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.
Business
Dangote Cement Shareholders Earn N3.3 Trillion Dividend in 15 Years
Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc are set to receive a record dividend of N45 per share for the 2025 financial year, which represents a 50 percent increase over the previous year’s payout.
Biztellers reports that it also reinforces the company’s position as one of the most rewarding investments on the Nigerian capital market, as it has now distributed over N3.3 trillion in dividends to shareholders over the last 15 years, underscoring its unwavering commitment to creating sustainable value for investors.
The latest dividend announcement reflects the strength of Dangote Cement’s business model, its resilient financial performance, and its disciplined approach to balancing expansion with superior returns to shareholders. Over the years, investors have benefited not only from robust dividend payments but also from significant capital appreciation in the company’s stock.
Speaking on the company’s commitment to value creation, Chairman of Dangote Cement, Emmanuel Ikazoboh, reaffirmed the company’s determination to deliver consistent returns while maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance and operational excellence.
“Our commitment remains to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. We are proud of the confidence reposed in us by our shareholders over the years, and we will continue to pursue strategies that enhance profitability, strengthen corporate governance, and deliver superior returns on investment,” he said.
The company’s dividend history has become one of the most impressive on the Nigerian Exchange. Dangote Cement previously increased its dividend by 50 per cent from N20 per share to N30 per share, demonstrating a consistent track record of rewarding shareholders even in challenging economic conditions.
On his part, Dangote Cement’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Arvind Pathak, noted that the company’s growth strategy remains firmly anchored on expanding production capacity, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening its pan-African footprint.
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Commenting on the Board’s decision to increase the dividend payout to N45 per share, Pathak said: “The decision to increase our dividend by 50 percent to N45 per share demonstrates the strength of Dangote Cement’s earnings capacity and cash generation capability. As we continue to execute our pan-African growth strategy, we remain committed to creating lasting value for our shareholders, investing in the future of the business, and supporting Africa’s industrial development. Our shareholders have stood by us throughout our journey, and we are delighted to reward that trust with another significant increase in returns.”
According to him, Dangote Cement aims to expand installed capacity to 80 million tonnes per annum by 2030, supported by strategic investments across Africa. “In 2025, we marked a milestone with the successful commissioning of a 3Mta grinding plant in Cote d’Ivoire, strengthening our presence in West Africa. With this addition, Dangote Cement now operates fully commissioned assets in 11 African countries, with total installed capacity of 55Mta-comprising 33.5Mta in Nigeria and 19.7Mta across our pan-African operations”
Pathak emphasized that the company remains focused on its vision of making Africa self-sufficient in cement and clinker production while maintaining strong returns for shareholders.
The company’s remarkable dividend record highlights the success of its long-term growth strategy, which has seen it evolve into Africa’s largest cement producer with operations spanning ten African countries. Through continuous investments in capacity expansion, logistics, energy efficiency, and innovation, Dangote Cement has consistently strengthened its earnings profile and market leadership.
Market analysts say the increase in dividend payout to N45 per share sends a strong signal of confidence in the company’s future earnings prospects and underscores management’s commitment to shareholder wealth creation. The milestone dividend distribution further cements Dangote Cement’s reputation as a premier blue-chip stock and a benchmark for value creation on the Nigerian Exchange.
As the company continues to execute its expansion strategy across Africa, shareholders are expected to remain key beneficiaries of its sustained growth, operational excellence, and long-term commitment to delivering superior returns.
Business
Shell, Banks Launch $3bn Contractor Support Fund
Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) has taken a major step towards empowering Nigerian contractors with the launch of a $3-billion Contract Finance Facility in partnership with nine leading Nigerian banks.
A company statement has it that the facility is designed to provide credit support for local contractors executing projects for SNEPCo operations and will be available in both Naira and US Dollars.
The participating banks are First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Stanbic IBTC, Standard Chartered Bank, First City Monument Bank and Fidelity Bank, it added.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lagos, the SNEPCo Managing Director, Ronald Adams said, “the initiative reflects the spirit of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, which is aimed at in-country value retention. Our partner banks offer capital and discipline. SNEPCo brings contracts and domiciliation of payments that de-risk lending. On their part, the contractors provide performance. Each is accountable to others, and the mutual accountability gives the arrangement its strength.”
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Also, at the signing ceremony, the Vice President Finance, Shell Nigeria, C. J. Akwaeze, said the scheme reflects Shell’s commitment to the growth of oil and gas operations in Nigeria.
The chairman of indigenous oil and gas contractor group PETAN, Wole Ogunsanya, represented by Dr Joan Faluyi, lauded the scheme as a “gateway to unlocking contractor financing issues which will also drive efficiency in contract execution.”
Representatives of the banks commended SNEPCo for the opportunity to partner on an initiative aimed at empowering contractors and assured the company of their continued support and cooperation.
Nigerian companies have continued to play key roles in supporting SNEPCo’s operation and project execution. Early this year, 43 wholly Nigerian companies took part in the turnaround maintenance exercise at the Bonga Floating Production and Offloading (FPSO) vessel out of the total of 53 companies involved.
The Contract Finance Facility is expected to further boost the capacity of Nigerian companies to deliver even more value in the operations of Nigeria’s premier deepwater producer.
Business
DPRP, Congo National Oil Consider Strategic Partnership
The national oil company of the Republic of Congo, the Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals (DPRP) are discussing a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the Republic of the Congo’s supply of refined petroleum products.
The parties also have on the agenda, advancing regional energy cooperation and industrial integration across Africa, Biztellers can report.
SNPC Managing Director, Maixent Raoul Ominga, who led a delegation from his country on a visit to the DPRP, described the facility as a strategic asset for Africa and expressed the national oil company’s interest in developing a long-term partnership with Dangote.
“We have visited this remarkable refinery, which represents a major industrial achievement for Africa. The Republic of the Congo has refining capacity and we are keen to explore strategic cooperation that will help strengthen the supply of refined petroleum products while creating value for both organisations,” Ominga said.
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Discussions between both organisations, he said, focused on opportunities for collaboration in refining, petroleum products supply, energy security, industrial development, and knowledge sharing.
He praised the Dangote Group for demonstrating that Africa can successfully finance, build and operate world class industrial infrastructure, describing the refinery as an important milestone in the continent’s industrial transformation.
Ominga also commended the Group’s investments in the Republic of the Congo, particularly in the cement sector, noting that they have strengthened local industrial capacity, expanded production and improved access to construction materials.
On his part, President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to Africa’s industrialisation through value addition, regional partnerships and investment across the continent.
“We are for Africa, not just Nigeria. Tell us what you need, and we will see how we can work together,” Dangote said.
He noted that the refinery has established a new benchmark for fuel quality in Africa by producing petroleum products that meet the highest international specifications, while improving access to cleaner fuels and reducing the continent’s dependence on imported refined products.
In the same vein, the Vice President, Oil and Gas, DIL, Devakumar Edwin, outlined the Group’s long term expansion strategy, which will increase its total refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day, comprising 1.4 million barrels per day in Nigeria and a planned 700,000 barrels per day refining complex in Kenya to serve East African markets.
He also disclosed plans by the Group to invest an additional US$46 billion between 2026 and 2028 across its refining, cement and fertiliser businesses as part of its drive to accelerate industrialisation across Africa.
The engagement underscores the shared commitment of SNPC and the DPRP to deepen African energy cooperation, strengthen regional value chains and promote greater self sufficiency in refined petroleum products as the continent advances towards enhanced energy security and increased intra African trade.
Also present at the meeting were Group Executive Director, Commercial, Oil and Gas, DIL, Fatima Aliko Dangote; Adviser to the President of the Republic of the Congo, Peggy Ndongo and advisers to the SNPC Managing Director, Aymar Ebiou and Norbert Mabiala.





