The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) and Tropical General Investments Group (TGI Group) – the holding company of Chi Ltd, Nigeria’s leading dairy and juice company – today announced a binding agreement for The Coca-Cola Company to acquire an initial minority equity shareholding in Chi Ltd. The agreement creates a strategic relationship between two beverage industry leaders within Africa’s largest economy that together serve Nigeria’s most popular sparkling soft drinks, juices, value-added dairy and water beverage brands.
Within the agreement, The Coca-Cola Company has made an initial 40 percent equity investment in Chi Ltd and intends to increase ownership to 100 percent within three years, subject to regulatory approvals, while working on other long-term commercial structures. Additionally, the parties have agreed to jointly discuss and explore other opportunities in the region to further develop this relationship.
The investment in Nigeria’s leading value-added dairy and juice beverage brands – which include Hollandia and Chivita – further expands The Coca-Cola Company’s West African portfolio of still beverages while establishing Coca-Cola’s presence in Africa’s high-growth value-added dairy category. The agreement will allow both companies to leverage their respective investments and expertise to further drive innovation, optimize efficiency and strengthen route-to-market to accelerate growth and increase consumer availability and choice.
TGI Group’s relationship with The Coca-Cola Company will also help Chi Ltd achieve its ambitious growth plans through access to Coca Cola’s broad product portfolio and integration into global best practices in production, distribution and brand-building.
 “For more than 30 years Chi’s leadership has built a greatly admired business that has quickly grown to become Nigeria’s leading producer and distributor of value-added dairy and juice products and we are delighted to enter the next phase of our growth journey together,” said Nathan Kalumbu, President, Coca-Cola Eurasia and Africa. “Coca-Cola and Chi share the same commitment to Africa, to investing in our operations and to continuous innovation and our relationship will allow us to continue to provide Nigerian consumers the No. 1 beverage in each of the categories we serve.”
 “We strongly believe in this journey we are starting with The Coca Cola Company. The relationship will allow us to expand our regional footprint and product portfolio. We stay firmly committed to growing our investments in the Nigerian economy, increasing employment and local content while supporting the communities we operate in. Chi will continue to provide its consumers with innovative products in the dairy, juices and snacks categories” said Cornelis Vink, Chairman of TGI Group and Chi Ltd.
“We are immensely proud of the success that Chi has achieved in building the much-loved Hollandia and Chivita brands. We recognize the unique opportunity that the relationship with The Coca-Cola Company brings to further develop Chi as a strong regional company, building on the tremendous progress achieved to date” said Rahul Savara, Group Managing Director of TGI Group. 
“Coca-Cola has been investing in Nigeria for more than 60 years and today’s announcement represents the latest significant step in our commitment to growing our business and providing trusted beverage brands for Nigerian consumers and communities,” said Kelvin Balogun, President of Coca-Cola Central, East and West Africa.  “We are extremely optimistic about Africa’s continued economic and social growth and recognize the importance of ensuring we stay one step ahead of evolving consumer tastes by broadening our portfolio and introducing new products.  Today’s announcement positions both Coca-Cola and Chi well for future growth in what is an exciting time in the beverage industry in Africa.”
In 2014, the Coca-Cola system announced an increased investment in Africa to a total of $17 billion from 2010 to 2020. This investment, which is roughly three times the amount invested in the last decade, is funding new manufacturing lines, distribution capabilities and cold drink equipment while creating additional jobs and opportunities on the continent.
Coca-Cola was first served in Johannesburg in 1928 and the Company’s products are now present in every country in Africa with its system employing more than 70,000 people in 145 bottling and canning facilities.  

Nigerian troops intercepted and arrested a suspected Boko Haram financier and stimulants dealer, Mohammed Maina in Bama, recently.

 





 These are the copies of the ministerial nominees list sent to Senate President Saraki by President Buhari on Sept. 30th. The list has been unveiled and the nominees will be screened from Oct. 13th.

 
CNN International is continuing its commitment to the African continent with an expansive series of special features and programmes about Africa throughout October 2015, coinciding with the 20th CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards in Nairobi, Kenya.

The breadth of “Africa Now” programming across the network reflects CNN International’s commitment to covering arts, culture, business and travel content from and about the continent. Special programming during October includes:

 Africa Now – a new segment airing weekly during The Business View show
throughout the month of October. Each segment will focus on an element of African business – from innovation to workforce trends – that reflects global trends and has an impact outside of the continent

 On the Road Ethiopia – a 30-minute programme that spans the country’s Feast of Meskel festival, the ancient walled city of Harar, its Ethio-jazz musical genre, and the astronomical observatory on top of the 3,200-metre-tall Mount Entoto

 On the Road Tanzania – a 30-minute programme that covers the country’s rich
storytelling across movies, music and poetry, biodiversity in the Eastern Usambara Mountain range, and UNESCO World Heritage Site the port of Kilwa

 Leading Women – CNN’s show about women at the top of their field features an interview with Lupita Nyong’o. The Oscar-winning actress talks to Robyn Kriel about her last two years in the spotlight, what brought her home to Kenya and how she handles the pressure of Hollywood

 One Square Meter – the network’s weekly segment about real estate airing in
Connect the World will focus entirely on Africa during October. Reports will air about One Airport Square in Accra, Ghana, and the Contemporary Art Museum in Cape Town, South Africa, plus two further pieces from Ethiopia and Nigeria


This additional features programming throughout October complements CNN International’s existing five programming strands dedicated to the continent – Inside Africa, African Voices, CNN Marketplace Africa, Africa View and African Start-Up. These strands cover a mix of African culture, trends and business, with African Voices and CNN Marketplace Africa both revamped with new formats and new presenters earlier in 2015.

October 2015 sees the 20th CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards taking place in Nairobi, Kenya. The awards are the standard for excellence in journalism throughout the African continent. This year, 31 finalists from 15 countries will vie for the accolade of being named African Journalist of the Year.

“CNN has a long-standing commitment through our five dedicated Africa programming strands – more than any other international network - to uncover vibrant stories and trends from right across the continent,” said Ellana Lee, Senior Vice President and Managing Editor, CNN International. “We are pleased to showcase the very best that Africa has to offer during a celebratory occasion of the 20th African Journalist Awards.”

CNN’s breadth of Africa programming reflects the network’s mass reach across the continent. The latest independent research from Ipsos Mori shows that CNN is the undisputed number one international news brand in Africa, reaching 59% of Africa’s upscale population via TV and digital platforms every month – more than all direct news competitors.

Throughout October, CNN Digital will also publish a range of multi-media and social content to complement the additional Africa programming. Social media will be focused around the

@CNNAfrica Twitter account and #CNNAfrica.

 

The Mavin Actress strike first pose on instagram after given birth few month ago.Captioned ''Las Gidi #backlikeineverleft My waka plenty today so I gat my walking shoes on''

President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, is currently a popular topic in global headlines due to what is being regarded as his infamous speech on Monday at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.

As many know, Mugabe, 91, has always expressed his anti-gay rights sentiments. And so he seized yet another opportunity to make his views heard, but this time, he chose the UN platform.

According to IB Times UK, he suddenly shouted “we are not gays” while giving a speech about the western world’s views about human rights.

Here excerpts from the speech:

Respecting and upholding human rights is the obligation of all states and is enshrined in the United Nations charter. Nowhere does the charter abrogate the right to some to sit in judgment over others, in carrying out this universal obligation.

In that regard, we reject the politicization of this important issue and the application of double standards to victimize those who dare think and act independently of the self-anointed prefects of our time.

We equally reject attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions, and beliefs.

We are not gays!

                                                          
Last weekend, the University of Calabar Multipurpose Hall played host to a show of basketball skills, cool rap lyrics and talented dance moves at the much anticipated 2015 edition of the Sprite Triple Slam (STS) activations. The event reaffirms   the commitment of Sprite, the leading lemon-lime flavoured sparkling soft drink, to promote basketball and hip-hop in Nigeria.

The audience who filled the Multipurpose Hall of the University of Calabar for the Sprite Triple Slam enjoyed a display of sublime basketball skills, rap, and freestyle dance performances from students.

Speaking at the event, Senior Brand Manager, Flavours, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Toyin Nnodi, reaffirmed that Sprite is committed to ensuring its consumers express themselves and bring to life their true key passions. According to Nnodi, Sprite Triple Slam offers Nigerian teens and youths the platform to express themselves in any of their key three passion points of Basketball, Music and Dance.

She said, “Sprite respects youths and recognizes that Nigerians have great talent and adopt the hip-hop culture early in life. Hip-hop has been a key component of the brand’s essence for many decades. Through the Sprite Triple Slam activation, Sprite remains committed to supporting Basketball, Music and Dance. We are focused on sparking up the creativity in young people, which is a key attribute of the Sprite brand.” 

Oritsefemi David, a 200-level Undergraduate in Theatre and Media Studies who displayed amazing dance skills by spinning on his head for 45secs, revealed that for him, determination was what kept him going. He showered praises on the Sprite brand for bringing the activation to UNICAL. He said, “Sprite should come to our campus more often. I like the fact that Sprite always gives one the opportunity of expressing yourself.”

One of the uncontainable talents who emerged as a regional winner in the Sprite Triple Slam 2011 edition, Jane Krest Amadi, recounted how she made it tops in rap saying, “I worked hard for it, although it wasn’t an easy contest.” Speaking about her music passion, she said she is presently signed to Solid Star record label, and will be dropping her first music video on 1st October, 2015. Amadi commended Sprite for bringing back the platform which she stated would help discover further talents, and inspire youths to become better in the game of Basketball.

The major act of the event, dancehall sensation Patoranking gave a dazzling performance to the delight of the crowd. During his performance, he removed his pair of Versace boots and gave them to a member of the crowd. According to him, “I believe it is good to be a giver, most especially to a student”. He added that, “I never got the kind of education I wanted, so whenever I’m invited to participate in a University activity or perform at an event with students in attendance, I always give it my very best.”

Sprite has essentially continued to promote and support the Nigerian hip-hop culture, taking it to higher levels. Promoting the 3 key elements of youth culture – Basketball, Music and Dance, Sprite is playing a major role in unveiling hip-hop talents across the country through Sprite Triple Slam activation. STS offers an exciting and dynamic opportunity for youths to showcase their talents, have fun and enjoy a unique hip-hop experience. The event usually ends with the performance of a notable Nigerian artist, bringing the excitement to a grand climax.


The Sprite Triple Slam train is scheduled to tour five more University campuses in Nigeria over the next couple of weeks. The next location to be visited is the University of Ibadan whose event will hold on Saturday, September 26, 2015.