Lafarge Plc empowers farmers with tools, gives N20m to poor students

Lafarge Africa PLC, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has given N20.4million bursaries to 204 indigent students from the communities they are operating in Ogun State.
 
In addition, the cement giant has under its Economic Empowerment Programme built two blocks of six classroom and modern Health Centre for one of the communities – Elebute, Ogun state.
 
It has also provided social support to farmers, artisans and elderly people in all the 12 communities, distributing tools such as hoes, seeds, hoes, cutlasses, fertilizers, refrigerators, tricycles, motorcycles, generators, driers.

Michel Puchercos, Country CEO said: “we believe strongly in the education of our youth as the only way to guarantee a sustainable future for them. The nature of our Corporate Social Investments in the communities attests to this focus.
 
“For instance, we have renovated 2 blocks of 4 classrooms at All Saint’s Anglican Church, Itori; we have also built 2 blocks of 6 classrooms, head teacher office, water facility and toilets at Akinbo Village. Over 200 students have benefited from bursary awards of N100, 000 each.
  
Akeem Okediji, Secretary, Ewekoro Youth Council, lauded the cement company for the gesture, but requested it to establish a Skills Acquisition Centre where indigenes would be trained in shoe-making, tailoring, catering, hotel management, hair dressing and barbering, among others.