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RSG Partners NSE On Industrialisation, Infrastructure Development

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said the state government will partner with Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) to promote industrialisation and infrastructural development in thr State.
Fubara, who spoke at the investiture of the new Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Idaeresoari Harriet Ateke, in Port Harcourt, recently, said engineers have a great role to play in promoting innovation and standards in projects delivery, especially in a rapid evolving and technology-driven society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Engr. Atemia Karibo Briggs, assured the commitment of Rivers State Government in providing the necessary support for the Port Harcourt branch of the NSE to achieve the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the State.
He congratulated the new Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of the Society for attaining a rare feat as the first woman to be elected as the Chairman of the society since its inception.
In her speech, the National President of the Nigeria Society of Engineers, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, congratulated the Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of the society, saying she is “a thorough bred professional with depth of experience to shoulder the Port Harcourt branch to greater heights”.
Oguntala, who was represented by Dr Felicia Nnenna Agubata, Vice President, Corporate Services, NSE, at the event, charged the new executive of the Port Harcourt branch of the society to promote standards and ethics in engineering practice.
In her post investiture address, Engr. Ateke thanked the body for trusting her to lead the Port Harcourt branch.
Ateke, who is the 22nd Chairman of the Port Harcourt branch of NSE, said the branch will continue to “collaborate with government, industries, commerce, and the society at large for the purpose of using technology advancement to solve social challenges”.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of a lecture titled, “A Panacea to solving Challenges of Electricity Distribution in Nigeria”, by the CEO of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED), Dr. Benson Uwheru.

Taneh Beemene

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“FCCPC Approves Sale Of Chivita|Hollandia To UAC Nigeria PLC 

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UAC of Nigeria PLC (UAC) has announced the completion of it’s in a press release on October 3, 2025, that it has completed the acquisition of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), following approval from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Revealing this in a Press Release, at the Weekend, UAC said the transaction, first disclosed on July 30, 2025, involved the transfer of ownership of CHI Limited, a leading Nigerian food and beverage company best known for its market-dominant Chivita juice and Hollandia dairy brands, to UAC.
Commenting on the development, the Managing Director, CHI Limited, Eelco Weber, expressed optimism in the company’s future under UAC’s ownership.
“We are pleased to have received regulatory approval for this transaction. We look forward to a smooth transition and to seeing Chivita|Hollandia thrive under UAC’s ownership,” he said.
Group Managing Director of UAC, Fola Aiyesimoju, highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition saying “We are excited to officially welcome the Chivita|Hollandia team and brands into the UAC family, and we are eager to work together to build on their strong legacy and market leadership”.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen UAC’s position in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, expanding its footprint into the growing juice and dairy markets.
UAC further said that the acquisition aligned with its growth agenda by adding two market-leading brands and a well-established distribution network to its por.
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PenCom Reintroduces Gratuity For Federal Civil Servants

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The National Pension Commission has said it has deployed a framework to restore gratuity for Federal Civil Service under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Director-General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, disclosed this at a Stakeholders’ Conference on the Workings of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) for Employees and Pensioners of Federal Government Treasury-Funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies, in Abuja, last Thursday.
Represented by the Acting Commissioner, Technical, PenCom, Hon. Hafiz Kawu Ibrahim, Oloworaran said, “Working with the office of the Head of the Civil Service, a framework has been developed to restore gratuity benefits for federal workers under CPS, in line with Section 4(4) of the PRA 2014.”
The PenCom DG added that “PenCom has enhanced pensions for over 241,000 retirees, representing 80% of those under Programmed Withdrawal. Monthly pensions rose from N12.157 billion to N14.837 billion, effective June 2025.
“Also, since July 2025, no retiree waits to access their pensions. Payments are now immediate, aligned with monthly salary releases from the Federal Ministry of Finance”.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, Ekpo Nta, stated that the Commission would partner PenCom to examine the current rate of retirement benefits and recommend appropriate mechanisms for periodic reviews of retirement benefits.
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CAC, SMEDAN To Register 250,000 MSMEs Free ……..As CAC Forfeits ?3b In Fees Nationwide

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The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) have announced a joint initiative to register 250,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) free of charge across the country, with CAC foregoing about ?3 billion in registration fees
The initiative, announced during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, at the Weekend, seeks to remove barriers such as high costs and bureaucratic challenges that have long kept many small businesses in the informal sector.
The Registrar-General, CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, explained that the scheme would eliminate the registration fee, helping entrepreneurs access official recognition and grow their businesses.
SMEDAN Director-General, Dr. Charles Odii, added that registration is just the first step, noting that registered businesses will benefit from continuous aftercare such as grants, training, and market access.
Together, the two agencies noted that CAC will forgo approximately ?3 billion in registration fees, while SMEDAN will provide continuous support to help these businesses thrive.
They added that this partnership supports the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope vision to boost Nigeria’s economy by empowering entrepreneurs.
CAC further disclosed measures to ease company registration with the steps as follows: 1. Visit the SMEDAN portal: http://portal.smedan.gov.ng., 2 Sign up and complete your registration on the portal., 3. When asked if you have a CAC number, select “No”., 4. Submit your details to complete the process., 5. Once registration is completed, you will be contacted with the next steps to finalise your free CAC registration.
It further clarified that MSMEs already on SMEDAN’s database without CAC registration automatically qualify for this free registration drive.
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