Actvities marking the 60th anniversary celebrations of gobal soft drinks giant, Coca-Cola in Nigeria reached top gear with the unveiling of the special 60th anniversary bottle in Lagos, Friday.
The unveiling ceremony, which took place at the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, was attended by eminent Nigerians, including the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu and scores of former executives of the company in Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, Managing Director of the company, Mr. Kevin Balogun, said 60 years represents a major milestone in the life of any company, adding that Cocacola will use the opportunity of the milestone to celebrate individuals who have made the business a resounding success.
Lagos State, he said was chosen to kick off the celebrations which will terminate later in December, because the state remained the home of the Nigerian Bottling Company, having commenced operations in Oyingbo, Lagos in 1953.
“Although we have expanded operations to all parts of the country in the last 60 years, Lagos remains home of NBC and we are very proud to be associated with the people of the state,! He said. The commemorative activities will include community projects designed to touch the lives of stakeholders. This, according to Mr. Balogun, will include the equipping of over 15,000 students from disadvantaged communities across the country. These students will get “back to School” materials in appreciation of the company’s the contributions of dealers and distributors across the country. He also said there will be consumer appreciation programmes as well as arts competition which will be open to the general public.
Also speaking on the celebrations, Chairman of the company in Nigeria, Ambassador Segun Apata, said the occasion provides opportunity for the company to appreciate Nigerians for making the brand a huge success in the country. He pledged the continued commitment of NBC to growing the Nigerian business environment and investing in the modernisation of infrastructure and deepening corporate social responsibility commitments to impact on the lives of the people.
“In the next century, we will continue to represh our consumers by offering a wide range of high quality beverages, create wealth for our partners and provide social benefits for our communities,” Apata stated.
Cocacola commenced operations in Nigeria in 1951 when AG Leventis got the franchise from the parent company in Atlanta, USA. Since then, the brand, which ranks among the top global brands, have grown to become a house-hold brands in Nigeria. Cocacola Nigeria says it is driven by three values – optimism, collaboration and resilience, three philosophical pegs that has influences the growth and business ethics of the brand in Nigeria and all over the globe.