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How Diageo Electricity Project Empowers Businesses

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance
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Even as electricity generation in Nigeria reached estimated value of 3088.22 in the year 2011, acute shortage of electricity still remains source of headache for both businesses and ordinary people.

Electricity supply, in small measure, determines the economic buoyancy of any nation and the absence of this spells weaknesses around the developmental growth of concerned nation.

 There are enormous effects of unstable power supply on a nation as Nigeria.

For instance, earlier in the year, analysts predicted that telecommunications companies in Nigeria will spend about N45.9 billion in 2012 on (fueling) generators in order to provide 284.8 megawatts of electricity at $1 million per megawatt.

The essence is to power Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) – a critical network infrastructure component required to deliver telecoms services.

 Meanwhile, states like Yobe, Taraba and Akwa Ibom can have 24 hours power supply if they have 284.8 megawatts of electricity each.

Not only that, Nigerian manufacturers, small scale businesses and families spend an average of N3.504.800 trillion yearly to power diesel and petrol generating sets due to unstable supply of electricity, which has become an insurmountable mountain before past and present government.

There is no gainsaying that, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has disappointed the country.

We need power in our offices, businesses need power and even in our homes power is of critical importance, but the dependence on this power authority seem frustrating. Even as many people have found solace in the use of generating sets like listers, it is very obvious that cost of running a generator or lister is very high.

The pollution caused by fuel emision poses greater danger to human beings.

Politicians upon promises to provide the analgesic to the prevalent problem in the country have made the matter a campaign theme and poem.

However, companies have engaged in ‘self medication’ to mitigate the effects on their business. Sometimes, they go as far as providing electricity for host communities.

One of such happened recently, when a U.K.-based Diageo plc, a leading global alcohol beverage company, tapped Clarke Energy, a distributor of GE’s Jenbacher gas engines, to install turnkey combined heat and power (CHP) plants at its Guinness breweries in Ogba and Benin City, Nigeria to lower their energy costs and increase production.

The two, 3.3-megawatt (MW) CHP plants will each feature a natural gas-powered Jenbacher J620 gas engine and a backup diesel engine from a different supplier.

GE announced the brewery CHP projects in conjunction with the Africa Energy Forum 2012 in Berlin, Germany recently.

The new Ogba and Benin City projects represent the fifth and sixth Jenbacher CHP engines that Diageo has installed since 2008 at its Guinness Nigeria plc brewing operations to help lower energy costs and help keep pace with the steady growth in demand for its products.

In 2008, Diageo first installed a Jenbacher J620 cogeneration unit at its Guinness Ogba brewery, where the system was connected to a waste-heat boiler to produce steam for the brewing process.

The second installation in 2010 was configured to use the exhaust heat directly into an absorption chiller to provide a source of cooling for the plant.

Also in 2008, Diageo installed its first two Jenbacher J620 cogeneration systems at its Guinness Benin City brewery.

In addition to producing steam, the Benin City brewery’s Jenbacher unit was connected to an absorption chiller to create chilled water from the engine’s exhaust heat.

GE’s Jenbacher Type 6 engines offer numerous advantages: reliability, efficiency and robustness, with high power density and low installation costs.

 In addition, the pre-combustion chamber layout helps the engine achieve maximum efficiency with low emissions, while its unique design and optimized components support an extended service life and reduce maintenance and overhaul costs.

 Given the current price difference between natural gas and diesel fuel in Nigeria, using gas to power a high-efficiency Jenbacher engine can save a customer 78 percent compared to diesel fuel.

“GE’s Jenbacher gas engines are supporting our efforts to incorporate energy efficiency technologies to increase productivity. The performance of our previously installed Jenbacher gas engines, in terms of reliability, productivity and efficiency, has been tremendous,” said Henry Ohenhen, electrical/automation manager-Benin, Guinness Nigeria plc. “The proven capabilities of GE’s gas engines and Clarke Energy’s comprehensive, local after-sales service support have given us significant competitive advantages, helping us to develop the most modern and advanced breweries in Africa.

This latest installation will help support our growth and expansion goals.”
The Ogba and Benin City breweries are expanding their existing CHP plants to generate even more reliable electricity and steam while using cleaner-burning, less-expensive natural gas as the primary fuel.

 The new, ecomagination-approved Jenbacher J620 CHP units are scheduled to be fully installed, tested and in operation by the first quarter of 2013.
“This is an opportunity to realize significant operational cost savings, and we can typically expect a gas engine like the one being installed in Lagos to pay for itself within just 18 to 24 months,” said Patrick Regan, global sales leader for GE Food & Beverage Solutions.

“From a financial point of view, the case to use gas as a primary fuel is hard to dispute, given the current natural gas price point versus more traditional fuel sources such as diesel. More breweries are choosing to install gas engines in their facilities as a result of their increased reliability, efficiency and overall return on their investments, not to mention the positive environmental impact of cleaner emissions and reduced CO2 footprint.”

In addition to showcasing GE’s successful focus on the food and beverage sector, the Diageo projects illustrate how GE’s comprehensive suite of distributed power solutions—ranging in size from 100 kW to 100 MW—are helping customers worldwide to generate more reliable, on-site electricity and heat.

“With the upcoming installation of the latest Jenbacher system in Ogba and Benin City, we are pleased to be able to support the long-term growth of Diageo’s iconic brands,” said Alex Marshall, group marketing manager for U.K. and Nigeria-based Clarke Energy, which provides full-service sales, engineering, installation and maintenance services for GE’s Jenbacher gas engines product line.

Guinness Nigeria plc, a subsidiary of Diageo, was incorporated in 1962 and the following year opened its Ogba brewery in Ikeja, Lagos. Ikeja was the first Guinness brewery to be built outside of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Steady growth in Africa’s demand for Guinness Stout and Harp Lager prompted the opening of more breweries in Nigeria. In 1974, the company built its second brewery—Benin City—that originally produced Harp but was later expanded in 1978 to also make Guinness. In 1982, Guinness expanded its brewery at Ogba to also brew both Harp and Guinness. In 2004, a third Guinness brewery was opened at Aba in Abia State to further increase production capacity.

The CHP projects underscore how GE is helping Nigeria promote economic growth, employment and educational opportunities. Aligning with Nigeria’s goals for growth through its Vision 2020 initiative, GE and the federal government of Nigeria in 2009 signed a landmark “Country to Company” agreement to foster partnerships and drive critical infrastructure projects across the country.

Furthermore, GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world.

Concerned about the huge spending by telecom companies, the sector can become a transformative force by extending their tentacles to other private ventures for the provision of electricity, because additional penny spent on power generation, the public pay for it.


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Haleon Introduces New Corporate Identity in Nigeria

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Haleon, a global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health, is introducing its corporate identity across Nigeria in a phased transition. Trusted brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne, Macleans, Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000 and Andrews Liver Salts remain unchanged in formulation, quality, and effectiveness.

Following the formal demerger from GSK, Haleon was launched on July 18, 2022, as an independent company 100% focused on consumer health. Haleon is the new home for brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum and others, trusted by millions worldwide for their proven effectiveness in improving everyday health.

From relieving tooth sensitivity or pain to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, our products are designed to fulfil Haleon’s purpose: to deliver better everyday health with humanity.

This revised corporate identity is a branding change only and does not affect the safety, quality, or efficacy of the products. Haleon is sharing this update as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer confidence, helping consumers continue to choose the brands they know and trust.

Haleon’s collaboration with Fidson Healthcare forms part of this approach, reinforcing the value of local production in supporting trusted everyday health brands in Nigeria.

Panadol Extra 100s and Panadol Pain & Fever 100s are currently being produced and supplied to the market under the Haleon identity. Sensodyne Rapid Action will bear the Haleon corporate identity from mid-June, followed by Andrews Liver Salts later this year.

In due course, additional brands—including Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000, Macleans, and the wider Sensodyne portfolio—will also transition to the Haleon identity.

Haleon remains committed to ensuring consumers can continue to access the same high-quality brands at pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets across Nigeria.

“As Haleon introduces its identity in Nigeria, we want consumers to feel informed and reassured. The trusted products they rely on remain the same in quality, formulation and effectiveness.

“At the same time, our local production approach in partnership with Fidson Healthcare supports reliable access to high-quality everyday health products in Nigeria,” said Himanshu Raj, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

 


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Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

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Tech entrepreneur and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, has become the world’s first trillionaire after the successful public listing of SpaceX pushed his net worth beyond the $1 trillion mark.

Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

Elon Musk

According to multiple financial reports, Musk’s fortune surged to approximately $1.1 trillion following SpaceX’s historic stock market debut on June 12, making him the first individual in history to achieve the milestone.

The sharp increase in wealth was driven primarily by SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO), which valued the company at more than $1.7 trillion at listing before rising above $2 trillion during its first day of trading. Musk’s holdings in SpaceX, combined with his stakes in Tesla and other ventures, significantly boosted his net worth.

Musk, 54, is also the founder or co-founder of companies including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company. He acquired social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in a $44 billion deal and has remained one of the most influential figures in technology and business.

Financial analysts noted that Musk’s wealth now far exceeds that of any other billionaire.

Matt Durot, deputy editor at Forbes Wealth, said the gap between Musk and the world’s second-richest individual had widened significantly, with no other person currently close to the trillion-dollar threshold.

Despite the historic achievement, Musk’s vast wealth has reignited debates over global inequality and the responsibilities of ultra-wealthy individuals in addressing humanitarian challenges.

Advocacy groups have frequently pointed to issues such as hunger, disease eradication and access to education as areas where large-scale private philanthropy could make a significant impact.

In 2021, Musk publicly challenged the United Nations to provide a detailed plan showing how billions of dollars could help combat world hunger. Although a proposal was later presented, no donation followed.

Analysts note that much of Musk’s wealth remains tied to company shares rather than liquid cash, meaning his net worth can fluctuate significantly with market movements.

Nevertheless, the SpaceX IPO marks a historic moment in global finance, placing Musk in a wealth category previously considered unimaginable.

Commenting on Musk’s business achievements, Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase, described him as “the Edison of our time.”

Musk’s rise from co-founding internet startup Zip2 in the 1990s to becoming the world’s first trillionaire is regarded by many analysts as one of the most remarkable wealth creation stories in modern history.


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Kaspersky Warns of “Grey” Scam Websites Exploiting User Trust

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Recent research by Kaspersky has shown that the so-called “grey” websites repeatedly target all world regions, and this may be driving both financial loss and large-scale data harvesting.

Grey websites are deceptive online platforms that fall outside traditional phishing definitions but still manipulate users into voluntarily handing over money and personal data. Kaspersky’s new report provides detailed insights into the threats posed by the grey websites on global and regional levels.

Unlike classic phishing attacks, which aim to steal credentials outright, grey websites rely on persuasion, misleading interfaces, and hidden terms to exploit users. They often impersonate legitimate services such as e-commerce platforms, financial tools, AI services, or subscription-based content, making them significantly harder to detect.

Kaspersky analysis shows that the majority of suspicious resources globally fall into several recurring categories:

  • Fake browser extensions and “security tools” that actually harvest browsing data and track user activity.
  • Fraudulent financial platforms including crypto exchanges, trading tools, and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
  • Intermediary services (e.g., legal or real estate), charging for low-value or nonexistent services while harvesting sensitive personal data.
  • Subscription traps offering low-cost trials that convert into costly recurring payments hidden in fine print.
  • Fake online shops that either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.

Example of a grey website.

A notable trend is the emergence of tools disguised as AI services or image-processing platforms, reflecting attackers’ ability to adapt to current digital trends and target younger audiences.

There are proven security solutions that help users to detect grey websites across different types of devices – those running on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. The detection model is based on many factors, including domain name and age, IP reputation, stability of the infrastructure used, DNS configurations, HTTP security headers, digital identity and popularity of the web resource and other criteria.

Regional specifics

Regional variations in grey websites demonstrate how threat actors localise scams based on user behaviour and trending technologies.

In Europe, the threat landscape is dominated by links to suspicious browser extensions and fake “privacy-enhancing” tools.

These resources often present themselves as security solutions, promising safer browsing or anonymous search capabilities. In reality, they function as browser hijackers – intercepting traffic, collecting cookies, tracking user behaviour, and injecting advertisements.

The popularity of these threats reflects a high level of user concern around privacy and security, which attackers actively exploit. Additionally, these regions show a steady presence of phishing intermediaries and crypto-related scams, indicating a blend of technical and financially motivated attacks.

Across African markets, financial scams are the most prominent category of suspicious resources. Fraudulent trading platforms, fake brokers, and investment schemes frequently mimic legitimate financial services, often accompanied by fabricated licenses or endorsements.

These platforms typically prevent users from withdrawing funds, instead introducing additional “fees” or taxes to prolong the scam. The concentration of these threats highlights how attackers leverage growing interest in online investing while exploiting gaps in regulatory enforcement and financial literacy.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, suspicious resources frequently mimic communication (Internet telephony) tools, financial platforms, or betting services. Additionally, Ponzi-style investment schemes and crypto scams are widespread, often presented through polished interfaces that mimic legitimate platforms.

Web browser-based threats also play a significant role, with malicious extensions targeting user data and browsing activity. The regional threat profile reflects a convergence of financial fraud and technical compromise, where users risk both data exposure and monetary loss.

“Suspicious websites don’t look harmful at first glance. But they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity, and a single click on what looks like a harmless AI image tool, a “secure” browser extension, or a heavily discounted online shop could be all it takes to lose money or expose sensitive data.

Instead of direct credential theft, attackers turn to behavioural manipulation – whether that’s subscribing, investing, or installing software,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.

 


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