Category: Daily Trust

I write this column with a heavy heart on the occasion of my country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary. We must acknowledge the sacrifices it took us to come this far, from those who gave their lives and offered years of dedicated service to ensure that Nigeria is not worse than it is right now. We may not be where we want to be, but the journey has not ended yet.

Still, tragedies like the death of the journalist Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, and the thousands of avoidable tragedies unfolding across the country daily, do not only dampen days like this, when the country should be celebrating a milestone, but continue to shred the already battered optimism Nigerians have about this country.

That optimism we had from commemorating Independence Day as schoolchildren back in the day, standing along the street or in the stadiums with shiny lotioned faces, stiffly pressed uniforms, and hearts full of euphoria to wave past our governors and cheer on the impressive parades all seem so far away now. The children growing up in this generation will only vicariously experience that euphoria through our nostalgic recollection of those days. Sadly, not many Nigerians like to recall those days because it will just retraumatise you over the pains the country has inflicted on us.

Somtochukwu Maduagwu, who died at 29 on Monday morning, somehow retained her optimism for Nigeria. She studied in the UK, returned home to Nigeria, and was enthusiastic about participating in politics because she believed she could contribute to making the country better.

The fact that she died during an armed robbery invasion of her residence in Katampe, Abuja, is shocking enough. What makes it even more painful are the circumstances surrounding this death.

Crime is a universal phenomenon, and there is hardly any society in the world, no matter how wealthy or advanced, that has been able to eradicate it completely. The objective of any well-governed society has always been the mitigation of crime to the barest minimum, and crucially, prompt and effective response to distress calls when crimes happen.

Over the last 65 years of independence, we have not really improved on our crime rates or notably improved our responses to crimes commensurate with our development and population growth.

With increasing access to small arms and light weapons, coupled with increasing social, political, and economic discontent, crime rates over the last 20 years have continued to soar. For example, over the last few months, homicide rates rose by 25 per cent in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with 222 tracked cases against 177 previously, according to the Lagos-based Nigeria Risk Index. In February 2025 alone, there were 83 cases recorded. Mind you, this data is limited and often excludes incidents from hard-to-access regions of the country, of which we know there are far too many.

Over the last few months, we have also witnessed an increase in deaths from banditry and insurgency, with the data showing that at least 2,266 people were killed by bandits or insurgents in the first half of 2025, already exceeding last year’s total.

With one out of five surveyed Nigerians reporting that they were victims of crimes (violent and non-violent) in the last year, it is clear that safety is a major concern in the country and we must actively work to curb crime.

What the numbers mean is that criminals have the audacity to colonise parts of the country, as they have done in parts of the Northwest, the Northeast, and the Southeast, or raid huge apartment blocks and take their sweet time breaking in from one apartment to the other, as they did in Katampe in the early hours of Monday, resulting in the death of Somtochukwu and one of the security men protecting the building.

In all these cases, our security responses have been lamentable, sometimes deliberately slow because even our security personnel sometimes fear to confront the criminals, preferring to show up well after the goons have left with their loot. Far too often, their sacrifices for our safety are ignored, and their families left to suffer in vain.

The most heartbreaking part about Ms Maduagwu’s death is the reported decision of the Maitama General Hospital not to treat her immediately when she was eventually brought to the hospital. Reportedly, they refused to do so until identification was provided and they obtained clearance from the police.

The law has been clear about this. Section 20 of The National Health Act (NHA) 2014, for instance, stipulates that every healthcare provider or health establishment is legally prohibited from refusing any person emergency medical treatment for any reason. Failure to comply constitutes a criminal offence, punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

The fact that we needed the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Wounds Act 2017, and the Patients’ Bill of Rights 2018, both of which mandate all hospitals, public or private, to accept and treat patients needing emergency care, including those with gunshot wounds or accident victims, without waiting for police clearance or upfront payment, means there is a deeply entrenched culture that needs to be uprooted.

However, the laws notwithstanding, hospitals have continued to refuse patients urgent care over police clearance or upfront payment. For decades, law enforcement has harassed hospitals and law-abiding citizens who have offered emergency assistance or reported crimes or made distress calls on behalf of accident or crime victims. Rushing an injured person to a hospital may as well see you being harassed by law enforcement as a possible perpetrator of a crime. This doesn’t only disincentivise rendering urgent assistance but imposes a habit of wanting to avoid police drama by walking away or hesitating when urgent intervention is required.

With hospitals, the privileging of profit over saving lives, and the fear of police harassment is a violation of the Hippocratic Oath that guides medical conduct. And as we have seen with Somtochukwu’s death, the law notwithstanding, this deeply entrenched culture still persists.

It is this culture that is referred to when Nigerians talk about Nigeria not happening to you. The normalisation of this culture of unjustifiable neglect and lack of empathy or the prioritisation of profit over the sanctity of human life is the bane of our country. And it is not only the hospitals that favour payment over saving lives. Even the police have done this far too often. I have reported before how an accident victim on the Abuja-Keffi express road was allowed to bleed out by the police, who instead of getting him immediately to a hospital, preferred to wait over the offending car that amputated the young boy, to make some quick bucks off the driver.

Or how often have we witnessed or heard tales of police officers refusing to convey victims to emergency medical care because the police vehicles ‘no get fuel,’ and how the car miraculously starts moving once bribes are offered.

So, while people in countries like the US or even the relatively low-crime countries of Scandinavia may be shot in their homes, because people will always have reasons to unleash violence on each other, or suffer accidents, they are almost always assured of emergency help and care. The fact that we cannot say the same about Nigeria is the biggest tragedy of our 65 years of independence, as epitomised today by Somtochukwu’s death.

While there is nothing that can be done to bring her back, to undo the damage that this culture has done to her and her family, and thousands of Nigerian families, there is something that could be done for millions of others, who inevitably will be needing urgent interventions to save their lives. Her death could be a turning point, from which the negligence of both law enforcement and the hospital, if any is detected by the investigation, is properly sanctioned as an example for others. If any parties are found culpable, through negligent conduct or clear violations of the law and the demands of their sworn duties, they should be indicted and penalised as stipulated by the law.

At the same time, we must retrain both security and medical personnel on prioritising human lives ahead of payment or the myth of some police procedural, and commend private citizens who offer emergency assistance instead of harassing them. We must be deliberate about eliminating this detrimental culture that we have imbibed. Until we do, may Nigeria never happen to us.

A medical practitioner, Dr. Abib Olamitoye, has urged operators of medical facilities in Nigeria to always attend to victims of gunshots and robbery before demanding a police report.

Speaking during an interview with newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday, Olamitoye noted that prioritizing treatment would save many victims from preventable deaths that often occur while waiting for clearance from the police.

Olamitoye, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ibadan Central Hospital, suggested that all medical facilities should establish a good working relationship and have the contact phone numbers of police divisions within their jurisdictions for such emergencies.

‘We need to start attending to the victims first, then demand a police report. If a victim or a relative cannot provide a police report in the process of treatment, then hospitals can call the attention of the police, since the victim is under their care and cannot escape in such a condition.

‘The patient must be kept alive first; then we can now talk about the police report, price, hospital card, and other necessary things,’ he said.

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the statement credited to the former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George that the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan is better than those of Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu combined.

The party described the statement as laughable, saying, ‘This is nothing but another vain attempt by a perennial critic to rewrite history and mislead unsuspecting Nigerians.’

Spokesperson of Lagos APC, Seye Oladejo, said, ‘It is sheer obscenity on the part of Chief George to attempt to compare orange with apple in the name of politics.

‘In fact, he owes Goodluck Jonathan an apology for the embarrassment of dressing him up in borrowed robes that neither fit his record nor reflect reality. ‘Nigerians know better. Jonathan presided over the most wasteful and corrupt administration in our recent history, one that squandered an unprecedented oil boom, institutionalised looting, and left behind a broken economy and a bleeding nation. His government is remembered more for missing billions, oil theft, insecurity, and unbridled impunity than for any tangible achievement.’

The Lagos APC stated that President Buhari’s administration, ‘for all its challenges, restored the integrity of our armed forces, mounted an unprecedented anti-corruption campaign, completed long-abandoned infrastructural projects, and laid the foundation for fiscal discipline.’

‘These are facts that cannot be denied. Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has gone further, confronting the structural rot left behind by Jonathan and his ilk.

‘Among others, the removal of the subsidy scam, reforms in the foreign exchange market, bold interventions in agriculture and food security, free technical education with stipends for students, and infrastructural renewal are already resetting Nigeria for sustainable growth. Only mischief-makers like Chief George would compare this boldness with the inertia and incompetence that defined the Jonathan era.

‘We are reluctant to have a conversation about Chief George’s public service record which is in the public domain , either as the military administrator of Ondo State or the Chairman of Nigeria Port Authority- NPA- and makes him eminently disqualified to access any office holder. Bode George’s desperate revisionism cannot erase PDP’s legacy of failure.

‘Chief George has made a career out of political flip-flopping – praising and attacking different leaders at will, depending on which side of his bread is buttered. His inconsistency betrays a lack of principle and exposes him as a man driven not by patriotism but by bitterness and personal grievances.

‘For the record, Chief George is a political paperweight in Lagos – a man who has never won his polling unit, ward, or local government for his party. He should also provide for public scrutiny his records as the so-called leader of the opposition PDP in Lagos, a party perpetually in crisis, one that only comes together during electioneering season to share the crumbs of election funds. A man that cannot maintain a peaceful and stable homestead should humbly keep mute at town hall meetings.

‘His defense of Jonathan only reminds Nigerians why the PDP was roundly rejected at the polls. History is clear: Jonathan’s record was one of waste and failure, Buhari stabilized, and Tinubu is reforming. Nigeria is in safe hands.

‘If we are to accept the erroneous belief that politicians have no retirement age, perhaps they do have an expiry date – and Chief George’s shelf life in Nigeria’s political space expired long ago. He would do well to finally bow out gracefully and spare Nigerians his constant outbursts, distortions, and bitter tirades. The nation has moved on – and so should he.’

The Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Mr. Oladele Bankole-Balogun, has disclosed that the agency has generated N79billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in nine months.

Bankole-Balogun disclosed this in Benin during a meeting with Ministries, Departments and Agencies, permanent secretaries and directors.

He noted that leakages by MDAs are challenges to sustainable growth and called for an end to it.

‘EIRS has generated N52.6 billion in the first half of 2025, representing a 46 per cent increase over previous periods. The year has not ended and we have generated N79 billion’ he said.

Bankole-Balogun who described revenue as the ‘lifeline of development, noted that Edo must position itself as a frontrunner in implementing the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and align with the Nigerian Tax Reform Acts set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026..

He said the TSA ensures that all government receipts flow through a transparent, centralized account-eliminating cash handling, reducing leakages, and improving accountability.

He said the state must align internal processes, adopt e-receipting and digital reporting, and leverage its informal and digital economy for sustainable growth.

He warned against MDAs operating different accounts in taxes and levies collection, as all IGR funds are to be deposited at the agency’s account in line with the law.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jackson Eribo, Executive Director of MDA Services, listed issues include illegal opening of revenue accounts, cash collections against the state’s cashless policy, and partial remittances as challenges hindering revenue optimisation.

He added that order problems include, fragmentation of systems outside the Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS), and non-compliance with Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) requirements.

He described the continued violation of the state’s cashless policy through cash collections and partial remittances as a serious challenge.

On October 1, 1960, a transformative moment unfolded at the Lagos Race Course as the Union Jack was lowered and Nigeria’s green-white-green flag ascended for the first time. Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa heralded this as both the culmination of colonial experience and the dawn of a new national era. Sixty-five years later, Nigeria’s independence anniversary invites both reflection and celebration-an opportunity to acknowledge profound challenges while recognising the resilient spirit worth honouring. Beyond the well-documented struggles with governance and economy lies a tapestry of cultural richness, democratic resilience, and human potential that forms the true foundation for celebration.

The path to independence was paved by the efforts of nationalist figures like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello. Their leadership, alongside constitutional developments through the 1940s and 1950s, gradually transferred governance into Nigerian hands. The celebration of that first Independence Day was meticulously planned, with an allocated budget of £1 million for decorations, festivals, and hospitality. British stage designer Beverley Pick was commissioned to create visual displays drawing on traditional Nigerian art. symbolising the fusion of heritage with forward-looking aspirations.

The inaugural festivities featured everything from the West African Games and military displays to fireworks and water regattas. The energy was palpable-a nation stepping into its destiny with optimism and cultural pride.

Nigeria’s political journey since independence has been marked by both turmoil and triumph. From early regional tensions that culminated in civil war, the nation has gradually strengthened its democratic institutions. The return to civilian rule in 1999 after years of military governance marked a significant turning point. Today, despite challenges, Nigeria maintains a democratic system that, while imperfect, represents the collective will of its people to govern themselves-a fundamental aspect of the independence fought for by earlier generations.

Economically, Nigeria has experienced both boom periods and significant setbacks. As Africa’s largest economy, the country has demonstrated remarkable resilience amid global fluctuations. Recently, President Bola Tinubu pointed to encouraging signs including second-quarter GDP growth of 4.23%-the fastest in four years-and a decline in inflation to 20.12% in August, the lowest in three years. Furthermore, the country has recorded five consecutive quarters of trade surpluses and seen a rebound in oil production to 1.68 million barrels per day. These indicators, while not dismissing ongoing hardships, suggest the potential for economic stabilization and growth.

If there is one consistent reason for celebration throughout Nigeria’s 65-year journey, it is the vibrancy of Nigerian culture and the relentless ingenuity of its people. This cultural strength manifests in multiple domains:

Artistic Expression: From the highlife music that dominated independence celebrations to the contemporary global ascent of Afrobeats, Nigerian creativity continues to captivate international audiences. This artistic legacy represents a powerful form of soft diplomacy and national pride.

Literary and Intellectual Contributions: Nigeria has produced Nobel laureates in literature, groundbreaking thinkers, and influential academics who have shaped discourse across Africa and beyond.

Entrepreneurial Innovation: Despite structural challenges, Nigerian entrepreneurs have built thriving businesses and developed solutions that address both local and global needs, particularly in the technology sector.

The 2025 independence theme, ‘Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,’ appropriately captures this spirit of collective responsibility and cultural resilience. It acknowledges that nation-building requires the contribution of all sectors-public, private, civil society, and citizens alike.

Modern Independence Day observances reflect both tradition and evolution. Official ceremonies still include flag-raising ceremonies, and presidential addresses, the military parade having been cancelled. What’s particularly noteworthy is how these celebrations extend far beyond Nigeria’s borders.

The ‘Nigerian dream’ remains a contested concept, with many citizens expressing ambivalence about the nation’s direction. Interviews with Nigerians reveal a spectrum of perspectives. For 25-year-old Taiwo Hassan, the dream represents ‘the chance to live in a country where basic necessities don’t feel like a luxury’. Ifeoluwa Olutayo, 35, defines it as ‘living without the crushing weight of kakistocracy and unnecessary bureaucracy’. The bottom line?-the hope that regardless of starting point, one can build a better life. These voices reflect both the challenges facing Nigeria and the fundamental human desires for dignity, security, and opportunity. That these aspirations persist despite difficulties itself represents a form of national resilience worth acknowledging.

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the appropriate celebration isn’t one that ignores very real challenges, but rather one that recognises the foundations upon which a better future can be built.

Despite setbacks, Nigeria maintains a commitment to democratic governance. Nigerian art, music, literature, and fashion continue to gain global recognition. A young, dynamic population represents enormous potential for innovation and growth.

Nigerians abroad maintain strong connections to their homeland, contributing skills, resources, and international perspectives.

Sixty-five years after Princess Alexandra presented Nigeria’s constitutional instruments of freedom, the nation stands at a complex crossroads. The initial optimism of independence has been tempered by decades of failure. Yet, what remains worthy of celebration is not what Nigeria has fully become, but what it persistently strives to be-a nation where, despite everything, the desire for imagination continues to fuel individual ambition and collective effort.

The appropriate celebration at 65 is one that honours the resilience of ordinary Nigerians who, against often daunting odds, continue to build businesses, create art, educate children, and forge communities. It celebrates the cultural vibrancy that makes Nigeria uniquely influential across Africa and the world. Most importantly. it celebrates the potential that still waits to be fully unlocked-the promise that has lingered since that first Independence Day, waiting for the right combination of leadership, policy, and collective action to bring it to fruition.

Sure, I see despair and gloom everywhere I go everyday. but I am not an ambassador of despair and gloom. I would rather entertain the hope I see in the hardwork of Mallam Abubakar, a show shiner who worked seven days a week, 365 days a year and the discipline of Ekene, a security guard studying to retake the JAMB, 20 years after leaving secondary school. Like the good book says, ‘with hardship comes ease’, we have nothing to look forward to but good things.

As Nigerians gather at Tafawa Balewa Square, in New York City, in private homes, and online to mark this anniversary, they celebrate not just a historical event but a living nation-flawed, complex, but enduring. The Nigerian spirit continues to thrive finding rhythm even in struggle and creating harmony out of diversity. That unwavering spirit, perhaps more than any single achievement, is what truly deserves celebration at 65 years of independence.

The Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority Mortgage Bank, Hayatudeen Atiku Awwal has stated that the Bank has accessed N27 billion in Mortgage loans for over 3,400 Nigerians since inception.

The Managing Director made the disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday at the commissioning of the New FHA Mortgage bank corporate headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said, ‘FHA Mortgage Bank was incorporated in 1997 and since then has been one of the biggest collaborato4 with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

‘I stand proud today to say that we have accessed well over 27 billion on behalf of 3,427 Nigerians. And these eligible contributors who are Nigerian have their houses across the 36 states of the federation including Abuja.

‘In addition, through the PENCOM retirement savings window, we facilitated access to mortgages for well over 6,000 Nigerians. Again, through the family home funds, we have delivered keys to residential buildings for our customers in Asaba, Delta State, among others with genuine developers,’ he said.

Speaking on the future plans of the authority, Awwal noted that ‘In the future, we are aiming to be a national bank. Already the Central Bank of Nigeria has been informed of that and they have located it, given us a checklist of what is outstanding and we pray and hope with our commitment that soon, this bank will be a national bank.

‘We also intend to expand at least 20 branches nationwide in the next 3 years to grow our active customer base to 100,000 families, to scale our loan portfolio to N100 billion,’ he added.

Also speaking, the Board Chairman of FHA Mortgage Bank, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo stated that the Mortgage Bank has over the years operated to aid Nigerians with Mortgage to build their own homes.

Gael Monfils says he feels ‘stupidly lucky’ to have played in a golden era of tennis after announcing he will retire at the end of the 2026 season.

The 39-year-old has won 13 titles in his career and became the oldest ATP Tour champion at the age of 38 and four months when he won the Auckland Open in January.

Monfils’ athleticism and all-action displays made him one of the most popular players on tour.

However, the world number 53 has struggled with injuries in recent years and he was forced to retire from last month’s Chengdu Open with an ankle problem.

‘Life is too short. Believe me when I say that I have no regrets,’ Monfils wrote on Instagram.

A distinguished group of Nigerian thought leaders has endorsed ‘Beneath the Surface,’ a compelling collection of essays and public policy analyses by Dr Dakuku Peterside.

According to a statement by the author, their endorsements, representing the Church, academia, and public service, highlight the book’s significance to Nigeria’s democratic evolution, governance challenges, and human development discourse.

Bishop Matthew Kukah, a prominent Catholic bishop and advocate for justice and democracy; Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Governor of Ekiti State and war studies scholar; Prof. Anya O. Anya, former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science and founding Director-General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group; and Prof. Kyari Mohammed, historian and former Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University of Technology as well as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian Army University, Biu, have all praised Peterside’s new volume.

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Bishop Matthew Kukah, author of Religion, Politics and Power in Northern Nigeria (1993), Democracy and Civil Society in Nigeria (2001), and The Church and the Politics of Social Responsibility (2007), writes: ‘Dr. Dakuku Peterside has served us a salad plate of exquisite writing, flowing in prescient prose and narration, an in-depth kaleidoscope of exciting and alluring themes. The author has opened a window for future exploration of the options for a new Nigeria.’

Dr Kayode Fayemi observes: ‘Every so often, we come across remarkable individuals who revive the politician as a public intellectual in our challenged polity. With his incisive and irreverent op-eds now compiled in this volume of essays, Dakuku Peterside offers us a valuable opportunity to learn from his fertile mind about our national foibles and the immense possibilities of building a nation where justice and peace prevail. It is a must-read!’

Professor Emeritus Anya O. Anya, national merit award winner, adds: ‘This book is insightful, incisive, and above all, written from the perspective of Dakuku Peterside’s exceptional experience within the Nigerian context. Only a man of his wide-ranging service in Nigeria could produce such a unique collection of essays that are intellectually challenging yet easy to read. As you journey through this fascinating book, you cannot help but ask: why, despite our rich pool of exceptional human talent and resources, does Nigeria perform so poorly?’

Prof. Kyari Mohammed, historian and former Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, and pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian Army University, Biu, states: ‘Beneath the Surface -offers an insightful and comprehensive exploration of the complex Nigerian state and society. In this nuanced and engaging appraisal of his country, Dr. Peterside avoids lamentations, instead deftly pointing the way forward. This book is essential reading for policymakers, academics, and the general public.’

‘Beneath the Surface’ gathers Dakuku Peterside’s most incisive essays on Nigeria’s politics, governance, economy, and society.

Combining straightforward storytelling with rigorous analysis, the book examines the causes of national underperformance and charts practical pathways to reform grounded in accountability, institutional renewal, and human development. It is written for public officials, business leaders, scholars, students, and citizens seeking a more precise understanding-and better solutions-beneath the noise.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to stop speaking negatively about the country, insisting that Nigeria remains a proud nation with enormous potential.

Speaking on Tuesday evening in Lagos at the official unveiling of the renovated National Theatre, the president stressed the need for citizens to believe in the country and work together towards its progress.

‘Let me take this opportunity to say one thing that is very, very important to me, to you, and my government. Stop talking about Nigeria in a negative tone. This is a country of very proud people, a nation of brave people, confident and dedicated people. Let’s build this together. Let’s recreate it,’ Tinubu said.

The president, who used the occasion to celebrate the nation’s creative and cultural heritage, said Nigeria’s talent base is one of its greatest assets.

He praised Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, whom he described as ‘one of the most talented and creative minds,’ for his contributions to national development and the arts.

Tinubu also reflected on the historical importance of the National Theatre, describing its revival as a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience.

‘This place will not grow relics again. It is not a bad thing for us to use this opportunity to create jobs, to promote maintenance, sensibility, and commitment,’ he said.

The president commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other stakeholders for their support, noting that the theatre would continue to serve as a hub for Africa’s creative industry.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s optimism about the economy.

‘I am confident, if you manage it properly, prosperity will come. Believe in yourself and give everybody the hope they need. Lift the spirits of our people. This is the giant of Africa. It won’t disintegrate in my hands, in my presence,’ he said.

The NNPC Foundation Ltd, the social impact arm of NNPC Limited, has launched a childhood cancer awareness and early detection programme in rural Nigeria with a sensitisation and free eye screening exercise in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, in a statement, said the programme, organised in collaboration with the Akanimo Cancer Foundation, reflects the Foundation’s commitment to healthcare and social development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.

Arukwe, who was represented by Mrs. Eno Okon, stressed the need to close gaps in awareness, access, and treatment for childhood cancer, especially in rural areas, saying, ‘We cannot allow geography or income to hinder a child’s chances of survival. Impact must be inclusive.’

Since its creation in 2023, the NNPC Foundation has executed diverse projects nationwide. In 2024 alone, it provided free cancer screening for 3,441 Nigerians, performed over 6,000 cataract surgeries, glaucoma screenings, cardiovascular operations, and relief support for flood victims.

Founder of Akanimo Cancer Foundation, Dr. Idorenyin Usoh, who lost his 12-year-old son to cancer in 2019, said survival rates for childhood cancers in Nigeria remain at about 20%, compared to 80% in high-income countries.

He stressed the need to reach underserved communities where diagnosis and treatment remain scarce.

At the event, over 1,000 children from Etim Ekpo and neighbouring LGAs received free eye screening, with referrals supported by the Akanimo Foundation.

The Federal Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Uche Nwokwu, commended the partnership, reiterating the government’s plans to expand access to cancer care through the WHO-backed Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.