In her speech, Guinness Nigeria’s Board Chair, Dr Omobola
Johnson, said the ceremony also doubled as a celebration of the 72nd
Anniversary of Guinness Nigeria’s consistent business in Nigeria.
Johnson noted that the world-class edifice was a testament
of Guinness brand’s confidence in continuing to do business in Nigeria and had
rested rumours that the company was relocating from the country.
“It is a testament that Guinness is here to stay and
committed to doing business in Nigeria,” she said.
The new Guinness
Nigeria complex has a bar, game room, gym and modern office facilities
among others.
According to Johnson,
the modern edifice shows the culture Guinness stands for and the company’s
aspirations for the future.
“It is about working well, living well and also playing
well,” she added.
Johnson thanked the management and members of staff of
Guinness Nigeria for their resilience and commitment to improving the company’s
performance.
Also, Mr Babatunde Savage, former Board Chairman, Guinness
Nigeria, said Guinness had contributed so much to the socio-economic
development of Nigeria.
Savage said the approval of the Diageo Group for the new
headquarters to be constructed in Nigeria showed that the company had a long
term plan of operating in the country.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General, National Agency
for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), lauded Guinness Nigeria
for playing a critical role in the food and beverage sector.
Adeyeye, represented by Mrs Eva Edwards, Director, Food
Safety and Applied Nutrition, NAFDAC, said the regulatory agency would continue
to support Guinness to ensure the success of its business in Nigeria.
Also, Mr Mark Sandys, Global Head of Beer, Baileys and
Smirnoff, Diageo Group, said Nigeria forms a special place in the history of
Guinness being the second place the beer was brewed after Ireland.
Sandys said the new headquarters was a clear indication of
the company’s confidence in Guinness Nigeria based on its performance in the
country.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Baker Magunda, Managing
Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, said the facility represented Creativity,
Collaboration and Connection.
He said the workplace was structured in such a way that
workers would be able to improve their productivity while taking advantage of
the innovations created by the new-normal introduced due to the COVID-19
pandemic.
“Through the past 72 years, we have continually invested in
the Nigerian economy, and our new ultra-modern headquarters reaffirms our
long-term strategic expansion plans and commitment to Nigeria,” Magunda said.