Business
Cement Manufacturers Urges To End Use of Coal – Fired Power in Productions

The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has called on global cement and concrete manufacturers to end the use of coal-fired power in their productions if the industry is to meet its 2050 net zero carbon emission targets.
The cement sector is the third largest industrial source of pollution, emitting more than 500,000 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide.
António Guterres, made the call during the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA)’s international conference on ending carbon emissions by 2050; the two days event took place in Zurich
Guterres told the 200 cement and concrete industry leaders at the
conference that he wanted to see “concrete pledges from the concrete industry.”
Concrete is “fundamental to building a better world… and we have no time to lose, if we are to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees centigrade.
“Science tells us that requires cutting global greenhouse emissions by almost half by 2030.
That means taking a quantum leap in climate action – and slashing global emissions. Starting now,” he said.
The UN Secretary General set out three ambitions for the industry, including ending the use of coal-fired power in cement production, working more closely with governments, especially G20 countries, to speed up decarbonisation, and setting ambitious emission targets and transition plans, in line with UN guidelines.
Also, the Chief Executive of the GCCA, Thomas Guillot, noted that concrete is the second most-used material on earth after water and the backbone of modern infrastructure.
“It is used to build homes, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, tunnels and helps to provide clean water and green energy.
” But with so much of it used around the world, it currently accounts for 7% of global CO2 emissions.
The world’s leading manufacturers – all members of the Global Cement and Concrete Association – have pledged to eliminate those emissions by 2050, in line with GCCA’s Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete – the first heavy industry to set out such a detailed plan,” he said.
Business
DR Congo: Heineken Forced to Withdraw Staff as Rebels Seize Facilities

Heineken has lost operational control and withdrawn its staff from facilities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), CNN on Saturday quoted that the Dutch brewer announced on Friday.
In March, the company had suspended operations in three eastern cities, citing safety concerns after breweries were damaged and depots raided during clashes between government forces and rebels.
On Friday, Heineken said the situation had worsened. Armed groups have taken control of its sites in Bukavu and Goma—eastern Congo’s largest cities—as well as surrounding areas.
“The conditions required to operate responsibly and safely are no longer present and as of 12th June 2025, we have lost operational control,” it said in a statement.
Heineken’s local unit, Bralima, continues to operate in parts of the country not affected by the fighting. The company said it is monitoring developments closely.
Heineken owns four breweries in the DRC, producing its namesake beer along with local brands such as Primus. It previously said its Bukavu facilities employed about 1,000 people directly and indirectly.
“Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees,” Friday’s statement read.
Reuters also reported, “We have withdrawn all remaining staff from these sites and we have continued to support them financially.”
Nearly 14 per cent of Heineken’s total revenue comes from its Middle East and Africa operations, with Congo—home to over 100 million people—a significant market.
Before the suspension, operations in Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira represented roughly one-third of Heineken’s business in the country.
Conflict in eastern Congo has intensified in 2025, with the M23 rebel group making major territorial gains, sparking fears of broader regional instability.
Congo accuses Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and weapons—allegations Rwanda has consistently denied.
Business
MTN , Airtel , Glo Begin USSD Direct Charges from Today
The new billing model would allow mobile network operators to charge customers directly for USSD sessions, with charges deducted from airtime balance at N6.98 per 120 seconds.

Telecom subscribers in Nigeria will now be charged directly by their mobile network operators for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services, starting Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
This was disclosed by Mr Gbenga Adebayo, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), and the Publicity Secretary, Mr Damian Udeh.
Adebayo said that the change is in line with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) determination of USSD pricing and services, developed in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other stakeholders.
” The new billing model would allow mobile network operators to charge customers directly for USSD sessions, with charges deducted from airtime balance at N6.98 per 120 seconds,” he said.
Business
CAC unveils new service fees starting August 1
For companies, notable revisions showed that the voluntary striking-off fee has been raised from N25,000 (for small companies) to N50,000, and N100,000 for public entities.

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAc) on Tuesday, announces an increments for its service fees review certain service fees effective the 1st day of August 2025.
In a statement , the Commission said that the new fees are a reflection of the current economic conditions and rising operational expenses.
The CAC added that the new development is expected to have implications for business owners, legal practitioners, compliance officers, and stakeholders engaging with the corporate registry for post-incorporation filings and regulatory services..
Said CAC: ” the reviewed fee structure affects services offered to companies, limited partnerships, business names, and incorporated trustees.
For companies, notable revisions showed that the voluntary striking-off fee has been raised from N25,000 (for small companies) to N50,000, and N100,000 for public entities.
Relisting of a Company now costs N50,000 for LTD/GTE and N100,000 for public companies.
Due Diligence Search (Self-Service) has been fixed at N50,000 across all categories.
The commission said the request for an extension of time to hold the annual general meeting will now cost N100,000 for public companies, and N50,000 for others.
Historical Search Reports: Depending on the type, public users will now pay N20,000 to N30,000 per request.Other charges include N25,000 for restriction of the director’s residential address and N5,000 per certified true copy of documents or extracts.Under Limited Partnerships, the updated fees are as follows voluntary Striking Off and Relisting: N25,000, letter of good standing: N10,000, Registration and CTC of Documents: N30,000, Change of Name: N10,000.
For Business Names, the structure reflects modest increments of N10, 000 for voluntary striking off, relisting: N25,000, application for cessation N10,000, CTC of Documents/Extract: N5,000 each, restriction of Proprietor’s Address: N25,000.
The commission stated that name reservations across the board remain at N1,000 while name reservations for restricted words cost N5,000.”
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