NNPC Rejects Viral Video Claims, Reaffirms Dangote Refinery’s Fuel Supply

0

In a widely shared video, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has denounced false assertions that its fuel is short-lived.
According to reports, NNPC spokesperson Olufemi Soneye claimed the claim was completely unsubstantiated and unfounded, stemming from amateur, unconfirmed research that lacked professional control, credibility, and accuracy.
According to NNPC’s announcement on Saturday, Dangote Refinery contributed a substantial portion of the petroleum sold at NNPC filling stations in Lagos.

Read Also: Lagos Speaker Obasa Sues Mojisola Meranda, State Assembly

“NNPC Ltd reaffirms that its fuel is meticulously formulated with one of the best compositions, guaranteeing consumers the best possible efficiency, durability, and environmental sustainability.”The Dangote Refinery, a key partner in fostering local production and energy security, provides a large portion of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) sold at NNPC retail outlets in Lagos, where this misleading film was produced. Dangote Refinery ensures the quality of petroleum products provided to our customers by adhering to stringent industry standards.

“This deceptive film is just another desperate attempt by economic saboteurs to disseminate false information and damage the name of NNPC Ltd. It said, “We will not accept willful disinformation intended to sabotage our operations and deceive Nigerians.”

NNPC also stated that it would be pursuing legal action against anybody who spread false information about its goods in an effort to damage the company’s reputation.

“NNPC Ltd will henceforth aggressively prosecute people or organizations that purposefully disseminate misleading information about our business and brand. The law will hold those involved in such nefarious actions fully accountable.

“We implore the public to ignore such false information and to only trust reliable sources when seeking accurate information.” In keeping with international industry norms, NNPC Ltd is unwavering in its goal to guarantee gasoline quality, affordability, and availability for all Nigerians,” the statement continued.

Cement Market Update: Prices of Dangote, BUA, and More This Week

0

Nigeria’s cement prices have fluctuated as of February 2025 because of a number of economic issues, such as market dynamics, fuel subsidy withdrawal, and currency devaluation.

Nationwide, consumers and the construction sector have been greatly influenced by these changes.
Dangote Cement.
Depending on the region, a 50kg bag of Dangote Cement, a well-known brand in Nigeria, can cost anywhere from ₦9,000 to ₦9,500. The cost of a bag is roughly ₦9,600 in Lagos and ₦9,400 in Abuja.

Read Also: Lagos Speaker Obasa Sues Mojisola Meranda, State Assembly

BUA Cement.
Price changes have also been made to BUA Cement. The company’s initial goal was to lower costs to ₦3,500 per bag by the end of 2023.
However, wider economic difficulties and price inflation by middlemen weakened this attempt. Because of this, BUA Cement is being sold for between ₦8,000 and ₦8,500 every 50kg bag, with pricing in Lagos being ₦8,000 and Abuja being ₦8,300.

Cement, Lafarge
The cost of Lafarge Cement products varies:

A bag of Lafarge Classic Cement costs about ₦9,500.

A bag of Elephant Supaset Portland Limestone Cement costs about ₦10,000.

Lafarge Water Shield Waterproof Cement: Each bag costs roughly ₦10,500.

Elements Affecting the Cost of Cement
The current cost of cement in Nigeria is influenced by a number of factors:

Economic Policies: Cement prices have grown as a result of increasing production and transportation expenses brought on by the devaluation of the Naira and the elimination of fuel subsidies.

Supply Chain Dynamics: Manufacturers’ attempts to lower the cost of cement have been thwarted by middlemen and dealers who have been known to increase prices.
Regional Variations: Prices vary by location due to factors such as transportation expenses and proximity to manufacturing facilities.

Lagos Speaker Obasa Sues Mojisola Meranda, State Assembly

0

Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly who was impeached, has sued the Lagos State High Court to be reinstated as Speaker immediately.
Obasa says he was illegally removed from office on January 13, 2025, according to court documents the Peoples Gazette was able to access.
The Lagos State House of Assembly and incumbent Speaker Lasbat Mojisola Meranda are named as defendants in the lawsuit, which was filed on February 14, 2025.
The lawsuit comes after multiple failed political attempts to resolve the leadership conflict between Lagos and Abuja. The impasse has continued despite President Bola Tinubu’s order for Obasa to be reinstated, with MPs apparently fearing possible reprisals from the ousted Speaker if he were to return to office.

Obasa said in his lawsuit that the plenary session that led to his impeachment was illegally held during the Assembly’s recess without the required authority, and thus unconstitutional.

Read Also: NUJ Advocates for Improved Facilities in Akwa Ibom Special Needs School

According to the filing, “The action challenged the Lagos State House of Assembly’s sitting and proceedings to sit during recess without reconvening the House or giving any other person powers to reconvene the House.”

Mr. Obasa argues that the session broke the Lagos State House of Assembly Rules and Standing Orders, particularly Order V Rule 18(2) and Order II Rule 9(i-viii), as well as Sections 36, 90(2)(c), 101, and 311 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Despite President Tinubu’s resolute position, there have been indications that the leadership issue has gotten worse. Frustrated by the hold-up in restoring Obasa, Tinubu recently turned down an invitation to meet with the Lagos APC’s Governance Advisory Council (GAC) members, claiming they were disobeying his orders.

But there is still a lot of hostility within the party. According to GAC member Muraina Akanbi Taiwo, “Moves to reinstate Mr. Obasa would be rejected.” Mr. Tinubu isn’t the state’s god.

NUJ Advocates for Improved Facilities in Akwa Ibom Special Needs School

0

The state government and public-spirited citizens have been encouraged to give the situation of children in the state’s special needs schools more attention by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, or NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council.

On Friday, during the 2025 Valentine Charity outing of the NUJ’s Inspiration FM chapel, which had as its theme “A Heart For Others,” held at the Learning Disabilities Society of Nigeria, LDSN, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Amos Etuk, the Chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom State, made the call.

Etuk stated that in order to ensure that the special education process runs well, the incoming commissioner of education should give the needs and welfare of the children top priority.

He also conveyed the hope that Governor Umo Eno will visit the center and attend to their urgent needs one day as a result of the union’s advocacy.

In addition, he praised their teachers for their perseverance in instructing and mentoring the special needs kids and prayed that they would soon have enough support and assistance.

“I’ve never witnessed a better Valentine’s Day moment,” he said. I have a deep belief in God, and I see the gregarious kids.

“I’m going to push harder for the government to give them more consideration.” I am confident that via persuasion, our receptive governor, who is passionate about education and humanity, will eventually come to this location.

In her opening remarks, Comrade Imaobong Dem, the Chairman of Inspiration FM Chapel, greeted the audience and reaffirmed the challenges faced by parents of special needs children, emphasizing that they go above and beyond to provide for them.

Dem claimed that she learned from her conversations with the parents of these kids that the majority of them are exceptionally talented and proficient in painting, drawing, and other artistic mediums.

To help these kids fulfill their God-given mission, she thus asked for the assistance they needed, including from their parents.

Read Also: Bridging the Cancer prevention, diagnosis and care gaps in Lesotho

If you look closely, you’ll see that many parents of these kinds of kids are by alone. They will accomplish much more if we provide them with additional assistance. “Children with autism or down syndrome are very talented and require a lot of help,” she remarked.

Inimfon Okorie praised IFM Chapel for the cooperation and for continuously selecting LDSN for their Valentine’s Day celebrations, while also accepting some food products, toiletries, and educational materials on behalf of the center.

He alluded that in addition to implementing government-approved curricula for all aspects of schooling, the center also runs skill-building initiatives.

Bridging the Cancer prevention, diagnosis and care gaps in Lesotho

0

Bridging the Cancer prevention, diagnosis and care gaps in Lesotho

By Naomisophyblog

Maseru, 14th February

In a country where cancer prevention, diagnosis, and care have historically been limited, the personal journeys of survivors like Maatang Chaka and Joalane Tsupane are beacons of hope and resilience. Tebo, a 49-year-old mother from Maseru District, and Joalane, a 19-year-old leukemia survivor, represent the strength and determination of many cancer patients in Lesotho. Their stories of survival and advocacy highlight the urgent need to bridge the gaps in cancer services in the nation.

Chaka’s battle with stage 3 breast cancer began in 2011 while she was working in the mines of Mokhotlong District. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls, “It started as a pain in my right breast. After a medical examination, I was told there was a lump. At that time, I didn’t know about cancer, so I couldn’t understand how serious my situation was.” Today, she finds joy in sharing her story to give hope and support to other cancer patients. Thanks to financial support from the Government of Lesotho, she sought treatment in South Africa. By 2018, Chaka was declared cancer-free.

For the 19-year-old childhood cancer survivor Joalane Tsupane, her cancer journey began at the tender age of one year when she was diagnosed with leukemia. As a young girl, she experienced constant body pain, hair loss, bleeding, fever, and loss of appetite. Supported by the Government of Lesotho, Tsupane embarked on a long road to recovery and was declared cancer-free in 2019.

Tsupane points out a significant challenge: the knowledge gap about childhood cancer in the community. “There is a need to increase awareness about childhood cancer. Information should be made available for all, especially our parents,” she emphasizes.

Motsamai Kekeletso, a dedicated caregiver with Friends with Starlight Oasis of Hope Foundation, echoes this sentiment. Her organization provides palliative care to cancer patients. “I started helping people suffering from chronic diseases because I realized there was no home for the elderly in our community,” she explains. “I love taking care of cancer patients and feel fulfilled providing support in their most vulnerable state.”

In 2023, the Senkatana Oncology Clinic in Maseru District reported approximately 1,888 new cancer cases in Lesotho, with around 500 of them being cervical cancer cases. Addressing this growing concern, the Government of Lesotho, under the Ministry of Health, has commenced construction of the nation’s first Cancer Care facility. This new center will offer radiotherapy services, reducing patients’ need to seek treatment abroad.

During the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration, Minister of Health Hon Selibe Mochoboroane announced, “The government of Lesotho is making strides in establishing a dedicated cancer treatment center to address these challenges. We are training medical professionals and support staff from within and outside Lesotho. With guidance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the center aims to be a state-of-the-art facility.”

Hon Mochoboroane also acknowledged the vital contributions of development partners, highlighting the successful administration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to about 93% of girls aged 9 to 14 in 2024. He added, “Development Partners are actively providing educational resources, equipment, and expert assistance to support the ministry’s efforts. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are crucial in reaching underserved communities, offering education and support services, including palliative care, to families in need.”

Dr. Innocent Nuwagira, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Lesotho, stressed the importance of integrating cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and palliative care into broader health services to close the existing healthcare gaps.
He noted, “Between 30% – 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors like tobacco use, alcohol, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, chronic infections, and air pollution. While prevention is the most cost-effective long-term strategy, early detection and management are key to reducing cancer deaths.”

Manyathela Kheleli, Brand Marketing Manager, Communications and Sponsorships of Standard Lesotho Bank, announced that the bank had contributed 1.9 million maloti to support the construction of the cancer facility. He also called on other corporate entities to join in and make the project a reality.

With the new cancer facility, Lesotho’s cancer patients will no longer need to travel to South Africa or elsewhere for treatment and care, marking a significant step forward in the country’s healthcare journey.

For further information and inquiries:
Contact: Communication Officers
Letitia Nangwale: nangwalel@who.int Olivia Okorondu: okoronduo@who.int