General News
Kaduna Communities, School Benefit from NBC CSI Projects
Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, bottlers of the Coca-Cola brands of soft drinks in Nigeria, has commissioned two blocks of 10 renovated classrooms and office of the Head Teacher at the LGEA Primary School, Kakuri, Kaduna State.
In addition to the renovated blocks of classrooms, NBC also donated a newly constructed borehole and 40,000litre capacity overhead tanks and a standby 5,000 KVA generator to power the borehole and ensure availability of potable water in the school at all time, as well as a newly-constructed toilet facility for pupils and teachers.
The LGEA Primary School is located in Television area of Kaduna South Local Government.
Mr. Uzo Odenigbo, head, Public Affairs and Communications, NBC, at the inauguration of the projects, which held at the school premises recently, said, “NBC is known for supporting initiatives that promote the growth and development of primary education in Nigeria. For this reason, we have continued to partner with government, agencies and communities to implement projects in schools across the country that add instant and lasting value to the people of the communities where we operate”.
Odenigbo added that, “This is a demonstration of our continued commitment to investment and contribution to safe water access, education, youth development, among others.” He charged the
Ishaya Anfani, vice chairman, Kaduna South Local Government thanked NBC for the laudable initiative.
“Education is the responsibility of everyone. That is why government has sustained a healthy relationship with corporate organizations operating within our local council area to ensure steady and meaningful development of our communities. This initiative from NBC is one that touches the heart of our communities and we will remain grateful to them for providing our future leaders and their mentors with facilities that make the learning environment more conducive,” he said.
Anfani charged the school and the community leaders to see to it that these projects are adequately maintained and protected.
“This is the only way you can prove to NBC that you are grateful for this kind gesture,” he added.
At the inauguration of the borehole and 40,000 litre capacity overhead tanks in Dawn Quarters community area of Railway, also in Kaduna, Odenigbo expressed happiness that NBC is able to give back to its host communities.
He thanked the community for the support that they have given the bottler.
He said the NBC will continue to partner with government and the people to provide amenities that enhance lives.
The borehole project in Dawn Quarters is connected automatically to the power source in order to ensure that water is available round the clock for the use of people in the community.
Mr. Markus Anga, director, Water Resources, Ministry of Water Resources, Kaduna State, said: “We are grateful to NBC for providing water for the people of Dawn Quarters because it will go a long way to help reduce diseases, provide potable water for them and enough to wash their clothes and keep their environment tidy. This is a welcome development. We want NBC to sustain the partnership with government in our bid to alleviate the suffering of the people.”
Alhaji Muhammadu Danjuma Musa, Seriki of Dawn Quarters, thanked NBC on behalf of the community and promised that the community will take ownership of the project and ensure it is sustainable.
NBC was incorporated in November 1951 and is a member of Coca-Cola HBC A.G, an anchor bottler with the franchise to bottle products of The Coca-Cola Company in 28 countries in North, Central and South Europe, Asia and Africa with over 570 million consumers in these markets.
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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