NEWS
Palliatives: Dangote Donates 80,000 Bags Of Rice To Lagos Residents
The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has flagged off the distribution of 80,000 10kg bags of rice to the vulnerable in Lagos State.
President, Dangote Group and Chairman of the foundation, Aliko Dangote, described the gesture as part of the over one million 10kg bags of rice that would be distributed to reach one million vulnerable people in the 774 local government areas of Nigeria.
During the flag off in Alausa, Dangote, said the distribution of the 80,000 bags of 10kg rice is another demonstration of the foundation’s commitment to upholding the values of compassion and solidarity that are at the core of humanity.
Noting that the distribution of the rice is in addition to the daily distribution of 12,500 loaves of bread in Lagos, Dangote stressed that with the initiative, the foundation aspires to ameliorate some of the burdens faced by vulnerable communities across Lagos State.
In his remarks, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, applauded the many initiatives of Dangote to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians, while praising him for showing compassion to the needy in the society.
According to Sanwo-Olu the gesture of distribution of 80,000 bags of 10kg rice shows that the leadership of the Foundation prioritize the welfare of the people beyond the pursuit of profit and accumulation of wealth.
The Governor said, “Aliko Dangote is a Nigerian that has chosen to be different. You have choices but you have made the right one which is caring for the vulnerable. I appreciate Mr. Aliko Dangote for extending his kind gestures to the people at the bottom of the pyramid and we are grateful for supporting us in government. There is a lot of global disruption in different parts of the world, and it is a tough time to be in a position of leadership.”
While encouraging other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dangote, the Governor said the distribution of the rice would support the initiative of the state in addressing the effects of the economic hardship.
On the food intervention in Lagos, Dangote said, “While our traditional Ramadan food distribution has been focused on the Muslim Community, we recognize that the current circumstances where a significant proportion of Nigerians across the nation are experiencing severe hardship due to the prevailing high prices of food, require that we broaden our program to cover communities of all faiths. This is why we are extending the Ramadan initiative to cover all the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory as a testament to our commitment to supporting our communities in line with our core values and the spirit of the Holy Month of Ramadan.”
The CEO of the ADF, Zouera Youssoufou, revealed that the Foundation was partnering credible NGOs, civil societies, religious bodies among others to ensure the donations go to the most vulnerable in Lagos State.
According to her, the Foundation is guided by a vision of empowering Africans to achieve their self-actualization and full potential as it believes that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
“In times of hardship, it is imperative that we stand together as one nation, one community, extending a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in their time of need as we have done with our female empowerment programme in Lagos State which targeted 40,000 (Forty thousand) disadvantaged women,” she added.
Group Executive Director Commercial Operations at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Fatima Aliko-Dangote, noted that the flag off in Lagos is a follow-up to the 120,000 bags distributed in Kano on Saturday, said the intervention is targeted to reach the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.
“We have been doing this for a while but we didn’t publicize it because our chairman believes this is between him and God but this year we decided to publicize it so that we can encourage and inspire others to do so.
“There are many other things the Dangote foundation is also doing. We are also serving 2,500 breads all over Lagos daily. We started this in 2020 during COVID-19. Also in our hometown in Kano, we have been doing breakfast, lunch and dinner for the past 35 years. The foundation has invested in many things. Years back, we gave women some money to be able to invest in their businesses,” she said.
Speaking further, Dangote noted that Lagos state holds a special place in the hearts of the Group, hosting two of its major investments – Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Plant.
He disclosed that the Dangote Group is also working on the nutrition agenda and has made significant strides in food fortification, investing in iodized salt and vitamin A fortified sugar. He stressed that the Group actively promotes food fortification within the Nigerian food industry and is exploring fortification methods for staples like rice and wheat and bouillon cubes to help ensure improved nutrition nationwide.
“At the heart of the Aliko Dangote Foundation lies a deep-seated belief in the importance of nutrition in human capital development. We understand that access to nutritious food is not only a basic human right but also a critical determinant of good health and well-being. By providing these modest bags of rice to those in need, we are not only looking to alleviate immediate hunger, but also investing in the long-term health and prosperity of our communities,” he added.
While commending Sanwo Olu for overcoming adversity and enormous capacity in handling emergencies, Dangote urged other well-meaning individuals and corporate organisations to emulate the efforts to support the less privileged in the communities, especially during Ramadan, which is a time of self-reflection, empathy, and charity.
Relevant stakeholders opine that trust and quality are paramount in the realm of healthcare.
Patients rely on medical laboratories for accurate and reliable test results, as the foundation of diagnosis and treatment.
Hence, the ISO 15189 accreditation stands as a beacon, because it guides laboratories towards the establishment of a stringent quality management system.
Biztellers reports that the ISO 15189 is an international standard specific for medical laboratories. It outlines the requirements for quality and competence that laboratories need to meet to ensure accurate and reliable testing, calibration, and sampling processes.
This is why accreditation against this standard indicates that a laboratory has not just established, but is operating a quality management system and adheres to stringent requirements of the standard.
This clarification highlights the multifaceted benefits of ISO 15189 accreditation in enhancing patient trust and service quality within medical laboratories.
What then are the benefits of ISO 15189 accreditation to the provision of medical laboratory services?
A Vivid Scenario
Supposing that a patient, Adeola Adeolu (not real names), seeks diagnostic services at SYNLAB Nigeria.
And assuming that he was initially hesitant about the accuracy of test results, his concerns could be assuaged upon learning from his referral doctor that SYNLAB Nigeria does not compromise on quality because of its ISO 15189 accreditation.
Knowing that SYNLAB has this accreditation instills confidence in Adeolu, because it reinforces the reliability and credibility of the laboratory’s services.
Armed with the trust, Adeolu proceeds with the tests, confident in SYNLAB Nigeria’s commitment to excellence.
Biztellers shares below discerning members of the public look out for the ISO 15189
- ISO 15189 accreditation requires medical laboratories to adhere to a comprehensive framework for implementing quality management systems in order to ensure consistent and reliable test results. Such a guide enables organizations to access best practices and consistently implement them.
- Adhering to ISO 15189 standards requirements enhances patient safety by minimizing errors and ensuring accurate diagnostic outcomes. Adeolu’s confidence in accepting to run tests at SYNLAB Nigeria because of its ISO 15189 accreditation hinges on his belief that he would get accurate results.
- ISO 15189 accreditation elevates the global recognition of medical laboratories, facilitating collaborations and partnerships with healthcare institutions worldwide. Customers of an ISO 15189 certified laboratory can be confident that the result they receive from their laboratory will be acceptable across the globe.
- Accreditation under ISO 15189 indicates that the laboratory is meeting regulatory obligations, promoting ethical practices and is a legally responsible organization.
- Emphasizing staff competence and training, ISO 15189 accreditation affirms that laboratory personnel possess the necessary skills to maintain high-quality standards in laboratory operations. ISO 15189 accredited laboratories pay attention to staff training, recognizing that maintaining high quality requires having highly competent team.
- ISO 15189 standard requirements incorporate risk management principles, enabling laboratories to identify and mitigate potential risks effectively, thus ensuring patient safety. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement within medical laboratories, driving innovation and excellence in service delivery.
- ISO 15189 accreditation distinguishes laboratories as leaders in quality healthcare delivery, providing a competitive advantage and attracting patients and healthcare providers seeking reliable diagnostic services.
Conclusion
The ISO 15189 accreditation serves as a symbol for excellence in medical laboratories, enhancing patient trust and assuring service quality.
SYNLAB Nigeria’s embrace of this international standard and compliance with its requirements solidifies its position as a trusted partner in healthcare delivery. As the healthcare landscape evolves, ISO 15189 accreditation will remain indispensable tool, driving innovation, patient-centered care, and unwavering confidence in medical laboratories worldwide.
About SYNLAB Nigeria
SYNLAB Nigeria is a member of the SYNLAB group, with presence in 35 countries in four continents.
The organization has over 30 active locations across Nigeria and has been ISO 15189 certified since 2006.
SYNLAB Group is the leader in medical diagnostic services and specialty testing in Europe.
The Group offers a full range of innovative and reliable medical diagnostics to patients, practicing doctors, hospitals and clinics, governments and corporates.
Providing the leading level of service within the industry, SYNLAB is the partner of choice for routine and specialty diagnostics in human and veterinary medicine. The Group continuously innovates medical diagnostic services for the benefit of patients and customers.
SYNLAB holds leading positions in most markets, regularly reinforcing the strength of its network through a proven acquisition strategy.
Residents of Maradun town, situated in the Maradun local government area of Zamfara State, are in a state of fear following a bandit attack in the early hours of Friday.
The assailants, who invaded the town around 2:00 am, killed two individuals and abducted approximately 30 others.
The attack, which lasted about two hours, involved sporadic shooting and the ransacking of residents’ homes.
Despite ongoing efforts to ascertain the exact number of abducted persons, it is estimated to be around 30, encompassing women, children, and adults residing in the affected homes.
A local traditional ruler, whose residence was targeted by the bandits, expressed concern over the escalating insecurity within the town.
He said “It was to my hearing the bandits burgled my palour’s door, coming towards my inner room, I managed to hide while my wives and children followed another passage and ran away to hide somewhere. ”
The traditional ruler, preferring anonymity, expressed concern about the frequent attacks on the town.
He cited a similar incident the previous Friday, where bandits rustled cattle and sheep.
Hassan Ibrahim, a resident, described the attack as horrific, noting the bandits’ deployment at multiple locations armed with advanced weaponry.
He added “When I heard their movement close to my door, I crossed over to a nearby wall and ran for my dear life and luckily escaped but overheard them saying that we have all hidden.”
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, he called upon the Minister of State for Defence, who also served as the immediate-past governor of Zamfara State, to intervene and address the security challenges in his hometown promptly.
Action would commence on Saturday on the Lagos-Calabar coastal road with the demolition of buildings situated within the right of way.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Korede Keisha, made the disclosure at a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday.
According to Keisha, all whose houses were earmarked for demolition should visit the ministry’s secretariat in Lagos to address any necessary procedures that might be required.
Keisha said, “So this press briefing is just to create awareness for all those that may be involved or have one or two things to do along that project corridor.
“We’ve sent out demolition notices to as many as are within the right of way and we are using this medium now to say that everyone that has any concern within that corridor and have been served, the secretariat is opened to them from today, 3pm.
“We are welcoming them from today till tomorrow. Whatever you have to do along that axis, and then we’ve come to you and marked you down for demolition, we are asking that you see us at the secretariat from today till tomorrow evening.
“Thereafter, demolition squad will move to action by Saturday morning for the first three kilometres.”
Recall that the Minister of Works Dave Umahi disclosed that the construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road is expected to span eight years and cost N4 billion per kilometre
The 700 kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road would be constructed for N15 trillion, and a kilometre of the road will cost N4 billion.
It is designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states before culminating in Cross River.
JUST IN: Veteran Yoruba Actor Ogunjimi Is Dead
Entrenching Trust In Medical Laboratories Through Service Quality, ISO 15189 Accreditation
Crisis In Zamfara As Bandits Kill 2, Abduct Dozens
Construction Of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Takes Off Saturday
How Bello Paid Children’s Tuition Fees Up To 2034/35 Session To American Int’l Sch
NNPC Ltd Resolves Fuel Supply Tightness
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
