Guinness Nigeria Plc in partnership with Muslim News, Nigeria’s most authoritative Islamic newspaper has begun the distribution of its flagship non-alcoholic malt drink, Malta Guinness, to fasting Muslims in different locations in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
The collaboration is part of Guinness’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) aimed at cushioning the adverse economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown which has impacted adversely on economic and religious activities in the blessed month of Ramadan.
The distribution exercise led by the Muslim News Publisher; Rasheed Abubakar saw hundreds of fasting Muslims and non-Muslims throng the main distribution centre at Pent House, Surulere area of Lagos recently.
Abubakar and his team moved to other Local government areas in the State, including Coker/Aguda, Orile, Mushin, Awoyokun, Onipanu, Somolu, Ojuelegba and Offin Ile, in Ikorodu to put smiles in the faces of fasting Muslims with the free Malta Guinness.
They also distributed dozens of cases to different mosques including Alhaji Kilani Mosque, Ojuelegba; Alhaji Alebiosu Central Mosque, Palmgroove, Alhaji Ayolo Central Mosque, Ijesha, among others. Abubakar expressed gratitude to Guinness Nigeria for the collaborative initiative with a thousand cases of its premium non-alcoholic Malt drink, adding that it will fuel the greatness of Nigerian Muslims as its slogan goes, during and after the Ramadan fast.
The Publisher, said Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a period of intense religious and great charitable activities especially to the indigent and vulnerable fasting Muslims.
According to him, “This year’s Ramadan is coming at a period the world is battling to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. As a reliable Muslim newspaper, we felt the need to do something different apart from our primary responsibility, which is the provision of fact-based Islamic news.
Beneficiaries excited
Some of the beneficiaries of the Malta Guinness drinks who spoke with newsmen at various distribution points across local government areas were excited about the kind gesture of Guinness Nigeria and its facilitator, Muslim News Nigeria.
Ishola Ishaq, one of the beneficiaries in Surulere, said, “I’d like to commend the gesture from Guinness Nigeria in collaboration with Muslim News Nigeria. I must say that it is timely and apt given the unusual times we find ourselves.
“Virtually everyone is in need during this Ramadan period observed under lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I appreciate them and pray that Allah will not deny them the reward,” he added.
A Christian lady in Offin Ile, Ikorodu, who simply identified herself as Iya Bobo was happy to benefit from the free drinks. She told journalists that she never thought that she would be considered for the gesture since she is not a Muslim.
“I was just going out when I saw them sharing the drink. I asked a Muslim lady who said it’s free but not sure if I would be given since I am not a Muslim. I decided to wait to see if they will give me. Surprisingly, they didn’t ask me about my faith when I received the free malt. May God bless them. This is the best way to go”.
