Business
Coca-Cola Brightens Neonatal, Maternal Healthcare with Strategic Intervention
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), has stepped up efforts at mitigating neonatal and maternal mortality with a strategic intervention in Nigeria’s healthcare system, under its Safe Birth Initiative (SBI).
Director, Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, on Friday, in Port Harcourt, explained that SBI is the health-centric strategy with which the Coca-Cola System aims to reduce the high rate of deaths that have been occurring during childbirth in Nigeria, both for mothers and newborns.
SBI 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.
Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgwill expressed joy at the timely intervention of the Coca-Cola System in the healthcare sector. He opined that the top-notch equipment would impact beyond the UPTH and assured that those entrusted would make the most of it.
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He said, “Let me thank the donors, Coca-Cola Nigeria. I understand that the equipment are cutting-edge technology that will aid solution to complex medical conditions. I am certain that this will impact the whole of Niger Delta region.”
He added that the initiative would boost relationships between the government and institutions.
In addition, Onyemelukwe pointed out that kicking off this year’s initiative at Port Harcourt was particularly heartwarming because of the memories evoked by impact stories that have followed the SBI program which was launched in 2018
She said, “We are starting this year’s Safe Birth Initiative at the University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The SBI would still reach out to more health institutions within the year. But what makes today an especially happy one for me is that the Coca-Cola System is able to meet specific equipment necessities of the Maternal and Neonatal Care Unit of UPTH.”
She recounted how a Consultant Pediatrician decried the absence of essential equipment, necessary for the healthcare needs of newborns with peculiar challenges like congenital heart failure which could offer them a good chance of survival, which had rendered the medics helpless, and parents hopeless.
“We are pleased to inform that SBI’s intervention has provided two sets of heart and lung machines amongst other lifesaving equipment to ensure that situations of helplessness and hopelessness in neonatal healthcare is now a thing of the past. We are optimistic that the donations today, which would be backed with human capacity building, will ensure that the impact is beyond the UPTH.”
The Safe Birth Initiative was launched in 2018 in partnership with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGS, the Federal Ministry of Health, and US-based International NGO, Medshare International, to support and strengthen the country’s healthcare capacity in achieving the SDG goals in relation to maternal and new-born mortalities.
Prior to the launch in Port Harcourt, SBI had so far reached over 56,000 families with over 3,000 mothers and babies impacted through its social investment program. In addition, Coca-Cola Nigeria has successfully upskilled over 200 biomedical engineers and 400 end-users with the requisite knowledge and skills to ensure optimal utilization of the medical equipment, and their effective maintenance.
The Chief Medical Director, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Prof. Henry Ugboma, applauded Coca-Cola for initiating and sustaining the healthcare support initiative, which he said would aid medics in delivering on their duty of saving lives.
He said, “We commend Coca-Cola for strengthening and uplifting the healthcare system in Nigeria with the Safe Birth Initiative. So far, SBI has provided capacity building of our biomedical engineers and technicians, and supported repairs of our broken-down equipment. For this, we remain deeply grateful to Coca-Cola and Medshare for such an excellent intervention.
Some of the hospitals that have benefited from this intervention include National Hospital Abuja, Federal Medical Center, Ebute-Metta, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Wesley Guild Hospital Ilesha, and Alimosho General Hospital. In the coming weeks, SBI will be reaching the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, with more health institutions lined up to benefit from it.
Shareholders of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) have commended the Board and Management for the Group’s performance and strategic direction, urging continued focus on growth and long-term value creation.
At the Group’s 65th Annual General Meeting (AGM), shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025, alongside key resolutions including a final dividend of ₦2.00 per share, a one-for-three bonus share issue, and the corresponding increase in share capital. The re-election of Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, Board of Directors, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi, Independent Non-Executive Director and Mrs. Ojinika Olaghere, Independent Non-Executive Director reinforced continuity in governance and oversight.
They acknowledged the Group’s disciplined execution and its role in strengthening the Nigerian capital market, noting that recent developments reflect a more structured and better-regulated market environment.
Speaking during the meeting, the President, New Dimension Shareholders Association, Patrick Ajudua, commended the leadership of the Group for delivering a strong financial outcome, noting that the results reflect both improved market conditions and deliberate strategic execution. “The numbers speak to a business that is gaining strength and direction,” he said.
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Similarly, the Chairman of the Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, lauded the Group’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure development. “The market is becoming more forward-looking, supported by strong leadership at the Group level. Initiatives around market infrastructure and participation are yielding results, and this is positive for investors,” he noted.
Commenting during the AGM, Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, appreciated shareholders for their continued support and reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to sustainable value delivery. He said, “The progress recorded reflects the strength of the Group’s strategy and the performance of its operating businesses. As a Board, our responsibility is to ensure disciplined oversight, uphold strong governance standards, and position NGX Group to deliver sustainable, long-term value to shareholders.”
Temi Popoola, group managing director/chief executive officer, focused on execution priorities, noting that the Group is positioning for scale. He said, “This next phase is about deepening momentum. Our priority is to scale infrastructure, broaden participation, and unlock new pathways for capital formation.”
The meeting reflected strong shareholder confidence in NGX Group’s leadership, with the Group reaffirming its commitment to playing a central role in the evolution of Nigeria’s capital market while delivering sustained returns to investors.
Sierra Leone has announced the signing of a petroleum licence agreement with Nigeria‑based Marginal Energy Limited, granting the company offshore exploration and production rights as the government seeks to revive interest in its under‑explored upstream sector.
The licence, signed through the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL), covers offshore blocks G‑145, G‑146, G‑147, G‑160 and G‑161, spanning about 6,800 square kilometres, according to a government statement, a Reuters report said.
Marginal Energy, a Nigerian independent, has committed to a seismic and drilling programme with exploration spending expected to exceed $225 million.
Under the agreement, the state will hold a 10 percent carried interest in oil projects and 5 percent in gas during exploration and development, with an option to acquire an additional participating interest on a paid basis of up to 9 percent once production begins.
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The deal was signed at the Invest in African Energy conference in Paris, where Sierra Leone has been promoting offshore licensing opportunities to international investors, the report added.
NASCON Allied Industries Plc has rewarded its shareholders with a historic 200 per cent increase in dividend payout, underscoring a remarkable financial performance that saw profit after tax surge by over 100 per cent to N33.5 billion in the 2025 financial year, despite a challenging operating environment.
The strong performance was unveiled at the Company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, where shareholders applauded the resilience, focus and strategic discipline of NASCON’s management and Board.
Reflecting the robust results, the Board of Directors approved a dividend of N6 per share—the highest since the Company was listed on the Nigerian Exchange, signalling NASCON’s confidence in its financial strength and long-term growth prospects.
Earnings per share (EPS) rose sharply by 115 per cent, from 577 kobo in the previous year to 1,241 kobo. Describing the outcome as the best financial performance in NASCON’s history, the Chairman, Mr. Olakunle Alake, attributed the results to improved operational efficiency, strict cost management and the dedication of the Company’s workforce.
“The operating environment in 2025 was characterised by economic volatility, persistent inflation and structural changes across key sectors,” Alake said. “Yet, NASCON remained resilient and strategically focused, delivering outstanding value to shareholders.”
He noted that operational sustainability remains a core pillar of the Company’s strategy. During the year, NASCON introduced Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks into its logistics fleet to reduce fuel costs and minimise exposure to diesel price volatility. In addition, the Company’s state-of-the-art salt refinery, its largest production facility, now runs entirely on natural gas, significantly boosting efficiency while reinforcing NASCON’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
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The Managing Director, Mrs. Aderemi Saka, highlighted key milestones recorded during the year, including a 27 per cent growth in revenue and exceptional returns to shareholders through dividends. She attributed the achievements to a clear strategic vision, disciplined execution and sustained focus on cost-saving initiatives across production, logistics and fleet management.
Looking ahead to 2026, Saka reaffirmed management’s determination to build on the current momentum. She outlined strategic priorities for the coming year, including deeper cost optimisation, expanded market penetration, strengthened energy diversification and sustainability initiatives, as well as accelerated digital transformation and process automation.
In her remarks, Director Mrs. Tonya Lawani emphasised that the Company remains firmly committed to the principles that have driven its excellent performance, noting that NASCON approaches the new financial year from a position of strength, with further opportunities for growth and improvement.
Speaking on behalf of shareholders, Dr. Faruk Umar expressed strong confidence in the Company’s trajectory, citing NASCON’s rising share price, which recently crossed the N100 mark, and projecting further appreciation. He commended the quality of the Board and management team, noting that strong leadership and recent executive appointments have positioned the Company to deliver even greater value to all stakeholders.
With its record-breaking profit, unprecedented dividend payout and forward-looking strategy, NASCON Allied Industries Plc continues to consolidate its position as a leading force in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector while delighting shareholders with sustained value creation.
Photo Caption:
From Left: Company Secretary, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Oluseun Oluwole; Chairman, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Olakunle Alake; Managing Director, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Aderemi Saka; Non-Executive Director, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Independent Director, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Tonya Lawani, at the NASCON Allied Industries Plc 2025 Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on Monday, April 27, 2026
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