Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited partnered with Special Olympics Nigeria, YEDI and Exxon Mobil to commemorate this year’s World Malaria Day with a health outreach recently at St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos.

The outreach which focused on persons living with intellectual disabilities, also benefited members of the Akoka community. More than 150 persons living with intellectual disabilities (mostly member athletes of Special Olympics Nigeria) received free Malaria and HIV testing and were provided with insecticide treated mosquito nets. About 500 Akoka community members also received free testing for Malaria and HIV while about 3000 persons who attended the event receiving counselling on Malaria and HIV prevention and treatment.

Speaking on the initiative, the National Director, Special Olympics Nigeria, Ms. Naomi Saliu-Lawal said, “We look forward to a time when malaria will be better managed and there will be fewer casualties. We will continue to educate people about malaria and provide health care services with our partners.”

Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Sam Umukoro said “Coca-Cola is committed to leveraging the power of partnerships such as this one to promote the health and well-being of our communities. We recognize that when our communities are healthy and sustainable then businesses can thrive”. 

The event which had volunteers among the employees of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Exxon Mobil and Special Olympics Nigeria, featured side attractions including music and dance and a Unified Soccer novelty match by some of the Special Olympics athletes