By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Manufacturers of non-alcoholic beverages across the global under the umbrella of the International Council for Beverages Associations (ICBA) have criticised the World Health Organization (WHO) for its latest call for an increase in the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

In a statement by its Executive Director, Ms Kate Loatman, the group noted there is not fact-based evidence to show that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country.

“It’s deeply concerning that the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to disregard over a decade of clear evidence showing that taxing sugar-sweetened beverages has never improved health outcomes or reduced obesity in any country.

“In fact, the WHO itself has repeatedly concluded that such taxes are not the best or most effective measures to address these complex issues,” Loatman was quoted as saying in the statement.

She stated that the beverage industry continues to advance collaborative and innovative solutions like broadening access to low and no-sugar beverage options, supporting transparent labelling, and upholding the highest standards for responsible marketing.

According to her, “By working together on these proactive measures, we can deliver real, measurable progress toward global health priorities.”

ICBA is an international nongovernmental organization established in 1995 that represents the interests of the worldwide non-alcoholic beverage industry.

The members of ICBA include national and regional beverage associations, as well as international beverage companies that operate in more than 200 countries and territories and produce, distribute, and sell a variety of non-alcoholic sparkling and still beverages, including soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, bottled waters, flavoured and/or enhanced waters, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, 100% fruit or vegetable juices, nectars and juice drinks, and dairy-based beverages.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A strategic research-driven report designed to complement its well-established PR Measurement and Performance Audit reporting suite has been launched by P+ Measurement Services.

This new product by Nigeria’s foremost media intelligence consultancy will help Public Relations (PR) and Communications professional understand media narratives because it introduces a more advanced and dimensional approach to media evaluation, focusing specifically on reputation, sentiment, and executive media positioning.

Developed through months of empirical research and aligned with global best practices, it leverages a lexicon-based methodology supported by the Harvard General Inquirer, one of the most reputable frameworks in computational sentiment analysis.

The report comprises two proprietary modules: the Sentiment Depth Scoring Framework and the CEO Intelligence Dashboard.

It was explained that the Sentiment Depth Scoring Framework redefines the limits of traditional sentiment analysis by moving beyond the basic classifications of positive, negative, and neutral. Instead, it evaluates media narratives across nine distinct sentiment levels: strongly positive, positive, moderately positive, slightly positive, neutral, slightly negative, moderately negative, negative, and strongly negative.

This refined framework allows for a more accurate interpretation of tone, better context awareness, and reputation-weighted insights, making it possible to distinguish between mere positivity and meaningful brand impact, or between mild criticism and reputational risk.

On its part, the CEO Intelligence Dashboard brings executive visibility into sharper analytical focus, offering a research-backed assessment of how CEOs and business leaders are portrayed in the media.

It analyzes leadership positioning through metrics such as CEO thought leadership share, sentiment weight score, media share versus competitors, brand reputation score, and competitive sentiment frequency, all of which are compiled by P+’s in-house team of industry analysts with expertise in media research and sector-specific communication trends.

Unlike automated dashboards or AI-generated summaries, the Reputation Sentiment Intelligence Report is grounded in research methodology and interpreted by experienced analysts. This ensures that the insight delivered is not just accurate but also relevant to context, industry trends, and communication objectives.

The release of this product means clients of P+ Measurement Services now have access to two comprehensive PR media audit reports: the long-established PR Measurement and Performance Audit, and the newly introduced Reputation Sentiment Intelligence Report.

“This product marks a defining shift in how PR and communication professionals can view and understand media narratives. Too often, sentiment analysis is flattened into three general categories, which oversimplifies how audiences engage with brand stories and leadership perception.

“Our Reputation Sentiment Intelligence Report is human-led, built on deep research, and designed to uncover nuance, not hide it. We are proud to make this available to an industry in need of more clarity and contextual truth,” the Executive Director of Operations at P+ Measurement Services, Olufunke Mohammed, stated.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The desire to expand access to clear energy for millions of Nigeria has spurred Baobab Plus Nigeria to partner with LAPO Microfinance Bank.

With this collaboration, Baobab+ solar products such as Solar Home Systems, Solar Generators and Solar Power Stations will be available to more Nigerians through flexible financing plans provided by LAPO Microfinance Bank.

With this reach extended to over 100,000 local communities in rural and peri-urban areas, including individuals, families, and small business owners, who face energy insecurity and high electricity costs, can now enjoy reliable and renewable energy at affordable rates.

Baobab+ Nigeria is a leader in solar energy and digital inclusion. It is committed to accelerating access to clean and affordable energy solutions across the country.

Joining forces with LAPO Microfinance Bank is strategic because the small lender is the largest microfinance institution in Nigeria with over 500 branches in 34 states, including the FCT, Abuja, and 6 million active clients.

With over three decades of experience in providing financial services to low-income individuals, LAPO Microfinance Bank boasts of an expansive branch network and deep community trust.

Through this collaboration, customers will be able to walk into any LAPO branch and finance Baobab+ solar products through convenient repayment plans tailored to their income level.

“At Baobab+, our mission has always been to democratize access to clean energy and digital technology, especially for underserved populations.

“Through this partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank, we are bringing that mission to life by offering more people the opportunity to power their homes and businesses sustainably and affordably,” the chief executive of Baobab+, Mr Kolawole Osinowo, stated.

On her part, the Managing Director of LAPO MFB, Ms Cynthia Ikponmwosa, said, “LAPO Microfinance Bank began its journey into the sustainability space as far back as 2012, with initiatives focused on financial inclusion and environmental responsibility.

“This partnership marks a new phase in that journey, enabling us to finance clean energy solutions that improve livelihoods, reduce carbon footprints, and close the energy access gap for millions of Nigerians.”

Business Post reports that this launch comes at a crucial time when over 86 million Nigerians continue to face the challenges of inconsistent electricity supply, fuel price volatility, and rising energy costs.

Baobab+ solar solutions not only provide an environmentally friendly alternative but also help reduce daily operational costs for small businesses and improve the quality of life for households.

Baobab+ and LAPO Microfinance Bank partnership reinforces both organizations’ commitment to empowering Nigerians with innovative solutions that bridge the energy access gap and drive inclusive growth. Essentially, access to energy is also a foundational driver of economic development, health, education, and social inclusion.