Business
World Milk Day: Nestlé Dairy Programme Achieves Milk Collection Milestone
June first every year is World Milk Day. This year’s celebration is notable for Nestlé’s Nigeria Livestock Development Project (NLDP), with the milestone of 2,500 litres of fresh milk per day from only 200 litres collected on the first day of milk collection on June 1, 2021. A collaboration between Nestlé Nigeria, ‘CBiIL’ and 2SCALE, NLDP delivers 1,500 L/day at Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve and 1,000L/day at Kachia Grazing Reserve.
Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Nestlé Nigeria, affirms that the collection of 2,500L/day was made possible by 25 cooperatives comprising over 625 households milking between 4,000 and 6,000 cows every day. These cooperatives have been trained and nurtured for over 18 months to achieve the good quality fresh milk now produced through the project.
The celebration of World Milk Day 2022 at Paikon Kore provided a platform for recognising and rewarding the farmers who excelled in various aspects of milk production. Categories of awards included Highest Producing Male (Abdulrahman Rabia), Highest Producing Female (Rabia Raga), Best Aggregator (Shehu Muhammed), Best Cooperative Kosan Denko, Best Milking Community, and Aggregator with Least Spoilage (Adamu Abdullah). The recipients were delighted and expressed their thanks to Nestlé and the NLDP.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders and dignitaries, including The Mandate Secretary, ARDS, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, and Permanent Secretary, FCT, Mr Olusade Adesola, ably represented by Mr. Samuel Atang, Director, Operations, Planning and Strategy. Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development were also at the event.
Mr Olusade Adesola, The Permanent Secretary, FCT, said, “It is glad to note that milk production has steadily increased from 150 to 1,500 litres daily within the past two years of this partnership. I have been made to understand the products from this centre are being sold in markets within and outside the Federal Capital Territory.”
Also speaking, The Mandate Secretary, ARDS, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, said, “It may interest you all to know that since the reactivation of the MCCC in 2021 in partnership with Nestlé Nigeria PLC, daily milk production has risen from between about 300 to 1,500 litres. This is a result of continuous training and improvement initiatives by both partners and support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. If plans by the NLDP partnership to introduce new cattle breeds and a demonstration farm are anything to go by, milk production in the FCT will receive a boost.”
Nestlé continues to leverage its expertise in dairy to help build a sustainable dairy ecosystem through the NLDP to achieve its objective of Creating Shared Value with Nigerian dairy value chain stakeholders. The program contributes to the local economy by providing the training and empowerment of the locals and then purchasing services from them.
NLDP is built on three pillars: Better Fodder, Better Quality, and Better Products. This will be achieved by improving cooperative dynamics, promoting better herd health, and engendering hygienic milk collection and handling practices.
The NLDP has trained over 1,400 producers in modern Milk Handling and Milking Hygiene techniques to help them produce to industry standards, thereby opening more routes to market. Nestlé pays a premium above the market rates in addition to helping the families increase production and improve the quality of their products.
Nestlé has helped improve cattle health within the NLDP by deworming and vaccinating over 6,000 cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease. They were also treated against Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in collaboration with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat (ARDS). The 6,000 cattle also received vitamin and mineral blocks (salt licks).
Another significant investment by the NLDP is the provision of Better Fodder which includes sufficient clean water, balanced pasture, silage, and hay. Over 250 hectares of Napier Grass and Bracheria have been cultivated and 5 Industrial boreholes built and commissioned. Three of the boreholes are fitted with drinking troughs for the cattle and taps to provide portable water to the communities. To further boost milk production, Nestlé is providing Cotton Seed Cakes which have the potential to increase milk productivity by up to 2L per cow.
To maintain milk quality from milking to the processing centre, milk must be handled carefully and kept at a temperature of about 2 degrees Celsius. Each of the 23 aggregators employed under the NLDP project is trained to maintain these quality standards. They test for spoilage and adulteration at the collection point. A motorbike, milk churns, and lactometers are also provided to facilitate their work.
The aggregators get the milk to the Milk Collection and Cooling Centers (MCCC) in the shortest possible time for cooling and bulking at the requisite temperature after a 4 step quality check.
Nestlé equips the MCCCs with modern laboratory equipment to ensure food safety is maintained at industry standards. The staff are trained and issued the right gear to conform to the set safety standards.
In line with Nestlé’s commitment to protecting the planet for future generations, the NLDP has adopted climate-friendly practices: A 30KVA solar power system has been installed to reduce the fossil fuels used at the MCCC in Paikon Kore. The industrial boreholes are also solar-powered.
As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to France, the Chairman of UBA Group, in the presence of President Tinubu and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, signed a landmark business cooperation agreement with the French Finance Minister, Antoine Armand. The agreement is a significant indication of support by the French Government for the development of UBA’s full banking operations in France.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of UBA Group commented: ”This partnership reinforces our commitment to seamless international banking services for our customers, not just across the 11 Francophone African countries we serve, but Africa as a whole; and French and European customers transacting with Africa. Expanding into France is a natural progression, with Paris serving as our European Union hub, as we continue to bring Africa and the world together, through innovative financial solutions. Paris will join London, New York and Dubai, as a critical component of our unique global network.”
United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.
In a bid to promote a savings culture and enhance financial literacy among young Nigerians, Unity Bank Plc has announced plans to launch a new app for children and teenagers designed to empower users to achieve their financial goals.
The announcement was made during the World Savings Day training held at Emerald Fields School, Calabar, Cross River State, as part of the Bank’s nationwide initiative to mark the global event.
World Savings Day is observed in Nigeria as an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bankers Committee and Junior Achievement Nigeria to drive financial inclusion with the vehicle of Financial Literacy Training which is held in secondary schools across the country.
Speaking at the event, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, represented by the Chief Compliance Officer, Mrs. Patricia Ahunanya, emphasized the importance of instilling good financial habits early in life. She explained that the upcoming app would equip students with tools to set SMART financial goals, understand the power of compound interest, and build financial safety nets through savings and prudent money management.
“Financial literacy is the foundation of a secure future. By teaching students to distinguish between needs and wants, budgeting, and embracing delayed gratification, we empower them to take charge of their financial journeys. The new app will serve as a practical tool to support these lessons and help young Nigerians build a culture of savings,” Mrs. Somefun stated.
The training session in Calabar, one of 16 held simultaneously across secondary schools in Nigeria, aimed to instil essential money management skills. Participants were exposed to simulations on earning, budgeting, spending wisely, and understanding the principles of borrowing and saving. Unity Bank’s representatives guided the students through interactive discussions, encouraging them to set financial goals and cultivate habits that support long-term financial stability.
World Savings Day, celebrated annually on October 31, aims to promote the importance of savings and financial awareness globally. In Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the Banker’s Committee, Deposit Money Banks, and Junior Achievement Nigeria, coordinated activities to engage students nationwide.
Unity Bank’s initiative aligns with the CBN’s financial inclusion strategy by encouraging young Nigerians to embrace financial literacy early. The Bank’s upcoming app, designed specifically for children and teenagers, will complement this effort by providing an engaging platform for setting savings goals, tracking progress, and building healthy financial habits.
With financial literacy training held in six geopolitical zones, Unity Bank reinforces its commitment to youth development and capacity building.
FirstBank, the premier West African financial institution and financial inclusion service provider has announced its hosting of the first-ever China-Africa Interbank Association (CAIBA) Forum to strengthen economic ties and investments between China and Africa.
The forum, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Strengthening China-Africa Trade, Industrialization and Economic Diversification,” will take place on November 27, 2024, at the Fraiser Suites Abuja.
Established in 2018, CAIBA marked a significant milestone in fostering financial cooperation between China and Africa, comprising 16 African banks, including FirstBank, and China Development Bank (CDB) as well as ABSA Bank, West African Development Bank, Central African States Development Bank, Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, Development Bank of South Africa, Ecobank, United Bank for Africa, RawBank with the aim to enhance partnerships in various spheres, such as infrastructure interconnection, international cooperation, and cultural exchange. This initiative was driven by the need to address the funding gap in Africa for industrialization, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.
The CAIBA Forum which will be co-hosted by China Development Bank offers a unique opportunity for knowledge sharing, networking and deal making, for the purpose of fostering a win-win cooperation and promote joint development among member-banks. Formerly convened only in Beijing, the Forum will now provide a unique platform to spotlight Nigeria’s pivotal role in the growing China-Africa economic relationship as the host country.
Intrinsically woven into the fabric of the society and with its extensive network across Sub-Saharan Africa, UK, and China, FirstBank provides unparalleled access to markets, to facilitate trade and investment flows between China and Africa.
Additionally, FirstBank’s expertise in financial inclusion, trade finance, corporate and investment banking positions it as an ideal partner with China Development Bank with key strengths in inclusive and sustainable financial solutions in driving this important initiative to support Chinese and African businesses.
Speaking about the forum, the CEO of FirstBank Group, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, said, “We are honoured to host this pivotal event that fosters dialogue and collaboration between Chinese and African financial institutions. This forum reinforces our commitment to bridging the gap between Africa and China, catalyzing economic growth and development. The selection of FirstBank as the host is a testament to our rich legacy, deep expertise in African markets, and an impressive 130-year history of empowering businesses and communities to thrive. We are proud to support the continent’s economic transformation and growth and remain dedicated to exploring the partnership opportunities this forum will bring for the mutual benefit of China and Africa.”
Participants will have the chance to engage with government officials, business leaders, and financial experts from both regions. Expected guest speakers include His Excellency, the Vice President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Minister of Trade, Industry & Investment, MD of China Development Bank, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Governors of Lagos, Kano and Anambra States; Ambassadors from countries of CAIBA members, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank, Representatives from the China-Africa Development Fund, and many industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore opportunities for cooperation and mutual growth.
In addition, the CAIBA Forum will feature a plenary session which include Dr. Abiodun Adedipe – Founder & Chief Consultant BAA Consult, David Ofosu-Dorte – Senior Partner, AB & David Africa, A Pan-African Law Firm, Ugo (UgoDre) Obi-Chukwu – Publisher Nairametrics, Wole Adeniyi- CEO, Stanbic IBTC, Bamidele Abu- CEO, ABSA Nigeria Capital Markets, Mrs Kouassigan Dovi Eliane Khady – Head Financial Institutions West African Development Bank (BOAD). Other exciting line-ups include a trade exhibition, keynote speeches, and networking events that will explore the latest trends and opportunities in China-Africa cooperation.
The establishment of CAIBA is a positive development that has the potential to significantly impact the economic landscape, actively shaping economic future and fostering partnerships that drive sustainable growth and prosperity of both China and Africa.
