Corporate Citizenship
Mouka Rewards Business Partners, Staff with Over N111 Million Worth of Educational Support
Mouka CCO, Dimeji Osingunwa; with Mr. Emmanual Chima, of Starbiz Lynk Ventures, a Business Partner; Mr. Raymond Murphy, CEO, Mouka; Olamiji Odutayo, of Tolulobi Stores, a Business Partner; and Mr. Femi Fapohunda, (Photo: Supplied).
Mouka has rewarded its Business Partners with over N111,000,000 worth of scholarships, high-end laptops and educational materials for their children. In addition, 15 junior staff of Mouka went home with scholarships to the tune of N5,000,000 as an act of goodwill from the company.
The award presentation ceremony was held at D’Podium International Event Centre in Lagos. It was well attended by its Business Partners, staff, gentlemen of the media and other key stakeholders on February 5, 2022. Where accolades were showered on the leading brand in the industry.
Speaking at the event, Mouka’s CEO, Raymond Murphy, praised the Business Partners who have stayed committed and contributed immensely to the company’s growth trajectory. In his words, Ray Murphy said, “Their unwavering commitment is evident in their sales and distribution of Mouka’s portfolio of quality products to millions of consumers across the country. They have demonstrated an immense commitment to this partnership and Mouka’s revenue growth despite Nigeria’s economy for our mutual benefit. With extensive collaboration on many initiatives, they have made our brand a household name in Nigeria in pursuance of our mission of adding comfort to life”.
According to the Managing Director of Mouka, Mr Femi Fapohunda, Mouka continues to look for ways to add comfort to the lives of its stakeholders, including its Business Partners. “Mouka, for many, is a generational business passed from parent to child. Mouka seeks to empower the next generation of Business Partners through this initiative. We are safeguarding the future of our business by investing in our loyal Business Partners, their businesses and their families”, Fapohunda said.
The Company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dimeji Osingunwa, said without the Business Partners, Mouka could not achieve such impressive brand penetration. A factor that has earned it the industry’s leadership position. To reward the continued commitment of these Business Partners. Mouka has consistently showered them with various gifts to expand their businesses while also safeguarding their health and wellbeing.
“In the recent past, we have presented trucks to our partners to ease the burden of distribution. Likewise, most of our Business Partners and their families are on various health plans fully catered to by Mouka. This year, we thought to ourselves, how else can we add comfort to the lives of these people whose dedication knows no bounds? We decided to reward them with over N111 million naira worth of educational support for their children to ease the burden of tuition. We believe this would further strengthen our relationship even as we continue to partner to ensure the Mouka brand remains Nigeria’s leading brand in this industry.”
Speaking on the scholarship presentation to junior staff, Ifeoma Okoruen, Mouka’s Head of Human Resources, said. “Mouka is a company that indeed values its people, continuously looking for ways to do right by them. From investing in training programs with the Lagos Business School to various welfare packages and incentives. Mouka always puts the needs of its people first. As an act of goodwill from the company, we decided to support our junior staff with scholarships for their children to lessen their burdens. The response from our people to this gesture has been simply overwhelming.”
Eulogising the management of Mouka for the laudable scheme, Nollywood legend and Mouka brand ambassador, Sola Sobowale, said, she is proud to be associated with such a brand that indeed cares for its people, partners and consumers. She also shared her experience with the brand since childhood while encouraging others to join the Mouka family. The A list celebrity also narrated how sleeping on Mouka has helped safeguard her wellbeing to ensure she stays on top of her game in the movie industry.
Similarly, the beneficiaries commended Mouka for the goodwill, which would relieve them of the stress of tuition fees. They said this came as a surprise, applauding the market leader as the huge gesture is unprecedented in the industry.
Canon advanced eyecare equipment has been life-changing for thousands of children suffering from vision loss in Bangui, Central African Republic. The situation in the country is alarming because children are often facing undetected vision limitations during school lessons, and this has impacted their livelihoods. According to research, Bangui’s dry climate has been a huge contributor to poor vision conditions including Paediatric Dry Eye and even worse is Glaucoma.
With limited healthcare facilities and eyecare specialists in the area, the Optical center Anna, located in the Mama Carla paediatric Center, a big project of the non-profit organisation Amici per il Centrafrica, has stepped in to help and support the local fight against visual impairments. The admirable work at Mama Carla is being carried out by a senior technician in ophthalmology, an optician, and an intern. At the clinic, children suffering from vision disorders and discomfort are assisted with treatment including eye drops for artificial tears, corticosteroid therapy – which is used to reduce inflammation – and are provided with sunglasses that have been donated.
Through the years, Canon’s Eye Care Division with the support of their authorised distributor in Italy FE-Group have been supporting the clinic by delivering much-needed eye care devices to support the screening of Bangui children. By Canon donation, the Centre has accumulated a Canon Autorefractor, a lens meter, and a Full Auto Tonometer, which helps the screening and diagnostic of refraction errors and intraocular pressure in the eyes.
“I have been here for over three years, and I see an average of 45 children per day from new-borns to 15-year-olds. Poor vision can slow down reaction time and can lead to dangerous consequences. The eye is an organ that can easily be damaged so taking care of one’s eyes is crucial as it has a massive impact on the quality of life,” said Dr Ngondjhias Bonna Marie Nick, the optician who has been working at the clinic.
Dr Nick said that increased temperatures and other environmental factors were also contributing to visual disorders in the area.
Cristina Ceresoli, Vice President of Amici per il Centrafrica said there was so much good being done at the clinic in Bangui, all thanks to the dedicated staff, volunteers, and the reliability and accuracy of Canon’s eyecare equipment.
“We are so proud to have created and supported this center because what they are doing is so amazing and inspirational. The staff have dedicated a huge amount of time to the children, and the parents and community are so grateful. We are extremely thankful to all the volunteers who have also stepped up and gone above and beyond to help make a difference in Bangui.”
Adel Bencheikh, Director of Canon Medical Eye Care said it was an honour to donate and support such an initiative, which follows Canon’s Medical “Made for Life “philosophy. He thanked Chris van Wijk, the Eye Care Product Manager who has been involved in this project for many years.
Tushar Vashnavi, Director of Strategic Planning for Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) said it was heart-warming and rewarding to know that Canon’s eyecare technology was being used to positively change thousands of children’s lives.
“We couldn’t be happier to know that Canon’s eyecare products are making a meaningful and life-changing difference to the children of Bangui, who can now work on restoring their sight. This initiative has really touched us and it is humbling to know that we are living up to our philosophy of ‘Kyosei’- to live and work together for the common good,” he said.
“We at Canon are inspired by the work at Mama Carla and by the commitment and dedication of staff and volunteers. We are proud that Canon products play a small part in this uplifting initiative.”
Epson has highlighted that the company is committed to becoming carbon negative and underground resource-free by 2050, as outlined in Epson’s Environmental Vision 2050. Globally, Epson is investing more than €770 million in sustainable innovation and developing new technology to reduce environmental impact.
With the principle that innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world, Epson has partnered with five educational institutions in Egypt including Face for Children in Need, Nahdet el Mansouria, Educate Me Foundation, Man Ahyaha, and Alwan Wa Awtar, providing them with a range of 100 eco-friendly ink tank printers in total. This initiative enables teachers to create tailored lesson plans and worksheets, allows children to take home a range of learning printed material, and reduces energy consumption through Epson’s Heat-Free technology. During COP-27, Epson finalised an additional donation of printers to Misr Elkheir Foundation to support further learning opportunities for students in need.
The education donations are in line with Epson’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically number four – quality education – which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Epson recently conducted research amongst decision-makers in Egypt which found that 50% of survey respondents anticipate their printing needs will increase in 2023 and 62% stating that printing will become more important in the new year. Specifically in the education sector, 94% of participants said that it is essential for teachers to have access to a printer, making Epson’s recent donations to schools in Egypt even more timely.
Demonstrating the growing importance of sustainability for organisations in Egypt, 63% of survey respondents said that sustainability is a key part of their investment in new technology. More than half of respondents want to invest in energy efficient technology, while 71% believe that controlling the energy consumption of technology will become a key issue in the next 12 months.
Commenting on the survey findings following COP-27, Neil Colquhoun, Epson’s Vice President, CISMETA, said, “Epson’s participation at COP-27 underscored the progress that Egypt is making toward sustainability and its importance to the nation and region. This trend was highlighted in Epson’s research, which shows a growing appetite for energy efficient, cost effective and easy-to-use technology solutions. As part of our mission to improve lives in communities we serve, a number of educational institutions across Egypt and their students have enhanced access to learning materials through Epson’s donation of EcoTank catridge free printers – an initiative that will continue to expand.”
Musonda Chikwanda Regional Manager, Africa – Girl Up-United Nations Foundation
Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative, focusing on equity for girls and women in spaces where they are unheard or underrepresented. It believes when girls and women are in positions of influence, they work to create a more just and equitable world for everyone. Girl Up operates a global network of regional affiliates reaching 150,000 girls in 130 countries. The initiative delivers evidence-based leadership development training through its girl-led Clubs, programs, and events.
As members of a global movement, girls are a force for social good connected to a Community of their peers who are advocating for policy change and advancing gender justice. Founded in 2010 and hosted by the United Nations Foundation, Girl Up welcomes girls and youth of all gender identities to start a Club and join its movement to advance gender justice worldwide. Together, they are expanding girls’ skills, rights, and opportunities to lead, and changing the face of leadership for generations to come.
Musonda Chikwanda serves as Regional Manager for Africa with the United Nation Foundation under the Girl Up initiative. As Regional Manager for Africa, she coordinates and organizes adolescent girls’ programs in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM), advocacy and gender equality lead by adolescents’ girls to help bridge the gap in access to education and stimulate/engage girls to take up careers in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Musonda also mentors and provides training on leadership to youths from different African countries.
Leadership Development
Girl Up guides members along their journey from leader to changemaker with specialized programming in organizing, advocacy, fundraising, and communications. Its evidence-based Leadership Course includes interactive modules centered on a three-pronged leadership framework. That is, Leader of Self, Leader of Peers, and Leaders of Change. They’re motivating a generation of leaders to raise their voices in their schools and communities. Advocate to local and national decision-makers, and work together to advance gender equality for girls and women.
The Girl Up Team
An Authentic Platform
Girl Up is committed to hearing and amplifying the voices of girls across our channels and platforms. Its online Community is both a place for members to share their perspectives and a place for them to connect to a wider global community of peers. Both in person and online, Girl Up fosters a positive community that bridges cultural divides to advance important dialogues on social issues happening around the world.
Issues in Focus
Girl Up is committed to advancing gender justice across issue areas that intersect with gender equality. All of which share a focus of giving girls and women equal rights, access, agency, and opportunities.
- Gender Equality.
- Sports for a Purpose.
- STEM for Social Good.
- Girls’ Education.
- Gender-Based Violence.
- Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice.
Girl Up works to build and maintain a constituency dedicated to improving the lives of all girls around the world. Girl Up envisions an empowered and powerful generation of young women leaders who promote and defend gender equality in their own communities and around the world.
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