We will continue to assist farmers, communities – Olam

Olam Food Ingredients (Ofi), a cashew manufacturing company in Kwara State says it will continue to reach out to the farming communities in its supply chain through its key focus at boosting the nutrition and health factors.

Rajeesh Neelanjeri, general manager of the agro company, gave the declaration while speaking at the inauguration of a block of six ultra-modern toilets to Ansarul Islam Community School, Aboto-Oja in Asa local government area of the state.

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Neelanjeri, who was represented at the event by Idris Ajibade, manager of the company posits that the donation was borne out of the company’s concerned about general wellbeing of farmers in Kwara State.

He said: “Through consistent partnerships, we work with communities to help meet health and nutrition needs throughout the year.

“This is in line with our sustainability goals and the cashew trail target which is reflected in the slogan “Promoting good health and wellbeing through provision of clean water and implementation of proper sanitary conditions.

“Today, more than ever, it is essential to implement tools to ensure equitable sanitation and hygiene and paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations in these communities and this is a key focal point for the Ofi Family”.

The manager added that the firm is committed to maintaining stronger ties and hopefully build new relationships with both existing stakeholders and new ones in a bid to make society a more sustainable positive environment.

Responding, Kasali Yakub, the community head and the Alangua of Aboto, commended the Ofi for the project, even as he appealed for assistance of the company to intervene in over one year absence of electricity supply in the area.

The Alangua, submitted that the community had suffered socioeconomic impact due to lack of electricity.

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He called on the company to establish industry at Aboto-Oja community owing to lots of cashew production in the community.

In her goodwill message, Fabiyi Bukola, the representative of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) unit of the Public Health in the state Ministry of Health, explained that the project is capable of checking open defecation in the area