Guinness partners LASG on DrinkiQ

Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc,  Sesan Sobowale; 

Ace Actor, Jide Kosoko; Coordinator, Eko Free Health Mission,  Dolapo Fasawe;

and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Femi Olugbile.

To further thrust the DrinkiQ initiative aimed at cutting alcohol misuse and making responsible drinking a valid culture, Guinness Nigeria Plc has entered into a partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Health in a DrinkiQ workshop to equip health editors, NollyWood actors and scriptwriters with adequate information on responsible choices about responsible drinking.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Director Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria said, “We are making conscious efforts to promote responsible drinking and work with other stakeholders to combat alcohol misuse. There are three principles to our approach: combating alcohol misuse, setting standards for responsible marketing and innovation; and promoting a shared understanding of what responsible drinking means in order to reduce alcohol-related harm”.

“Though the ultimate aim of Guinness Nigeria is to make sales and deliver profit to its shareholders, but the company is genuinely committed to sensitizing consumers on how to drink alcoholic beverages responsibly,” he posited.

According to Dr. Femi Olugbile, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, said “the Lagos State Government acknowledges the role of Guinness Nigeria Plc in supporting government efforts at sensitising the public on the harmful effects of overindulgence in alcohol consumption especially when driving. This is a perfect example of public-private partnership in public mental health management.”

One of the participants at the workshop, ace NollyWood actor, Jide Kosoko disclosed that “the subject matter of this capacity building programme, which is responsible drinking, is very crucial to the wellbeing of our nation. Unfortunately, a lot of our people do not have knowledge of the harm inherent in irresponsible and excessive alcohol consumption as highlighted by facilitators from the Lagos State Ministry of Health, LASUTH and Guinness Nigeria in the course of this DrinkiQ programme. We’ve got to know that today. For us as actors, producers and scriptwriters, the major take away from this programme is the need to heed the call of Guinness Nigeria to do more to sensitize the public through our work”.