Eric Idogun Gives Support in Bayelsa.

THISDAY

After the horrific flood disaster that sacked various communities in the regions of the country, the victims of the devastating incident may not have recovered from the shock, but to ensure that the Bayelsa State flood victims live their normal lives, the Chief Executive Officer of Pepperoni Foods Limited, Mr. Eric Idogun delivered relief materials to the displaced persons.

He said that the donation of the relief materials is part of the company’s robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, which has earned it local and international recognitions in the past.

Idogun whom one of his outlets in Yenagoa was sitting on floodwater said his firm could not be deterred by its share of the national plight because humanitarian service is the most critical peg of his business orientation.

Idogun said the gesture was extended to Bayelsa because, according to him, that was where Pepperoni started its business some years ago. Besides, it still plays a key role in the growth of the business in terms volume of profit. We are on ground in the state, we saw what happened and felt the pains of the people. We could not have sent relief materials to the United States that is affected by Hurricane Sandy. It is a natural feeling; I didn’t grow up in Bayelsa but we see the people on daily basis.”

Idogun said the company took up the initiative even though it was affected because CSR is critical to its operations.
“We are in business to make profit. That is what most people think, but our principal guideline is that we are in business for the good of the society. We want to make profit; but we also want to make the immediate communities feel good about our presence. We don’t want to take millions of naira away while they wreck away in pains,” Idogun said.  

He said the company would continue to build on its CSR programme, as there is no end to humanitarian service.
The items donated were bags of rice, bags of beans, garri, yams, cartons of water, tinned tomatoes, soaps, disinfectants, beverages and bread. Others were mosquito nets, toiletries, mattresses, blankets and pillows.

Presenting the items, Bayelsa Area Manager of Pepperoni Foods Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Essiet, noted that the company was concerned about the wellbeing of its host communities, hence the decision to intervene in their predicament. 

He said the gesture was to help reduce the plight of the displaced persons, adding that it was particularly painful for the management and staff of the company seeing homes and businesses of residents of a state they regard as “home” being ravaged by flood.

While receiving the gifts, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Edmund Allison-Obuh, said the items would go a long way to cushion the effect of the disaster and called on other corporate organisations within and outside the state to emulate Pepperoni.

He said it was the responsibility all citizens to intervene and support the government in its effort to find a long-term solution to the disaster. He also commended the company for its prompt response to the plight of the victims.