Headlines

Soft drinks manufacturing company, Coca-Cola has announced plans to invest $1 billion in the country over the next five years.

This announcement was made during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the global leadership team of Coca-Cola Company, led by Mr. John Murphy, President and Chief Financial Officer, and Ambassador Segun Apata, Chairman of Nigerian Bottling Company.

According to a statement by the special adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended Coca-Cola for its long-standing partnership with Nigeria.

”We are business-friendly, and as I said at my inauguration, we must create an environment of easy-in and easy-out for businesses.

”We are building a financial system where you can invest, re-invest, and repatriate all your dividends. I have a firm belief in that,” he said.

Tinubu told the delegation that private sector partnerships, which sustain investments, are central to his government’s far-reaching reforms to improve the business environment.

He pledged that the government would continue partnering with Coca-Cola to expand investments in Nigeria and address environmental issues, including climate change.

Murphy noted that the company generates N320 billion annually through nearly 300,000 customers and contributes almost N90 billion in revenue to the Nigerian government.

”We are very proud of the growth of the business over a long period and its impact on the daily lives of many Nigerians.

”Beyond the financial impacts, we are also very committed to supporting the communities, and over the last number of years, we’ve had a special focus on several areas in the world of sustainability, water packaging and others, ” he said.

On his part, Mr Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, explained that the company’s confidence in Nigerian government policies had encouraged it to make the $1 billion investment pledge.

”Mr President, in your inaugural address, we were very pleased to hear of your invitation for foreign investors to invest and your assurance that foreign businesses can repatriate dividends and profits.

”That assurance gives us the confidence to continue our investments. Since 2013, we have invested $ 1.5 billion in Nigeria in capacity expansion, transformation of our supply chain infrastructure capabilities, training, and development.

”I am very pleased to announce that, with a predictable and enabling environment in place, we plan to invest an additional $1 billion over the next five years.

”We believe Nigeria’s potential is tremendous, and we are committed to working with the government to realise this potential,” he said.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Pate, announced that the Federal Government is working to decriminalize attempted suicide.

This move is part of the National Suicide Strategic Framework (2023-2030), launched to enhance mental health and prevent suicide.

The current law, Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, considers attempted suicide a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison. However, Pate emphasized that instead of punishment, individuals who attempt suicide need support and help.

According to Pate, Nigeria’s suicide rate is alarmingly high, with 12.9 cases per 100,000 people. The majority of these cases involve young people aged 15 to 29, making suicide the fourth leading cause of death in this age group in Africa, accounting for 40% of all suicide deaths.

The National Suicide Strategic Framework aims to identify risk and protective factors associated with suicide in Nigeria. It outlines strategic objectives, interventions, and indicators for suicide prevention, aligning with international best practices.

Pate confirmed that the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is collaborating with the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to address the law criminalizing attempted suicide. This move will bring Nigeria in line with countries that have already decriminalized attempted suicide.

The 2024 World Suicide Prevention Day, commemorated on September 10, focuses on “Changing the Narrative on Suicide.” This initiative encourages a shift from stigmatizing and punishing individuals who attempt suicide to providing them with the necessary support and care.

By decriminalizing attempted suicide, Nigeria can begin to address the root causes of mental health issues and provide hope for those struggling.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has publicly endorsed Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, for the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial election.

Saraki, a prominent PDP chieftain and 13th president of the Nigerian Senate from 2015 to 2019, made his endorsement known through a social media message.

In his endorsement, Saraki described Ighodalo as a leader with exceptional qualities, including “unquestionable integrity, unparalleled vision, and dedication to make Edo State thrive.”

He also highlighted Ighodalo’s impressive track record of driving positive change and expressed confidence that he would bring pioneering leadership to the public sector as governor.

Saraki’s endorsement is not the only high-profile support Ighodalo has received. Recently, award-winning musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, also endorsed Ighodalo.

As a respected figure in Nigerian politics, Saraki’s endorsement carries significant weight.

His leadership experience and influence will likely boost Ighodalo’s campaign and appeal to voters.

With the election approaching, Ighodalo’s campaign will likely continue to gain momentum from prominent endorsements like Saraki’s and Davido’s.

The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as KAI, has sealed off Idera Market in Oshodi due to environmental law violations.

Corps Marshal Major Olaniyi Cole announced this decision, citing the need for intensified efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness across registered markets.

According to Cole, LAGESC operatives identified filth, unhygienic practices, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse around Idera Market during a routine monitoring exercise. This prompted the seal-off until further notice.

Cole expressed concern that the market’s poor hygiene levels pose health risks to vendors and buyers, potentially causing illnesses and disease outbreaks. He emphasized that markets must adopt hygienic practices to prevent disease spread.

The market leadership’s failure to provide a valid waste collection contract was a key factor contributing to the refuse heaps.

LAGESC will continuously monitor market environments for contraventions, warning other markets to maintain acceptable hygiene levels. Non-compliant markets will be sealed off until total compliance is achieved.

This enforcement aims to promote a cleaner, hygienic environment across Lagos State.

Concerns are escalating ahead of the Edo State governorship election, with the hashtag #EdoElectionNoBeWar trending on social media.

Reports alleging the All Progressives Congress (APC) is arming thugs to disrupt the electoral process have sparked widespread alarm.

Citizens are expressing anxiety over potential violence and voter intimidation, particularly following allegations that former deputy governor Philip Shaibu is stockpiling weapons. The election is scheduled for September 21, 2024.

Social media platforms are filled with calls for peace, with users urging political actors to avoid chaos. Examples include tweets like “Let us vote in peace! Thugs have no place in our democracy” and “Elections should be peaceful, not a battlefield.”

Recent violent clashes in Benin City, resulting in a police inspector’s death, have heightened tensions. Voters are worried about their safety on election day.

Security expert Dr. Anthony Dimka warns that armed thugs could undermine the election’s legitimacy. He emphasizes the need for swift action from security agencies to ensure peace.

Civil society groups and community leaders are pressing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to guarantee a fair and peaceful election. They also urge political parties to renounce violence.

The APC has not yet responded to the allegations of arming thugs.

Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied allegations of plotting to oust Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano.

A recent social media report sparked these claims, but Ganduje’s team swiftly responded, labeling the accusations as absurd.

Ganduje’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Enlightenment, Chief Oliver Okpala, released a statement emphasizing that the former Kano State governor has no connection to the alleged plot.

Ganduje’s current position as APC National Chairman, rather than governor or speaker of the state house of assembly, renders him powerless in Kano’s emirship affairs.

The statement clarified that Ganduje has “nothing to do with the present enthronement or dethronement of Emir Mohammad Sanusi in Kano state.” It’s unreasonable to assume Ganduje would mastermind a plot when he hasn’t held the governor’s office for years.

Rumors also suggested Ganduje aimed to advise Alhaji Ado Bayero to relinquish his throne for peace to reign. Ganduje’s team dismissed this claim as absurd, highlighting his focus on leading the APC and contributing to national issues.

Ganduje’s leadership and governance of Kano State are credited as exemplary. Since transitioning from governor to APC National Chairman, he has prioritized national matters, leaving behind local concerns.