By Kassim Omomia
Leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has donated malaria prevention support to additional five thousand households in Kaduna and Kano States
This is under its corporate social responsibility CSR initiative
Long-lasting insecticidal nets and Guide to Malaria Prevention pamphlets were distributed to several primary schools within the states
Schools which benefitted in Kaduna included L.G.E.A Primary School, Dullu Tafa in Kagarku Local Government; LEA Primary School, Kanfanin Zangon Aya in Igabi Local Government and Bashir Abubakar Primary School, Anguwan Dankali in Zaria.
In Kano, Sha’iskawa Islamiya Primary School in Garun Malam Local Government and Central Primary School Wak in the Bebeji Local Government Area of the state are some of the schools that benefited.
Each school received a total of one thousand long-lasting insecticidal nets paired with a Guide to Malaria Prevention pamphlets.
JBN Plc said the recent donations is in continuation of the company’s malaria prevention campaign, which has over the years benefited many communities where it has ongoing projects.
However, expressing appreciation on behalf of L.G.E.A. Primary School Dullu Tafa, the Head Teacher Mr. Funom Bawa said, the insecticide treated nets distributed to the student will help reduce malaria infections in the community as well as absenteeism in the school
“What Julius Berger has done today will go a long way and you can tell from the joy expressed by the students that they value what is given to them because insecticide treated nets are expensive and for someone to receive one free of charge is cause for celebration”. Bawa noted
Similarly,Malam Yusuf Aliyu , Head Teacher, Sha’iskawa Islamiya Primary School, Garun Malam Local Government, in Kano , who spoke on behalf of the school, expressed delight at the gesture. He stated that it was the first time in the history of the school that any company will donate items to it.
“It is a very good gesture, we appreciate it and the parents will too, when the children take the nets home to them
According to Aliyu, malaria has been a big challenge in the school community and environment
Recent statistics put the prevalence of malaria in Nigeria at 23 percent and long-lasting insecticidal nets have been found to be both effective and sustainable at reducing malaria infections in communities.
And in line with its CSR responsibility,Julius Berger Nigeria Plc , has pledged to continuously and proactively seeks opportunities to create value and impact people and communities on a larger scale, which invariably is the company’s commitment to making a difference through socially relevant work is resolute.
The Julius Berger Nigeria Plc delegation on this Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) outing was led by Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim, Project Coordinator for the ongoing Abuja-Kano Road Reconstruction Project (AKR), accompanied by Akeem Lawal of AKR Section 1, Muhammed Umar, Community Liaison Officer for AKR section 2, and Dahiru Umar, Public Relations Officer for AKR Section 3.
Mr. Michael Ashofor of the company’s Corporate Communications Department was also in the delegation.