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Coca-Cola, Others Urge US Congress to Sustain Healthcare Funding for Africa
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unravel healthcare systems and economies across the world, The Coca-Cola Company and fourteen other global corporations have urged US Congressional leaders to continue to provide healthcare funding support to sub-Saharan African countries so that the pandemic and its consequences do not result in an increase in deaths from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which are among the top 5 killer diseases on the continent.
The companies, acting on the platform of the Friends of the Global Fund, recently sent a joint letter to the US Senate Majority Leader, Honorable Mitch McConnell; House Speaker, Honorable Nancy Pelosi; and the Senate and the House Minority Leaders, advocating for the COVID supplemental funding legislation to include increased investments to support sub-Saharan healthcare systems and workers.
“In sub-Saharan Africa, COVID-19 threatens fragile health systems and the virus has the potential to infect nearly a quarter of a billion people over the next year… COVID-19 also risks undermining decades of progress against epidemics that kill millions of people every year: AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria”, the companies noted in the letter which was signed by The Coca-Cola Company’s CEO, James Quincey, along with the CEOs of Abbott, Cepheid, Johnson & Johnson, Mylan, Sanofi, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Vestergaard, Zenysis, Aegon-Transamerica, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, Novartis, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, UPS and ViiV Healthcare.
With over 90 years of extensive presence across Africa through its subsidiaries and bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company has witnessed the great strides the continent has made and the enormous challenges it continues to grapple with in building effective health systems.
Along with its bottling partners and the Coca-Cola Foundation, the company has invested over the years in these efforts and are partners with the Global Fund which leverages US Government funding to scale strategic healthcare interventions in Africa such as Project Last Mile.
Launched in 2009, Project Last Mile models Coca-Cola’s expertise in distribution efficiency and marketing impact to help build capacity and capability in African ministries of health for improved availability of life-saving medicines and demand for health services for millions of people in hard-to-reach parts of Africa.
Working with local Coca-Cola teams, Project Last Mile has supported governments to build effective and resilient healthcare supply chains and systems, including cold chain maintenance for vaccines, adapting its scope to the needs in the ten countries where the project has launched: Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, South Africa, Eswatini, Nigeria, Lesotho, Uganda and Ghana.
Commenting on the appeal to the US Congress, Bruno Pietracci, President for Coca-Cola Africa and Middle East said: “COVID-19 has underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder interventions such as Project Last Mile in enabling countries to cope with the unimagined pressure on healthcare systems through improved logistics, communication effectiveness and access to hard-to-reach people at the last mile. It is crucial that the global community stands up to the responsibility to enable quick recovery and resilience-building for developing regions such as Africa. That is the only way we can all emerge stronger together from the unprecedented impact of this pandemic”.
The Global Fund, launched in 2002, is a partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. As an international organization, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests more than $4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries, working in partnership with governments, civil society, technical agencies, the private sector and people affected by these diseases. The Global Fund has a strong focus on sub-Saharan Africa where about 72% of its resources were allocated in the 2017-2019 period.
Lagos is set to welcome top music business leaders, celebrities, business executives, and creative industry professionals from around the world as All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, partners with bridgeAfric, and UNESCO to host the Showbiz101 Global Workshop and Music Creation Camp.
The event, scheduled to take place from March 26th to 29th, 2025 aims to train young creatives, foster international collaborations, and further enhance the capabilities of creators and professionals along the value chain of music production and business.
Adenrele Niyi, Chief Experience Officer, (CXO), AFRIMA, said the partnership with bridgeAfric on the event underlined the AFRIMA institution’s commitment to empowering Africa’s creative industry.
“As AFRIMA, part of our mission is building capacity and fostering cross-border collaborations by empowering Africa’s creative industry and by providing platforms for artists to collaborate, grow, and break boundaries. Partnering with bridgeAfric for the Showbiz101 Global Workshop & Music Creation Camp is a no-brainer. This initiative is about more than just music; it’s about equipping young creatives with the tools, knowledge, and global connections they need to thrive in the industry,” Niyi said.
The AFRIMA CXO added that the event aligns with AFRIMA’s seven pillars, which include the Music Awards, Music Festivals, AFRIMA Creative Academy, Talent Discovery and Promotions, Music Business Hub, Advocacy, and Advisory & Policy Debates. “Our goal is to reinforce Africa’s position as a moving powerhouse on the global music scene—one hit, one artist, one opportunity at a time and we are excited to be at the fore front of driving this initiative,” she concluded.
According to Victoria Nkong, President of bridgeAfric who is also an Associate Producer for AFRIMA, the workshop aims to support the future of Africa’s creative industry by focusing on key areas including the need to educate and train young talents, saying, “We believe learning is essential to solving problems in the entertainment industry. This workshop will equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.”
She said the event will feature performances, training sessions, and recording opportunities for artists.
Nkong added that the five-day event will bring top musicians together for a three-day global music camp, where they will create songs as a team. “By the end of the camp, we will have a global EP featuring top African stars from different countries,” she said.
“Another goal of the workshop is to help artists reach new audiences by connecting them with international music executives. This will open doors for them to promote their music in different parts of the world.”
Some of the top artists who have confirmed their participation in the conference and recording camp are Juma Jux from Tanzania, Nadia Nakai from South Africa and DJ Neptune from Nigeria. Ivory Coast will be well represented by global music superstars like the AFRIMA Award winner Didi B, Himra, Suspect 95, Kikimoteleba, Goulam, and Gabin Bao.
Other notable participants include Bizzle Osikoya, Co-founder of The Plug Entertainment, and Sesan Adeniji, General Manager of Vybz FM.
From Algeria, DJ MohGreen will bring his expertise, while Eric Bellamy from Live Nation Paris, France will contribute his knowledge of the global music industry. Sonia Aimy from Canada and Wendy Harawa from Malawi are also expected.
In addition to the workshop and music camp, Nkong said a welcome Industry party is scheduled for Wednesday to officially receive the participants.
She added that registration is free for music producers, songwriters, and artists who want to learn, network, and advance their music careers.
MTN Nigeria, the official telecommunications partner of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), has reiterated its unwavering support for the Super Eagles following their spirited draw with Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifier match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Building on the momentum from their recent victory against Rwanda, MTN Nigeria had expressed strong backing for the national team ahead of the crucial fixture.
Tobe Okigbo, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services & Sustainability Officer, stated before the game, “We are confident in the team’s ability to make Nigeria proud and qualify for the World Cup.”
Despite the draw, MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Karl Toriola, maintained a positive outlook. “While tonight’s outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, we remain steadfast in our support for the Super Eagles.
“This result is just part of the journey towards World Cup qualification, and we believe in the team’s resilience and ability to succeed,” Toriola said.
The match showcased the Super Eagles’ grit and determination as they found their rhythm against the Zimbabwean side.
Nigeria scored the first goal, demonstrating their prowess and fighting spirit, although the match ultimately ended in a draw.
This result has added to the excitement of Nigeria’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
MTN Nigeria, which signed a deal with the NFF in 2021 as the Official Telecoms Partner, has been a constant pillar of support for Nigerian football for over two decades.
The company’s commitment extends from grassroots to national levels, investing significantly in the development of local football.
“Our support for the Super Eagles and all national teams is part of our long-standing tradition,” Toriola added.
“We are building a sustainable legacy of collaboration, growth, and development in the football space.
“Tonight’s result doesn’t change our belief in the team’s potential to make all Nigerians proud on the global stage. We believe in our Eagles.”
As the Super Eagles regroup and prepare for their next qualifier, MTN Nigeria has called on all Nigerians to rally behind the team.
The company emphasized that this is a crucial time for unity and continued support, expressing confidence that the Super Eagles will overcome this challenge and strive towards securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Trust Otorudo, Regional head of Smart Treasure, Lagos Operations, has said that among other reasons he found fulfilment in service to humanity, which aligns with one of the core attributes of Smart Treasure Investment, an investment platform. He noted that, this attribute fueled his passion and dedication for the platform, hence the reason he is committed to it.
By March 29, 2025, Otorudo will be one year with the ST platform and already he has touched many lives in philanthropic and charity works. This is aside all the financial and material benefits he said he has been able to achieve through his involvement with the ST project- with a great percentage of the amount committed to the ST charity course.
“Smart Treasure has made giving an easy habit for everyone who is a part of it, it comes natural to us,” Otorudo said.
“For nearly one year I have been with ST Team, it has been a very fulfilling relationship with different forms of activities. I have practically moved from being a needy to giving back to the society and this is as a result of my encounter with ST Team and I am forever grateful for that.
For Otorudo, the fact that the lives of people are being transformed for the better is enough motivation for him, and he expressed it this way: The ability to touch lives is my motivating factor- to give out to widows, the less privileged and those in need.
“At ST, we are not anti-government but partners in progress to help build an egalitarian society we can all be proud of, knowing that the government cannot do it alone.
“We cannot all be in position of power to affect lives but we can contribute to the growth of humanity through changing the lives of people, one person at a time. Which makes all the difference,” he averred.
Prior to his joining the Smart Treasure, Trust worked as a banker, contract staff for an insurance company, had a stint as a journalist and served as youth Corp member with the Nigerian Army, where he said the virtual of discipline, hardwork and service to humanity was instilled in him.
Presently, a VIP level 9 member, Otorudo advised those who were yet to register to the ST project to do so, if they are interested in changing their financial status.
He is presently on the list of Nigerians who will be visiting Dubai this July for an all-expenses paid trip, courtesy of ST Team. This is aside the numerous gifts he has been rewarded with, a car, an iphone and other high end gifts for his dedication and hard work.
Since 2023, Smart Treasure has involved itself with various charity works aimed at closing the gap between the rich and the poor in the society.
Among the ongoing projects are, ST Tech Academy, where members are being empowered with Information Technology skills; support to orphanages and schools for special children; and most recently, the salary subsidy initiative and an agricultural farm project aimed at feeding Nigerians from the proceed of agric farming.
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