Latest news with #Nigerian-based
IOL News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
African MMA brand AKO signs a broadcasting deal with SuperSport
AKO started as an MMA talent reality TV Show called "African Knockout", becoming the first non-scripted sports reality show on Netflix in the process. African MMA fans will now have greater access to mixed martial arts content, following a landmark deal between leading sports broadcaster SuperSport and the fast-growing Nigerian-based promotion, the African KnockOut Championship (AKO). SuperSport will become the exclusive linear broadcaster for AKO across Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to expand the promotion's reach and elevate Pan-African MMA within its diverse sports portfolio. Mixed martial arts has experienced significant growth over recent years, captivating millions of fans — especially younger, digitally connected audiences. The sport's popularity has surged across Africa, fuelled by the success of continental UFC champions such as Nigeria's Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya, Cameroon's Francis Ngannou, and South Africa's Dricus du Plessis. Major MMA hubs like South Africa, Nigeria, and Angola continue to grow, while interest spreads rapidly in countries including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt. According to the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), 24 African national federations actively govern and organise both professional and amateur MMA events across the continent. On the professional front, the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) has long been the flagship MMA promotion showcasing elite African talent alongside international stars. SuperSport already offers coverage of EFC, UFC, and the Professional Fighters League (PFL), with AKO set to become the latest premium addition following its broadcast partnership. AKO President and Co-founder Kamaru Usman — Africa's first-ever UFC champion — emphasised the partnership's transformative potential: 'This isn't just about building a platform; it's about unlocking the full potential of African MMA. "We want to inspire a new generation of champions and create a homegrown ecosystem that can rival the best in the world. There is no better partner than SuperSport, whose reach, reputation, and connection to African audiences perfectly align with our vision.'
Business Insider
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Africa's richest man retires as chairman of Dangote Cement
Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Dangote Cement Plc. Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man, has resigned as Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, with Emmanuel Ikazoboh succeeding him. Ikazoboh has extensive experience spanning over 40 years in senior management roles across several African countries. Dangote Cement significantly contributed to Nigeria transitioning from a major global cement importer to Africa's largest exporter. Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Dangote Cement Plc, marking the end of an era at one of the continent's largest cement producers. In his place, Emmanuel Ikazoboh has been appointed as the new board chairman, according to Premium Times. Ikazoboh, who previously served as an independent non-executive director, brings more than four decades of senior management experience across Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, and South Africa. Further details about the leadership change and its implications for the company's strategy are expected in the coming days. In June, Mr. Dangote stepped down as Chairman of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, marking the end of two decades of leadership at one of Nigeria's most profitable food companies. The move, according to the company, was 'in line with the principles of good corporate governance and succession planning.' Dangote Cement has played a significant role in transforming Nigeria's economy. In June, Dangote noted that Nigeria, once the second-largest importer of cement globally, now exports more cement than any other African country, thanks to massive local investment in production capacity. Nigerian-based Dangote Cement remains Africa's largest cement producer, with a total installed capacity of 48.6 million metric tonnes per annum (Mt/a) across the continent. Of this, 32.3 Mt/a is located in Nigeria, while the remaining 16.3 Mt/a spans nine other African countries: Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, and Sierra Leone.
Rhyl Journal
20-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Nigerian communities set to have oil pollution High Court claims tried in 2027
Members of the Bille and Ogale communities in the Niger Delta, which have a combined population of around 50,000, are suing Shell plc and a Nigerian-based subsidiary of the company, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, which is now the Renaissance Africa Energy Company. The two communities began legal action in 2015, claiming they have suffered systemic and ongoing oil pollution for years due to the companies' operations in the African country, including pollution of drinking water. They are seeking compensation and asking for the companies to clean up the damage caused by the spills. The companies are defending the claims, saying that the majority of spills are caused by criminal acts of third parties or illegal oil refining, for which they are not liable. On Friday, Mrs Justice May ruled on more than 20 preliminary issues in the claims, following a hearing held in London over four weeks in February and March. She said that 'some 85 spills have, so far, been identified', but added that the case was 'still at a very early stage'. Her findings included that Shell could be sued for damage from pipeline spills caused by third parties, such as vandals, in efforts to steal oil, a process known as bunkering. She also said that while there was a five-year limitation period on bringing legal claims, a 'new cause of action will arise each day that oil remains' on land affected by the spills. The cases are due to be tried over four months, starting in March 2027. Reacting to the ruling, the leader of the Ogale community, King Bebe Okpabi, said: 'It has been 10 years now since we started this case, we hope that now Shell will stop these shenanigans and sit down with us to sort this out. 'People in Ogale are dying; Shell need to bring a remedy. 'We thank the judicial system of the UK for this judgment.' Matthew Renishaw, international development partner at law firm Leigh Day, which represents the claimants, said: 'This outcome opens the door to Shell being held responsible for their legacy pollution as well as their negligence in failing to take reasonable steps to prevent pollution from oil theft or local refining.' He continued: 'Our clients reiterate, as they have repeatedly for 10 years, that they simply want Shell to clean up their pollution and compensate them for their loss of livelihood. 'It is high time that Shell stop their legal filibuster and do the right thing.' A Shell spokesperson said that the company welcomed the judgment. They said: 'For many years, the vast majority of spills in the Niger Delta have been caused by third parties acting unlawfully, such as oil thieves who drill holes in pipelines, or saboteurs. 'This criminality is the cause of the majority of spills in the Bille and Ogale claims, and we maintain that Shell is not liable for the criminal acts of third parties or illegal refining. 'These challenges are managed by a joint venture which Shell's former subsidiary operated, using its expertise in spill response and clean-up. 'The spills referenced in this litigation were cleaned up by the joint venture regardless of the cause, as required by Nigerian law, working closely with government-owned partner NNPC Ltd, Nigerian government agencies and local communities. 'Clean-up certificates were issued by the Nigerian regulator NOSDRA.' The High Court and the Court of Appeal ruled in 2017 and 2018, respectively, that there was no arguable case that Shell owed the claimants a duty of care, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that there was a 'real issue to be tried'.
Glasgow Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Nigerian communities set to have oil pollution High Court claims tried in 2027
Members of the Bille and Ogale communities in the Niger Delta, which have a combined population of around 50,000, are suing Shell plc and a Nigerian-based subsidiary of the company, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, which is now the Renaissance Africa Energy Company. The two communities began legal action in 2015, claiming they have suffered systemic and ongoing oil pollution for years due to the companies' operations in the African country, including pollution of drinking water. They are seeking compensation and asking for the companies to clean up the damage caused by the spills. The companies are defending the claims, saying that the majority of spills are caused by criminal acts of third parties or illegal oil refining, for which they are not liable. On Friday, Mrs Justice May ruled on more than 20 preliminary issues in the claims, following a hearing held in London over four weeks in February and March. She said that 'some 85 spills have, so far, been identified', but added that the case was 'still at a very early stage'. Her findings included that Shell could be sued for damage from pipeline spills caused by third parties, such as vandals, in efforts to steal oil, a process known as bunkering. She also said that while there was a five-year limitation period on bringing legal claims, a 'new cause of action will arise each day that oil remains' on land affected by the spills. The cases are due to be tried over four months, starting in March 2027. Reacting to the ruling, the leader of the Ogale community, King Bebe Okpabi, said: 'It has been 10 years now since we started this case, we hope that now Shell will stop these shenanigans and sit down with us to sort this out. 'People in Ogale are dying; Shell need to bring a remedy. 'We thank the judicial system of the UK for this judgment.' Matthew Renishaw, international development partner at law firm Leigh Day, which represents the claimants, said: 'This outcome opens the door to Shell being held responsible for their legacy pollution as well as their negligence in failing to take reasonable steps to prevent pollution from oil theft or local refining.' He continued: 'Our clients reiterate, as they have repeatedly for 10 years, that they simply want Shell to clean up their pollution and compensate them for their loss of livelihood. 'It is high time that Shell stop their legal filibuster and do the right thing.' A Shell spokesperson said that the company welcomed the judgment. They said: 'For many years, the vast majority of spills in the Niger Delta have been caused by third parties acting unlawfully, such as oil thieves who drill holes in pipelines, or saboteurs. 'This criminality is the cause of the majority of spills in the Bille and Ogale claims, and we maintain that Shell is not liable for the criminal acts of third parties or illegal refining. 'These challenges are managed by a joint venture which Shell's former subsidiary operated, using its expertise in spill response and clean-up. 'The spills referenced in this litigation were cleaned up by the joint venture regardless of the cause, as required by Nigerian law, working closely with government-owned partner NNPC Ltd, Nigerian government agencies and local communities. 'Clean-up certificates were issued by the Nigerian regulator NOSDRA.' The High Court and the Court of Appeal ruled in 2017 and 2018, respectively, that there was no arguable case that Shell owed the claimants a duty of care, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that there was a 'real issue to be tried'.
South Wales Guardian
20-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Nigerian communities set to have oil pollution High Court claims tried in 2027
Members of the Bille and Ogale communities in the Niger Delta, which have a combined population of around 50,000, are suing Shell plc and a Nigerian-based subsidiary of the company, the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, which is now the Renaissance Africa Energy Company. The two communities began legal action in 2015, claiming they have suffered systemic and ongoing oil pollution for years due to the companies' operations in the African country, including pollution of drinking water. They are seeking compensation and asking for the companies to clean up the damage caused by the spills. The companies are defending the claims, saying that the majority of spills are caused by criminal acts of third parties or illegal oil refining, for which they are not liable. On Friday, Mrs Justice May ruled on more than 20 preliminary issues in the claims, following a hearing held in London over four weeks in February and March. She said that 'some 85 spills have, so far, been identified', but added that the case was 'still at a very early stage'. Her findings included that Shell could be sued for damage from pipeline spills caused by third parties, such as vandals, in efforts to steal oil, a process known as bunkering. She also said that while there was a five-year limitation period on bringing legal claims, a 'new cause of action will arise each day that oil remains' on land affected by the spills. The cases are due to be tried over four months, starting in March 2027. Reacting to the ruling, the leader of the Ogale community, King Bebe Okpabi, said: 'It has been 10 years now since we started this case, we hope that now Shell will stop these shenanigans and sit down with us to sort this out. 'People in Ogale are dying; Shell need to bring a remedy. 'We thank the judicial system of the UK for this judgment.' Matthew Renishaw, international development partner at law firm Leigh Day, which represents the claimants, said: 'This outcome opens the door to Shell being held responsible for their legacy pollution as well as their negligence in failing to take reasonable steps to prevent pollution from oil theft or local refining.' He continued: 'Our clients reiterate, as they have repeatedly for 10 years, that they simply want Shell to clean up their pollution and compensate them for their loss of livelihood. 'It is high time that Shell stop their legal filibuster and do the right thing.' A Shell spokesperson said that the company welcomed the judgment. They said: 'For many years, the vast majority of spills in the Niger Delta have been caused by third parties acting unlawfully, such as oil thieves who drill holes in pipelines, or saboteurs. 'This criminality is the cause of the majority of spills in the Bille and Ogale claims, and we maintain that Shell is not liable for the criminal acts of third parties or illegal refining. 'These challenges are managed by a joint venture which Shell's former subsidiary operated, using its expertise in spill response and clean-up. 'The spills referenced in this litigation were cleaned up by the joint venture regardless of the cause, as required by Nigerian law, working closely with government-owned partner NNPC Ltd, Nigerian government agencies and local communities. 'Clean-up certificates were issued by the Nigerian regulator NOSDRA.' The High Court and the Court of Appeal ruled in 2017 and 2018, respectively, that there was no arguable case that Shell owed the claimants a duty of care, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that there was a 'real issue to be tried'.
