Author: Helen Okechukwu

Rivers State Government has promised to support survivors of the January 4 gas explosion with quality healthcare services. This commitment was made known on Thursday after the Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, visited the survivors at the Rivers State Government Hospital (RSGH) on Wednesday. The Deputy Governor shared sadness after hearing of the death of three persons. Unfortunately, three lives were lost out of 18 people affected by the gas explosion; a father, who was a cell phone repairer, and his daughter lost their lives at the hospital. Read Also: 18 injured in gas explosion in Rivers state Others included…

The Albinism Association of Nigeria (AAN) has urged the Federal Government (FG) to prioritise the needs of marginalised groups, including the person with albinism, as the nation plans ahead of the 2025 Global Disability Summit (GDS). The programme scheduled to be held in April aims to address issues of inclusion, equity, and accessibility for persons living with disabilities. This appeal was made on Wednesday by the Executive Director of AAN, Dr. Bisi Bamishe, in a project launch tagged “Voices from the Field—From Commitment to Action: Implementing the Global Disability Summit Pledges for Persons with Albinism.” Read Also: FG distributes foods…

In an effort to tackle discrimination among mobility-challenged persons in Nigeria, the Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa (CDIA) has unveiled a campaign to address the alarming rate of abuse seen among transporters. The campaign titled “WheelChairNotLuggage” was launched in Lagos State with the aim to end human rights abuses practices in both public and private transportation, ranging from refusal to payment of additional fees. During the launch, the Executive Director of CDIA, Mr. Yinka Olaito, described the initiative as long overdue, as many mobility-challenged persons had suffered various abuses from buses, cars, as well as airline operators. The CDIA…

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old girl, Princess Okolie, and her boyfriend, Prince Atigbi, for allegedly staging her own kidnapping and demanding a ransom of ₦2 million from her parents. The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, announced the arrest via his X page on Wednesday, noting that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit made the apprehension following a thorough investigation. According to the victim’s mother, the incident began on 30 December when her daughter left home to get her hair done but failed to return. After reporting her disappearance at the Obomkpa Police Station, the mother escalated the matter to the…

Amid Nigeria’s economic reforms, asthma patients struggle with soaring medication costs, limited healthcare access, and environmental triggers, relying on NGOs and coping strategies for survival. As most Nigerians grapple with escalating economic reforms, the high cost of medications has exacerbated their health challenges, turning manageable conditions into severe burdens. For asthma patients, the rising prices of essential medications, such as inhalers and tablets, have become a financial drain, complicating their ability to manage the condition effectively. Mrs. Blessing Chimieze, a mother of three residing in Eleme, shared her story of living with asthma during Nigeria’s economic downturn. Diagnosed with asthma…

The Rivers State Police Command, through the C4i Strike Force, has donated food items to children living with disabilities. The Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Monday noted that the visitation commemorates the New Year celebration. Iringe-Koko said the visit to the Compassion Centre for Physically Challenged/Handicapped Children, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, located in Trans-Amadi, was led by the Commander, CSP Julian Igbudu, in fulfillment of a previously made vow. Items donated include bags of rice, cartons of noodles, bottles of vegetable oil, toiletries, and other gifts. The statement read in part, “The Commander and his team were passionate and…

In an effort to combat drug-related crime, the United States government has donated a central exhibit office to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). At the inauguration ceremony held on Tuesday, the US Consulate General, Ms. Jo Ellen Georg, along with other senior US officials, handed over the facility to the anti-drug agency headquarters annex in Ikoyi, Lagos State. The Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), noted that the support from the US government and other partners showcases their personal effort against drug trafficking activities. Marwa said in 2024 about 18,500 drug traffickers were arrested,…

In a major crackdown, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down a Chinese owned supermarket in Abuja for allegedly violating the agency’s labelling regulations and selling expired goods. Acting on a credible source, the agency stormed the Chinese supermarket located at Azba Mall, 2 Durban Street, Wasu 2, to verify the claim. The agency enforcement team leader, Shaba Mohammed, confirmed that the supermarket sold products written only in Chinese language, describing it as a violation of the agency’s law. The supermarket owned and managed by a Chinese national alleged that they were in…

Ogoni advocacy groups have called on the Federal Government,Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP),to address this environmental damage caused by oil spills in the area The umbrella Ogoni body which includes Lekeh Development Foundation (LEDEF)and Yeraba Women Foundation (YWF), made this call at the weekend during a press conference held while marking the 2025 Ogoni Day 32nd anniversary. They said the call was aimed at ensuring justice, equity, and environmental sustainability for Ogoni people and the Niger Delta region.  Speaking at the event , LEDEF urged SPDC to clean up the affected…

Two persons have purportedly been killed in a suspected cult clash in Owo town of Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State, on Monday. Naija Confra, an advocacy group, shared on their X page, disclosing that a member of a group named Alfa was killed in the early hours of today while making his way back home from a club. The advocacy group for peace revealed that no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Alfa’s group unleashed an attack on their rival, believing them to be behind the tragic incident. In a circulated video, a lifeless body of a…