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Coca-Cola Nigeria System to Invest N560b in 5 years, Flags off 70th Anniversary
The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria, comprising Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited and Coca-Cola Nigeria Ltd, has flagged off activities marking its 70th anniversary celebration in Nigeria, with commitment to invest N560 billion in five years.
This was announced Thursday at a press briefing with key NBC and Coca-Cola Nigeria executives in attendance.
The Coca-Cola System, through the bottling arm NBC, was incorporated in 1951. Today the Coca-Cola system is a leader in the non-alcoholic category with a rich portfolio of brands and array of options across its product offering.
The system has kept growing with its customers with a stated vision to provide a beverage for every occasion around the clock, while positively impacting the nation and economy.
With 8 manufacturing plants, over 7000 dealers, skilled and dedicated employees, and a sophisticated distribution system across Nigeria, there is practically no community in Nigeria where a cold bottle of Coca-Cola is not within the close reach of consumers.
Commenting on the 70th anniversary milestone, Mathieu Seguin, Managing Director of NBC, said, “As we continued to grow, we have been very deliberate about investing heavily to make a positive impact in the lives of people in communities where we work and operate. We believe that our business is only as sustainable as the communities in which we do business, and this is why we have mainstreamed sustainability into every aspect of our business.
“For perspective, in the last 10 years alone, the Coke System has invested more than 9 billion naira in lifting the living standards of communities where we do business in Nigeria, through locally relevant initiatives.
Some of the areas we have had the most impact have been in education and youth development, women empowerment, water, environmental sustainability, sports and the promotion of commerce and entrepreneurship.”
Seguin went on to share some of the impact and notable accomplishments of the Coca-Cola system over the years. In youth development, the System has trained over 30,000 youths on entrepreneurship and employability skills across different cities in Nigeria in the last 5 years.
Under Education, its Tech Relevant Teacher (TRT) project has impacted 24,000 school pupils, with 648 school leaders and teachers trained and several classrooms blocks constructed or renovated in over 30 public schools in the last 5 years, impacted over 30,000 students.
With regards to women development, from 2015 to 2019 alone the Coca-Cola 5by20 program impacted over 470,000 women, with 38,000 women supported to start up their own medium, small or micro businesses as Coca-Cola Distributors or Retailers.
The Lady Mechanic Initiative empowered 100 vulnerable young women with vocational, entrepreneurial and life skills, and equipped them to become certified professional automobile mechanics.
Furthermore, the Safe Birth Initiative, a wellbeing programme to support the efforts of the government towards reducing the alarming numbers of deaths by women and new-born babies from birth-related complication has impacted over 12,000 Mothers and Babies since inception.
Speaking also at the event, Alfred Olajide, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Nigeria remarked that, “Anniversaries are an important part of life. They remind us of important events, both personal and cultural.
“This celebration not only gives us an opportunity to look back at the brand’s storied history in Nigeria but is also an opportunity to highlight our plans for the future. This milestone anniversary is a testament to the possibilities and shared opportunities we have created in this great country.
Beyond an anniversary, this is a story of a company building and establishing long-lasting relationships with diverse groups, individuals, and organisations in a bid to ensure a better-shared future; it is years of system investments that have ensured the oiling of this country’s economic gears; it is years of initiatives that have ensured and fostered community resilience in communities seeking our intervention; it is years of instilling hope, open happiness, positive feelings and the magic of community in audiences.”
The 70th anniversary celebration will run all through the remaining part of 2021 with a line-up of activities designed to celebrate the milestone with the Coca-Cola System’s consumers, customers, employees, partners and the general public for their support towards the growth of the business which include the Anniversary Stakeholder Event, consumer seeding/giveback programmes among others.
“In emphasizing our current Real Magic philosophy, we will be kickstarting The Nigerians of Coca-Cola campaign, which will serve to tell a visual story of a diverse set of people across key regions in the country with different struggles and positive histories with Coca-Cola.
“These are people that have directly benefited from The Coca-Cola System’s sustainability initiatives – from our value system to our key programme areas such as women and youth empowerment, waste, wellbeing, and water stewardship.
“Through this activity, we will also highlight the long-term impact these partnerships and initiatives have had on the communities and individuals.
“To share fun and interesting stories about our beverages, we are also launching the My Coke Moments campaign, to encourage customers and stakeholders across demographics to share nostalgic moments and memories with their online network of friends.
“This further demonstrates Coca-Cola’s cultural relativism in Nigeria and showcases the brand’s longevity and love in the country
“We have also planned Share a Trip with Coke which is an activity that will be spreading Real Magic across four key Nigerian cities.
“Coca-Cola branded buses will be on major routes in Lagos, Kano and Port-Harcourt, and lucky customers that get on the buses will be rewarded with free rides and exclusive brand merchandise.
“To cap off the exciting activities, we will close the celebration with a celebratory dinner in November 2021 to delight our varied stakeholders”.
At the event, the Coca-Cola System presented Socio-Economic Impact Report for 2015-2019 which summarises the impact of the system, the value it has contributed to the Nigerian economy and the investments it is making in communities.
According to Mr. Seguin, “since 2007, we have invested $1.7billiion in the country and we will be investing an additional N560 billion or $1b in our operations in Nigeria.
“In the last five years, the Coca-Cola system has also supported the creation of 58,000 jobs along its value chain”.
In closing, Olajide remarked that, “as we prepare for more decades of excellence and enriching moments, I believe that there are opportunities for us to learn more, listen more, and continue to tailor our beverage solutions, to provide our consumers the brands they love at the different phases of their lives, done sustainably for a better shared future.
We will continue to enable economic empowerment for the people who need it most – downstream and upstream of our supply chain to truly uplift future generations.
Our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals are embedded in how we operate as a business – it has been the history and legacy of the business in Nigeria, and our consumers should not expect anything less than the promise of quality, personalization, and the optimism that our beverages inspire.”
Olajide noted that Coca-Cola has always been in the forefront of corporate support for the development of football in Nigeria. Over 10,000 players, from 500 schools and 50 celebrity football coaches have participated in the Copa Coca-Cola programme which has reached the 36 States and the FCT, Abuja since it launched in Nigeria in 2009.
In addition, on January 17, 2018, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited announced its partnership with Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the Official Soft Drink Company and Sponsor of all the Nigeria National Football teams.
The partnership is worth $4 million and will run for five years. Partnerships such as these have brought the FIFA World Cup trophy to Nigeria three times, as part of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour and have given many consumers the opportunity to travel and watch football tournaments live.
Sustainable manufacturing was also highlighted as an ongoing priority for the System, with a focus on Energy use reduction, Water use reduction, Emissions reduction and World Without Waste through investments made in installations such as Combiner Heat and Power plant, Effluent treatment plants and hybrid solar power installations in its manufacturing plants.
The system also reinforced its global commitment to make all consumer packaging 100% recyclable by 2025 and to enhance the collection of all packaging material by 2030 through its World Without Waste program.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an alleged multi-billion-naira visa overstay racketeering network within the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), with at least five serving officers, including a deputy comptroller, grilled by investigators.
The investigation, which cuts across the administrations of several former comptrollers-general of Immigration, has reportedly uncovered about N700 million in the bank accounts of one of the suspects and several multi-billion-naira estates allegedly acquired by another suspect through proxies.
The alleged racket centres on the extortion of foreigners who overstayed their visas, with investigators probing how immigration officials allegedly diverted or illegally collected huge sums from affected foreigners.
The development comes against the backdrop of the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, which introduced a penalty regime requiring foreigners who overstay their visas to pay $15 for every day spent in the country after the expiration of their visas.
A visa overstay occurs when you remain in a country past the authorized departure date stamped on your passport or travel document.
The EFCC investigation is reportedly focused on officers operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; and the NIS headquarters in Abuja.
Among those said to have been questioned are Assistant Superintendent of Immigration, Bashar Suleiman, serving at the Lagos airport; deputy superintendent of Immigration, Musa Abubakar, of the Abuja airport; principal staff officer to the comptroller-general of Immigration, chief Superintendent of Immigration Dotun Aridegbe; and two personal assistants to the comptroller-general, assistant comptroller of Immigration Emmanuel Imaekhai and assistant superintendent of Immigration O. Babatunde.
The investigation was reportedly triggered by information supplied by a female immigration officer who allegedly blew the whistle on the scheme.
A source familiar with the probe said the whistleblower’s allegations led investigators to examine the financial activities of several NIS officers and their associates.
“We opened an investigation into the visa overstay racket after a female immigration officer blew the lid on the racketeering,” the source said.
The source alleged that investigators had found links between the alleged racket and several aides of Kemi Nandap, current comptroller-general of Immigration.
“Several of her aides have indicted her directly and indirectly. Investigators are looking into whether she was a beneficiary of the multi-billion-naira extortion racket,” the source said.
The allegations against the Comptroller-General remain subject to investigation, and no formal charge has been announced against her.
The source said the investigation had revealed that the alleged extortion network may have operated for years, possibly under successive Comptrollers-General of Immigration.
“It is an interesting but damaging case because we found out that the extortion of overstayers has been going on for several years under past CGs, some of whom appeared to have benefitted from the scheme,” the source said.
Investigators have reportedly identified a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration who has served at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for more than 10 years, a posting described by investigators as unusual.
A search of the officer’s apartment allegedly uncovered immigration stamps associated with various international airports across Nigeria.
The officer is also said to have maintained close relationships with successive Comptrollers-General, a development now being examined as investigators attempt to unravel the alleged structure and longevity of the racket.
“He is known to relate directly with all serving CGs. His admissions have been illuminating as he is the linchpin of the operation,” the source said.
The EFCC is also investigating the alleged use of proxies to conceal the proceeds of the racket.
Some individuals whose names were allegedly used to operate multiple bank accounts and acquire landed properties have reportedly told investigators that they acted as fronts for the suspects.
The commission is expected to scrutinise the assets, bank accounts and financial transactions linked to the suspects as it traces the alleged proceeds of the racket.
The investigation may also be widened to include some former Comptrollers-General of Immigration, who could be invited to clarify findings and authenticate admissions allegedly contained in written statements obtained from the suspects.
The EFCC has yet to publicly announce charges against the officers, while the investigation is ongoing.
However, CSI O. Babatunde, one of the NIS officers, said to be linked to the alleged visa overstay racket has denied any involvement in the scheme.
The officer, in a brief response to the allegations, said he had no connection with visa fraud or any related racketeering.
“I am not involved in a scam and do not have any visa scam issue, please. I was never invited for visa scam,” the officer said.
Others who were asked of their involvement, Dotun Aridegbe, Emmanuel Imaekhai, Bashar Suleiman did not respond to messages sent to their mobile line.
The denial by Babatunde, comes as the EFCC continues its investigation into the alleged visa overstay extortion network.
The commission has not publicly disclosed the identities of all the officers being investigated, nor has it announced any charges in connection with the matter.
All allegations remain subject to investigation, and the suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fight against piracy and drug trafficking in the country.
NCC Director General, Dr. John Asein (left) and NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd)
This was disclosed on Friday in a press statement released by Femi Babafemi, director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA.
Speaking at the ceremony to sign the MoU at the NDLEA headquarters, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), chairman/chief executive officer of the Agency, said the partnership may appear, on the surface, to bring together two unrelated mandates, but which, on closer examination, reflects a shared reality in the fight against organized crime in Nigeria.
According to Marwa, “Our experience at the frontlines of drug law enforcement has shown us time and again that criminal networks rarely confine themselves to a single illicit enterprise. The same syndicates that traffic in narcotics are often found dabbling in other forms of economic crime, including the piracy of intellectual works that rightfully belong to Nigeria’s creatives: our musicians, filmmakers, writers, and software developers. Proceeds from one illegal trade frequently find their way into financing the other. This is the criminal value chain we must disrupt together.
“Today’s MoU gives structure to that shared fight. Through it, our two agencies commit to exchanging intelligence, coordinating joint operations, building the capacity of our respective officers, and supporting one another with the technical resources needed to do this work well. A Joint Working Committee will be established to drive this collaboration forward, meeting regularly to ensure that what we sign today translates into real results on the ground.
“Let me be clear: this partnership is not just about law enforcement. It is about protecting the health and social wellbeing of our people, and about safeguarding the immense creative talent of this nation: a talent that deserves to thrive without the theft that piracy represents, and a society that deserves protection from the scourge of illicit drugs.”
He commended the NCC for recognizing the intersection between drug trafficking and piracy. “This is how effective government works; agencies finding the common threads in their missions and pulling together rather than in isolation”, Marwa added.
In his remarks, Dr. John Asein, director general of NCC, noted that the alliance between NDLEA and the commission marks a significant milestone in the growing culture of inter-agency collaboration within the Nigerian public service, adding that the effort will enhance the common responsibility of protecting the Nigerian society from criminal enterprises that undermine national security, economic development and the rule of law.
“Copyright piracy is sometimes wrongly perceived as a minor commercial offence or a victimless activity. In reality, large-scale piracy is often a highly organised and profitable criminal enterprise. It deprives creators and investors of legitimate income, destroys jobs, discourages investment, reduces government revenue and weakens the foundations of Nigeria’s creative economy,”Asein said.
“International experience has demonstrated that organised copyright piracy is rarely an isolated criminal activity. Across several jurisdictions, the same criminal syndicates, logistics channels, financial networks and distribution systems used to traffic pirated goods have also been linked to other forms of transnational organised crime, including narcotics trafficking, money laundering, smuggling and cyber-enabled offences. This reality underscores the imperative for closer collaboration between agencies such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigerian Copyright Commission.
“The same clandestine supply chains, transportation routes, storage facilities, financial channels and distribution networks used for trafficking in illicit drugs and other prohibited goods may also be deployed for the movement and sale of pirated books, films, music, software and other copyright products. Proceeds from piracy may equally be laundered or channelled into other criminal activities.
“This connection makes collaboration between the Nigerian Copyright Commission and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency both necessary and timely. By combining our respective mandates, expertise and intelligence capabilities, we can more effectively identify criminal networks, trace illicit financial flows, disrupt illegal supply chains and dismantle the structures that sustain organised criminal enterprises.
“For the Nigerian Copyright Commission, this partnership offers an invaluable opportunity to leverage the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s world-class expertise in intelligence-led law enforcement. Over the years, the NDLEA has earned a well-deserved reputation, both nationally and internationally, for its professionalism, operational excellence and innovation in combating organised crime. Under the able leadership of the Chairman/Chief Executive, the Agency has demonstrated remarkable success in intelligence-driven operations, strategic investigations, forensic capabilities, surveillance, financial intelligence, international cooperation and effective inter-agency coordination.”
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce a biometric identity verification system, known as V-Pass, to speed up passenger processing and enhance security at domestic airports nationwide.
This initiative is aimed at strengthening aviation security, reducing passenger processing time and eliminating dependence on physical identity documents.
A statement issued yesterday by Henry Agbebire, director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, said the new facial recognition platform, developed in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, would enable passengers to verify their identities through biometric authentication, allowing them seamless access through airport security checkpoints and boarding gates.
According to him, the initiative formed the focus of a strategic meeting between FAAN and Verxid Technologies Limited, where both organisations reviewed deployment plans, security safeguards and measures to improve passenger experience.
The statement hinted that the authority centred on ensuring the successful rollout of the digital platform while maintaining high security standards.
The statement quoted, Adebola Agunbiade, director of Commercial and Business Development, FAAN, as describing the V-Pass as another milestone in the authority’s ongoing digital transformation programme.
According to her, the platform indicated FAAN’s commitment to deploying innovative technology that enhances passenger facilitation while reinforcing aviation security across domestic airports.
She assured that the system would provide every traveller with a secure digital identity through a one-time enrolment process.
Under the arrangement, Nigerian passengers would register using their National Identification Number (NIN) alongside facial biometric capture, while foreign travellers would enroll with their passports through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) supported by biometric authentication, the statement added.
FAAN said the system would verify passenger identities before they gain access to restricted airport areas and once again before boarding their flights.
The agency noted that the dual-verification process was designed to prevent identity fraud, impersonation and unauthorised access to airport facilities, while giving security agencies greater confidence in passenger authentication.
Passengers would be able to complete the verification process either through self-service kiosks or with assistance from trained FAAN personnel.
The deployment would also include electronic gates to automate access into controlled areas, reduce queues and improve passenger movement across airport terminals.
According to the developers, first-time registration is expected to take about one minute, while subsequent biometric verification would take less than 30 seconds.
Apart from passenger processing, the V-Pass platform would also provide airlines with secure digital access to flight schedules, passenger manifests and boarding statistics.
FAAN assured travellers that data protection remained a critical component of the project, stressing that the platform fully complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
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