing what is today’s modern Nigeria.  On the other hand, CMS Grammar school, Bariga resides in the annals of history as the pioneer secondary school in our dear country, thanks to the great vision of an uncommon individual, Reverend Babington Macaulay”.

Ettah explained that uac embarked on infrastructural intervention in the nation’s schools, not only as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) imperative but as a clarion call to all and sundry to supplement government’s contributions in this vital, but under-funded sector of the national life which is education.

He said the company’s resolve and involvement in this all important area of education received great impetus and drive following the corporate re-branding exercise in the company last year.  He added that the exercise led to a new uac as an organisation that is more proactive, forward-looking, muscular, compelling and audacious, and contemporary.

“Part of that transformation was the adoption of a new logo with provenance line ‘since 1879’.  With characters of the logo in lower case, which depict youthfulness, the new pay-off is ‘doing good’.

Ettah stated that uac’s intervention programme in legacy schools in the country kicked off almost simultaneously in St Finbarrs’ College, Akoka and CMS Grammar School, Bariga both in Lagos State in a bid to assist in arresting the rapid deterioration on infrastructure and standards in schools that have produced the cream of Nigeria’s current elites, the good and great in the society.

He added that as a company “our achievements so far will not only compel but propel us to strive even further to accomplish our education agenda in public schools”.  “As part of our re-branding exercise, we came up with the idea of Goodness League, which seeks to make the new uac Goodness platform meaningful through a credible intervention scheme that tackles social problems, provides an umbrella and synergy for all of uac’s CSR activities”.  “It  is  therefore, evident that as a mark of corporate concerns, we are not only going to tackle the hard issues, but are working on mobilising other corporate players and individuals from time to time to fill identified gaps in our educational system through a volunteer scheme that enables people to do good through uac”.

In his address, Reverend Tunde Oduwole, principal CMS Grammar school said the move synergy that has emerged form the relational contact between two epic institutions in Nigeria’s history, CMS Grammar School founded June 6, 1859 has left an indelible imprint on the unforgettable pages of history.

“Rather than cut the picture of an ‘old cargo’ or spent force, these historic institutions  have remained youthful, active, productive and ever relevant like old wine maturing with age”.  Oduwole commended Ettah for bringing fresh vision which has resolutely positioned uac in a renewed campaign of ‘doing good’ in the society.

“By that monumental and transformational initiative, a meaningful intervention scheme was evolved to tackle social problems by providing of common umbrella and synergy for purposeful and meaning corporate social responsibility through the support for a few legacy schools among which CMS Grammar School stands out as a starting point”.

“To have begun this initiative in the school where it all began is to demonstrate a rich sense of history”.  He said by the gesture, uac has proved beyond doubt that it is still possible to be socially responsible, ethical, honest, committed, thorough and diligent even in a crooked world, where words are no longer a bond upon which to reply.

Rt. Reverend B J Adeyemi, Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Badagry who represented the joint proprietor of Lagos Anglican Schools, commended uac for the initiative,. Adeyemi urged other corporate imitations to leverage on uac’s example by supporting infrastructural and manpower needs of school.  He said: “We should not be weary of ‘doing good’, in due season, we shall reap the reward”.

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Culled from Financial Standard (Brands & marketing), Page 19 Article Written by Louis Imobioh