By Jeremiah Agada
COVID-19 is transforming the way billions of people live, work, buy, and relate to one another, and the changes seem to come by the minute. This unchartered territory of a global pandemic has inspired both fear and hope; shuttering commerce while stimulating innovation; forcing people to keep social distance while at the same time bringing us closer together.
In the midst of fear, confusion, and anxiety, some brands have recognized the fundamental truth that this is not the time to abandon corporate citizenship. It’s time to double down. While others turn inward, these ones are reaching out to care for their customers, employees, and communities, inspiring confidence and ultimately cultivating loyalty. These brands are combining effort with the government and other stakeholders to fight this global menace. Indeed, many of the world’s best brands have shown a great sense of corporate social responsibility by lending their support in these trying times.
One such brand is Mouka, a foremost mattress and bedding products manufacturing company that has been at the forefront of ensuring people get quality sleep and maintain a healthy lifestyle. As far back as February before Nigeria recorded its first case of the novel coronavirus, the company had begun raising awareness for Coronavirus prevention on its social media platforms. The company advises citizens to wash their hands regularly, stay at home, and keep to social distancing guidelines when in public, among others.
Even now as the country is under the throes and grip of the virus with new cases being announced by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC on a daily basis, Mouka in collaboration with the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) and other relevant bodies have been creating awareness on boosting the immune system to give it a fighting chance against the coronavirus. One of such is urging Nigerians to imbibe the culture of quality sleep which helps in boosting the immune system against diseases.
According to the Vice President of the NSP, Dr Nnenna Nina Chigbo, in an interview recently published in a national daily, healthy immune system which can be derived from quality sleep on comfortable mattresses like those of Mouka can resist the COVID-19 pandemic and other infections. She added that documented evidence shows that certain cells that help fight infections in the body increase significantly during sleep, which results in the proper functioning of the body, including immune function, tissue healing, pain modulation, cardiovascular health, cognitive function, learning and memory.
“During quality sleep, hormones that help our body are better regulated. On the other hand, lack of sleep can cause long term issues such as a lower immunity and it can increase the risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart and cardiovascular issues and obesity. These complications increase your risk of contracting viral diseases like the COVID-19. A good quality mattress determines a great deal how well you will sleep. The body needs to align well with the mattress – not too soft and not too hard,” she explained.
The partnership with NSP on a healthy sleep culture came on the heels of the advocacy by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and health institutions across the globe, that people should live a healthy lifestyle that would enhance their immune system, especially in this period of the pandemic. Additionally, to help in this vein, Mouka, has a portfolio of quality market-leading range of products including Wellbeing orthopaedic mattresses and Mondeo Spring mattress which are endorsed by the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy.
In March this year, the brand donated 500 mattresses to Lagos State towards equipping its isolation centres used for the treatment of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The socially responsible organisation did this while also providing succour to the victims of the Abule Ado pipeline fire explosion with the donation of 200 mattresses.
Commenting on the donation of 700 mattresses, the Chief Executive Officer of Mouka, Raymond Murphy said, “The wellbeing of the Nigerian people is the reason why we are in business. Mouka exists to provide comfort to Nigerians and we stay true to our mission even at this period of national crisis.”The 500 mattresses for the isolation centres were presented to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, who represented the Commissioner of the Ministry, Dr. Wale Ahmed, at the State Secretariat Complex, Alausa.
Murphy affirmed that as a responsible organisation, the management of Mouka deemed it necessary to assist the government in bringing succour to victims of the Abule Ado pipeline explosion that led to the loss of lives and property, as well as Nigerians infected with the COVID-19 virus, who are currently being treated at the various isolation centres in Lagos.
“Mouka sees itself as a partner of the government during this crisis. We need to play our part in providing the necessary support required by victims of the gas pipeline explosion. The donation of mattresses to isolation centres for COVID-19 is aimed at enhancing government’s effort in providing appropriate treatment for infected persons and also at curtailing the pandemic which has been at the front burner of world leaders,” he said.
In the same vein, Mouka also donated 200 mattresses to the Ogun State Government for the enhancement of isolation centres used for the treatment of people infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.The mattresses were presented to the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engineer Noimot Salako Oyedele by Mouka’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dimeji Osingunwa, in Abeokuta on at the end of March, this year.
Other top governmental officials present during the donation were the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo, and Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker. From Mouka was the Divisional Business Manager, Lagos / West, Ladi Alabi, who accompanied Osingunwa.
Commending the company’s timely intervention, the deputy governor said the donation came as a surprise and a move taken appropriately as the coronavirus spread is an issue of concern, not only in Ogun State but across the country, especially in states where confirmed cases have been recorded.
She affirmed that though the state has few cases, the government has taken pragmatic steps in tackling its spread and that Mouka’s goodwill would immensely boost the level of facilities at the isolation centres. Eulogising the support of the frontline company, the Commissioner for Health avowed that health issues are paramount to the government and assured that the products would be effectively utilised for the wellbeing of the citizens.
In the same vein, Mouka donated a hundred Klinic hospital mattresses and 30 cartons of its insect repellents, MoukaMozzi, to the Oyo State Government for the enhancement of its isolation centres used for the treatment of infected persons with the coronavirus .
The foremost manufacturer of mattresses and beddings made the donation through its Chief Commercial Officer, Dimeji Osingunwa at the State’s Secretariat in June this year. Also present during the donation was the State’s Commissioner for Finance, Oyo State, Akinola Ojo; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashiru Bello; the Divisional Business Manager, Lagos / West, Ladi Alabi and the Regional Sales Manager, West Region, Aluko Banji, both of Mouka Limited.
Eulogising the frontline company for the donation, the Commissioner for Finance avowed that the mattresses would help to boost the facilities at the isolation centres and also that the state government is taking giant stride at ensuring quick recovery of infected persons with the deadly virus which has decimated lives globally.
On his part, Mouka’s Chief Commercial Officer said the socially responsible organisation lent its support during this period of national crisis as the wellbeing of Nigerians is at the core of the company’s mission. According to him, the Klinic hospital mattress is specifically designed for medical use with a waterproof cover to protect the mattress from contamination and a firm foam core to keep patients comfortable.
These interventions by the Mouka brand as well as many it has done in time past has endeared to Nigerians for over sixty years of its operations. Little wonder it has been winning series of awards and recognitions including the 2019’s Iconic Brand of the year at the Marketing World Awards and a recognition by the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA) for safe work environment. Interestingly, it remains the only Nigerian brand recognized twice by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), in the group’s Companies to Inspire Africa report. The company was listed in the – LSEG’s companies to Inspire Africa 2019 report after it made the 2017 inaugural edition.
It also won the “Mattress Brand of the Year 2017, 2018 & 2019” by the African Brand Congress. In March 2019 it emerged the foam and mattress company of the year at the Nigeria Real Estate and Property Awards, among many others.