Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC) has recently undertaken an initiative to empower students with practical climate education, aiming to foster sustainable environmental practices within their communities. The company believes that the skills imparted during the 2024 Green Skills Bootcamp will bolster community adaptation strategies and stimulate innovation, ultimately leading to green job opportunities across various crucial sectors.
During the bootcamp, which took place at SBC’s headquarters in Ijora, Lagos, the Head of Sustainability at SBC, Lovelyn Okoye, emphasized the intentional design of the program to build practical capabilities. “Our objective is to translate environmental awareness into tangible environmental action,” Okoye stated. “We are providing students with practical tools to understand climate issues, embrace recycling practices, champion responsible water usage, and recognize sustainability as a pathway to opportunity.”
Nkemdirim Agboti, Head of Function, Legal and Corporate Affairs at SBC, reinforced the company’s dedication to equipping students with the necessary tools and mindset to spearhead sustainability efforts within their respective communities. “At Seven-Up Bottling Company, we firmly believe that nurturing environmentally conscious young leaders is among the most impactful investments we can make in Nigeria’s future. These students are the innovators who will shape the sustainability landscape,” Agboti asserted.
Sari El-Khalil, the Managing Director of SBC, after examining the innovative products created by the students using recycled materials, highlighted the critical role of young environmental innovators in shaping a better world. “At Seven-Up Bottling Company, we are proud to support young leaders who are daring to envision a cleaner, greater Nigeria. Continue to push forward, continue to question, and continue to create, because your ideas today have the potential to shape a better world tomorrow,” El-Khalil urged.
Dr. Bola Adewunmi, the Deputy Director of LAWMA Academy, commended SBC’s commitment to empowering young individuals through sustainability training. She shared inspiring examples of students transforming waste into valuable resources.
Dr. Tola Bamigbaiye, the Chief Operating Officer of the Society for Corporate Governance, praised SBC’s role in nurturing future leaders and encouraged students to view sustainability not only as a responsibility but also as an opportunity to make a significant impact on their communities.
The Green Skills School Challenge and Exhibition served as a platform for young innovators to showcase their solutions to pressing environmental challenges. The event played a crucial role in nurturing a new generation of environmentally responsible leaders who are deeply committed to sustainable development.
The bootcamp served as a convergence point for students, educators, environmental advocates, and government representatives. It showcased the creativity and innovation of young minds in addressing environmental challenges, with a particular focus on combating plastic waste pollution.
The program directly engaged 36 students from the 18 schools shortlisted for the 2024 Green Skills School Challenge. This engagement fulfilled SBC’s commitment to further enhancing their upcycling and entrepreneurial skills, while providing them with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in environmental sustainability, recycling techniques, and green innovation.
Each participating student received a comprehensive recycling toolkit. This toolkit contained a variety of materials and essential tools designed to support practical learning and enable them to implement sustainable practices effectively.
