Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, on Tuesday, said the state government was ready to partner Guinness Nigeria Plc and other willing companies in its determination to create 200,000 jobs for youths in the state, especially in the area of Agro-Business.
Obaseki said this at the inauguration of the company’s N4.8 billion spirit production line at the Benin Brewery depot on Ikpoba hill.
He said the state government would make land available for the cultivation of cassava to meet the company’s raw material needs.
Obaseki noted that the current recession had created the opportunity for companies with the right initiatives and creative acumen to excel, recalling with nostalgia how the company spent 30 million pounds decades ago for the expansion of the Benin plant.
According to him, “Benin is home to Guinness and for us, you are our partners and we will take partnership very seriously. I am very happy to be associated with Guinness and excited that one of my corporate functions as governor is to commission the spirit production line of the factory”.
Earlier, the Chairman, Guinness Nigeria, Mr Babatunde Savage, said the company had impacted 1.5 million Nigerians through the provision of portable water.
Savage, who made the disclosure during the inauguration of a new spirit production line in Benin, said Guinness Nigeria had provided potable water to 25 communities in 14 states across Nigeria.
“As a responsible corporate citizen, Guinness Nigeria is interested in more than running a profitable business.
“We are also enriching our communities with investments in the area of provision of water, health facilities, education and scholarships among others.
“As an example, in the water to date, we have impacted over 1.5 million people in Nigeria through the provision of potable water,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr John O’Keeffe, the President of Diageo Africa, said Nigeria remained a very important market for the business adding that, the company was committed to the market.
O’Keeffe said: “The inauguration of a new production line reinforces Guinness Nigeria’s position as the first and only total beverage alcohol company in Nigeria.
