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NDCCITMA will transform Niger Delta economy – Eno

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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has expressed the hope that the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines & Agriculture (NDCCITMA) will facilitate the transformation of the economy of the region.

He said this on Wednesday in Uyo during a one-day sensitisation of the people of the state on the Establishment of NDCCITMA.

Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr John Etim, said that the region had been wrongly portrayed as mono-economy, in spite of its huge resources.

“For too long, the Niger Delta has been erroneously portrayed as a mono-economy, which boasts only of crude oil deposit with negative fallout, such as environmental degradation, ravaging poverty, among others, but our region is much more than that. “We are blessed with abundant human and mineral resources far beyond crude oil.

“In fact, we are the major producers of oil palm and other cash crops in this country. “The region can be both self-sufficient and a net exporter of palm oil and many other food items.

“The NDCCITMA initiative is not only desirable but imperative for the speedy transformation of our region,” Eno said. He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for seeking the synergy for the implementation of the initiative for the betterment of the people.

In a remark, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the objective of NDCCITMA is to stand in the gap between NDDC and entrepreneurs in the region.

He further said that the chamber would provide the long sought support to sustain the business of those who cannot meet the stringent conditions of financial institutions.

Ogbuku, represented by the state Representative on the Board of NDDC, Mr Abasiandikan Nkono, said that the activities of the chamber would influence development in the region.

“The establishment of NDCCITMA will positively influence the development of a robust transport system, manufacturing, merchandising, mining, marine, and food security for our families.

“We intend to work with the people and bring down the cost of food to affordable level to improve the health of our people,” he said.

The Chairman of NDCCITMA, Mr Idaere Ogan, described the chamber as a forum where people could seek genuine guidance and assistance in developing their businesses and scaling up capabilities. Ogan also said that the chamber would boost trade and commerce from the nano business level through the micro, small and medium entreprises to the large organisation.

He said, “We are poised to work with our development partners, the NDDC, to solve the food problem of the region, enable manufacturing of goods, develop skills and build capacity within the region.”

He called on all the chambers of commerce in the region, business communities, professional associations, governments and individuals to prepare to work with NDCCITMA for accelerated development of the region. 

Source: Vanguard

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Business

Aliko Dangote retires

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Foremost entrepreneur and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote has announced his retirement as a Director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 25, 2025.

He is relinquishing his position as chairman and retiring from the board so as to focus more attention on the Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertiliser and Government Relations, in order to drive the company’s five-year business trajectory to a superlative height.

The board of Dangote Cement Plc has therefore announced the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman, Board of Directors.

In the same vein, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was also appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company while Prof. Dorothy Ufot retired from the Board.

Reputed as Africa’s leading investor, Aliko Dangote leaves giant footprints as he retires from the board.

His vision and tenacity redefined not just a company, but the entire cement industry landscape by becoming Africa’s largest cement producer and largest exporter of cement and clinker in Sub Saharan Africa.

Aliko Dangote’s journey with cement began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production.

Through strategic investments in state-of-the-art plants, and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it.

Dangote Cement Plc has 52.0Mta capacity across African continent with Nigeria accounting for 35.25Mta.

Currently, additional greenfield plants are coming up in Cote Ivoire (3.0Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta) and on completion this year will push total capacity to 61.0Mta.

Under his visionary leadership, Dangote Cement Plc recorded the highest revenue and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) in the history of the company.

According to the unaudited results for the six months ending 30th June 2025, the group revenue went up by 17.7 percent, from N1,760 billion at the same period in 2024 to N2,071.6 billion, representing the highest revenue in the history of the company.

Group Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) grew by 41.8 percent to N944.900 billion from N666.22 billion.

EBITDA (Nigeria Operations) grew by 82.4 percent to N845.4 billion. Profit before tax went up from N292.96 billion to N730 billion indicating 149 percent increase while profit after tax surged by 174.1 percent to ₦520.5 billion, in contrast to N189.90 billion in the same period at the preceding period.

In the six months, export volumes from Nigeria increased by 18.2 percent, with 18 successful clinker shipments made to Ghana and Cameroon.

Aliko Dangote’s legacy will be counted in the millions of jobs created, the infrastructure built, and the confidence restored in African industrial potential.

He has proven that Africa can produce, compete, and lead on the global stage. It is on record that subsidiaries under Dangote Group paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.

The new Chairman of the Board of the Company, Emmauel Ikazoboh in his acceptance speech, said he is truly honored to accept the role of Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc while pledging to uphold the highest standards of leadership and dedication in this role.

He described the company as a beacon of African enterprise, which has consistently demonstrated resilience, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.

Over the years, Dangote Cement Plc has not only become the continent’s leading cement producer but has also played a vital role in driving economic growth and development across numerous African nations.

Giving an insight into what his tenure holds for the company, he said, “my vision for Dangote Cement Plc is built upon a foundation of sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and unwavering commitment to our core values.

We will continue to focus on the following key priorities, Operational Excellence, Strategic Expansion, Sustainability, Innovation and Community Engagement.

Part of the strategies he intends to introduce include driving down costs through the implementation of robust cost-reduction strategies to navigate inflationary pressures and enhance competitiveness.

The company he stated will accelerate efforts to adopt alternative fuels and technologies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Regarding staff welfare, he promised that the company will continue to invest in training and development, fostering a culture of excellence and empowering employees to reach their full potential.

Emmanuel Ikazoboh was previously the Group Chairman of Ecobank Transnational Inc., the Pan-African banking group. He started his professional career at Akintola Williams Deloitte.

He first became the Managing Partner for francophone offices in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire and later became the Managing Partner of the Deloitte firm in West and Central Africa until 2009.

In 2010 he was appointed by the Securities and Exchange (SEC) as an Interim Administrator to carry out capital market reforms of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Central Securities Clearing System Plc. (CSCS).

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UK Parliament Honors NASENI CEO for Driving Africa’s Industrial Innovation

In his remarks, Halilu emphasised Africa’s readiness to lead in innovation, manufacturing, and sustainability.“It is a great honour to receive this award alongside fellow visionaries committed to Africa’s future.

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The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Halilu, has been honoured with the prestigious African Achievers Award at the 15th edition of the ceremony held at the historic House of Lords, UK Parliament.

The award, presented during an event that brought together royals, global leaders, policymakers, and innovators, recognised Halilu’s outstanding contributions to advancing Africa’s technological infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and industrial growth through his leadership at NASENI.

Hosted by Baroness Sandip Verma, Chancellor of the University of Roehampton and a respected member of the House of Lords, the ceremony was a powerful global showcase of African excellence and transformative leadership, a statement by NASENI’s Director of Information, New Media and Protocol, Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, said.

Halilu joined a distinguished group of honourees including public officials, business executives, and philanthropists shaping the future of the continent.

In his remarks, Halilu emphasised Africa’s readiness to lead in innovation, manufacturing, and sustainability.“It is a great honour to receive this award alongside fellow visionaries committed to Africa’s future.

At NASENI, we are bridging the gap between ambition and access, turning ideas into industries, empowering indigenous solutions, and driving forward Nigeria’s and Africa’s industrial transformation. Africa is not just rising, it is ready,” he said.

Under his leadership, NASENI, the statement said, has been repositioned as Nigeria’s leading technology transfer agency, delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu by enabling local production in critical sectors such as clean energy, agriculture, transportation, and digital infrastructure.

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Business

We didn’t shutdown Tummy Tummy noodles factory – NAFDAC

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified that the viral recording was not only misleading but also a recycled falsehood.

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a formal disclaimer concerning an audio recording circulating on social media.

The audio recording falsely claims the agency shut down the Tummy Tummy noodles manufacturing facility in Anambra State.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified that the viral recording was not only misleading but also a recycled falsehood.

According to her, the same audio first appeared in Oct. 2023 and was thoroughly investigated at the time.

“The claims made in the recording are entirely false.

“The Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra State was not sealed,” she stated.

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