November 20, 2019
PTG’s corporate social responsibility in Nigeria involved several stakeholders, namely, LGEA Primary School, Youth Association Kagarko, Kaduna State government, and the Education Ministry, Federal Government. The effort included building classrooms, furnishing the school, supported teachers’ upkeep, providing uniforms and bags, and building water and sanitation systems.
The story began in 2010 after requests were made by the community and school leaders for assistance in water provision and school infrastructure improvements. In line with the company’s corporate social responsibility, Leaf Tobacco and Commodities Nigerian Ltd was persuaded that supporting education was the right thing to do.
After a series of inspections and review visits, PTG’s subsidiary, Leaf Tobacco and Commodities Nigerian Ltd, decided to overhaul the entire school erecting a six-classroom block, administrative offices, and furniture, besides providing water and sanitation infrastructure. Crucially, community tap water facilities were part of the project to free children from walking miles to fetch water from rivers and concentrate on their schoolwork. Equally important, the monthly upkeep of teachers and non-academic staff became part of corporate social responsibility.
The school project was successfully completed and launched in 2015. The Nigerian government announced on September 15, 2015, that Leaf Tobacco and Commodities Nigerian Ltd” carried out its social responsibility very well.” The three-way relationships between Leaf Tobacco and Commodities Nigerian Ltd, community, government, and the school remain dynamic and healthy in 2019. PTG is grateful for the opportunities to work the Nigerian stakeholders and looks forward to a continued partnership.