CEO/MD Julius Berger, Dr. Lars Richter
By Our Reporter
Last week, there was a chorusof gratitude amongst administrators, teachers, community leaders and pupils of various schoolsin both Rivers and AkwaIbom States,to which Julius Berger Nigeria Plc distributed treated mosquito nets along with a pamphlet titled ‘Guide to Malaria Prevention’. This activity is in furtherance of the company’s determined corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy and fight against the scourge of malaria in Nigeria in alignment with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations.
Since the marking of 2021 World Malaria Day, Julius Berger has been in the forefront of the war against the disease by distributing mosquito nets among school pupils and pregnant women and children considered vulnerable to malaria ailment across the country.
At St. Paul’s State primary School I, Diobu, Port Harcourt Rivers State, the Community Liaison Officer of Julius Berger, Hon. ChijiokeChike, told the pupils that the provision of the treated mosquito nets to them was a complementary extension of the good quality infrastructural works Julius Berger has done and continues to do inPort Harcourt communities. Julius Berger’s works as well as the company’s CSR initiatives, he said, areall meaningfully targeted towards a sustainable environment and the general good health for the communities.
He said, “…if you look across your school premises, you cansee the modern flyover built by Julius Berger. It is the Rebisi Flyover. After the construction of the flyover, we are distributing these treated mosquito nets for you to protect your good health to enable you livewell andenjoy the great flyover.”
The clearly elated Head teacher of the school, Mrs Ikpakor, Jemimah who responded after each pupil had been given the treated mosquito nets said, “…on behalf of St. Paul’s State School I, I appreciate your practically humane company. We know and declare that Julius Berger is a solution provider for our people’s critical infrastructural and social needs. For example, in addition to these treated nets provided by the company to help us stave off mosquitoes and keep malaria out of our homes and families, we also can say that with the construction of the Rebisi Flyover,grinding and frustrating traffic hold ups are over in our neighbourhood. We pray to the Almighty God for more blessings for Julius Berger.”
At the St. Paul’s State School II also in Diobu, Port Harcourt, the accolades were same for Julius Bergerwith the Head mistress, Mrs Juliet Nwachukwu responding thus: “We, the staff and pupils of St. Pauls State School II express our heartfelt gratitude for this donation of treated mosquito nets. We are asking God that today that you have come here to show us this loving kindness, God’s divine favour will continue to be with Julius Berger.”
The next donation stop by the Julius Berger Roll-Back-Malaria CSR Campaign was the State Primary School I, Amadiama, Rivers State. There, the CLO reminded the pupils that Julius Berger also constructed and built the Flyover in the neighbourhood. He thanked the community through the pupils for their cooperation with Julius Berger while the project lasted. He added that the mosquito nets donation by the company are a further demonstration of the development partnership the company has with the community and its most worthy and lasting legacy, its children. The Head teacher, Mrs Eunice Williams was full of praises for Julius Berger praying for continuous wellbeing of the company.
At the fourth school, State Primary School II also in Amadiama, Rivers State, pupils sang and danced in appreciation of Julius Berger even as the Head Pupil, Miss Dominion Elemo said, “It is my pleasure to extend a cheerful welcome to our guests, the Number 1 construction company in Nigeria, Julius Berger. Your coming here today has given us hope and courage for a great and brighter future. We also thank you for your architectural designs in the development of Rivers state.”The headmistress of the School, Mrs Nwankpa James, prayed for the continued “growth and success of Julius Berger.”
The Julius Berger CSR Team later arrived AkwaIbom State at the Lutheran primary School, AfahaEtuk, IbesikpoAsutan Local Government Area of AkwaIbom state on Friday.The leader of the Julius Berger team and management staff, Mrs NdifrekeUkochio, educated the pupils on the dangers mosquito bites pose to humanity especially children urging them that, “we need to kick out malaria from our lives.” Continuing, she said, “malaria is a deadly disease and we are here to offer you these treated mosquito nets because we do not want you to be infected.”NdifrekeUkochio, fondly called Ndi by her team members, went on to demonstrate the use of the nets before sharing the nets among the pupils.The Acting Head of the Lutheran School, AfahaEtuk, Mrs Peace Etimeexpressed her gratitude for the donation of the nets and prayed for continued success for the company.
Julius Berger’sRoll-Back-MalariaCSR Team later proceeded to Government primary School, IkotIsong in Etinam LGA whereMrs Ukochio repeated the earlier message to pupils who received the treated nets before the distribution of the nets. The school’s Acting Head, Mrs Imaobong Jackson also expressed her thanks to Julius Berger even as she declared“…this school, these pupils and their parents will never forget Julius Berger. They will always remember your kindness. Their parents will always remember you with gratitude, too.”
The Head, Media Relations Office of the Julius Berger Nigeria Plc Group, Prince Moses Duku, speaking in Abuja, said “…the sustainable good health, safe environment, productive economy, as well as thereal development and progressive growth of the Nigerian people remain prime considerations upon which Julius Berger’s CSR policy and operations firmly, responsibly anchor. We remain committed partners for the Nigerian development project”
