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Dangote Cement Creates 50 Agric Entrepreneurs

The beneficiaries were selected from the company’s host communities of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

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Determined to support the government in its food security efforts, Dangote Cement Plc has launched a Farmers Empowerment Programme in Benue State.

The initiative is aimed at enabling 50 farmers to produce subsistence and cash crops in commercial quantities from Benue State, considered to be the food basket of the nation.

The programme is coming barely two months after the company empowered businesswomen in Gboko host communities of the State with cash grants, thus deepening business activities in the State.

Earlier, the company had increased bursary payments to students of host communities by more than 100 percent.

Speaking Thursday at the launch of the Farmers Empowerment Programme, General Manager Social Performance, Johnson Kor, described the programme as ‘historic and innovative.’

He said that the beneficiaries were selected from the company’s host communities of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to him, the beneficiaries were carefully selected from the six catchment areas of the Local Government.

Mr. Kor said the projects have been earmarked for the communities as captured in the extant Community Development Agreement (CDA), adding that the contents of the CDA are progressively being executed. “Today we are witnessing an historic occasion in our journey of mutual development.

Farmers Empowerment Programme is the first programme to be launched since we signed the CDA with the immediate host communities in December 2024,” he said.

In his speech, Plant Director, Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Munusamy Murugan, said the company will also support farmers with fertilizers, Agro chemicals, Knapsack Sprayers and various types of seedlings. Mr. Murugan who was represented by Head of Production Department, Engr Soom Kiishi said: “This is the first batch but certainly just the beginning, and certainly not the end.

We plan it to be an annual event, but the choice of the Farmers programme may change, depending on the choice of the benefiting communities.”

He said that other economic empowerment programmes are lined up in the coming weeks.

“The Youth Empowerment Programme will soon be launched, and selected beneficiaries will receive training in Welding & Fabrication, and Solar Electrical Installation from Professional personnels,” he added.

He said the company’s scholarship scheme cuts across students from various disciplines and tertiary institutions.

In his address to the communities, a Consultant from Abbass Corporate Services, Dr. Ahemen Aondoaver Samuel, advised the beneficiaries to make use of what he described as a rare opportunity from the Dangote Cement Plc.

The Consultant said that the company’s effort will help transform beneficiaries into entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector and enable them to support the government’s food security effort.

A member of the community, Kwaghgba Isaac, described the Farmers Empowerment Programme as a historic and huge intervention from the company, noting that the effort will not only boost subsistence farming, but help feed the nation.

He urged members of the communities to sustain the peaceful coexistence currently being enjoyed with the company.

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Royal African Society marks 125 years of Africa – Britain Businesses

The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.

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• Arunma Oteh, Chairperson of the Royal African Society

The Royal African Society has marked 125 years anniversary of Africa and Britain businesses and investments at a ceremony held at the London Stock Exchange.

The Wednesday event brought together the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; President and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Finance Corporation, Samaila Zubairu; Chief Executive Officer of British International Investment, Leslie Maasdorp; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga “GB” Agboola; Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Royal African Society, Stella Okotete; and other business, diplomatic and policy leaders.

Chairperson of the Royal African Society, Arunma Oteh, said that the organisation had spent 125 years fostering partnerships between both regions.

Oteh said that the celebration was aimed at deepening collaboration between Africa and the UK while promoting investment, innovation and shared prosperity.

The anniversary featured the Closing of Markets Ceremony and ringing of the exchange’s closing bell, alongside high-level sector discussions, fireside chats, the presentation of philanthropy awards and the unveiling of the Top African Brands in the UK and Top British Brands in Africa.

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US subjects imports from Nigeria to 12.5% tariff

The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”

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The United States has imposed a 12.5 per cent tariff on imports from Nigeria as part of a new trade measure targeting countries it says have failed to prohibit the importation of goods produced with forced labour.

The tariff affects imports from 60 economies that Washington says have not “imposed and effectively enforced a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labour.”

The measure was announced in a statement posted on the website of the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday.

Nigeria is among the countries subject to the 12.5 per cent tariff, while India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and the United Kingdom will face a lower 10 per cent rate after adopting or committing to implement bans on imports linked to forced labour.

The move follows investigations launched by the USTR in May 2026 into 60 of the United States’ largest trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act.

According to the agency, it received more than 1,600 written submissions, held public hearings involving over 100 witnesses, and consulted more than 45 governments before announcing the tariffs.

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Business

MTN Nigeria asks customers to trade old SIM packs for prizes

MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.

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MTN Nigeria has invited customers to bring in old SIM packs, recharge cards, booster cards, dongles, and MTN-branded phones in exchange for prizes.

The telecom giant is running the campaign the under the hashtag #YelloMoments.

MTN launched the campaign on Wednesday, July 23, via its official social media pages, telling followers that items kept in drawers over the years could be worth something.

Customers who participate will also be featured on what MTN described as a “Memory Wall.”

Collection centres across Nigeria

MTN named eight collection centres across the country where customers can deposit their items. The locations cover Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Jos, Delta, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.

In Lagos, customers can visit MTN Plaza at No. 1 Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, or the office at 43 Allen Avenue, Ikeja. In Abuja, the collection point is at No. 4, Medeira Street, Maitama.

In Kano, it is at 2, Civil Centre Road. In Jos, Plateau State, the centre is at Plot 3119, Royalfield Road.

In Asaba, Delta State, the location is KLM 129, Benin–Asaba Expressway. In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, customers can go to 234, Old Aba Expressway, Opposite Hannah Fast Food.

In Ibadan, Oyo State, the drop-off point is at MTN Regional Office 1, Olubadan Avenue and Up/Zartech Road, Oluyole Estate.

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