Connect with us

News

Obasanjo Turns 89 With a Gift to the People — Free Healthcare for 10,000 Lagos Residents Starting This Week

Published

on

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is choosing to celebrate turning 89 the way he has always said leaders should govern — by showing up for the people.

Through the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, the former president is set to provide free, comprehensive healthcare services to no fewer than 10,000 residents of Lagos as part of activities marking his birthday. The initiative, which the Foundation has christened the Lagos Medical Mission, will run from February 27 to March 4, 2026, across two of the state’s most densely populated suburban corridors — Ikorodu and Alimosho Local Government Areas.

The exercise kicks off on Friday, February 27, at the Ijede LCDA Council Hall in Ijede, Ikorodu, before moving to Imota Mini Stadium in Imota, also in Ikorodu, on Saturday, February 28. From March 2 to 4, the mission shifts to Alade Stadium on Command Road in Agbado/Oke-Odo, Alimosho — communities that are home to hundreds of thousands of low-income residents who rarely have access to quality medical care.

The scope of what is being offered is broad and deliberate. Beneficiaries will have access to free general medical consultation, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as free essential medications. There will be cardiovascular screening, blood pressure checks, and heart health assessments, alongside full ear care services — including the provision of hearing aids for those who qualify. Eye care is also part of the package, with detailed vision screening, free prescription glasses, and referrals and sponsorship for eye surgeries where required.

Dr. Olalekan Makinde, Chief Executive Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, described the mission as a legacy-driven humanitarian initiative that reflects the former president’s lifelong commitment to service and his deep conviction that quality healthcare should never be a privilege reserved for those who can afford it. He said the outreach is open to elderly citizens, children, families, individuals living with untreated hearing or vision impairments, persons with cardiovascular conditions, and low-income and vulnerable residents across Lagos. Services will be offered strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, and residents have been encouraged to arrive early to secure their spot.

The Foundation, which was established by Obasanjo himself, focuses its work on health, education, agriculture, youth empowerment, and community development across Nigeria. Its Hearing Programme alone has restored hearing and transformed the quality of life for thousands of Nigerians within the country and beyond its borders.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with a public healthcare system stretched thin by decades of underinvestment, birthday initiatives of this nature — however welcome — also serve as a quiet but telling reminder of how far governments at all levels still have to go in making basic healthcare genuinely accessible to every Nigerian, not just those lucky enough to live near a medical outreach.

For now, the people of Ikorodu and Alimosho have an appointment to keep — and a 89-year-old former president making sure they do not miss it.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Akwa Ibom: Navy Rescues Two Kidnap Victims, Recovers Stolen Outboard Engines

Published

on

The Nigerian Navy has rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered several stolen outboard engines during an operation against suspected sea robbers and kidnappers in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State.

The operation was carried out on September 30 by the Maritime Quick Response Team of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) JUBILEE in Ibeno, following intelligence reports about criminal activities targeting fishermen in the area.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed the development in a statement, explaining that the suspected criminals had been attacking fishermen, taking away their boats and stealing their outboard engines”

Suspects Flee as Navy Launches Pursuit

According to the Navy, its personnel encountered two boats believed to have been operated by the suspected criminals during the operation.

The occupants reportedly fled into nearby creeks after sighting the naval team, prompting the personnel to pursue them.

During the chase, the suspects abandoned one of their boats, which contained several stolen outboard engines and the two kidnapped victims.

The naval team subsequently rescued the victims and escorted them to safety, while the recovered engines were secured for verification and further necessary action.

Navy Intensifies Efforts to Track Suspects

The Navy said efforts were ongoing to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that the operation reflected its commitment to protecting lives and securing legitimate maritime activities across the country’s waterways.

Folorunsho also emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and cooperation with coastal communities in tackling maritime crimes.

He urged fishermen, residents of coastal communities and other maritime stakeholders to report suspicious activities and provide timely information that could help security agencies respond to threats.

The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to sustained patrols, search-and-rescue operations and intelligence-driven interventions to protect lives and property along Nigeria’s waterways.

Continue Reading

News

So Fast? Rafael Leão Handed Portugal’s No. 7 Shirt as a New Era Begins 🇵🇹🔥

Published

on

Barely hours after football legend; Cristiano Ronaldo announced his departure from the national team camp, his iconic number 7 shirt has officially been given to Rafael Leão in a move that has set social media alive.

The No. 7 is among the most closely watched shirts in world football, and the speed of the handover is what has fans talking. There was no long gap between one chapter ending and the next beginning, and Leão is now the face of that change.

Leão, a left winger who plays his club football in Europe, has been a regular in the national setup in recent years. Taking over the shirt places him at the centre of Portugal’s attacking plans and gives him one of the biggest responsibilities in the squad.
Supporters are already debating whether he can carry the weight of the number.

Reactions online are split between excitement and nostalgia. Some see the announcement as a bold statement that Portugal is ready to move forward with a new generation. Others say it will take time to accept anyone else in the shirt. Either way, all eyes will be on Leão the next time he steps onto the pitch wearing it. 👀
Neither the Portuguese football federation’s full statement nor any comment from Leão himself had been widely reported at the time of writing, and further details are expected.
Is Leão the right man to inherit the No. 7 shirt? Tell us in the comments.

Continue Reading

News

JAMB Extends Deadline for 2021–2025 Admission Offers to November 30

Published

on

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has extended the deadline for candidates with outstanding admission offers from the 2021 to 2025 admission exercises to accept or reject the offers.

The new deadline is November 30, 2026, giving affected candidates an additional two months to update their admission status on the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

JAMB had previously fixed September 30 as the deadline for candidates to take action on outstanding offers. The latest extension followed a temporary disruption of the CAPS platform, which was reportedly unavailable for about 96 hours.

JAMB Warns Candidates Against Missing New Deadline

The board described November 30 as the final deadline for candidates affected by the outstanding admission offers.

Candidates who wish to retain their previous admission offers are expected to log into their CAPS accounts and accept them. Those who no longer want the offers can reject them so that JAMB can update its records.

According to JAMB, candidates who accept their offers will be able to proceed with printing their admission letters.

The board also explained that candidates who are no longer studying at the institutions where they were previously offered admission, or who have changed programmes, may accept the outstanding admission and subsequently apply for the appropriate correction or deletion where necessary.

What Happens After November 30?

JAMB warned that candidates who fail to either accept or reject their outstanding offers by the new deadline will have the admissions reverted to “Not Admitted” on the board’s records.

Any subsequent request to update an admission record from the affected years will also attract the applicable penalty fee, according to the board.

JAMB further assured candidates who have already secured admission for the 2026 academic session that rejecting an outstanding admission offer from an earlier year will not affect their current admission.

The board urged all affected candidates to check their CAPS accounts and take the necessary action before the November 30 deadline.

Continue Reading

Trending