Guinness Nigeria, through Orijin, the leading alcoholic blend of from African herbs and fruits for the second year running, on the 3rd August, 2022, donated a sum of N4,000,000 to 40 indigenes and Youths of Osogbo at a courtesy visit made to the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo, in preparation for this year’s celebration of the annual Osun Osogbo festival. This donation, a continuation of the Brand’s commitment to empowering rural communities and Youths, seeks to support local businesses in the community such as adire making, bead making, local musical instruments handcraft, etc.
Beyond the partnership with the Palace and being category sponsors for the Osun-Osogbo festival, the Brand is proud to impact the community through this skills and grant support initiative to Osogbo indigenes, especially those that are engaged in cultural, traditional endeavours as a way of showcasing the Brand’s true essence as custodians of culture and tradition.
Rotimi Odusola, the Corporate Relations Director, while giving his remarks at the grant presentation, said that the Guinness Nigeria, makers of Orijin, is relentless in its endeavor to create thriving communities, which includes partnering with the Ataoja Palace to showcase the Osun people’s unique culture and resourcefulness.
In his words, he said: “At Guinness Nigeria PLC, we are very pleased to be associated with the world-renowned Osun-Osogbo festival, and as part of our commitment to this iconic partnership, it is our delight to continue the empowerment program to support local businesses, especially the trades that resonate with tradition and culture owned by indigenes and Youths of Osogbo. Orijin is committed to supporting our rural and indigenous communities and enterprises – and the Osun-Osogbo Festival is only one of our many platforms for reaffirming this commitment”. He did thank the Ataoja Palace for the warm reception received and promised that the Brand will continually bring more value to the community via empowerment programs and other initiatives.
During the ceremony, the Guinness Nigeria PLC team gifted the Oba with a specially customized bottle of Orijin Bitters and Orijin RTD. The bottles were aesthetically engraved with the name of the King. This further emphasizes the Brand’s deep respect for Royalty as a brand that is truly embedded in culture.
The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, appreciated the partnership by the Guinness Nigeria PLC team for the festival. ‘Thank you for always identifying with the people of Osogbo. We did it last year, this year again, we are doing it, and this brings me so much joy. On behalf of the Palace and the entire indigenes of Osogbo, I would like to appreciate this courtesy visit, the products, and the empowerment program which will undoubtedly go a long way in relieving the beneficiaries of some financial burdens and help them expand their businesses”.
By sponsoring the Osun-Osogbo festival, Guinness Nigeria, makers of Orijin, once again affirms its position as a truly committed company that supports Nigerian communities, adding to the already existing myriad of activities such as the establishment of scholarship schemes for young school leavers, skill acquisition programs, Water of Life program for clean drinking water availability and reduced environmental impact, sustainable Agriculture programs for the improvement of livelihoods of locals, etc.
Guinness Nigeria, a Diageo company, has a culture of empowering communities, a factor that earned the company global recognition as one of the top 25 most diverse and inclusive companies worldwide. Diageo has supported millions of indigenes through hospitality skills training and through extensive grant support.
