A stationery company, BIC, says it is targeting to improve learning conditions for 250 million students by 2025.
The General Manager, BIC Nigeria, Mr Guillaume Groues, said this during a news briefing on Thursday in Lagos.
He said that BIC had impacted 161 million students till date.
Groues said that BIC, as stationery, lighters and shavers company was dedicated to supporting the Nigerian community through education, capacity building, and community initiatives.
He said that BIC had being in Nigeria for over 40 years, and its products had become a household necessity in the country, adding that in 2019, the company further expanded its portfolio by acquiring the stationery brand, Lucky.
According to him, today, BIC has presence in Nigeria through manufacturing and commercial operations creating jobs for over 500 Nigerians.
The General Manager said that over 90 per cent of the workforce in the BIC factory in Nigeria were females, shedding light on the company’s commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
”We are delighted to be present in Nigeria today – a young population, and the number one economy and pan market in Africa.
”We are investing in the country, from job creation to youth empowerment, to supporting education and environmental sustainability.
”We have a lot more to achieve in Nigeria in the years to come and we look forward to being close to our consumers on our journey in this prosperous market.”
”Since its investment and expansion in the market, BIC has impacted communities it operates in across Nigeria.
”Last year alone, BIC reached out to 25,900 students and 1,200 teachers in 233 schools through its school activation programme, which aims to support teachers to get their job done by providing them with the necessary writing instruments and material,” Groues said.
He said that during COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, BIC donated 28,000 writing and colouring items to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to support mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to internally displaced people (IDP).
Groues said that similarly, 100,000 units of ball pens and 1,000 teaching aids were donated to Save the Children.
He said that through its BIC Cristal Pen Awards programme, which recognised educators for their creative and innovative approaches to education, BIC recognised Mr Opeita Olasukanmi in 2021, a Nigerian teacher with over a decade of experience and passion for English literacy.
According to him, Olasukanmi was awarded with BIC stationery products and £5,000 grant to his school.
”BIC has further supported young talent in the country through its flagship campaign, Art Master Africa, an initiative launched in 2017.
”Art Master Africa is a competition that encourages talent to showcase their creativity and create a piece of art, using the famous BIC Ball Pen.
”Last year, two Nigerian artists were announced in third and fourth place – proudly presenting Nigerian talent amongst the top 10 Art Masters of Africa.
”Nigerian artist, Odaro Franklin Osaivbie was announced in third place with his art piece, ‘Entranced’, while Andrew Nathan came in fourth place with his art piece ‘Value’.
“Both artists were rewarded with a cash prize of $500 and $300 respectively, amongst other branded gift items at an event held at the BIC head office in Lagos, Nigeria,” he said.
Groues said that the company was committed to sustainability and its goal to improve its environmental footprint by 2025 – as part of its ‘Writing the Future, Together’ sustainable development programme which was launched in 2018.
He said that the programme aimed to drive BIC to achieve its five commitments, which included improving the environmental and societal product footprint, acting against climate change, providing employees with a safe workplace, making supply chain more responsible and reinforcing commitment to education.