Guinness Nigeria, the manufacturers of non-alcoholic malt, Malta Guinness has collaborated with Muslim News, Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic newspaper to distribute food palliatives to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on vulnerable Nigerians.
In a separate release signed by the Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria, Viola Graham-Douglas and the Publisher of Muslim News Nigeria, Rasheed Abubakar, about 9000 staple foodstuffs have been successfully transported to three States — Kaduna, Lagos and Oyo.
“I can confirm authoritatively that about three thousand bags of sorghum was moved to Kaduna early this week”, Abubakar said, adding, “One thousand bags of maize was received by our members in Oyo and two thousand bags of maize alongside three thousand bags of garri – all in 5kg size, delivered in Lagos.”
The publisher noted that the two organisations
are concerned about the welfare of citizens and will always pursue and facilitate causes that would bring smile to the faces of the less privileged in the society, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed over a million lives worldwide.
While receiving the truck loaded of garri at the organisation’s office in Lagos, Abubakar said, “As a medium, we do not only want to serve people through qualitative reportage, but also offer some support in form of palliatives to cushion the effects of COVID-19.
“No doubt, so many Nigerians are suffering despite government efforts to end poverty. They need assistance and the situation is even more pathetic with the outbreak of Coronavirus which has impacted significantly on people’s livelihood.
“Fortunately, Guinness Nigeria reached out to our organisation again, like it did during Ramadan, and offered to assist us with 9,000 bags of sorghum, maize and garri, which we plan to distribute to the vulnerable ones at different centres in Kaduna, Lagos and Oyo,” he added.
It should be recalled that Guinness Nigeria for the first time partnered with Muslim News during the April/May 2020 Ramadan and rolled out 1000 cases of their non-alcoholic malt drink, Malta Guinness to fasting Muslims in different locations in Lagos.
Abubakar said it’s permissible in Islam to receive charity from an organisation like Guinness Nigeria, which also manufactures variety of drinks including non-alcoholic ones like Malta Guinness, adding that, “Islamic Sharia does not prohibit accepting gift as such.”
Also speaking, Mr Graham-Douglas poured encomiums on Muslim News Team, commending her for the vision of supporting the wellbeing of the most vulnerable in the society.
He said the beverages company, who also manufactures Malta Guinness shares same vision of supporting the vulnerable with Muslim News, adding that it will continue to support the media organisation within its available resources.
“On behalf of Guinness Nigeria, I would like to commend Muslim News on your commitment to supporting the less privileged and vulnerable groups during the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic in Nigeria. At Guinness Nigeria, we share your vision of supporting the wellbeing of the most vulnerable amongst us.
“To underscore Guinness Nigeria’s commitment to supporting your organisation, we are pleased to inform you that we would like to donate 3,000 bags of Garri, 3,000 bags of Maize and 3,000 bags of Sorghum to vulnerable groups.”
The Director, Corporate Relations also noted that “As a company, we are committed to the communities in which we source, make or sell.”
He added that the company which has been in existence for over seventy years has been at the forefront of improving Nigerian communities and general wellbeing of the masses through Social Corporate Responsibility.
“At Guinness Nigeria, we share your vision of supporting the wellbeing of the most vulnerable amongst us.
“As a socially responsible and responsive organization that is committed to contributing to the improvement of Nigerian communities, Guinness has always invested in the communities where we source, make or sell through various initiatives one of which is the Water of Life scheme that has provided clean water to over 2 million Nigerians in 22 states.
“We also built and currently maintain two Guinness Eye centres in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) in Onitsha. Guinness Nigeria Plc is a subsidiary of Diageo Plc and has been in operation in Nigeria for the past seventy years,” he said.
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