Press Release

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Lagos- Nigeria, November 20, 2009:   LG Electronics, global leader in consumer electronics has raised the bar in Corporate Social Responsibility with the renovation of an Engineering Design Laboratory at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos.

At the commissioning ceremony held at the main campus of the University of Lagos, Mr.B.W.Park, Managing Director, LG Electronics said the funding of facility upgrade of the Engineering Design Laboratory represents a major achievement for LG Electronics in pursuit of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

According to him, “today marks a significant milestone in the history of LG Electronics and indeed our engagement with the Nigerian society because the commissioning of the newly upgraded Engineering Design Laboratory allows us the opportunity to turn a new page in the history of this great university – the University of Lagos.”

The facility which was funded by LG Electronics is equipped with over (100)  new computers, exquisite furniture and fittings consistent with world class requirements for engineering design, in line with the Corporate Social Responsibility objective of LG Electronics, and the determination to consistently impact the lives of people and communities around the world.

He noted that LG Electronics is proud to be associated with the University of Lagos in its bid to support educational development by contributing in ways that furthers practical application of scientific knowledge which the company believes helps in nurturing quality professionals for the benefit of the larger society, adding that LG Electronics is indeed glad to have found a platform for intervention in the University of Lagos and the education sector in Nigeria.

On the premise for the involvement of LG Electronics in Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria,   Mr. Park informed that Corporate Social Responsibility runs through the DNA of the organization in all its main subsidiaries as it sees CSR as a major form of intangible assets that runs through all of its over one hundred operations, including eighty-one (81) subsidiaries around the world.

He said LG Electronics has been active in supporting public institutions through social initiatives to support women and children, including partnerships with other corporate organizations in Nigeria across diverse sectors such as health, entertainment and sports for public good. This, according to him reflects the position of LG Electronics as a pivotal player in re-enacting the Nigerian spirit and promoting the values of the Nigerian people, stating that the achievement of LG Electronics in this sphere also underscores its values as an equal opportunity company whose policies in employment creation, economic empowerment and alignment with the aspiration of the people at all times.

He pointed out that the launch of the first Television that incorporated elements of the three major Nigerian languages of Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, dubbed, Naija Teli by LG Electronics remains an eloquent testimony of the extent LG Electronics has gone in identifying with and promoting the values of Nigeria, adding that the company had gone beyond the success of Naija Teli, by consistently churning out products to meet specific needs of target groups in the country even as LG Electronics remains committed to being a part of the success story of the people of this great nation.

“LG Electronics is fully aware that today’s commissioning of the state-of-the-art Computer Laboratory in the faculty of Engineering will not only complement the commitment to research by raising the bar in engineering design, we believe that it would further inspire the institution to go further in its age-long tradition of producing world leaders in science and technology education as it has done even in other fields of knowledge since it was founded in 1963”, he remarked.

While acknowledging the pre-eminence of the University of Lagos by its achievement in manpower development, Professor Tayo Fakinlede, Head of Department systems, expressed optimism that the facility would be put to the best of use by all concerned in promoting educational excellence to engender scientific learning for national development.

He further enjoined students and other members of the University community to take responsibility of ensuring effective utilization and maintenance of the facility in their quest to acquiring good education and contributing their quota to national development so as to justify the objective and shared vision of both LG Electronics and University of Lagos in the renovation and upgrading of the laboratory.

Also speaking at the occasion, Professor Tolu Odugbemi, Vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, expressed gratitude to the management of LG Electronics for taking the initiative to upgrade the Engineering Laboratory facility. He was particularly grateful that the intervention of LG Electronics in upgrading the facility was a challenge the company took without been called or persuaded to do so, stressing that the gesture by LG Electronics is a hallmark of a truly responsible corporate organisation that is passionate about impacting the lives of the people where it operates. 

Earlier in an address, Professor M.A. Salau, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, recalled that the condition of the Engineering Design Laboratory was less than desirable and was hardly able to support the practical activities by students of the faculty before the intervention by LG Electronics. He noted that that the students, lecturers and other staff of the faculty are excited about the current state of the facility and indeed grateful for the renovation funded by LG Electronics.

He assured that members of the University of Lagos community, particularly the faculty of Engineering, would guide the facility jealously and make the best use of it in fulfillment of the shared aspiration and vision of both LG Electronics and the University of Lagos in the overall interest of educational development in Nigeria.

Highpoint of the occasion was the cutting of the ceremonial tape, signalling the official commissioning of the laboratory, after which guests were taken on a guided tour of the facility.