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Lagos residents benefit from NNPC/SNEPCo health
by Yemie ADEOYE
LAGOS, Nigeria- THOUSANDs of residents in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, benefitted from a health outreach organised by the NNPC and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company (SNEPCo), which offered free medical services and education at strategic areas in the mega city.
The Health-in-Motion programme took the team of doctors and nurses to Lagos Island East Local Government Area and the Ojota Motor Park, one of the largest in Lagos State, providing cardiovascular screening, screening for blood sugar and cholesterol, alcohol breath test for drivers, HIV counselling and testing, malaria testing, screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer, dental care/minor surgery, optometry/distribution of eye glasses and treatment of minor ailments.
“We are pleased to reach our extended families with this first major health initiative,” said SNEPCo Managing Director, Bayo Ojulari, as he reflected on the outcome of the exercise.
The three-day outreach at Lagos Island Local Government Area held at the Campos Mini Stadium with a representative of the wife of the Lagos State Governors, Mrs. Titi Ayinla, flagging it off. Describing health “as an individual’s most important asset,” she said that SNEPCo displayed responsible corporate citizenship by subscribing to the health and well-being of Lagosians, especially the people of Isale Eko.
Mrs. Ayinla later presented five schools with a first aid box each, dewormed school children, and distributed long lasting insecticide treated nets to pregnant women. The Sole administrator of the Local Government, Mr A.B Are, highlighted his joy regarding the “fruitful collaboration” between the council and SNEPCo.
In addition to the screening tests and treatment, the health team visited five primary schools and trained a total of 2470 children on hand washing. In all, nearly 5000 men, women and youths benefitted from the outreach at Isale Eko, many of whom received spectacles and drugs for blood pressure management and also underwent dental surgery among other medical procedures.
The outreach at Ojota Motor Park saw SNEPCo collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to flag off FRSC’s 2016 Ember Month campaign with the theme: “Crash the crash: speed kills.” The focus was on the driver’s health and safety to prevent road traffic crashes and influence policy.
The flag off ceremony was attended by high ranking officials of the FRSC, SNEPCo, SPDC, NURTW, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), members of the uniformed forces and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) who delivered goodwill messages. The Corp Marshall who was represented by Assistant Corps Marshall Austin Aipoh acknowledged the contributions of SNEPCo for sponsoring the Health-in-Motion for drivers. The Lagos State Commissioner of Transportation, Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya, who represented Governor of the State and called on drivers and road users to discard “rhetoric’s” and “myths” and take “strong actions and commitment” in reducing road crashes.
A total of 398 drivers and transporters benefited from the programme, with 60 people trained in First Aid skills. SNEPCo also presented five alcohol breath analysers to the FRSC.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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