Seven-up Bottling Company’s educational, CSR initiatives recognised at SISA Awards

Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC) says its ‘one staff, one tree’ initiative was recognised at the 2024 edition of the social impact and sustainability awards (SISA).

In a statement on Sunday, the SBC said it also received the corporate social responsibility (CSR) award for educational empowerment for its Harvard Business School scholarship initiative (HBSS).

The company said Ziad Maalouf, its managing director, was also recognised as the social impact personality of the year for his leadership in advancing social responsibility at SBC nationwide, through the food and beverage recycling alliance (FBRA) and his commitment to small and medium enterprises (SME) growth.

In his keynote address, Maalouf emphasised the company’s philosophy of empowering communities and fostering sustainable development.

“It’s not enough to give; we must invest in people. True social responsibility is about creating opportunities for sustainable development,” he said.

He said the vision drives initiatives like the Harvard Business School scholarship initiative.

The managing director reiterated the company’s commitment to creating opportunities that drive positive social and environmental impact.

“Receiving these awards is a testament to the hard work of our incredible team and our partners,” he said.

“We are committed to creating opportunities that drive positive social and environmental impact and look forward to continuing our journey towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.”

The organisation said the HBSS initiative was designed to support talented Nigerians with scholarships for the Harvard MBA programme.

According to SBC, it is a programme that empowers individuals to pursue world-class education with the goal of creating future leaders who will drive sustainable development in Nigeria.

“SBC’s commitment to educational empowerment reflects its belief that investing in human capital is key to long-term societal progress,” the statement added.

“Additionally, SBC’s One Staff, One Tree Initiative, which was recognised as the Sustainability Initiative of the Year encourages SBC employees to plant trees, contribute to environmental sustainability and promote a greener future.

“By engaging its workforce in this initiative, SBC demonstrates its commitment to environmental responsibility and its role in tackling climate change.”

Accepting the awards, Sari El Khalil, chief transformation officer, and Lovelyn Okoye, head of sustainability at SBC, reaffirmed the company’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria and its enduring spirit of a continued legacy.

‘SBC’S FOCUS ON CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE REFLECTS COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL GOOD’

The statement added that under Ziad’s leadership, the SBC remains actively involved in numerous social impact initiatives, including its work in community empowerment, youth education, and environmental sustainability.

The company said its focus on creating positive and lasting change through its initiatives reflects its broader commitment to corporate responsibility and social good.

The SBC joined other organisations at the SISA 2024 awards ceremony, including BUA Group, Stanbic IBTC, IHS, and Total Energies, who were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to philanthropy, empowerment, sustainable business practices, and employee well-being.