Category: Nigerian Tribune

Minister of Power and member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Adelabu, has declared that it is his turn to become the governor of Oyo state in 2027.

In a viral video sighted by Tribune Online on Sunday, Adelabu, while addressing a gathering, said his ambition was not driven by selfish motives but by a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people in Oyo State.

Speaking in Yoruba, he said, ‘I have been on this political journey for quite some time. In politics, I have learned that one may not always get what one deserves in a single attempt – life and politics have both taught me this lesson.

‘I have paid my dues. I contested alongside Seyi Makinde in 2019 and again in 2023.

‘Today, I declare: it is our turn – it is my turn in 2027, as God has revealed it. Adelabu! Àwálòkàn! Penkelemesi Èmilòkàn!

‘We will begin our door-to-door campaign in earnest, and by the grace of God and our collective efforts, victory is not only possible – it is certain.’

This is coming a few months after Adelabu debunked insinuations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would impose him on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State as the party’s 2027 governorship candidate.

He maintained that the APC would conduct a primary when the time comes and that the best candidate would emerge without any form of imposition.

It was one of those viral moments that could have easily gone the wrong way, but not for Toyin Abraham.

Per Second News observed that the storyline came to life when she got dragged online for allegedly ‘doing oversabi’ at the wedding of Priscilla Ojo and Tanzanian singer Juma Jux.

Clips and memes flew across social media, with many poking fun at her exaggerated gestures at the star-studded event.

Instead of letting the ridicule linger, Toyin flipped the script in the most unexpected way.

She turned what could have been a stain on her public image into the title and theme of a brand-new movie.

That bold move is now being hailed as a classic case of turning lemons into lemonade.

This time, she’s taking full creative control, stepping into the director’s chair for the first time in her career. And the movie? Aptly titled Oversabi Aunty.

According to Toyin, Oversabi Aunty is more than just a comedy but a mix of chaos, drama, and valuable life lessons wrapped in one.

‘It’s my first big screen directorial debut,’ she said. ‘And I wanted to make it relatable, funny, but also reflective. Because sometimes the same thing that people mock you for becomes your strength.’

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. The film is set to hit cinemas nationwide on December 19, just in time for the festive season.

With Nollywood audiences craving laughter and escape during the holidays, Toyin seems to have found the sweet spot for maximum impact.

This debut also marks a new chapter in Toyin’s career.

For years, she has been celebrated as an actress who throws herself completely into her roles. Now, she is taking on the challenge of shaping not just her character, but the entire vision of a film. Industry watchers say it’s a daring but necessary move for someone of her caliber.

When Oversabi Aunty finally lights up cinema screens on December 19, it won’t just be about the laughs. It will be about a woman who refused to be defined by viral banter, and instead chose to turn her moment of ridicule into an unforgettable Nollywood debut behind the camera.

AS a paradigm for the contemporary travails of free thought and freedom of worship, the ongoing saga of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu would be infuriating if it were not so depressing. The Nigerian musician, an adherent of the Tijaniyya Sufi Islamic order, has been running the legal gauntlet since he was first arrested in March 2020 for circulating via WhatsApp audio messages that apparently elevated Ibrahim Niasse, a Tijaniyya Muslim brotherhood Imam, above the prophet Muhammad.

Even before his August 2020 arraignment before a Kano State Upper-Sharia Court, which eventually found him guilty of ‘insulting the religious creed’ contrary to the relevant section of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law (2000) and accordingly sentenced him to death by hanging, Sharif-Aminu was a dead man walking. Prior to his arrest by members of Hisbah, the state’s Islamic morality police, his family home had been razed to the ground by an incensed mob. From this standpoint, Sharif-Aminu’s fate was already sealed and his eventual conviction after a closed trial that was riddled with ‘serious procedural flaws,’ a mere formality.

It was on account of these irregularities, among them the fact that Sharif-Aminu lacked legal representation that, in January 2021, a higher court overturned his conviction and ordered a retrial. In August 2022, the Kano State Appeals Court affirmed the retrial order, following which, in November 2022, Sharif-Aminu, unhappy at the appellate court’s decision to allow a retrial, decided to take his case to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, praying the apex court ‘not only to free him, but also to declare Kano State’s death penalty blasphemy law unconstitutional.’

Africa in Transition

Ordinarily, then, last week’s ruling by the same court granting Sharif- Aminu’s lawyers ‘permission to file an appeal outside the legally prescribed timeframe’ bodes well for him, until you consider the following statement by Lamido Abba Sorondinki, counsel for the Kano State government, in defense of the original verdict: ‘This applicant made blasphemous statements against the Holy Prophet, which the government of Kano State will not condone. If the Supreme Court upholds the lower court’s decision, we will execute him publicly.’ As if to avoid being misunderstood, he would go on to add: ‘Anybody that has uttered any word that touches the integrity of the holy prophet, we’ll punish him.’

We are afforded no other interpretation here. Mr. Sorondinki is daring his country’s ultimate legal arbiters: find in favor of Mr. Sharif-Aminu or watch us execute him. In other words, anything other than granting Sharif-Aminu’s prayer to free him-an outcome that is not guaranteed-and he is as good as dead.

Mr. Sorondinki’s statement, embarrassing and careless enough for a lawyer, never mind the appointed counsel for a whole state, is a reminder of everything that is wrong with the blasphemy charge originally preferred against Mr. Sharif-Aminu: the utter ridiculousness of it, and the reason why blasphemy laws have, for all intents and purposes, become a legal relic in most modern countries. Suppose, for the sake of argument, that the songs allegedly circulated by Mr. Sharif-Aminu via WhatsApp did indeed elevate Ibrahim Niasse over the prophet Muhammad; should that be enough to warrant or justify Mr. Sharif-Aminu’s execution? In a world of almost inexorable virality, are we also going to ferret out every individual who listened to, overheard, or came in contact with those songs one way or another and have them all executed? How many people are we allowed to kill simply for being exposed to an idea, image, or in this case, sound, that we disapprove of?

The difficulty in adducing justifiable answers to these questions, particularly under modern conditions where individuals living in close proximity and continuous interaction are bound to have not only different taboos, but conflicting conceptions and hierarchies of the sacred, is one of the many reasons why, over time, many Western societies have decided that prosecuting people for blasphemy is a fool’s errand. (Just to be clear, the modern idea is not that nothing is sacred; the modern idea is that you are not allowed to sacrifice the lives of others to propitiate your own idols.) The historical advance of reason has done the rest.

To say that progress in this regard has been uneven is an understatement. Nigeria is currently one of seven countries worldwide (the others are Afghanistan, Iran, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia) where blasphemy is punishable by death. According to Humanists International, at least eighty-nine countries continue to have blasphemy laws in their statutes. The United States International Commission on Religious Freedom pegs the number at seventy-one.

The variation in estimate does nothing to mitigate the seriousness of the problem, for as the situation in Muslim-majority northern Nigeria amply illustrates, blasphemy laws would be impossible without the prior popularity and acceptance of what Danish legal scholar Jacob Mchangama calls ‘the Fanatic’s Veto.’ This is the idea that perceived blasphemy against the person of the prophet Muhammad warrants a sentence of death executable by the same individual or group of individuals who leveled the accusation. In this way, blasphemy violence sprouts from and authorizes a condition of permanent fatwa in which ordinary citizens are permitted to instigate violence against their fellow citizens in retaliation for real and perceived slights. Under such circumstances, it is impossible to think and speak freely.

This conservative temper contextualizes the Kano State counsel’s open threat to go after anyone who ‘touches the integrity of the holy prophet.’ Mr. Sorondinki’s unfortunate words echo those of another Kano State dignitary, former State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who, back in August 2020, promised to ‘waste no time in signing the warrant for the execution of the man who blasphemed.’ At the time, both the Kano State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria expressed support for Mr. Ganduje’s position. Several Islamic clerics urged him to ‘do the right thing and not be distracted by activities of human right organizations.’

Not only does this explain the spike in blasphemy violence across northern Nigeria, it clarifies why no one is ever prosecuted for such violence and, most crucially, why, according to Amnesty International, ‘government officials rarely publicly condemn mob violence for blasphemy.’ Official silence operates more or less as a license to kill.

Various international human and religious rights organizations have repeatedly called for Mr. Sharif-Aminu’s release. Unusual for the institution, the European Parliament has twice adopted an urgency resolution exhorting the Nigerian authorities to ‘immediately and unconditionally’ release him. The leading defense counsel in the case, human rights lawyer Kola Alapinni, has argued that Sharia-based blasphemy laws across northern Nigeria violate the country’s secular constitution. Yet, if anything is clear from the statements of the authorities in Kano State, it is that they are merely going through the legal motions and would have Mr. Sharif-Aminu executed yesterday if they could.

The United States should put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and set Mr. Sharif-Aminu free. The offense for which he is being tried and has unjustly spent five years in detention has no place in a free society. It is the hallmark of inhumanity, and one that every decent nation has rightly disavowed.

But sometimes, the person you think is your closest friend may not truly wish you well.

When a friend becomes your worst enemy, the pain cuts deeper than anything a stranger could do against you.

Recognising the signs can help you protect your peace and choose your relationships more wisely. Here are seven signs to look out for in your friends:

1. Compete with you, not celebrate you

A true friend claps for you when you win. It may be a red flag if your friend always tries to outdo you instead of cheering you on.

Healthy competition can be fun, but when it turns into constant rivalry, you might be facing your worst enemy in disguise.

2. Use your vulnerabilities against you

Friendship is built on trust. If the personal things you shared in confidence later become weapons used against you, it’s a sign of betrayal.

Someone who makes you feel unsafe with your own truths is not really on your side.

3. Pretend to support you, but put you down

Some friends smile in your presence but tear you down behind your back. It could be subtle comments, spreading rumours, or discouraging you from pursuing your goals. Actions like these clearly show when a friend is acting more like your worst enemy.

4. Disappear when you need them most

Friendship isn’t about being there only in good times. If your friend is quick to show up at parties but never around when life gets tough, you won’t be wrong to question the bond.

Support in difficult moments is one of the clearest tests of true friendship.

5. Secretly jealous of you

Jealousy is bound to happen with human beings, but when it becomes the foundation of the relationship, it’s dangerous.

If your friend constantly downplays your achievements, avoids acknowledging your progress, or looks uncomfortable when you succeed, it may be more than envy. It may be the heart of your worst enemy.

6. Control or manipulate you

Friendship should give you room to grow, not chain you down. If your friend pressures you into choices that don’t align with your values or forces you into doing things you don’t want, that’s a sign of manipulation. That kind of control can be a hidden plan of an enemy, not a friend.

7. Don’t respect your boundaries

Respect is at the base of every healthy relationship. If your friend ignores your boundaries, whether emotional, financial, or personal, it shows a lack of regard for your well-being. A person who repeatedly crosses lines you’ve clearly set might not be your friend at all.

Conclusively, friendship is meant to bring peace, but when a friend becomes your worst enemy, it can be a hard pill to swallow. So, pay attention to the red flags, trust your instincts, and remember that walking away from a bad friendship is an act of self-respect.

As part of renewed efforts to combat childhood diseases and safeguard future generations, Niger and Jigawa states have launched extensive Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaigns in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organisation (WHO), GAVI, and other development partners.

In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago officially endorsed the campaign, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving public health and ensuring that the MR vaccine is available in all healthcare facilities across the state. He emphasised the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, describing it as vital protection against measles and rubella.

Speaking at a media dialogue in Minna, the Incident Manager of the Niger State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Dr Fatima Ibrahim, said the MR vaccine marks a significant step in strengthening Nigeria’s public health system. She noted that the country was at a pivotal moment as it prepared to incorporate the vaccine into its national immunisation schedule.

‘With the introduction of the Measles-Rubella vaccine, we now have an additional, powerful tool to combat these diseases and safeguard future generations,’ she said.

Dr Ibrahim explained that the MR vaccine is safe, government-funded, and free for all eligible children aged between nine months and fourteen years. She further highlighted the crucial role of the media in sensitising the public and ensuring wide acceptance of the vaccine.

Similarly, the Chief of UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Dr Gerida Birukila, represented by UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr Ahmed Tsofo, called on journalists to use their platforms to promote accurate information about the campaign. According to Dr Birukila, ‘your voice can break down myths and misinformation. Your platforms can build trust in public health, and you can make vaccination not just a medical necessity but a parental duty and a community value proudly upheld.’

She urged the media to help mobilise parents, caregivers, and communities to view immunisation days not as routine, but as ‘moments of protection and demonstration of care,’ while countering misinformation with factual and relatable messages.

In Jigawa State, preparations have also reached an advanced stage for the commencement of a similar vaccination drive targeting over 3.1 million children. The State Immunization Officer, Dr Shehu Ibrahim, disclosed during a media dialogue in Dutse that ‘a total of 3,186,521 children is targeted to be immunize during the exercise.’

He explained that the campaign, scheduled to run from 6th to 15th October across 288 wards in 27 local government areas, would cover children aged nine months to fourteen years. A total of 1,580 vaccination teams, each consisting of 11 members, have been mobilised for the programme.

Dr Ibrahim added that the exercise, organised by the Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) in collaboration with UNICEF, would also include routine immunisation and polio vaccination. He revealed that ‘3,186,521 children targeted for Measles-Rubella whom were from 9 months to 14 years while in polio vaccination 1,517,319 children between 0-59 months as beneficiaries. 5,121 qualified health workers will work for the success of the program.’

Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Kabiru Mustapha, said the media engagement was aimed at reducing child morbidity and mortality rates linked to preventable diseases. He urged journalists to support the campaign by encouraging parents to present their children for vaccination.

Dr Mustapha maintained that with collective effort and public participation, the state could record zero cases of measles and rubella infections, assuring full institutional support for the success of the campaign.

The Nigerian music scene is about to witness a new wave of global energy as Olusola Badmus popularly known as Embassy officially brings M12 Records home with a star-studded listening party and label unveiling in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The atmosphere was electrifying and the spotlight firmly fixed on entrepreneur and business mogul Olusola Badmus, founder of M12 Records, as he hosted an exclusive listening party for one of his fast-rising stars, Brainyboy.

The highlight of the evening was the release of Brainyboy’s official debut album, aptly titled ‘MR Embassy.’ Held at the Lighthouse Club in Akobo, Ibadan, the event delivered an unforgettable experience as the crowd was thrilled by Brainyboy’s performance, leaving fans and guests entertained throughout the night.

Speaking about his passion and vision for music, M12 Records boss Olusola Badmus shared:

‘For me, music has always been more than sound – it’s culture, it’s emotion, and it’s connection. M12 Records is about giving artists the freedom to create while also providing them the structure to succeed globally.’

Registered in Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom, M12 Records stands out as a global entertainment brand committed to bridging Nigerian creativity with international platforms. The label is fast establishing itself as a force, with a mission to empower artists, expand African music across borders, and drive collaborations with international stars.

The listening party itself became the talk of the town, attracting top media houses, newspapers, blogs, and entertainment outlets eager to capture the moment. Fans and industry stakeholders witnessed an evening that blended fresh sounds, raw talent, and the distinct vibes that M12 Records artistes are known for.

Reaffirming the label’s direction, Olusola Badmus added:

‘M12 Records is founded on authenticity and innovation. Our goal is to discover, produce, and showcase world-class talent capable of making a lasting impact on the global entertainment stage. Keep your eyes on M12 Records – this is just the beginning of something big.’

In recognition of his efforts, Olusola Badmus was honored with the award for ‘Best Grassroots Record Label’ by YorubaMovieGist.com. According to the platform, the award celebrates M12 Records’ outstanding contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry and its growing influence at the grassroots level.

With a clear vision, a talented roster, and a commitment to innovation, M12 Records is carving a reputation as the home for bold, original voices in Afrobeats and beyond.

Recent findings have revealed that young adults who experienced rectal bleeding faced an 8.5-fold higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to those without the symptom.

A study presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2025 said that young adults experiencing rectal bleeding have a significantly elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer, underscoring the need to take the symptom seriously even in the absence of a family history of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is also known as bowel cancer. Common causes of the disease include an unbalanced diet featuring too much processed meat, alcohol, and smoking, with little fibre and physical activity. Being overweight and obese contributes to around 11% of cases in the UK.

The retrospective study analysed 443 patients under 50 who underwent a colonoscopy at the University of Louisville Health System between 2021 and 2023. Of them, 195 (44%) were diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, while 248 (56%) had normal results.

The study aimed to help doctors determine which young patients with symptoms should get a diagnostic colonoscopy and found that most (88%) of those later diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer had symptoms like bleeding, while just over half (55%) of those without cancer had similar symptoms.

Only 13% of early-onset colorectal cancer cases had a marker often associated with hereditary syndromes, such as genetic alterations that occur in some colorectal cancers.

Patients diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer were also significantly more likely to be former smokers (almost two times higher odds).

Senior author Sandra Kavalukas, MD, FACS, a colorectal surgeon at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kentucky, noted that many early-onset colorectal cancers seen have no family history.

Dr Kavalukas said, ‘This research lends support to the question of who does or doesn’t warrant a colonoscopy: if you have a person below the screening age with rectal bleeding, you should seriously consider a colonoscopy.

‘If they’re 35 and they come in with rectal pain, they probably don’t need a colonoscopy. But if they come in with a bleeding complaint, they are 8.5 times more likely to have colorectal cancer.’

The findings address a critical gap in care for young adults, who are not eligible for routine screening but are experiencing the fastest-rising rates of colorectal cancer. The study provides data to support coverage for diagnostic colonoscopies in symptomatic young patients.

During a colonoscopy, a doctor will inspect your entire large intestine (colon) and rectum while you are sedated to determine the cause of the rectal bleeding.

It can help to find cancer early when it’s easiest to treat – or even to find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer.

Blood can show up in your stool in a variety of ways, and what that blood looks like can give clues as to where it’s coming from. Bright red blood may be a sign of something low in the colon or rectum, such as diverticulosis or haemorrhoids.

Darker blood may be from something higher up. If the blood is black or tar-like, that could signal an issue with the small intestine or stomach. Slowly bleeding tumours at the beginning of the colon, on the other hand, may cause dark red or black stools.

The US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend screening colonoscopies starting at age 45 for most people without a family history of the disease.

The research team is now working on a larger analysis to create a risk score calculator.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a scathing condemnation of the recent demolitions of shops and structures at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, accusing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of orchestrating a deliberate attack on Igbo investments.

In a statement released Sunday, signed by Deputy President General and National Spokesman Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Chinemeze Ohia, the group demanded an immediate halt to the demolitions, describing them as a ‘calculated political vendetta’ aimed at dismantling Igbo economic contributions ahead of the 2027 elections.

The demolitions, which targeted structures largely owned by Igbo traders, have sparked outrage, with Ohanaeze labeling them a ‘profound injustice’ and an ‘economic affront.’

The group argues that the actions violate the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, specifically Section 40 on freedom of association and movement, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the UN Convention on Human Rights, and the 1978 Land Use Act, which mandates lawful revocation of occupancy rights, advance notice, and compensation. According to Ohanaeze, no such due process was followed.

‘The apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, finds it imperative to address, with unwavering candor, the insidious actions perpetrated by the Lagos State Government under the stewardship of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. We hereby demand an immediate cessation of all demolition activities that specifically target Igbo investments within Lagos State. Such measures are not merely administrative actions; they are perceived as a calculated political vendetta designed to systematically dismantle the economic contributions of the Igbo residents in Lagos State, compelling them to vacate the state in advance of the 2027 elections.

‘With the utmost gravity, Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemns the recent demolitions of shops and structures at the Trade Fair Complex in Lagos. These acts represent a profound injustice, an economic affront, and a blatant violation of the rights of traders, the majority of whom are of Igbo ancestry. The recent demolitions blatantly contravene the protections afforded to individuals by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, particularly Section 40, alongside the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the UN Convention on Human Rights, and the foundational provisions of the 1978 Land Use Act, which unequivocally requires lawful revocation of Rights of Occupancy, advance notice, and just compensation for affected property owners.

‘Independent investigations commissioned by Ohanaeze Ndigbo have revealed alarming violations of the Urban and Regional Development Law of Lagos State. Notably, there was a conspicuous absence of environmental impact assessments or consultations with stakeholders prior to these demolitions. Insights obtained from interviews with Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, underscore that the Trade Fair Complex is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, thus inherently questioning the legality of state-led demolition actions.

‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo resolutely calls on Governor Sanwo-Olu to halt these assaults on Igbo properties and investments in Lagos State. We remind the Governor that he was overwhelmingly supported by the Igbo community during his 2019 electoral campaign. Since his administration’s commencement, our records reveal that over 2,753 properties-houses, shops, and their valuable contents-have been callously demolished without due recourse to the owners, representing colossal losses amounting to approximately 23 trillion Naira in investments. It is incumbent upon us to confront these issues forthrightly, irrespective of any political sensitivities.

‘Our assessments evince a concerning pattern; it appears that the Lagos State Government may be engaging in acts of political retribution against Ndigbo in Lagos, particularly in the wake of the electoral dynamics observed in the aftermath of the 2023 elections. The prevailing inflation rate of 23.9% only exacerbates the economic harm inflicted upon Igbo traders, and indications suggest that further demolitions will occur as a means to diminish the Igbo presence prior to the 2027 elections.

‘ln a passionate plea, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene directly in this matter. The President must order an immediate cessation of further demolitions and compel the Lagos State Government to deliver adequate compensation to those affected. Additionally, we advocate for the reopening of the Calabar Seaport, which has languished in disuse for 59 years, and call for the establishment of a new Southeast Seaport at the Azumiri Blue River, in Ukwa East LGA Of Abia State,located a mere 34 nautical miles from the Atlantic Ocean.

‘Furthermore, it is imperative that we alert the Igbo community residing in Lagos State to the troubling prospects ahead. Information at our disposal indicates that additional demolitions targeting Igbo properties may occur as early as 2026. It is high time for Igbo business owners to evaluate the sustainability of their investments in Lagos and consider reestablishing their enterprises in the Old Eastern Region, particularly the Southeast. The ‘Think Home’ philosophy (Ak? Ruo Ulo) is increasingly seen as the most viable strategy in response to the ongoing demolitions. Standing united, we shall confront these injustices and ardently defend the rights and livelihoods of the Igbo people’.

Drop shipping is an e-commerce business model where you’re not compelled to keep inventory; rather, you serve as an intermediary between your customers and suppliers. As a profit-making retail business, you don’t need much capital to start, and it is flexible to operate.

The benefits of drop shipping are discussed below:

1. Flexible to operate

One of the interesting features of drop shipping is that you can operate it anywhere. As long as you have access to the internet, you will be able to manage it while travelling, on vacation, or at home. This is a flexible job that gives you the freedom to pivot into something else as well.

2. Less capital to start

You do not need much capital to start your online store compared to a traditional retail business. You don’t actually own or buy any goods you display on your virtual store. After you make your sale, the next thing is to ensure the goods get to your customer through your supplier. This does not cost you anything; no worries about storing and shipping the products.

3. Unlimited product selection

You’re not limited to selling anything. You can expand or sell as many products as you want. You’re able to offer your customers a variety of options to select from. Even if a product is not making many sales, you can easily stop or pull back.

4. Automated workflows

Your daily activities can be automated once you’ve set up your online store. You can track your inventory and orders, but you still need to monitor your marketing promotions and customer service. For shipments and delivery, you can just follow up.

5. Change of inventory

You can change your inventory as much as you want. In drop shipping, you can try different business methods and suppliers to know what works best for you. Doing this, you’re ensuring you offer quality products and services to your customers. In addition, you should prioritise products that are high in demand.

6. No experience needed

You don’t need to have experience in e-commerce or in sales before venturing into drop shipping. The business is easy and straightforward; you don’t need any specific skills to get started.

No fewer than 2,217 medical cases and 35 surgical operations were conducted during the second phase of the medical outreach organised by the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Lami Danladi-Ogenyi.

The medical outreach, held under the Lami Medical Outreach Foundation, took place during the week at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Ukwonyo-Utonkon, in Ado Local Government Area.

According to a statement by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Agbaji Samuel Atsonwu, the medical outreach formed part of her constituency project.

He said the Deputy Speaker assembled a team of highly skilled surgeons and medical professionals who provided free healthcare services to residents of the community.

The Deputy Speaker’s media aide noted that the surgical operations were carried out on patients with hernia, hydrocelectomies, appendectomy, lipoma excisions, and the removal of abnormal growths and lumps – all aimed at alleviating pain and improving patients’ quality of life.

Aside from the surgeries, the media aide further stated that over two thousand residents of the local government benefited from medical consultations, treatment of common ailments, health screenings, and medications, which included malaria, typhoid, hepatitis, VDRL, HVS, and H. pylori (ulcer), as well as blood pressure monitoring and blood glucose testing. All diagnosed cases were managed and treated effectively.

According to the statement, ‘At the ophthalmology unit, hundreds of residents with varying degrees of eye problems were examined using modern diagnostic machines. Many received drugs and medicated lenses, while others were given professional advice and referrals for further optical surgeries where necessary.

‘The beneficiaries and the entire Ufia community expressed profound gratitude, describing the outreach as historic and a beacon of hope for the people of Ado. They offered heartfelt prayers for the Deputy Speaker, commending her compassion and commitment to addressing critical healthcare needs in the local government and beyond.

‘It is important to note that the successful conclusion of the Ukwonyo-Utonkon phase marks only the beginning, as the medical team will continue the outreach in other parts of Ado to ensure every resident has access to these life-saving services.’