News
Coca Cola’s Safe Birth Initiative Moves to FMC Owerri, Hands over Equipments worth N290M
Coca Cola Nigeria Limited, took its Safe Birth Initiative (SBI), aimed at improving maternal outcomes and reducing child mortality incidents to Federal Medical Center, Owerri. This is impelled by the need to aid the country’s attainment of its sustainable development commitments.
The equipment and supplies worth a total conservative value of about $800,000, ie over N290 Million, were formally unveiled and handed over at a special event held at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri on February 21, 2020.
Every year, thousands of women and newborns die from preventable causes as a result of a lack of access to or poor healthcare services. It is estimated that no fewer than seven million babies are born in Nigeria annually.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), one in 34 Nigerian babies die before their first birthday. It is against this background that the Safe Birth Initiative was created by Coca Cola Nigeria in collaboration with Medshare International and the Federal Government through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and the Federal Ministry of Health in 2018.
The initiative was created to strengthen the capacity of selected tertiary reference institutions across the country through the procurement of vital maternal and neonatal medical equipment/supplies, training biomedical engineering/technicians to improve equipment maintenance and repairs of abandoned medical equipment.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, public affairs and communications manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, restated Coca Cola’s commitment to upholding the health and well-being of women as cornerstone pillars of the society.
“The issue of maternal mortality is very important to us because it affects the wellbeing of women. Globally, Coca-Cola has a commitment to women whom we consider pillars of the society and also pillars of our business in Africa, where they have always played a dominant role in our vast distribution and retail network. Through the SBI, we want to support the untiring efforts of our hard working doctors, midwives and nurses who battle against great odds in our public hospitals to manage life-threatening complications affecting mothers and the newborn”. she said.
The Minister for Health, represented by Dr Ugochukwu Onyeonoro, head, Clinical Services, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, expressed his gratitude to Coca-Cola Nigeria and Medshare International for the equipment donated to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri.
He said, “I am happy about this initiative championed by Coca-Cola and Medshare. These contributions will certainly contribute to the reduction in mother and child mortality rate in Nigeria as a whole.”
Speaking on the partnership with Coca-Cola, Director of Biomedical Training and Technical Services, Medshare International, Dr Eben Amstrong said, “There is no way these equipment and consumables would have gotten to Federal Medical Center, Owerri without Coca-Cola.
“They have been a very efficient and able partner and Medshare International is grateful for that”.
The Chairman of the Board, Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Senator Ishaq Adebayo Salman also expressed his gratitude to Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Medshare International.
He said, “I would like to thank Coca-Cola and Medshare for their contributions to Federal Medical Center, Owerri.
“They did not stop at donating the necessary equipment needed in the hospital; they went further to train the biomedical staff both on technical skills and on character to ensure more lives are saved.”
The installation and unveiling at FMC Owerri makes it the fourth beneficiary hospital to receive medical equipment under this Initiative.
A total of 15 major public hospitals recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health, will receive hospital equipment, kits and supplies worth a total conservative value of about $10.8 million, i.e. over N3.8 billion as Coca Cola and its partners Medshare International hope to promote improved maternal care experience at these public health institutions.
Coca Cola Nigeria has imprinted strong local footprints in more than 200 countries across the globe through strategic projects that tackle some of the challenges that impede the sustainable development of communities.
Since Inception, the SBI has delivered ten units of forty-foot containers of medical equipment, kit and supplies to four target public health Institutions; National Hospital, Abuja, Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Lagos, Alimosho General Hospital, Igando and now Federal Medical Center, Owerri.
A total of over 120 Biomedical Engineers/technicians drawn across various beneficiary institutions have also been trained under the initiative.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) baggage tracking technology across domestic and international airport terminals to tackle the growing problem of delayed, misrouted and missing luggages
Michael Achimugu, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, disclosed this at a stakeholder engagement forum in Lagos.
Achimugu said the RFID-enabled system would replace the traditional barcode-based baggage tracking framework and provide airlines and passengers with real-time visibility of checked luggage from check-in to final collection.
According to him, the technology would improve baggage traceability, reduce mishandling and strengthen accountability across the baggage-handling chain.
Unlike conventional barcode systems, RFID technology allows baggage to be automatically scanned at multiple points without requiring direct line of sight, enabling real-time tracking of luggage throughout its journey.
Achimugu said issues involving short-landed, missing, lost or damaged baggage had remained among the major complaints from air travellers, alongside flight delays.
He said the introduction of RFID technology was therefore aimed at improving baggage-handling standards and restoring passenger confidence in the aviation sector.
The NCAA said the initiative also aligns with IATA Resolution 753, which requires airlines to track baggage at key points during the passenger journey.
The authority expects the technology to provide more accurate information on the location of luggage, facilitate quicker resolution of baggage-related complaints and improve the overall passenger experience.
The NCAA said the initiative would also strengthen accountability among airlines and other stakeholders involved in baggage handling at Nigerian airports.
eTranzact International Plc has called for increased adoption of digital payment solutions among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), saying access to technology is critical to improving business efficiency, financial inclusion and growth.
The company also said it was deepening its partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to expand digital access and financial literacy among small businesses across the country.
In a statement, the Divisional Head, Merchant Services, eTranzact, Mrs. Abimbola Reis, stated this at the SMEDAN/eTranzact Town Hall Engagement in Lagos recently, themed, “Financial Literacy and Inclusion for MSMEs Leveraging on Fintech Innovation.”
Reis described MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, noting that the sector comprises almost 40 million businesses and contributes significantly to economic growth and job creation.
However, she said many businesses continue to face challenges including limited access to finance, inefficient payment systems, weak financial reporting, cash-flow constraints and inadequate access to digital platforms.
She added that trust concerns also affect businesses’ ability to access finance, while heavy reliance on cash increases exposure to theft and makes payment reconciliation more difficult.
Representing the Director-General of SMEDAN, Prof. Yinka Fisher said the town hall was aimed at generating practical ideas and solutions that would support the growth and expansion of MSMEs.
“The essence of this engagement is to share ideas and concepts that will help MSMEs thrive and expand. Our partnership with eTranzact is about expanding the frontiers of MSMEs and ensuring they continue to grow,” he said.
Also speaking, representative of the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Praise Adedigba said businesses could no longer depend solely on hard work to remain competitive.
As the world marks International Youth Day, attention once again turns to the opportunities and challenges facing young people as they prepare for work, financial independence, and adulthood.
In Nigeria, the urgency is clear. According to UNICEF, about 7% of young people aged 15–24 possess basic ICT skills, highlighting a wider gap in the skills required to participate effectively in an increasingly digital economy.
At the same time, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, continues to prioritize skills development, job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
For PalmPay, youth empowerment goes beyond corporate social responsibility. It is an investment in the people who will shape Nigeria’s workforce, businesses and economy.
This belief is reflected in initiatives focused on financial literacy, employability, digital skills and access to opportunities.
Through its Graduate Trainee Programme, PalmPay provides young graduates with opportunities to gain workplace experience, develop professional skills and build careers in a fast-evolving industry.
The investment also extends to financial education. Through its NYSC Financial Literacy Programme, PalmPay brings practical financial education to young Nigerians at an important transition point, helping Corps members develop better habits around saving, spending, budgeting and protecting their money.
For young women, Purple Woman provides another pathway to economic empowerment, creating opportunities for internships, learning and professional development while supporting greater female participation in the technology sector.
Speaking on the importance of youth empowerment, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, said: “Nigeria’s young population is one of its greatest assets, but unlocking its potential requires access to the right skills, knowledge and opportunities. At PalmPay, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians to learn, earn and thrive in an increasingly digital economy. We believe that investing in young people today is an investment in a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria.”
These initiatives reflect a broader belief that youth empowerment is most meaningful when young people are given the knowledge, exposure and opportunities to apply what they learn.
A graduate given workplace exposure today can become tomorrow’s business leader. A Corps member who develops sound financial habits can carry those lessons into their career and personal life. A young woman given access to professional opportunities can gain the confidence, experience, and networks to create opportunities for others.
Investing in young people is a great strategy for building a stronger, more productive, and more inclusive economy.
This International Youth Day, PalmPay reaffirms its commitment to investing in young Nigerians and contributing to a broader national ambition where the young population is not just counted, but equipped, employed, empowered, and positioned to lead.
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