The Global Chief Executive Officer of the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company, RB (Reckitt Benckiser), Mr. Rakesh Kapoor has said that RB’s vision for Nigeria is where people are healthier and live better, hence RB will continue to work hard towards giving Nigerians innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes.
Mr. Kapoor, who is on a working visit to Nigeria, said this in Lagos during a visit to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
He noted that RB has been in Nigeria for over five decades, adding that he is very happy with the operations of the company in Nigeria which he described as one of the most important growth markets and the reference point for other African business development growth strategies.
“RB’s heritage in Nigeria spans over 53 years with health, hygiene and home portfolio led by global brands like Dettol, Nurofen, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Durex, Dettol, Harpic, Mortein and Air Wick. Nigeria also serves as the West African hub driving business development, opening up new markets and portfolio expansion across the West African Coast”, he said.
Kapoor disclosed to the Governor how RB through its power brands Dettol, Mortein and Harpic have been partnering with the Federal and Lagos State Ministries of Health, Nigerian Medical Association and Save the Children NGO on programs to create awareness on best hygiene practices.
Speaking specifically on Dettol’s commitment to increase awareness around the importance of adopting healthy handwashing habits among children, Kapoor disclosed that the Dettol School Hygiene Programme (SHP) which was launched in 2009 has reached more than 3.9 million children since inception with various education materials and school visits to enlighten the pupils on the importance of personal hygiene.
“Every year, Dettol reaches over 1 million new moms in hospitals and 1 million school children through hand washing programs in schools to reduce infant deaths and improve maternal health through its Dettol grassroots hygiene programs,” said Kapoor.
In addition to that, the ‘Stop Diarrhea’ programme, initiated in Nigeria in partnership with Save the Children NGO has commenced work in Lagos state, specifically Shomolu Local Government to reduce the prevalence of diarrhea under the ‘Stop Diarrhea Program’ intervention to help eradicate child deaths from this prevalent ailment.
Kapoor stated further that Shoumolu LGA is a regional test which will be later on extended to other LGA’s across Lagos.
Responding, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode expressed his pleasure in receiving the RB Global Group CEO and his team, commending them for the leadership role the company has been playing to ensure a germ free environment in Lagos State in particular and Nigeria in general.
According to him, every home in Lagos has and uses at least one RB product like Dettol Antiseptic Liquid and Dettol Soap, Harpic Toilet Liquid and Mortein Insecticide.
Ambode also commended the company on the various initiatives carried out to support the people of Nigeria and Lagos, especially in the areas of eradicating malaria in Lagos State through its recent research project being carried out in Kosofe Local Government area of the state and through the Stop Diarrhea Intervention Program in Shomolu Local government.
He promised the CEO that his areas of concern would be looked into by his administration within the shortest period of time. He also added that a company like RB was what the State government needed to support its developmental programs of alleviating the pains of the ordinary man in the areas of health, education and employment of youth and children in Lagos State.
On the Global Group CEO delegation to the Governor’s office were Mr. Alan Thompson, Senior Vice President RB, Africa; Mr. Rahul Murgai, General Manager RB West Africa and Mr. Oguzhan Silivrili, Marketing Director RB West Africa.
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