Procter and Gamble, a leading FMCG
company in Nigeria, has partnered with the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a specialized agency of the
United Nationsto educate 50,000 Girls and Women on Information Communications
Technology (ICTs)in Bauchi State.
The project tagged, School Meets
the Learner Approach (SMLA) marks the beginning of the UNESCO new initiative to
Education where ICT devices such as television, tablets and mobile phones are
deployed to learners in their homes and workplaces to facilitate teaching and
learning.
Speaking on the initiative, George
Nassar, Managing Director, P&G Nigeria, said “as a responsible corporate
citizen, we are delighted in giving back to the society in the second phase of
our partnership with UNESCO through our Always brand,by supporting Nigerian
girls and women to be self-sustaining economically.”
According to him, “the
beneficiaries of the project are girls and young women between the ages of
9-45, who cannot read or write either because they did not attend school or
dropped out of school early. By educating them, P&G has shown its
dedication to investing in the lives of consumers and Nigerians at large.”
The collaborative project that
commenced in 2014 has empowered girls and young women through education.
During the first phase, over 60,000
girls have been trained in literacy and numeracy through traditional and
technology-based teaching in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State for
a two-year period.
The organization decided to extend
the program to an additional 50,000 girls in Bauchi State, following the
success of the first phase of the program.
The second phase of the project is
set to bring the school to the doorsteps of the learners using technology,
where learners have difficulties in accessing education in a formal setting.
The project was launched at the
Banquet Hall, Government House in Bauchi State under the distinguished Special
Guest of Honour, Malam Adamu Adamu, Honourable Minister of Education. Other
dignitaries include the Chief Host, Barr. M. A. Abubakar, the Executive
Governor of Bauchi State and Her Excellency,Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed A. Abubakar,
the first lady of Bauchi State among others.