The Federal Government has applauded Nigerian Breweries Plc for its unyielding support to the development of education in Nigeria.

While speaking at the commissioning of a block of staff quarters built by Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Onitsha, Anambra State, the Minister of State for Education, Professor Anthony Anwukah, said that Nigerian Breweries has demonstrated an unshakable resolve to ensure the nation’s growth and development by investing in educational infrastructure and encouraging teachers and students.

The Minister also commended the Maltina Teacher of the Year initiative, which he said has been able to “finance, showcase, reward, recognize and celebrate” exceptional teachers around the country.

Mrs. Rose Nkemdilim Obi, the winner at the maiden edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year, teaches Mathematics and Chemistry at the school.

Mrs. Obi, who beat nine other finalists to the coveted prize, also received one million naira in cash prize plus another one million naira to be paid to her annually for five years. The building of the staff quarters at her school was part of the prize for emerging the 2015 Maltina Teacher of the Year winner.

Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, who was represented at the event by Mr. Kufre Ekanem, the Corporate Affairs Adviser, said that the idea of the school-based project was to ensure that when a teacher won, the community where he/she teaches also wins.

“In 1994, our Company decided to take a more active role in its commitment to the development of education in Nigeria when it established the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund with a take-off value of N100 million. Since then, the fund has impacted over 2,000 students across Nigeria,” he said.

Mr. Vervelde also thanked the Federal Ministry of Education for the support and partnership with the company since the commencement of the Maltina Teacher of the Year scheme. He also expressed his gratitude to the minister for pushing the partnership between the company and the ministry to a new level, including making time in his busy schedule to attend the commissioning of the project on Tuesday.

The Principal of the school, Mrs. Margaret Enonuya, expressed great appreciation for the noble deed and thanked Nigerian Breweries for its unparallel support for the cause of education in the country.

“Rarely in deed has any Secondary School in Nigeria been so honoured as today to be awarded the gift of a twin three bedroom bungalow for producing a national icon, the Maltina Teacher of the Year by Nigerian Breweries Plc. We feel proud of what Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has done, she said.

Mrs. Obi, who was the recipient of the Maltina Teacher of the Year Award that led to the building of staff quarters in her school also commended the beer company for the kind gesture, adding that it takes a greater sacrifice on the part of the company to appreciate the great sacrifice and contribution of teachers to the development of the nation.

Maltina is a malt drink produced by Nigerian Breweries Plc.