Nigerian Breweries Plc, through its Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, has donated an advanced e-learning laboratory to the BioMedical Communication Centre (BCC) at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
This donation is valued at N40 million.
The state-of-the-art e-learning laboratory, named after Elder Felix Ohiwerei, includes a production studio and a live studio.
It is equipped with modern facilities such as interactive boards, computers, computer accessories, cameras, professional lighting kits, microphones, headphones, monitors, processors, controllers, mixers, software, and studio lighting.
Additionally, the Trust Fund has committed N20 million to provide internet services to the institution for four years.
The commissioning of the facility took place on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the hospital complex in Ibadan, with several dignitaries in attendance.
Hans Essaadi, Chairman of the Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund, represented by Sade Morgan, Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, highlighted that the donation aims to support the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the quality of education and research for both students and lecturers.
“This facility is a testament to our promise and dedication to advancing educational infrastructure,” said Essaadi.
“It is specifically designed to meet the institution’s need for a contemporary audiovisual production center, facilitating the production of diverse content for both real-time and on-demand audiences.”
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Peter Olapegba, praised Nigerian Breweries Plc for its significant contributions to medical education.
Prof. Adebowale emphasised that the institution would continue to use the facility to benefit humanity and urged for ongoing support from the company.
Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun, Provost of the College of Medicine, expressed profound gratitude to the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund.
She acknowledged that the e-learning studio would substantially enhance the institution’s ability to provide quality research and service delivery to medical students.
Prof. Omigbodun also noted that previous donations from the Trust Fund, including medical equipment worth N42 million in 2020, have provided students with hands-on experience and elevated the clinical skills laboratory to a globally competitive standard.
“The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, has immensely benefited from the philanthropic initiatives of Nigerian Breweries Plc and the NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund,” said Prof. Omigbodun.
“During Elder Ohiwerei’s tenure as chairman of the Council, he facilitated the donation of an entire building for the Department of Physiotherapy.”
Nigerian Breweries Plc, a member of the HEINEKEN Group, has a long history of supporting educational and social initiatives in Nigeria. Incorporated in 1946 as “Nigerian Brewery Limited,” the company produced its first bottle of STAR lager beer in 1949.
Today, it boasts a diverse portfolio of 19 high-quality brands, including Heineken, Desperados, Maltina, Life, Amstel Malta, Gulder, Fayrouz, and Legend, produced in nine breweries across Nigeria.
