The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria, CHI Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company, has reiterated its commitment to promoting sustainable ecosystems and ocean preservation through its Annual System Beach Cleanup exercise in furtherance of its World Without Waste vision.

Through this vision, the company is investing in the planet and in its packaging with a goal to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one it sells globally – regardless of where it comes from – by 2030.

Every year, The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria pulls together likeminded partners for a beach cleanup drive focused on eliminating plastic waste debris from beaches, ultimately preserving shorelines of coastal communities.

This year, in partnership with the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), the total beverage company hosted residents and partners to yet another impactful exercise at Elegushi Beach, Lagos on Friday, June 16th 2023.

The exercise, led by Doyinsola Ogunye, Founder of the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), saw an attendance of over 300 people and played host to notable environmental advocates including community volunteers and local environmental protection agencies, all coming together, united by a singular vision of a World Without Waste, championed by the leading beverage company.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, CHI Limited, Eelco Weber, remarked, “For The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, sustainability remains at the very core of all of our operations. We have set ambitious goals to facilitate this, and we are taking a leading role in Nigeria by collecting and recycling the equivalent of every bottle or can we sell by 2030. We are a socially responsible company, and we continue to lead the charge in Nigeria and globally by continuing to do what’s right for our planet, our communities, and our System”.

Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, during her opening remarks reiterated the significance of the exercise and how the company is committed to fostering partnerships that promote environmental preservation.

“While we have made progress against our World Without Waste goals, we’re also committed to doing more, faster, so that we grow our business the right way. That’s why in 2020, we signed a joint statement urging United Nations member states to adopt a global treaty to tackle the plastic waste issue and helped launch the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty in 2022. We also announced an industry-leading target for reusable packaging aiming to have at least 25% of all beverages globally across our portfolio of brands sold in refillable/returnable glass or plastic bottles or in refillable containers.

She added, “Ultimately, we recognize that we can’t achieve our goals alone. Addressing plastic waste and recycling challenges requires collaboration between the industry, the public sector, and civil society.

Through effective collaboration as well as partnerships with NGOs such as the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP), Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), we can help accelerate impact”.

Soromidayo George, Director, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nigerian Bottling Company, also reinforced the vision of the System in advancing solutions that address waste management across the country.

She stated that it is imperative to sort recyclables like PET from other household waste and take them to the recycling banks, since recycling PET can help reduce the annual volume of plastics entering our oceans by 80%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% and help generate income and create jobs thereby contributing to the economic development of Nigeria.

Present at the exercise were the Acting Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Kunle Adebiyi; General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Dolapo Fasewe represented by Mr. Kayode Bello; Arese Onaghise, Executive Secretary, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance; and Victoria Uwadoka, Head of Corporate Communications, Nestle Nigeria, alongside representatives of SWEEP Foundation, FABE Foundation, Nigeria Climate Innovation Center (NCIC), Growing Businesses Foundation (GBF), Sterling One Foundation and other volunteers.

With over 330 volunteers and an estimated 340kg of waste recovered at the conclusion of the exercise, Coca-Cola remains deeply committed to sustainability, taking its responsibilities seriously and proactively seeking innovative solutions to create a more resilient and environmentally conscious future.
For more information on the company’s progress, please read its Business and Sustainability Report available on www. coca-colacompany.com

Three Crowns milk, Nigeria’s leading low cholesterol milk from the stable of the No. 1 dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, has announced its readiness to sustain its acknowledged culture of promoting health and wellness among consumers and the general public across Nigeria as the brand has flagged off the seventh edition of its Three Crowns Fitness campaign.

It would be recalled that the 30-day Fitness campaign was established by the iconic brand in 2016 as a platform to encourage every Nigerian, especially mothers to live healthy lifestyles by cultivating healthy habits. Till date, the campaign continues to serve as a platform to help mums keep fit, while emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The campaign, this year, is continuing with the same tag, ‘’EveryBody Is Welcome’’ which it had last year. This tagline is for the purpose of driving inclusivity of everyone, irrespective of body shape, size, etc. It so resonated with consumers and the general public such that there was immense participation in last year’s campaign; and more of such is expected this year.

Speaking on the campaign idea for 2023, Three Crowns’ Marketing Manager, Chioma Otisi-Igwe, noted that the theme of the campaign, ‘’EveryBody Is Welcome’’, refers to a double speak of every shape, form and size of human physical build up as well all sexes”.

“The heart of this is to ensure there is inclusivity and position the brand as a cheerleader that motivates people as they work towards achieving their body goals to have a great health”, Otisi-Igwe said.

She continues, “Through the campaign, we intend to engage consumers with daily routines using unconventional work out tools to grow fitness in exciting ways”.

The campaign which is scheduled to hold from May 1 to May 30 will feature daily exercise videos tailored to suit different levels of fitness challenge participants, including the Newbie (Beginner’s level), Wannabe (Standard level) and Pro (Advanced level), based on their thresholds to exercises.

These videos will be deployed across the brand’s digital platforms (social media, WhatsApp and Telegram); and consumers are expected to recreate same, repost on their social media handles and tag the handle @3crownsmilk, using the hashtag #TC30DaysFitnessChallenge. Similarly, they can also share their videos directly on the WhatsApp and Telegram coaching groups.

According to the marketing manager, interested participants can sign up for the sessions via the Three Crowns website. They can also join dedicated Whatsapp and Telegram groups for the campaign.

And, following the daily routines, participants will be sent meal plans, which will further help them to stay in check as they keep fit and stay healthy.

As Jacob further disclosed, for the duration of the campaign, Saturday sessions will feature different cardio dance exercises which will hold online across the brand’s social media pages and streamed real time. These sessions will be anchored by Shedams (Creator of Nigeria's 1st Weight loss Reality TV Show - The Fastest Shedder) and other fitness influencers.
Also, participants will be engaged in different mini-workout challenges, such as Speed bounce, for a chance to win amazing prizes.

It is worthy of note that Three Crowns is the first milk brand to show care for mothers, while acknowledging the important roles they play in the family.

The brand recognizes that when mothers, socially believed to be primary care takers, are themselves taken care of, this directly and positively impacts the care they give to their families. The brand has thus given itself the patriotic task of encouraging women to eat and live healthy, thereby making fitness a lifestyle.

Three Crowns milk, Nigeria’s leading low cholesterol milk from the stable of the No. 1 dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, has announced its readiness to sustain its acknowledged culture of promoting health and wellness among consumers and the general public across Nigeria as the brand has flagged off the seventh edition of its Three Crowns Fitness campaign.

It would be recalled that the 30-day Fitness campaign was established by the iconic brand in 2016 as a platform to encourage every Nigerian, especially mothers to live healthy lifestyles by cultivating healthy habits. Till date, the campaign continues to serve as a platform to help mums keep fit, while emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The campaign, this year, is continuing with the same tag, ‘’EveryBody Is Welcome’’ which it had last year. This tagline is for the purpose of driving inclusivity of everyone, irrespective of body shape, size, etc. It so resonated with consumers and the general public such that there was immense participation in last year’s campaign; and more of such is expected this year.

Speaking on the campaign idea for 2023, Three Crowns’ Marketing Manager, Chioma Otisi-Igwe, noted that the theme of the campaign, ‘’EveryBody Is Welcome’’, refers to a double speak of every shape, form and size of human physical build up as well all sexes”.

“The heart of this is to ensure there is inclusivity and position the brand as a cheerleader that motivates people as they work towards achieving their body goals to have a great health”, Otisi-Igwe said.

She continues, “Through the campaign, we intend to engage consumers with daily routines using unconventional work out tools to grow fitness in exciting ways”.

The campaign which is scheduled to hold from May 1 to May 30 will feature daily exercise videos tailored to suit different levels of fitness challenge participants, including the Newbie (Beginner’s level), Wannabe (Standard level) and Pro (Advanced level), based on their thresholds to exercises.

These videos will be deployed across the brand’s digital platforms (social media, WhatsApp and Telegram); and consumers are expected to recreate same, repost on their social media handles and tag the handle @3crownsmilk, using the hashtag #TC30DaysFitnessChallenge. Similarly, they can also share their videos directly on the WhatsApp and Telegram coaching groups.

According to the marketing manager, interested participants can sign up for the sessions via the Three Crowns website. They can also join dedicated Whatsapp and Telegram groups for the campaign.
And, following the daily routines, participants will be sent meal plans, which will further help them to stay in check as they keep fit and stay healthy.

As Jacob further disclosed, for the duration of the campaign, Saturday sessions will feature different cardio dance exercises which will hold online across the brand’s social media pages and streamed real time. These sessions will be anchored by Shedams (Creator of Nigeria's 1st Weight loss Reality TV Show - The Fastest Shedder) and other fitness influencers.
Also, participants will be engaged in different mini-workout challenges, such as Speed bounce, for a chance to win amazing prizes.

It is worthy of note that Three Crowns is the first milk brand to show care for mothers, while acknowledging the important roles they play in the family. The brand recognizes that when mothers, socially believed to be primary care takers, are themselves taken care of, this directly and positively impacts the care they give to their families. The brand has thus given itself the patriotic task of encouraging women to eat and live healthy, thereby making fitness a lifestyle.

Three Crowns milk, Nigeria’s leading low cholesterol milk from the stable of the No. 1 dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, has announced its readiness to sustain its acknowledged culture of promoting health and wellness among consumers and the general public across Nigeria as the brand has flagged off the seventh edition of its Three Crowns Fitness campaign.

It would be recalled that the 30-day Fitness campaign was established by the iconic brand in 2016 as a platform to encourage every Nigerian, especially mothers to live healthy lifestyles by cultivating healthy habits. Till date, the campaign continues to serve as a platform to help mums keep fit, while emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The campaign, this year, is continuing with the same tag, ‘’EveryBody Is Welcome’’ which it had last year. This tagline is for the purpose of driving inclusivity of everyone, irrespective of body shape, size, etc. It so resonated with consumers and the general public such that there was immense participation in last year’s campaign; and more of such is expected this year.

Speaking on the campaign idea for 2023, Three Crowns’ Marketing Manager, Chioma Otisi-Igwe, noted that the theme of the campaign, ‘’EveryBody Is Welcome’’, refers to a double speak of every shape, form and size of human physical build up as well all sexes”.

“The heart of this is to ensure there is inclusivity and position the brand as a cheerleader that motivates people as they work towards achieving their body goals to have a great health”, Otisi-Igwe said.

She continues, “Through the campaign, we intend to engage consumers with daily routines using unconventional work out tools to grow fitness in exciting ways”.

The campaign which is scheduled to hold from May 1 to May 30 will feature daily exercise videos tailored to suit different levels of fitness challenge participants, including the Newbie (Beginner’s level), Wannabe (Standard level) and Pro (Advanced level), based on their thresholds to exercises.

These videos will be deployed across the brand’s digital platforms (social media, WhatsApp and Telegram); and consumers are expected to recreate same, repost on their social media handles and tag the handle @3crownsmilk, using the hashtag #TC30DaysFitnessChallenge. Similarly, they can also share their videos directly on the WhatsApp and Telegram coaching groups.

According to the marketing manager, interested participants can sign up for the sessions via the Three Crowns website. They can also join dedicated Whatsapp and Telegram groups for the campaign.
And, following the daily routines, participants will be sent meal plans, which will further help them to stay in check as they keep fit and stay healthy.

As Jacob further disclosed, for the duration of the campaign, Saturday sessions will feature different cardio dance exercises which will hold online across the brand’s social media pages and streamed real time. These sessions will be anchored by Shedams (Creator of Nigeria's 1st Weight loss Reality TV Show - The Fastest Shedder) and other fitness influencers.
Also, participants will be engaged in different mini-workout challenges, such as Speed bounce, for a chance to win amazing prizes.

It is worthy of note that Three Crowns is the first milk brand to show care for mothers, while acknowledging the important roles they play in the family. The brand recognizes that when mothers, socially believed to be primary care takers, are themselves taken care of, this directly and positively impacts the care they give to their families.
The brand has thus given itself the patriotic task of encouraging women to eat and live healthy, thereby making fitness a lifestyle.

Curlla, the premium one-stop beauty salon has officially launched its flagship center in Lekki Lagos. The launch event was a resounding success, with guests composed of business tycoons, top industry professionals, beauty enthusiasts, and the media in attendance.

During the launch event, guests were treated to a tour of the salon's facilities and an interactive session with the salon's management team.

There were also live demonstrations of some of Curlla's special offerings, such as the Curlla nails, spa treatments, and men's grooming services. The event provided an opportunity for guests to experience firsthand the luxury and exclusivity that Curlla offers.

CEO of Curlla, Lola Adedeji, expressed her excitement about the launch of the flagship center and the unique offerings of Curlla.

She stated, "Curlla is not just a beauty salon; it is a lifestyle. Our priority is to provide our clients with an exclusive and luxurious experience that they cannot find anywhere else. We have invested in state-of-the-art facilities, trained personnel, and exclusive beauty products to ensure that our clients get the best.
With our strict appointment-only policy and premium package, we are redefining the beauty industry in Nigeria. We are excited to have launched our flagship center in Lekki Lagos, and we look forward to welcoming our esteemed clients."

Curlla Place boasts of state-of-the-art facilities and departments that cater to the needs of every customer.

From the men's barbing cave to the nail room, spa section, VIP lounge, children’s playroom, to the women's styling rooms, Curlla offers an exclusive and luxurious beauty experience.

The salon's ambiance is homely, nature-inspired, and tastefully furnished, providing a unique and refreshing experience for guests.

To maintain the privacy and security of its clients, the salon also implemented a strict appointment-only policy; customers can only access the salon by booking through the Curlla mobile app to ensure maximum security and privacy.

The salon also offers a premium package that provides pick-up and drop-off services for salon appointments, ensuring that customers experience convenience and luxury from start to finish.

Curlla's exclusivity, luxurious facilities, and special offerings set it apart from other beauty salons in Nigeria. Curlla is poised to revolutionize the beauty industry in Nigeria and provide clients with an exclusive and luxurious experience.


CURLLA PHOTO 1:
CEO and Prominent Entrepreneur, Curlla Luxury Salon, Ms. Lola Adedeji.

CURLLA PHOTO 2:
L-R: Popular TV Host of Your View, TVC, Mrs. Morayo Afolabi-Brown; her Colleague, Mrs. Temitope Mark Odigie; CEO and Prominent Entrepreneur, Curlla Luxury Salon, Ms. Lola Adedeji; and other Co-hosts of Your View on TVC, Mrs. Mariam Longe and Mrs. Obiajulu Ugboh respectively, during the Official unveiling of Curlla Luxury Salon in Lagos recently.

CURLLA PHOTO 3:
L-R: The Accountant, Curlla Luxury Salon, Mr. Oyebo Adedamola Luqman; The Floor Manager, Curlla Luxury Salon, King Offu; CEO Curlla Luxury Salon, Ms. Lola Adedeji; Director Stylist/Floor Manager, Curlla Luxury Salon, Johnny Walid Jarbouh; Head of Operations, Curlla Luxury Salon, Grace Singh; Business Development Manager, Curlla Luxury Salon, David Okereke, during the Official unveiling of Curlla Luxury Salon in Lagos recently.

Curlla, the premium one-stop beauty salon has officially launched its flagship center in Lekki Lagos. The launch event was a resounding success, with guests composed of business tycoons, top industry professionals, beauty enthusiasts, and the media in attendance.

During the launch event, guests were treated to a tour of the salon's facilities and an interactive session with the salon's management team. There were also live demonstrations of some of Curlla's special offerings, such as the Curlla nails, spa treatments, and men's grooming services. The event provided an opportunity for guests to experience firsthand the luxury and exclusivity that Curlla offers.

CEO of Curlla, Lola Adedeji, expressed her excitement about the launch of the flagship center and the unique offerings of Curlla. She stated, "Curlla is not just a beauty salon; it is a lifestyle. Our priority is to provide our clients with an exclusive and luxurious experience that they cannot find anywhere else. We have invested in state-of-the-art facilities, trained personnel, and exclusive beauty products to ensure that our clients get the best. With our strict appointment-only policy and premium package, we are redefining the beauty industry in Nigeria. We are excited to have launched our flagship center in Lekki Lagos, and we look forward to welcoming our esteemed clients."

Curlla Place boasts of state-of-the-art facilities and departments that cater to the needs of every customer.
From the men's barbing cave to the nail room, spa section, VIP lounge, children’s playroom, to the women's styling rooms, Curlla offers an exclusive and luxurious beauty experience. The salon's ambiance is homely, nature-inspired, and tastefully furnished, providing a unique and refreshing experience for guests.

To maintain the privacy and security of its clients, the salon also implemented a strict appointment-only policy; customers can only access the salon by booking through the Curlla mobile app to ensure maximum security and privacy.

The salon also offers a premium package that provides pick-up and drop-off services for salon appointments, ensuring that customers experience convenience and luxury from start to finish.

Curlla's exclusivity, luxurious facilities, and special offerings set it apart from other beauty salons in Nigeria. Curlla is poised to revolutionize the beauty industry in Nigeria and provide clients with an exclusive and luxurious experience.

I Said What I Said, Africa and Nigeria’s number one podcast has demonstrated its wide diaspora acceptance as its maiden London live show was held with fun, glitz and glamour to a sold out audience.

The live show was initially planned to be a day event but the myriad of requests by the fans of the podcast in the diaspora made it to be extended to two days.

Held at the 700- seater Assembly Hall, Shoreditch Town Hall, London, the live show, a continuation of those held in Accra, Lagos and Abuja, depicts the acceptance the podcast has among people looking for humour-laden, honest conversations on what life is about from the perspectives of two young women.

There was comedy and music to serenade the audience before the hosts were ushered in to a wide applause.

Commenting on the live show, a fan, Shola Williams said she has been a fan of the ISWIS pod since she chanced on it two years ago and when she heard they will be doing a live show in London, she has to be there and was happy to see the podcast live in London.

Another fan, Dayo Oyebade stated that his admiration for the work put in by the podcast hosts endeared him to it and knowing that it will be in London, he has to make plans to attend as he came in from out of London to see the show.

According to Seyi Ekisola, the Managing Director of Eggcorn Digital, the executive producer of ISWIS podcast, the acceptance is a reflection of the ticket sales that was sold out in less than three hours on the first day of sales to the public.

"It was an amazing turn out with audience engagement on both days and aside from conversations on relationships, marketing snippets was chipped in with entrepreneurs told to diligently promote their products and services‘’, Ekisola noted.

I Said What I Said, hosted by Feyikemi Abudu known as FK and Jola Ayeye aka Jollz, since it started 5 years ago has become the number one audio-visual indigenous podcast focused on pop culture and social commentary with millions of download and an expanding global audience.

FK and Jollz on each episode take the audience on various topical issues around local and international issues. They talk about what happen in their lives, proffer advice in their agony aunt segment and sometimes invite exciting guests to dish out the best and funniest advice.

Responsible organizations put in place economic and social intervention initiatives to consciously stimulate growth and ease burdens that overwhelm the population and customers by providing solution-based products and services.

OPay Digital Services Limited has been at the forefront of the Financial Technology (Fintech) revolution just as it makes indelible marks by generating employment in their thousands for the populace.

OPAY, licensed under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) mobile payment regulation, commenced operation in Nigeria in 2018, and the company is today one of the country’s leading players in the Finance sector.

OPay is proud to deliver on the promise of financial inclusion in Nigeria today as it safely connects people with opportunities, and experiences they truly care about. Available statistics claim the company, just about five years down the line is worth over $2 billion.

Having worked as a financial expert for over 20 years and intently studied the OPay brand in the last three years, Mrs. Alice Adaramola confirmed the Fintech brand is committed to deepening financial inclusion through technology and enabling shared prosperity for Nigerians.

OPay, according to her, as corroborated by customers, “offers a one-stop mobile-based platform for payments, transfers, utility bill payments and other essential tailor-made services and solutions for every individual customer”.

Currently, OPay boasts over 30 million registered app users and 500,000 agents in Nigeria who all rely on OPay’s services to send and receive money, pay bills, and many more.

“Engaging over half a million agents and an additional 100,000 merchants is a quantum leap in employment generation in a country that suffers mass unemployment. It's a kind of social service to the nation and her people", said Sunday Ogunniyi, a brand analyst.

According to Mr. Ogunniyi, the owners of the brand must definitely be doing something right in projecting the brand and its products and services to meet the expectation of customers.

Alluding to fake news that made rounds in social media recently, Ogunniyi told our reporter that the elevation of corporate governance in the organization was possibly why the CBN rose in defense of the Opay brand when some erroneous news about the products and brand’s legitimacy was being peddled on the social media.

Quoting a recent report where the CBN debunked the viral news which claimed the apex bank was going to slam OPay, Ogunniyi said, "The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) described as fake, the news making the rounds that it suspended accounts of Fintech companies like OPAY and another".

In the CBN's rebuttal sighted by our correspondent, "CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, rose in stout defense of the leading Fintech brand as the statement declared that the viral news “is simply fake".

This implies that Opay is not only a corporately responsible organization but also an organization that values and imbibes ethics of corporate governance in every aspect of its operations, Ogunniyi enthused.

Curlla, a premium beauty salon is set to hold the highly anticipated grand opening for its state-of-the-art salon, located at 17, Wole Ariyo Street, off Admiralty Way in Lekki, Lagos State.

Scheduled to hold on 26th April, 2023 at Curlla's flagship center in Lekki, , located at 17, Wole Ariyo Street, off Admiralty Way in Lekki, the event promises to showcase Curlla's commitment to providing unparalleled luxury and personalized experiences to guests.

Curlla invites lovers of elegance to join them for a private evening of glamour as they unveil the luxury salon. The evening will feature a live band, cocktails, and hors d'oeuvres. Guests will also have the opportunity to experience Curlla's signature services, including manicures, pedicures, facials, and hair styling.

The Premium salon’s highly trained and experienced beauty experts will be on hand to offer guests a personalized consultation and provide expert advice on the best services for their specific needs with the finest quality products to ensure that every guest leaves feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and beautiful.

Curlla's grand opening is an event not to be missed.

Fafaa Dan Princewill of the Labour Party has urged indigenes and residents of Rivers State to come out en masse to vote on March 11, 2023, stressing that the people must be vigilant to defend their votes at the governorship poll.

The Rivers people will not vote for “any anti-democrat who will yield gangster government,” Princewill said.
Speaking with journalists yesterday in Port Harcourt, the LP chieftain condemned what he described as the anti-democratic posture of some politicians, and wondered why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reneged on obeying the Electoral Act which duly enshrined electronic transmission of results. 
He said Rivers people must put an end to the loss of young lives in the state, adding that electoral violence has no place in a decent society and noting that LP is a party for the hope of the present and future generations.

“We believed INEC but what we saw was different, the records are there. Everyone is aware. Even the international community has testified that the election did not meet the expectations of Nigerians.”

“The BVAS is for both accreditation and uploading of results. That’s what the Electoral Act says but unfortunately, that did not happen.

“I believe the next election will be different. I want to encourage everyone not to despair. Please, come out and vote massively for LP on March 11th; take pictures of the result sheets, your phone is now your power, record every activity around the polling units. If you don’t come out to vote, you have already voted for the wrong people. Don’t take the election as passing fancy, make sure you vote and defend your vote.”

“We must put an end to violence in Rivers State. Electoral violence has no place in a sane society, we must have a new beginning. Labour is a party for the future and party for today. Young people are the future, so you have to survive today to think of the future.  We are tired of suffering in this country.

“I am the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State and I want everybody to come out and vote for Labour. Vote for a new beginning in Rivers State.”

With 53.7 percent of Nigeria's population aged 15 to 65, and a median age of 18, the country has one of the largest youth populations globally, which is an opportunity for harnessing its sustainable development and growth through the empowerment of its youth.

The size and youthfulness of the population offer a boundless chance to expand Nigeria's capacity as the economic hub of Africa and globally.

The reality is not the case, as according to the Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, Nigeria has about 90 million unemployed youths and graduates.

With a 33.3 percent unemployment rate and 40.1 percent of the total population living in poverty, increasing the empowerment of youth and women in Nigeria is critical to economic development. Added to the inadequate physical infrastructure and rising inflation that appears insurmountable, Nigeria’s youth unemployment problem indicates a bleak future with millions of frustrated youths roaming the streets, fueling the ongoing insecurity in the country.'

The United Nations (UN) founded International Youth Day (IYD) to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and to celebrate the potential of youths as partners in today's global society. Just like the first IYD was observed on August, 12th 2000, it has over the years, continued to raise awareness of the challenges faced by youth globally.

The IYD 2022 theme is ''Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages'' and formulated to achieve the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the basis that the world needs to leverage the full potential of all generations, solidarity across generations is key for sustainable development.

While most can say the Nigerian youth situation appears gloomy, when considering that by 2050, the population will double, thus increasing the underdevelopment and poverty in the country with some corporates unable to fathom a solution to the menace, the Coca-Cola System appears to be averse to that thought as it sees potential for national economic development with the high youth population and is daily conceptualizing new ways to impact the youths towards contributing their quota to the development of the motherland.

The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria—comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria and the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) through several impactful projects that cater to youth economic empowerment, among others—has continued to lead the way as it concerns youth development in Nigeria.

Coca-Cola and its partners have implemented several projects that have empowered millions of youths over the last ten years in Nigeria.
Notable projects include Youth Empowered for Success! (YES! Nigeria) which is a social enterprise preparing and matching young people to entry-level jobs in the retail and hospitality sectors, Youth Empowered initiative, implemented by Nigeria Bottling Company has so far supported over 22,000 young people transition to meaningful employment, build life skills, business skills & long-lasting networks.
Other projects include “Project SIP and Equip”, which saw the upskilling and empowerment of over 80,000 youths and women across the country.

The Youth ICT and Skill Acquisition Program (YISAP), a Coca-Cola Foundation-funded project, trained and equipped over 600 youths in Enugu, including 20 disabled-youths, with relevant entrepreneurship and vocational skills such as ICT, Photography, Photo and Video Editing, Digital Marketing, Graphics Design, Confectionaries, Barbing, Making of Household Essentials and other homemade consumables, Fascinators, Hats, and other small-scale enterprises that they can leverage as an alternative source of income.

Select participants received seed grants to start their businesses alongside mentorship and support with business branding, trademark, and business registration. Beneficiaries were further equipped with business and financial management skills.

YISAP also enabled partnerships with institutions such as SME Agencies to provide market access, industry linkages, and access to finance for innovative ideas and startups for young entrepreneurs leveraging technology to scale their businesses.

In celebration of the 2022 International Youth Day, Coca-Cola, as part of its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability for a litter-free world, partnered with SWEEP Foundation to organize a Beach Race on August 13th, tagged "A Race against Ocean Plastic Pollution," drawing stakeholders' attention to the threat of plastic pollution on our water bodies, particularly the oceans. This saw an impressive turnout of youth and industry partners who came out in their numbers to support this worthy cause.

These projects remain targeted at building a new generation of sustainability change-makers to drive the required behavioral change to create a better-shared future. These efforts have and will continue to economically empower youth and women to ensure the bridging of the unemployment and poverty disparities in Nigerian society.

Through these initiatives, Coca-Cola continues to demonstrate its commitment to being the enabler for youths to actualize their ambitions and this is a testament to its practice of making a difference, one project at a time for the benefit of the communities that are home to its world-class beverages.

WaterAid, with funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation (TCCF), has launched an 18-month project targeted at improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services in four communities within and around the Maiduguri Metropolis in Borno State.

The project, titled ‘Strengthening Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Service Delivery in Borno State, Nigeria (S-WASH),’ will be managed by the Global Environment and Technology Foundation (GETF). The intervention aims to reach at least 14,000 people directly in Pompomari, Jiddari Polo, Shehuri and Goman communities in Borno State, with improved water supply service and hygiene promotion.

The S-WASH project plans to construct and rehabilitate four water schemes and provide handwashing facilities in public locations.
The project will work to educate people on hygiene practices for maximizing the health benefits of safe water sources and sanitation facilities; and distribute hygiene kits to residents in the target locations and at internally displaced people (IDPs) settlements. The project also aims to support economic empowerment activities for women and youth through WASH-related business opportunities and ensure water quality by strengthening capacity of community-based management models for operations and maintenance.

To support the sustainability of the project, the project aims to train local artisans, particularly youth within the community, on maintenance, operations, and minor repairs of water supply schemes. In addition, the project seeks to train about 30 women to operate, manage, and maintain the water schemes.

The protracted insurgency and humanitarian crisis in Borno State has put a strain on the state’s resources and capacity to deliver basic services. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene services are limited and most water facilities are dysfunctional, requiring either an overhaul or the construction of new systems to meet the population's water needs.
Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, said:

“Equitable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services in Borno State has been severely hampered by the prolonged humanitarian crisis in the region. This situation exposes residents, especially women and children, to diverse kinds of risks, including the threat of attack and a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases.

The S-WASH project will contribute to the ongoing emergency response in Borno state by addressing the challenges of water scarcity and poor water, sanitation, and hygiene services in the selected communities. Additionally, hygiene behaviour change promotion will help to control the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and cholera within the communities.

“Water, sanitation, and hygiene services are critical for upholding human dignity and well-being. These services are critical to lifting people out of poverty, unlocking their potential, and supporting them to realise their full rights. We must ensure they are available to everyone, everywhere and no one is left behind.”

In her remarks, The President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, Saadia Madsbjerg said, “Water security is a top priority at The Coca-Cola Foundation. We are therefore committed to supporting as many initiatives as we can that will reduce water challenges in Africa as well as enhancing water resilience and improving healthy watersheds in communities”.

“We are proud of the collaboration we have with GETF and WaterAid, who bring their expertise to bear and through who we are able to positively impact these 14,000 beneficiaries in Borno, Nigeria.”

According to the 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping Survey (WASH NORMS), 76% of people living in Borno State drink contaminated water, while 93% lack access to basic hygiene services. Also, only 14% of schools and 12% of healthcare centres in the state have basic water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.

To ensure effective delivery of the S-WASH project, WaterAid will be working closely with different stakeholders in the state, including traditional leaders, youth, and women's groups, IDP camp leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs), the private sector, Borno State Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), Borno State Rural, Water, and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) and the local government area (LGA) WASH departments.

The United Nations (UN), every year, sets aside August 19th to pay respect to individuals and corporates who are dedicated to selflessly solving the challenges confronting humanity across the world.

This year's World Humanitarian Day celebration focuses on the significance, efficacy, and positive effects of the thousands of volunteers, professionals, and crisis-affected individuals who provide immediate medical care, shelter, food, protection, water, and other essentials in keeping with the sustainable development goals of the UN.

Its importance in Africa is not neglected, as several humanity concerns range from access to good drinking water, waste management, and youth unemployment.

In Nigeria, access to safe and clean water remains a priority as over 86 percent of the population lack access to clean water. The average Nigerian has access to only nine liters of water daily. Decades of poor water management and misuse have resulted in water contamination worsened by an increased demand due to population growth, industrialization, and urbanization. This, in turn, jeopardizes the health of Nigerians, economic and environmental development, and its future.

From statistical data gleaned from the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs' report titled, 'World Population Prospects: The 2017 Revision', Nigeria is anticipated to become the world's third most populous country by 2050, with over 300 million people.

Waste management is one of humanity's oldest and most persistent problems. Nigeria currently generates nearly 32 million metric tons of waste annually, with an expected increase to 72.46 million tons by 2025, based on a daily rate of 0.85 kg per capita. This means that Nigeria's annual waste generation will nearly equal her crude oil production, estimated to be 89.63 million annually.

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the country's unemployment rate remains at 53.40%, with women and youths dominating the statistics. The number of unemployed individuals will continue to rise as unskilled population growth outpaces output growth. As a result, the country misses out on a critical component of economic success.

Women are subjected to social and gender prejudice as a consequence of societal and political power abuse. It is believed that empowering them would be a game changer for the country's well-being and environment since they control an increasing proportion of households and constitute the majority of urban and rural dwellers worldwide.

Nigeria would therefore fall short of the UN's goals for sustainable development unless these highlighted issues are addressed properly.
The vulnerability of these population segments necessitates humanitarian intervention, which makes the various intervention initiatives of the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria worthy of celebration.

For years, Coca-Cola has incorporated the UN’s and the AU sustainability agenda into its operations. From boosting water use, efficiency and fostering environmental sustainability to the economic empowerment of women and youths, the organization has proactively implemented strategies to meet society's evolving demands and expectations.

In 2021, The Coca-Cola Company and The Coca-Cola Foundation invested 2.0% of its operating income back into local communities, well above its annual target of 1 percent, and over $1.4B+ donated by The Coca-Cola Foundation since inception to create shared value in communities around the world.

According to Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, “Nigeria is a critical beneficiary of these investments. Coca-Cola Nigeria, the company’s philanthropic arm, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company, have donated over 3.4B naira in the last 5 years towards signature projects that improved livelihoods and human race. These projects have contributed immensely towards lifting over 550,000 women and youths out of poverty”.

In furtherance to these efforts, Coca-Cola Africa recently launched a new sustainability platform called JAMII. It is Africa-focused and aligned with the vision of The Coca-Cola Company, The Coca-Cola Foundation, bottling partners as well as the African Union’s Vision for Africa (i.e. Agenda 2063). JAMII seeks to consolidate Coca-Cola’s efforts under one umbrella platform and is focused on enhancing its value proposition as Coca-Cola to communities that are home to its world-class beverages. This means driving more effective partnerships, focusing on areas where the most impact can be made so that the company can be a sustainable partner for growth in Africa.

Projects under this sustainability platform focus on three strategic pillars – waste management, water stewardship, and economic empowerment of women and youth. The pillar for women and youth empowerment promotes and stimulates entrepreneurship opportunities through improved access to skills training and seed investment grants.

To support humanitarian efforts, the Coca-Cola System continues to dedicate its selfless service to the #HumanRace in solidarity of preserving the safety and dignity of people across Nigeria and the world.

Well, you said it all. You weren't employed by Coca-Cola so why blame them for the way you were treated by your 3-party employer? Nigerians and their blame behaviour, sha.

Morgan9:
Working for coca cola as a third party is an experience I won't even wish my enemies..
Very useless company with their peanut salary.
Spit.

Coca-Cola kicks off Believe and Win Under the Crown Promo to excite consumers with over N400 million rewards
…5 Lucky Football Lovers Set to Win a Trip to Qatar 2022



As part of efforts to delight Nigerians with a unique experience of the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola Nigeria has kicked off a consumer-reward campaign for football lovers.

Tagged the Coca-Cola ‘Believe and Win’ Under the Crown Promo, with rewards worth over N400m, five lucky consumers across the country will get to experience the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar with an all-expense paid trip to Qatar and instant airtime to be won by consumers across all networks.

The Coca-Cola Believe and Win Under the Crown promo was unveiled on August 5th at an elaborate event in Lagos, amidst a lively atmosphere where football fans and pressmen engaged in various experiential activities.

According to Bunmi Adeniba, Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd., the Coca-Cola Believe and Win Under the Crown promo will cover 35cl/50cl RGB and 35cl/50cl/60cl PET of the core brands which include Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Fanta Zero Sugar, Sprite, Sprite Zero Sugar & Schweppes. At national draws, the five lucky winners would be selected from each region – Lagos, West, East, Central, and North regions. To note, the promo is approved by regulatory authorities.

To participate in the promo, consumers must purchase any of the Coca-Cola products with a white cap and look under the crown for the unique code. On finding a code, consumers are expected to dial USSD string *8014*1*CODE#, using their mobile devices at no cost to them.

With the promo set to end on October 31st, 2022, football lovers are encouraged to enjoy the refreshing taste of these Coca-Cola beverages and enter the promotion for free.

Adeniba explained that all the white crowns would have unique codes underneath them as all the participating entries would be entered into the draw for the grand prize, based on terms and conditions, with the final draws done from the pool of all numbers that have participated multiple times in the promotion.

She stated that the Coca-Cola Believe and Win Under the Crown promo was conceptualized to give back to our loyal consumers by taking 5 winners on a trip of a lifetime to watch the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and giving millions of consumers the chance to win instant airtime to stay connected with friends and family.
She added, “It is about bringing people together, refreshing our communities, and being there for our consumers at all times”.

As official sponsors of the FIFA World Cup, the Coca-Cola Believe and Win Under the Crown promo reflects Coca-Cola’s continued support for the football passion point across the country and a follow-up to other football-related activities as the FIFA World Cup games begin.

Clean Energy access for all citizens, irrespective of location has been identified as the surest bet for a successful global energy transition and the fight against climate change.

Managing Director, Neconde Energy Limited, Monday Okoro made the assertion on Wednesday in Lagos at a panel discussion on Operationalising a Clean Energy Transition for Sustainable Development of Africa at the 45th Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE).

According to Okoro, both authorities and players in the energy sector should work on meeting the huge energy demands of the citizenry to ensure sustainable development that will move the majority of the populace from poverty, through access to clean energy.

The NAICE was put together by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council, with the theme: “Global Transition to Renewable and Sustainable Energy and the Future of Oil and Gas in Africa’’.

Okoro added ‘’Nigeria should focus on utilising the gas being produced locally to develop the country instead of exporting it overseas as the local usage of available gas will accelerate access to cleaner energy, needed to power sustainable development’’.

When asked what success will be like in localizing the energy transition, Okoro, a former Vice President of Schlumberger, explained that ‘’shipping gas to Europe is not a success, as we should use it at home to reduce carbon emission in the country and prioritise our economic development.’

‘’Gas can be used to generate power, so people can to stop using diesel generators that have higher carbon emissions. If we channel our energy towards the development of the economy, It will also lead to more job opportunities for a sustainable economy’’, he asserted.

On the panel discussion were Roger Brown, Seplat CEO, represented by Effiong Okon, New Energies Director, Seplat Energy; Osayonde Igiehon, MD/CEO, Heirs Oil & Gas ltd; Mike Sangster, MD TotalEnergies E&P Nigeria Limited, represented by Victor Bandele, DMD, Deepwater, TotalEnergies; Philip Mshelbila, MD/CEO NLNG, represented by Adeleye Falade, GM Production, NLNG; Henry Menkiti, COO, Sahara Energy, represented by Mariah Lucciano-Gabriel, GM, Asharami; and Justin Ezeala, MD, Nigerian Gas Marketing Company, represented by Chudi Okocha, GM Commercial.

The panelists all agree that the sustainable development of the country by bridging the existing energy gap, and using the available resources should be the focus of the Government and players in the sector, while advocating that cleaner fossil fuel should be allowed to develop the African continent, like was used to develop Europe, instead of the clamor for its abandonment.

In celebration of World Youth Skills Day, young entrepreneurs under Henkel’s Street-Smart Entrepreneurs (SSE) initiative, have used the opportunity to commend the company for its various efforts to support and develop local youths to become self-sustaining entrepreneurs.

The SSE initiative, where Nigerians can leverage Henkel’s products to earn a living, is an avenue where unemployed youths are converted into entrepreneurs while developing the economy and local communities at the same time.

It is a self-sustainable initiative where the young talents are trained and equipped with the skills and tools necessary to run a business within their respective community.

According to Rufa’I Adam, a SSE based in Nasarawa state, in the Northern part of Nigeria, the scheme is a great one as he narrated his experience before he got into the initiative and his present situation now that he is actively engaged.

He shared, “Years after being on the scheme, my economic status and marketing acumen has grown. I can now support my immediate family unlike before when it was hard to sustain myself. I am also proud to be associated with a business, all courtesy of Henkel.

‘’Having seen the benefits, I am motivated to bring in as many people as possible onto the programme so they can also do better for themselves and their families, eventually contributing towards skills acquisition and growing the economic base of the country”.
He commended the management of Henkel for coming up with the idea to contribute their quota to the economic development of the country by focusing on the unemployed youths across the country.

It should be recalled that Henkel in 2019 restated its commitment to contribute to job creation in the country with support to local entrepreneurs across the country through the expansion of its corporate social initiative.

According to Rajat Kapur, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Henkel Nigeria, the goal of the SSE tied into the global World Youth Skills Day, as he affirmed that the scheme seeks to improve the skills of youths and local entrepreneurs by constantly building their capacity on what it takes to be successful entrepreneurs.

Kapur stated that the intent is not only to empower the Street Smart Entrepreneurs but also to develop their talent through the various job creation opportunities made available.

According to Mohammed Ramadan, the SSE Coordinator, since the launch of SSE in 2019, it has developed and equipped over 200 unemployed youths to become entrepreneurs that can support themselves, as well as their families. Ramadan stated that it also gave them a sense of purpose as they are now positive ambassadors to their communities.

World Youth Skills Day is celebrated on July 15 every year and has been celebrated since 2014 after the United Nations announced its existence. According to the U.N., the objective of World Youth Skills Day is to “celebrate the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The theme for this year is ‘Transforming youth skills for the future’.

Sprite, a refreshing brand from the stable of the leading total beverage company, Coca-Cola, has announced the launch of its new campaign, Sprite Limelight, which seeks to bring into realization, the purpose, and aspiration of youths, supporting them at the apex of their heat period by cooling them down through music.

The new music program supports Sprite’s new global brand narrative, Heat Happens, which positions the brand as the drink that helps you cool down in the face of everyday heated moments. It is one musical starting point reinterpreted through different creative and cultural lenses and was released for public consumption via streaming platforms.

Sprite Limelight is a global music program produced in collaboration with an exceptional and diverse collection of international musical talents and anchored by Grammy-winning producer, Mercury Prize Winner, and BRIT Award nominee, James Blake. The Sprite Limelight song drops on the 29th of July across various streaming platforms.

James Blake will provide a central hook and lyric narrative, rooted in the core Limelight philosophy of keeping life’s heat at bay, with three distinctive global artists, who in turn have taken the hook and used it to inspire and create their own completely original songs.

In Nigeria, Sprite Limelight will be headlined by the popular Omah Lay, Nigerian singer, songwriter, and social sensation whose self-produced track ‘Bad Influence’ garnered viral status; and who remains a teen sensation across the country. With Omah Lay leading the Nigerian front alongside two other global music stars, the campaign seeks to inspire Nigerians and young artistes with fresh perspectives, music, and experiences, vocalizing the brand’s resolve to help Gen. Zs not to lose their cool to the heated moments of everyday life.

Other global artists on the campaign include American rapper, Coi Leray who has previously worked with Nikki Minaj; and prolific singer Hua Chenyu, from China, whose unique fusion of C-Pop and rock sold out shows in Olympic-sized stadiums in minutes, with all artistes selected for their authentic and unique styles.

Speaking, Omah Lay on the Sprite Limelight project, expressed excitement and optimism around the work done to deliver an amazing sound and experience to the Nigerian audience. “It means a lot to me to be part of the Sprite Limelight Program, an incredible opportunity for me to share my culture with the world. I feel blessed to stand among these other amazing artistes to bring something refreshing and positive to the world; big Shout out to James Blake for masterminding the music, absolute Legend!”, he remarked.

According to Bunmi Adeniba, Coca-Cola Nigeria’s Marketing Director, “Sprite Limelight seeks to help keep the youths clear-headed, encouraging them not to lose themselves to the heat of the world during their discovery stage”.

She stressed that Sprite would connect with music fans through music that speaks to the heat in their lives, as the platform will have music from fearless artists who take on the heat, using their creativity to make music that fans love and music that speaks to them to create refreshing moments of clarity.

“Heat is the occasion, Sprite is the solution, and music is the connection”, she asserted.

The original content will be available on both YouTube and Spotify, as individual tracks and in the form of artistic documentary-style music films. These immersive “Heat Confessionals”, that shine a light on the artistes’ stories overcoming their own moments of heat through their iconic music, as well as artiste curated playlists for their fans, will be created on different music streaming services worldwide.
Sprite Limelight was created in partnership with Universal Music Group for Brands as the key content creator.

Building and structural collapses with attendant casualty figures and economic losses have almost assumed the status of recurring menace in Nigeria, to the extent that efforts of various regulatory bodies have barely scratched the surface.
Nigerians have always been the worse for it as it has become a common experience, resulting in loss of lives and billions of naira in investments.

Experts have cited substandard building materials, pilfering, faulty execution, non-adherence to designs, dearth of comprehensive subsoil investigation before designs are done, illegal conversion or alterations to existing structures, corruption, omission, and use of unskilled builders, as some of the things accountable for the menace.

Another sore point in the construction industry in Nigeria is the quick dilapidation of public roads. Craters have become almost commonplace, even on newly constructed roads, in some cases within a year of completing the projects. It has come to a point where members of the public are wondering if the players in the construction sector are not liable for the loss of lives and economic losses occasioned by this anomaly.

Data from developed countries show that many of the recorded cases in these climes might be because the current codes of practice do not make provisions for unexpected loads on the buildings and roads. Experts opine that an unexpected failure of a single member may have an all-round impact, including the collapse of the entire structure.

Some experts also finger corruption, said to be almost prevalent in the construction industry, including the failure of the government (Federal and State) to honour the contractual obligations to contractors as when due. Some posit that this could be why some contractors use sub-standard materials to mitigate the adverse impact of the payment circle.

Such is the sordid state of the construction sector that the government is becoming wary of some construction player’s capacity to deliver on projects, which has seen prime projects go to foreign-led construction companies. This also has been adduced as the reason why top multinationals still dominate the sector, even with the prevalence of many indigenous building experts.

While some are against this development, a local construction firm has risen to the task by not only repurposing its approach but has also put up a policy that must be met in contracts before it would undertake any road or building project in the country. This has gradually set it apart from the rest that it is becoming a trusted partner of some of the largest foreign construction companies in the country.

According to Hammakopp Consortium, a Civil Construction, Maintenance, and Fabrication firm, its insistence on standards and quality offering, including properly executed contracts and financial commitments, before undergoing any construction project is part of why it has earned respect in the construction industry.

Hammakopp, a subsidiary of Nestioil Group, incorporated in 1999, is a one-stop-shop for Civil Construction, Maintenance and Fabrication, Environmental and Sewage treatment, heavy structural fabrication, inspection, and maintenance services. It has installed its own Asphalt Plant, located in its Okija Base.

The firm appears to have come into the industry prepared because it undertook a clear study of the sector before opening its doors for business. Part of the steps it took to ensure global standard services include its setup of a well-equipped laboratory where various construction materials are tested before being deployed to sites.

This pre-testing, it says has been the game-changer as most of the causes of poor road and building constructions collapse due to the inability of some construction firms to carry out appropriate soil and material testing before deploying materials for projects has been taken care of.
In the words of the company’s Head of Operations, Ikenna Chukwudum, their capacity to deliver is boosted through their rich human resource potential as the company deploys a unique combination of local and foreign professionals that deliver excellent services to the construction industry.

“Our policy of using the best available resources combined with duteous supervision that ensures a safe working environment without compromising on quality has put us ahead”, he affirmed.
He stated, that asides from some of the various construction projects they have delivered for the federal government and some state governments, their contribution towards the 2nd Niger Bridge construction in partnership with Julius Berger is a game-changer that shows they have come of age.

Chukwudum said, “Hammakopp Consortium, are experts in developing projects from the pre-feasibility phase through conceptual design and FEED studies, detailed design, procurement, construction, and project management and implementation. Though we started small, as ours is an indigenous conglomerate actively engaged in diverse sectors of the Nigerian and International markets, we have grown to be highly regarded in the construction sector, and for us working with Julius Berger to make the 2nd Niger Bridge a reality, shows how the industry players respect our craft.”

He opined that the sector can grow if the challenges facing the construction sector; funding and payment for projects are tackled. “The major issue is funding, repayment for projects done, and that is like 50 percent of the challenges faced by construction companies. If that is settled, the other challenges can be sorted,” he added.

According to Chukwudum, the other solution is for the government agency to regulate and stop the use of non-professionals and quacks in the building and construction industries because they are also the major contributors to building collapses and project failures. He also wants the agencies to ensure compliance by contractors to stop the use of untested products and materials in all construction projects as a way of preventing structural defects.

He projected that the company has put systems in place so that in the coming years, Hammakopp will be classified among the multinational companies thriving in the country. He said their level of investment in their staff and materials has put them on that pedestal, and they are ready to make the local players proud of their innovations in the sector.

As part of its activities to ensure better service for its customers, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) in conjunction with MOJEC International Ltd. has embarked on a meter replacement scheme to ensure that its customer meters are in line with NERC-approved regulations.

The meter replacement scheme which kicked off in July is to ensure that the AEDC is better able to serve the needs of consumers under its coverage area. Currently, customers with these obsolete meters are not properly captured in AEDC’s records and the DisCo will have challenges responding to or dealing with any issues they may have in terms of service provision.

Speaking on the meter replacement scheme, Abuja Project Manager MOJEC International Ltd, Mr. Tobi Odeyemi said “AEDC is working continuously to ensure improved services for its customers, and as a trusted and valued partner of the DisCo, MOJEC is doing all we can to support the DisCo in providing smart meters for the customers”.

The replacement meter exercise is currently taking place for customers within the Garki, Wuse, and Maitama areas and for customers within that axis who are yet to get prepaid meters, it is also an avenue for customers to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire them.

The MOJEC MAP initiative is also taking place across the different regions of Abuja alongside its mobile MAP scheme. The mobile MAP scheme is an initiative in which consumers can get metered under a period of 24 to 48 hours.

Speaking earlier at the introduction of the mobile MAP scheme in Abuja, the Regional Manager of AEDC FCT West, Chris Chime stressed the importance of the mobile MAP scheme, stating that the AEDC had closed over 62,000 metering gaps across the FCT West axis of Abuja.
The mobile MAP initiative is currently ongoing at the following locations; Zuma, Bwari, Apo, Lokogoma, Lugbe, and Gwagalada areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Pregnant women and newborns in the environs of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano are next in line to benefit from the Safe Birth Initiative (SBI). This is a sustainability drive of The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company, (NBC).

SBI, launched in 2018, delivers both equipment and human capacity building to health institutions across Nigeria with the hope of bridging the shortfall in the availability of state-of-the-art medical equipment and a dearth of skilled manpower to optimally maintain what is available.

Coca-Cola has embarked on this initiative because available data shows that about 240,000 babies die within the first week of life, out of the seven million babies born in Nigeria annually. Most of these deaths occur because of a complication during pregnancy and childbirth.
With its new sustainability platform, Jamii, Coca-Cola continues to deliver on its sustainability imperatives with women at the very core as they remain key pillars of communities.

Under the SBI programme and through a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and MedShare International, the Coca-Cola System is providing neonatal and maternal medical equipment/supplies at an estimated value of $10.8 million to about fifteen (15) tertiary health institutions in Nigeria. The donations to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital are worth $724, 657.40.

Alfred Olajide, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, on Friday at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano explained that the SBI is a health-centric strategy with which the Coca-Cola System seeks to reduce the high rate of deaths occurring during childbirth in Nigeria, both for mothers and newborns.

He explained, “Our company acknowledges the power that women bring to communities and how they positively impact everything we do. We must therefore do all within our power to keep them alive and well. We are proud of the modest achievements of the SBI so far, with over 21,000 newborn babies and mothers safely preserved. Another 56,000 families have benefitted one way or the other across the country”.

“We kicked off this year’s SBI at the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in June and we are excited to continue today at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital with further plans to impact more health institutions within the year”.

At the donation last month, officials at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital pointed out that kicking off this year’s initiative at Port Harcourt was particularly heartwarming because of the memories evoked by impact stories that had followed the initiative at previous locations.
Eben Armstrong, Director, Biomedical Engineering Training & Technical Services, Medshare International, expressed the NGO’s commitment to the triangle partnership as they recognize the damage to families that results from high neonatal and maternal mortality rates.

He said, ‘’We are a humanitarian aid organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people all over the world. We just don’t provide equipment, we provide capacity building to the biomedical engineers and technicians aiding their efficient usage of available medical equipment, and this has brought hope to countless Nigerians through the Safe Birth Initiative”.

The Chief Medical Director, AKTH, Prof Abdulrahman Abba Sheshe, who was represented at the ceremony by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof Auwalu Gajida, expressed his delight at the donation of medical equipment as he highlighted that more mothers and newborns have been afforded better odds in favour of safe deliveries. He noted that this was a huge benefit for both Kano residents and other neighbouring states like Katsina, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Zamfara.

Also present at the event were the Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero, ably represented by Alh. Ado Kurawa, the Sakin Fader, Kano; the Emir of Kalaye, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar, represented by Alh. Musa Sali Kwankwanso; heads of various departments in the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital alongside other dignitaries.

Since the commencement of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2016, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) has been mobilising all stakeholders, particularly the organised private sector to commit to the implementation and attainment of the goals.

The Safe Birth Initiative falls under SDG 3, which ensures healthy lives and promotes well-being for all ages. This targets a reduction of the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, bearing in mind that Nigeria’s maternal mortality ratio is 576 per 100,000 live births.

The Lagos State government has bestowed an award of recognition on Mojec International Limited for its efforts in supporting education in the State.

The award was presented at the Year 2022 Equity Quality Ubiquity Access Learning (EQUAL) Summit put together by the Lagos State Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, which took place at Zinnia Hall of Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Office of SDGI, Abosede George, Mojec earned the award through its valuable contributions to education in the State, which is in tandem with one of the critical components of the THEMES agenda of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

The award was given in recognition of Mojec's efforts for employing 250 Lagos State Government Technical College graduates last year and 200 this year.

In her welcome address, George said the Summit, “presents a veritable platform to showcase the strides of the State’s Ministry of Education in improving the education system and opening up opportunities for public-private partnership interventions and mutually beneficial investments across the education value chain in Lagos State.”

She added, “One of the primary essences of governance in a democratic society is to create an environment where common values of literacy are instilled. Ambitions for this effort are essentially captured in SDG 4 which aims to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all .”

“The roadmap to achieving the targets of this ubiquitous agenda requires deliberate discussions and debates. There are new knowledge horizons and opportunities for strengthened solidarity and partnerships to meet the interdependent challenges of sustainable education and deliver genuine impact in the society.”

In her acceptance speech, while receiving the award on behalf of Mojec, Chairman/CEO, Mrs. Mojisola Abdul described the recognition as a testament to what the company stands for which is excellence because it believes that good education is the bedrock of the development of any society.

She said, "for us as a company, we believe that children are the future of a country so we need to give them the best of education. I remember that my mother used to say that even if it's only one cloth that was left for her, her children must go to school, and that's the legacy I built on. That's why Mojec deems it fit to give back to society because the government cannot do it all. This is part of our corporate citizenship duties, for which we are proud. We thank the government of Lagos State for the recognition.”

Assuring that the company would not rest on its oars, she pointed out that "As a Meter producing company, we are the leader in the industry, not only in Nigeria but also in the whole of Africa. So being the first means we must continue to do more, we must not relent."

Other dignitaries who graced the event include, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Commissioner for Education, and Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, and others.

Hammakopp Consortium, a Civil Construction, Maintenance, and Fabrication firm, has stated that its insistence on standards and quality before undergoing any construction project is why it has made its mark in the construction industry.

Hammakopp has a well-equipped laboratory where various construction materials are tested before being deployed to sites and this, it says has been the game-changer as most of the causes of poor road construction, building construction collapse etc. are due to the inability of some construction companies to do appropriate testing before starting their projects. Another reason is the use of sub-standard materials in construction activities.

The Head of Operations, Ikenna Chukwudum stated this at the media parley organized by Hammakopp to intimate the public about its success story and how it has become the preferred local construction partner of multinationals. Hammakopp is a subsidiary of the Nestoil Group.

Chukwudum said, ‘’We deploy a unique combination of local and foreign professionals that deliver excellent services to the Construction Industry. Our policy of using the best available resources combined with duteous supervision that ensures a safe working environment without compromising on quality has put us ahead’’.

He stated, that asides from some of the various construction projects they have delivered for the federal government and some state governments, their contribution towards the 2nd Niger Bridge construction in partnership with Julius Berger is a game-changer that shows they have come of age.

He said, “Hammakopp Consortium, are experts in developing projects from the pre-feasibility phase through conceptual design and FEED studies, detailed design, procurement, construction, and project management and implementation. Though we started small, as ours is an indigenous conglomerate actively engaged in diverse sectors of the Nigerian and International markets, we have grown to be highly regarded in the construction sector, and for us working with Julius Berger to make the 2nd Niger Bridge a reality, shows how the industry players respect our craft’’.

On how the sector can grow, he said the major challenge facing the construction sector is funding and payment for projects done, as most times, it is difficult to be paid for projects done, especially during a change of government.
‘’The major issue is funding, payment for projects done and that is like 50 percent of the challenges faced by construction companies. If that is settled, the other challenges can be sorted’’.

Hammakopp, incorporated in 1999, is a one-stop shop for Civil Construction, Maintenance and Fabrication, Environmental and Sewage treatment, heavy structural fabrication, inspection, and maintenance services. It has installed its own Asphalt Plant, located in its Okija Base, and has the capacity of turning out approximately 120 tons of top-grade asphalt products per hour.

He projected that the company has put systems in place so that in the coming years Hammakopp will be classified among the multinational companies thriving in the country. He said their level of investment in their staff and materials has put them on that pedestal, and they are ready to make the local players proud of their innovations in the sector.

As part of its efforts to preserve the environment for sustainable living and stimulate plastic waste management in Nigeria, the Coca-Cola System comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) and Chi Limited through its Employee Volunteer Scheme known as “JAMII DEEDS” has undertaken a clean-up of the Elegushi Beach, in partnership with Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC).

Coca-Cola, Nigeria’s leading total beverage company, having celebrated 70 years of doing business in Nigeria last year, shared with newsmen that the cleanup, aside from addressing seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with focus on clean water and sanitation for all, would also empower youths and women in the coastal community through recycling.

Elegushi Beach, like other beaches in Nigeria, due to a lack of proper waste management practices, has become a haven for all types of waste, majorly packaging waste dropped by fun-seekers who throng the beach regularly.

In addition to the beach cleanup, a recycling bank was launched as a leave behind to empower the women and youths of Elegushi community who can now deposit their recyclables to earn a reward or cash. This brings the total number of recycling banks sponsored by the Coca-Cola system to 21 across various communities.

The exercise, which was led by the Managing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Alfred Olajide, and Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, Africa Operating Unit, The Coca-Cola Company, Patricia Obozuwa, was part of planned activities to commemorate World Environmental Day and World Oceans Day.

The beach cleanup, according to Obozuwa, was also in support of its recently launched Africa-wide sustainability platform, Jamii, which focuses on waste management, water stewardship, and wealth creation for women and youth, with the goal of promoting a better-shared future for communities and the planet while minimizing the impact of man's activities on the environment.

"Our focus on water to support the planet would be incomplete unless we clean up our beaches which have a direct path to the ocean," she remarked. “Families converge at beaches to create magical moments, and the continued deterioration of our beaches with waste materials proves a continued challenge which we must all come together to tackle".

In his contribution, Olajide highlighted that through the employee volunteer efforts which sit under the “Jamii Deeds” pillar of our Jamii sustainability platform, the company hopes to contribute to ensuring the wellbeing of host communities while simultaneously upholding sustainable development in the country.

“Cleaning the beaches and extracting as much waste material as we can, continues to drive our World Without Waste agenda through which we have collected over one billion PET bottles already. It is also part of our commitment to our global goal to make all consumer packaging 100 per cent recyclable by 2025 and to enable 100 percent collection of all packaging material by 2030”, Olajide said.

Recall that in 2018, The Coca-Cola Company announced its bold and ambitious goal of a ‘World Without Waste’ to help collect and recycle the equivalent of a bottle or can for every one the company sells by 2030. Similarly, the bottling partner of Coca-Cola in Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company, is strongly committed to these goals.

Managing Director, Nigerian Bottling Company, Matthieu Seguin, represented by Ekuma Eze, Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director, described the cleanup exercise, as an extension of the System’s resolve to make the right decisions with consideration to the communities we serve.

“The ocean is the largest life-sustaining resource on earth, and we all have a responsibility to preserve it. Humans rely on the ocean for food and transport, and it regulates our climate and is home to an abundance of biodiversity. This is why environmental sustainability has continued to be a part of our growth strategy which is further encapsulated in our World Without Waste agenda. Our vision as a System is a world where plastic does not become waste, and this requires very urgent action and collaboration.”

He explained, " As leading manufacturers, we recognize our obligation to contribute towards ensuring a safer and healthier environment and preserving the future for the generations to come. This cleanup exercise not only reflects our commitment to this objective but is also a great opportunity to drive progress in our immediate communities and beyond.”

Present at the event were the Managing Director, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Ibrahim Odumboni; General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr. Dolapo Fasewe, Ministry of Environment representative Micheal Bankole, Doyinsola Ogunye, Founder, Recycling Scheme for Women and Youth Empowerment (RESWAYE), amongst many others.

MD LAWMA, Odumboni, said the exercise is laudable as ‘’there is a constant need to intercept plastic waste so that it does not outnumber us and pose a threat to our environment’’. He stated that a value chain on plastic and waste management has been created with support from waste management agencies, food and beverage organizations and recycling partners to make plastic a resource for wealth, in contrast to the previous belief about plastic.

Dr. Fasawe, MD LASEPA, was overjoyed that plastic management and environmental sustainability organizers, stakeholders, and volunteers came out in force to accomplish what they often want people to do. She suggested that the beach cleanup be expanded beyond cleaning the beach and carried to markets, rural regions, parks, and other locations to educate people about the need to properly dispose of plastic.

According to Bankole, this advocacy is in line with the Ministry of Environment’s focus on developing and enforcing environmental and water policies to enable a clean and sustainable environment. He requested for more collaboration with stakeholders to achieve circularity in Lagos State .

Doyinsola Ogunye, the founder of RESWAYE and Mental and Environmental Development for Children (MEDIC), thanked all those present for making out time out of their busy schedules to come clean-up the beach and advocated the importance of preserving the water ways and environment, as well as reducing, reusing and recycling plastic waste for economic and environmental sustainability.

Following the cleanup exercise, which included key stakeholders as well as notable environmentalists and partners, a total of 248.68kg of waste was recovered, thanks to a large turnout of volunteers from the Coca-Cola System, RESWAYE, LAWMA, LASEPA and SWEEP Foundation at the highly anticipated event.

“If music be the food of love, play on” is the famous opening line of Williams Shakespeare’s classic play, Twelfth Night, in which the importance of music is highlighted as a comforting art form in which we sometimes take solace in.

To celebrate International Music Day, Alliance Française de Lagos and Trace TV Naija organized a free concert featuring various Nigerian artists spanning different genres for avid music lovers and concertgoers.

The event had performers like Okwei Odili, Mich Straww, Wura Samba, Tega Ethan, Majeed, Minz and C Natty as well as Dj’s Lisa Li and Skoolboy. In between sets, there was a karaoke session and a magical performance to entertain guests further.

International Music Day or Fête de la Musique is a celebration of all things related to music, as it originated in France in 1982 and is celebrated on the 21st of June every year to promote music and honor the musicians and singers for the gift of music, which gives flight to the imagination and life to everything.

Alliance Française de Lagos’s Director, Marc Brébant, expressed: “Fête de la Musique’s main objective is to promote music and enable people to enjoy and discover new sounds and new artistes with various genres like folk or Afro-fusion. We are very happy to be hosting this year’s celebration in partnership with Trace Naija and we hope to continually produce such an event in the coming years.”

M.D of Trace West Africa, Sam Onyemelukwe stated “We are very delighted to have partnered with Alliance Française for this year’s Fete De La Musique celebration in Lagos, Nigeria. The collaboration effectively brought about a showcase of diverse genres of music from the Nigerian Entertainment scene which tuned attendees/music lovers to an evening of beautiful live music. The performances from artistes such as Ekwei, Tega Ethan & Majeeed showed the ever-growing influences of music and the cultural relevance of celebrating such an enigma around the world.”

Adeoye Abodunrin, a life coach and personal development expert with over 25 years’ experience has disclosed that coaching, if applied right, has the potential to grow solution-oriented individuals that can proffer ways to revamp the nations’ economy towards prosperity.

He said the African continent is in dire need of solutions and results- hence there is much need for Insights based human interventions like coaching that has significant Posterity, Prosperity, Productivity, and Profit & Loss (P & L) implications for its economic outcomes and prospects at the micro, meso and macro phases of her socio-economic landscapes.

He stated this over the weekend as he emerged the online coach of the year at the 2022 Gage awards aimed at recognizing, promoting, and rewarding digital personalities and brands that shaped the country digitally.

For 2022, GAGE nominations presented 11 categories that were judged by public votes, and in the Online Coach category, he emerged the winner from the strong pool of online coaches that has Lanre Olusola, TriciaBiz, Steve Harris, and Naija Brand chic.

He said he is deeply grateful and humbled by the award as it gives an indicative measurement of the massive confidence that the client communities online have in his works and brands.

He also mentioned that the award crystalizes into the distinct feeling of a summon to the higher and deeper worlds of “gift- work” meant to inspire, by leading people into the very extreme limits of solving the complex challenges that their businesses, landscapes & communities are facing in their respective spheres of current and projected influence.

‘’This award also reinforces our faith in giving the best of ourselves at all possible times, not because we admire vanities nor the gladiatorial excesses of champions, but because we desire more than anything else to inspire our world through our services and the attendant success of our clients, partners and communities” he stated.

He thanked Nigerians and his clients across the spectrum of his value offerings for voting for him, as well as the organisers for putting the awards together to honor those making an impact in society in the digital space.

Alliance Française Lagos, in partnership with Trace Tv, is set to launch a music concert to celebrate World Music Day on the 19th of June, 2022.

The concert is to hold at the Alliance Française Lagos/ Mike Adenuga Centre on 9 Osborne Road, Ikoyi by 2 pm.

According to the Alliance Française de Lagos Director, Marc Brébant, the World Music Day Concert is a celebration of all things related to music as it will feature performances from prominent and upcoming acts and promises to be fun and exciting.

FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE originated in France in 1982 and is celebrated on the 21st of June every year to promote music and honour the musicians and singers for the gift of music, which gives flight to the imagination and life to everything. It was predicated on the basis that a world without music would have no meaning to many hence the day is a celebration of the power of this art.

La Fête de la Musique takes place mostly in public outdoor spaces, and it's free to everyone. Due to its popularity, other countries started celebrating music day, and as of 2017, it was celebrated in over 120 countries.

To attend the event, kindly click on the link below https:///3Hj3FmO

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun, has commended Henkel Nigeria on its various initiatives to develop and sustain the country's economy through its local employment initiatives.

During his visit to the Henkel plant in Ibadan, the Olubadan said Henkel has demonstrated its commitment to Nigeria’s industrial base development by employing local hands to run its operations with the provision of the latest technology at the plant.

He lauded the company on its efforts at knowledge transfer to grow the capacity of the workers and on the various measures put in place for the staff to work with safety as a priority.

“I must commend Henkel for their various innovations and commitment to Nigeria’s industrial base development, creating jobs for our sons and daughters, and using state-of-the-art technology at their plant; these are right steps in the right direction. However, we are like the proverbial Oliver Twist – we are asking for more. We want more employment opportunities for our people and the safety of our environment,” Olubadan stated.

He was led around the facilities and the various production lines of WAW and Nittol detergents by Rajat Kapur, the Managing Director of Henkel Nigeria, who said the development of their local environment is a key factor for the company.

Kapur said they prioritise the development of their local environment as they believe they are a part of it and will always do all to support the growth and elevation of the State.

He said the plant was constructed with safety at the core of its operations. This, he said was done because “At Henkel, our purpose is Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. This is built from our roots and carries a long-standing legacy of innovation, responsibility, and sustainability into the future.

Responding to the commendation on their safety measures, Roman Rylyk, Henkel Nigeria Plant Manager, said as a multinational company, Henkel has been able to leverage its global best practice to ensure it has a systemic and well-structured local strategy when it comes to safety standards.

He said this is why they have been successful globally, as they see doing business the right way with all stakeholders' expectations being met as the standard.