LAFARGE AFRICA PLC through its Cooperate Social Responsibility initiative engaged Gede to coordinate its empowerment programme in Cross River State. This initiative is aimed at providing opportunities to the youths in rural communities to access education and life skills in order to lay foundations for productive lives. On 29th November, a Community Day at Mfamosing was organised (a community where LAFARGE Cement Plant is located), to provide a platform for i) partners to interact with beneficiaries and showcase their various achievements in the course of their engagements with LAFARGE, ii) communities to evaluate the impact of interventions, and, iii) government to present its commitment in promoting human capital development within the region.
The event was attended by the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, LAFARGE key Staff led by the Plant Manager, Royal Fathers from the host communities, Cross River State Police Commissioner, State Ministry of Education, State Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Development Partners, National Youth Service Corps, Community Groups and Beneficiaries.
At the event, Gede highlighted its achievements for the past three years, coordinating LAFARGE’S community based project, which aims to promote sustainable development, through educational support and life skills empowerment to hundreds of young people in 10 rural communities in Cross River State. Students supported through the scholarship programme recorded impressive academic performances both at the Secondary School Council Examinations and Universities. The best students in both categories were awarded with laptops and other prizes.
Some schools where beneficiaries are enrolled showcased creativity challenge among the students in developing science projects on innovations and/or inventions that could contribute to addressing environmental pollution.
The event ended with commitments from all parties to sustain the development patterns that are seen as holistic in providing roadmap for sustainable developments in these communities.
LAFARGE AFRICAN PLC offered goodwill messages to the Management and Staff of Gede Foundation for the smooth partnership engagement that has been witnessed among relevant stakeholders in the course of implementing the community projects.