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Tag: Nigerian Breweries

  • Nigerian Breweries donates classroom block to school

    igerian Breweries (NB) Plc handed over a refurbished block of six furnished classrooms as well as text books to Itolo Girls Junior Secondary School, Surulere.

    The project implemented because of an appeal by Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, was executed by the company’s Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund established in 1994 to contribute to educational development.

    Speaking at the inauguration, the Managing Director NB PLC, Mr Jordi Borrut Bel said the project was in line with the company’s corporate vision of winning with Nigeria.

    He said Lagos State was a major beneficiary of the company’s education intervention being the birth place of the company.

    He noted through the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, “We have impacted over 25,000 students across the country, built over 300 classrooms and over 30 libraries equipped with furniture and books in both primary and secondary school across various communities. We have also renovated and donated equipment to tertiary institutions around the nation.”

    “Our interest in Lagos State and Nigeria goes beyond the pursuit of business or profiteering. We believe that the right investment din the education of our children will secure a bright future for our nation. We are resolutely committed to this going into the future” he said.

    The Deputy Governor, Mrs Idiat Adebule praised the company for its relentless effort in supporting the vision of the government to provide quality education.

    She said as education remains the bedrock of development, to achieve quality, effective and functional education there is need to create conducive environment for teaching and learning, and providing quality personnel in the school.

    “I am particularly impressed that your company has chosen a very important sector to touch and impact lives in this community. Education is the bedrock of development. Therefore there is no amount of money invested in education for our children that would be too much. . The rebuilt and commissioning of these classrooms is a clear demonstration of your support of our programmes and visions in the education sector,” said Dr Adebule who was represented by Mrs Elizabeth Adekanye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos State.

    She advised the pupils to make good use of the facility and urged the teachers to use it to improve the performance of the pupils and sustain the glory of the school as a citadel of academic excellence.

    Haven donated a 20 million naira bus to pupils in Surulere, Desmond Elliot, who is also a popular actor, appealed to NB to donate more school buses for easy schools transportation.

    Principal of the school, Mrs Aderinola Sonaire thanked NB Plc, saying the classroom would impact positively in the pupils.

    However, she asked for a good drainage system be constructed and fencing of the school to prevent vandalism and ensure sustainability.

  • Nigerian Breweries empowers 100 artisans, SMEs with N30m

    Life Continental Lager Beer, a beverage brand in the stable of Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc, has voted N30 million for empowerment of 100 artisans and small businesses.

    The Portfolio Manager in-charge of Mainstream Lager and Stout of NB, Mr. Emma Agu, made this known at the launch of the 2018 Life Beer Empowerment Scheme in Enugu.

    The empowerment programme was titled: “Life Progress Booster 2018’’ with a slogan “Small Business, Big Progress.’’

    Agu said each of the 100 artisans and small or growing businesses would get N300, 000 each in the empowerment package to boost their ventures to the next level and make progress.

    “The empowerment was meant for seven states, which include the five South-East States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States, which are predominantly Igbo indigenous states.

    Agu also said Rivers and Delta States were among the seven states since a large chunk of Igbos also hail from the two South-South states.

    He noted that the empowerment was meant for Igbo artisans and small businesses, whose businesses and ventures were domiciled in the seven states and could be physically verified.

    The manager said that the company was targeting Ndi-Igbo as the beverage brand, Life Beer, was being sold massively in Igbo speaking predominant areas.

    According to him, one out of every three beer served in drinking joints and social gatherings, is Life Beer.

    “Beer originates from our breweries in Onitsha, economic capital of the South-East and South-South regions,’’ he said.

    The manager encouraged progressive and aspiring artisans and small/growing business concerns to apply by writing a simple business proposal on how to expand their existing businesses, services and ventures.

    On how the money will be disbursed, he explained that a panel of three business and venture judges will look into it and find out how suitable and practical their proposals will be and would later visit their shops or business places to verify and ask the applicant questions directly.

    Agu said the process was clear as well as unambiguous to understand and follow by all with little education prowess needed on it.

    He further explained that Life Beer empowerment had started and continued yearly since 2014; but previously it was for young people who have new business ideas getting N250, 000 each.

    “The empowerment programme has benefitted hundreds of new businesses before now in the seven states, it is the time to already establish small artisans and businesses,’’ Agu said

     

  • Company constructs classes, library for college in Kano

    The Kano State Government has inaugurated a block of eight classrooms and a library constructed by Nigerian Breweries, makers of Maltina, at Government Technical College, Gwale in Kano metropolis.

    Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, at the ceremony on Friday, commended the company for the gesture.

    Ganduje called on the well-meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to emulate the gesture for the development of the education sector.

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries, Mr Jordi Borrut, said that the project was part of the company’s commitment in partnership with the state government to support the education sector.

    “We believe these infrastructures will improve the standard of education in schools and complement government’s efforts in the provision of basic, qualitative and affordable education in a conducive learning and teaching environment for students and teachers in order to build our future leaders,’’ he added.

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    The Permanent Secretary, SERVICOM Directorate, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, said the project came to reality due to the efforts of the directorate of ensuring that individuals and corporate bodies discharge their corporate social responsibilities to the state.

    Musa thanked the state government for allowing the company to execute the project and Dorayi Babba community for donating a piece of land to the school for the project.

  • Nigerian Breweries Focuses Igbos, SMEs in new empowerment initiative

    Nigerian Breweries has finalised plans to empower Igbo men and women across the South East states of Nigeria in an entrepreneurial initiative tagged;  Life Beer Progress Booster.

    The Small Medium and Enterprises targeted initiative, in its fourth edition was launched on in Enugu state on Sunday.

    The small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), scheme will cover the South-eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta and Rivers where the brand holds sway as market leader.

    The Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, Emmanuel Agu said, described the initiative has a success in the last three year with landmark impact across residents in the states.

    He continued, “Life Progress Booster promotion is a celebration of the essential Igbo spirit of industry, will to succeed, enterprise and passion in the world of business. This project is, no doubt, a reinforcement of the heritage embedded in the Life Continental Lager Beer, its essence, connection and affinity with the people, and culture/lifestyle of South Easterners”.

    Agu further explained that like its previous editions, consumers and interested participants need to currently be operating a simple, viable, not necessarily outlandish business that he/she desires to take to the next level of success.

    “Progress Booster is a programme with the sole aim of supporting the Igbos, who have innovative business ideas, to encourage their entrepreneurial spirit. We are excited by the success of the previous three editions. We are also ready to support another set of entrepreneurs, who will benefit from this year’s expanded platform”, Agu said.

    Interested participants only need to drop their business proposals at designated outlets or visit life-nigeria.com to send in their entries. Shortlisted candidates will proceed to pitch their existing businesses to a team of business experts. Successful candidates across the catchment zone will be given a grant to support their businesses.

    In a goodwill message at the unveiling, Levy Anyikwa, South East Zonal Coordinator, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) praised NB Plc and Life Continental lager brand for the unique effort to encourage and lift small businesses in the region. “SME’s are the lifeblood of industrialization across the world. This is a right step in the right direction”, he said, urging contestants to take advantage of the opportunity to put their businesses on sound footing.

    Some winners of past edition and their proposals include Eusebius Owusi (Cold Room Business Expansion); Stella Okechukwu (Hair Dressing Salon Establishment) and Felicia Emeh (Canteen Expansion). Others are Augustine Okoli (Household & Furniture Welder); Tuvia Kings Enterprises (Creative Fashion Designer and Prints); and Anyachukwu Donatus (Food Condiments Processing).

  • NB Plc unveils “33” Export PenDown competition

    The Nigerian Breweries has set machinery in motion to hold the “33” Export PenDown competition later this month.

    The Pendown for friendship Competition which has since begun accepting entries will be extending its value proposition of friendship and supporting the craft of writing. The competition which was announced at the press briefing unveiled for the four-day tagged the “City Of Friends”, to be hosted in Lagos and Calabar as part of activities marking the 2018 World Friendship Day on July 30th.

    At separate views by the Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries, makers of “33” Export and other premium beer brands, Mr. Franco Maria Maggi they said, the “33” Export brand is dedicated to building friendship moments.

    “33” Export has further enlisted the services of renowned journalists as Judges for the competition. The judges will include public relation expert Anthony Kan Onwordi (Toni Kan), award winning writer Pelu Awofeso, and Saturday Punch editor Olabisi Deji-Folutile.

    The write-ups will be judged by a jury of three acclaimed writers – Anthony Kan, Pelu Awofeso and Olabisi Deji-Folutile. The three Judges will decide on the eventual winners that will be rewarded with various prizes ranging from training grants worth up to the tune of N3million as well as other prizes such as laptops, phones, and television, based on the quality of entries.

    Writers who win the training grant will get the chance to train at the any School or Institute of Media and Communications to take courses in areas such as Creativity in Business Writing, Advanced business communication, Digital marketing and more. This commendable initiative has garnered widespread praise and writers have already begun to air their excitement about the competition.

    Participation in the contest is open to all Nigerian journalists, bloggers and writers. Entries should include previously published articles with a minimum of 1,500 words and maximum of 3,000 words. The theme of the article should focus on friendship and have considerable mentions of “33” Export. To spice up the entire event, there will also be the City of Friends party in Lagos and Calabar.

  • Nigerian Breweries records N10.2b profit in Q1

    Nigerian Breweries Plc started 2018 on a low note as sales and profit contracted within the first quarter.

    Key extracts of the interim report and accounts of Nigerian Breweries for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 showed that sales dropped by nine per cent from N91.3 billion in first quarter 2017 to N83 billion in first quarter 2018. Operating activities declined by eight from N19.2 billion to N17.7 billion. Profit before tax also dropped by 12.6 per cent from N17.4 billion to N15.2 billion. Profit after tax declined by 11.8 per cent to N10.2 billion in first quarter 2018 compared with N11.4 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.

    The brewing giant attributed the slowdown sluggish consumer spending, noting that though there are some signs of improvement in the macroeconomic conditions, these are yet to reflect on consumer spending.

    The board of the company said it remained confident that it has a clear strategy to deliver a good return on investment to shareholders.

    Nigerian Breweries recently paid N25 billion as final cash dividend to the shareholders, raising the total cash dividend for the 2017 business year to N32.9 billion. This represented the entire profit after tax for the year.

    A breakdown of the final dividend recommendation indicated that shareholders received a dividend of N3.13 on every share held as at the close of business on March 6, 2018. Nigerian Breweries had distributed N7.9 billion as interim dividend, representing interim dividend per share of N1. The total dividend per share stood at N4.13.

    Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2017 showed that total sales rose by 10 per cent from N313 billion in 2016 to N344 billion. Profit before tax increased from N39.67 billion in 2016 to N46.63 billion in 2017. Profit after tax grew by 16 per cent from N28.4 billion in 2016 to N33 billion. Earnings per share stood at N4.13 in 2017 as against N3.58 in 2016.

  • Nigerian Breweries backs Okpekpe race

    Pioneer and largest brewing firm, Nigerian Breweries Plc has joined the growing list of corporate organisations who have thrown their weight behind the first IAAF silver label road race in West Africa, the Okpekpe international 10km road race.

    The spokesman for the race Dare Esan revealed that the company is coming in as a Friend of the Race.

    ‘It is a massive boost for the image of the race to have a pioneer brewing company support an event in which history will be made on May 12, 2018. Remember the race next month, is the first ever IAAF silver label road race in Nigeria and West Africa.

    ”In 2015 we became the first road race in Nigeria to be granted an IAAF label status. This means the Okpekpe race is regarded as one of the world’s leading road running events,’ said Esan who explained that a label certifies the global sporting significance of the race, the organisational quality and the compliance with relevant IAAF competition rules.

    Nigerian Breweries Plc will support the race with cash and some of their products.

    ‘Nigerian Breweries have offered a cash support as well as some quantities of its non-alcoholic brand, Amstel Malta for the race. We are delighted to have the first and largest brewing company in Nigeria, a socially responsible corporate organisation with a good track record of corporate social initiatives, back the first IAAF label road race in Nigeria.’

    ‘Nigerian Breweries is a major player in sports sponsorship and promotion in Nigeria and it is to our credit that a company that supports the Nigerian senior football team, the Super Eagles and the historic Nigerian winter Olympics team is also throwing its weight behind another historic event. This is a testimony to the growing popularity of the Okpekpe race.

    It is really heart-warming to have a company that has been very active in supporting the national developmental aspirations of Nigeria identify with a pioneer event as Friend of the race,’ said Esan who also revealed that the theme song for the race will soon be released.

    The sixth edition of the Okpekpe international 10km road race will be live on television across the globe, as all arrangements have been concluded with Supersport for a live telecast of the historic race in Okpekpe near Auchi, Edo state of Nigeria.

    The Okpekpe international 10km road race is the only road race recognised by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

    It is organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing, leaders in sports marketing and hospitality business in Nigeria.

  • Goldberg promotes brand essence through ‘Ariya Repete’

    Nigerian Breweries’ Goldberg lager beer, a brand whose essence typifies cultural edification in all ramifications recently, Goldberg Lager beer brand organises Goldberg Ariya Repete Symposium, a roundtable discourse, on Yoruba culture and practices, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital to kickstarts the third edition of annual Yoruba music, cultural promotions and talent hunts – Goldberg Ariya Repete.

    The annual intervention, the company argued, had become imperative, to enable it provide a platform for culture renaissance and ensure that the once vibrant and rich traditional beliefs and heritage of the Yoruba people are sustained, in tune with the lager brand’s essence of culture, respect and enjoyment. The focus of this year’s discourse was woven around Fuji, Juju and other traditional genres of the Yoruba traditional music and the impact today’s technology seems to be having on those different genres of the Yoruba music, as a way of bringing the culture of the people in the South Western part of the country to the fore.

    Commending the Goldberg brand for coming up with such initiative, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal noted that such platform would go a long way in giving the Yoruba language and culture the much-needed impetus to take its pride of place in the comity of other Nigerian languages. He attributed the slide in fortune the Yoruba language had continued to experience, in the past few decades to its being relegated by people of the Yoruba ethnic stock.

  • Nigerian Breweries explains 100% dividend payout

    Nigerian Breweries, one of five largest companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and pioneer largest brewing company in Nigeria, has explained that its decision to pay out its entire net profit after tax as cash dividend to shareholders demonstrated its strong performance and confidence over its operations.

    Nigerian Breweries has recommended a total dividend of N33 billion for the 2017 financial year. The recommendation, which amounted to a total dividend of N4.13 per ordinary share of 50 kobo each is a 100 per cent payout of net profit, making it the third year in a row that the company is delivering such to its shareholders.

    At a media briefing in Lagos, its Managing Director, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, explained that the 100 per cent payout is a reflection of strong balance sheet and overall health of the company.

    He pointed out that the N33 billion dividend payout is a considerable increase over the N28 billion paid for the 2016 business year. The company had earlier paid an interim dividend of N7.97 billion in November 2017, which amounted to N1.00 per share. The final dividend will, therefore, be N25.03 billion, which comes to N3.13 per share.

    Accorrding to him, the turnover of N345 billion, which resulted in a N33 billion profit after tax for the 2017 financial year was as a result of the continuous focus on cost leadership.

    He noted that cost leadership initiatives, which encompass cost optimisation, revenue management and consumer value re-engineering, yielded savings which positively impacted on the company’s financials.

    An analysis of the company’s audited results showed that its profit after tax represented a 16 per cent increase from the N28.4 billion achieved in 2016, and a 10 per cent growth in turnover in 2017 from N314 billion in the preceding period.

    Borrut Bel added that the company remained confident of its clear strategy to deliver good returns on investment to shareholders as part of its commitment to “Winning with Nigeria”.

    “When all factors are considered, our results have been positive and creditable over the years. Despite the deterioration in consumer purchasing power, our robust brand portfolio which  covers a broad spectrum of consumer needs enabled us to protect revenue and profitability,” Borrut Bel said.

    He added that the company aims to use its brands as a positive for change while managing its products to protect people and their environments, which was why over N175 billion was invested in developing world-class brewing facilities in the past five years.

    He said the company remains committed to local content development as some of the raw materials like sorghum are gotten from Nigeria.

    According to him, the company, in conjunction with Heineken Supply chain B.V of the Netherlands and other Heineken companies, is involved in the activities aimed at the development of new hybrid sorghum varieties with the potential of increasing the output for sorghum farmers as well as improving the quality of sorghum malt, which is a major raw material input in their operations. Two  high yielding varieties have been developed and registered by the company; the process of commercialisation of these hybrids is on-going. The company has entered into supply agreements with local cassava starch processors whose activities have impacted positively in the communities where they operate. They have an offtake arrangement with a multinational company that has huge investment in the sugarcane value chain. This is aimed at replacing improved sugar in the company’s recipe with a local substitute.

    He noted that the company also ensures that it gives back to the community in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by spearheading the football team and making visible social impact in many spheres, notably health, education, sport, water and community development among others.

     

  • Nigerian Breweries records N33b profit for 2017

    Brewery giant Nigerian Breweries Plc on Wednesday said it recorded a N33 billion Profit after Tax (PAT) for the financial year ended December 31, 2017, on a revenue of N344 billion.

    This represented a 16 per cent increase in PAT from N28.4 billion in 2016, and a 10 per cent growth in turnover from N313 billion in the corresponding period.

    The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, made this known at its pre-Annual General Meeting (AGM) media conference held in Lagos on Wednesday.

    He said the company recommended a dividend of N33 billion for its shareholders for the 2017 financial year, a 100 per cent pay-out ratio.

    Bel explained that the company gave out 100 per cent dividend payout as part of its dividend policy, which was consistent with its robust balance sheet.

    The recommendation, which amounted to a total dividend of N4.13 per share for the 2017 operating year, was the highest in the history of the company.

    The recommended dividend was inclusive of interim dividend of N8 billion, which is one Naira per share earlier paid by the company in November 2017.

    Bel said the company was able to end the year with improved results through continuous focus and execution of its twin agenda of cost leadership and market leadership supported by innovation.

    According to him, the company’s stable growth in spite of economic headwinds was as a result of its ability to cut down on operational cost, which made the company to remain afloat.

    He said the company deployed cost leadership to fuel the fight for market leadership as well as used it to drive scale for cost leadership, adding that the sustenance of this strategy will enable the company emerge the best cost performing breweries in Africa.

    Bel stated that the company remained confident that “It has a clear strategy to deliver good return on investment to shareholders as part of its commitment to winning with Nigeria.”

    The Managing Director said whilst the foreign exchange situation improved in the course of the year, double digit inflation continued to impact both businesses and consumers.

    He also said whilst there were some early signs of improvement in the macro-economic condition, this is yet to be reflected in consumer confidence.

    Reviewing the beverage industry in 2017, Bel said the industry had changed significantly over the last three years; that with signs of improvements in the economy, 2017 bear market was relatively stable.

    He, however, said that the operating environment would remain challenging in 2018, expressing confidence that the company was well placed with its leadership brands as well as people to weather the storm.