To address the growing need for fast, safe, reliable and affordable transportation services in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigerian Businessman, Mr. Dapo Balogun has introduced TakeDrop, a new on-demand mobile request taxi service that stands out from the competition. An app which allows users to call drivers at any time for transportation at rates far lower than local cab services, TakeDrop provides a completely automated payment system and allows users to track car availability through their smartphone map. However, unlike other e-hailing alternatives, TakeDrop works nationwide and is revolutionizing modern transportation in Nigeria by providing services to users between and…
Author: Wale Adebayo
On the 9th of February 2016, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) participated in the launch of the Global Joint UNFPA/UNICEF programme on the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Nigeria and called for zero tolerance for FGM and other harmful traditional practices. Under the leadership of H.E. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa continues to create awareness of FGM/C, while addressing issues concerning the practice through its #MaternalMonday social media campaign. The practice of FGM, defined by the World Health Organization as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury…
On the 9th of February 2016, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) led by Founder-President, H.E. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, met with the UNAIDS Executive Director, Mr. Sidibe, to discuss the progress of HIV/AIDS reduction in Nigeria and explore ways to build synergy between both organizations for the improvement of the livelihoods of Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS. With an estimated 50% of people living with HIV in Nigeria being women aged 15 and up, Mrs. Toyin Saraki expressed that HIV/AIDS should be deemed a critical women’s health issue in the country. Since 2004, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa has worked to refine its…
Nigerians sometimes wonder where the many challenges of our nation stem from. However, when you learn of the fact that Nigeria loses as much as USD15 billion as a result of not passing one law, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), then one cannot help but understand that the inadequacies in our system must be addressed. It is also difficult to imagine that in 16 years of the National Assembly – as presently constituted – the almighty PIB that should have been passed, signed and implemented in past sessions has continued to reincarnate itself as the ‘ever-elusive PIB. What this means…
Reading through the surreal judgment delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the case filed against the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by Senator Bukola Saraki, it came as a surprise that the CCT was allowed to proceed with the case despite damning evidences that suggests the case was more of persecution and not prosecution as they would have us believe. Although, the ruling by the Apex Court has given birth to all sorts of sentimental headlines on different news platforms, it however, remains to be seen what the likely objective of such a charade trial is, and will…
On the 4th of February 2016, the Founder/President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and Wife of the Nigerian Senate President, H.E. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, joined H.E. Mrs. Aisha Buhari, Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to flag off Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week in Kebbi State, Nigeria; as well as empower expectant and newly delivered mothers with health-seeking incentives. During the launch, Mrs. Saraki donated Mama Kit Goody Bags, containing items such as antiseptic solutions, soaps, navel clamps, Unilever Camay brand personal care products, and other essential items useful for the safe delivery…
Adverse to the rumours that Senator Stella Oduah, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker Representing the good people of Anambra North Senatorial District, has been sacked by the Supreme Court; it is however pertinent to note that this is a mere misinterpretation of the Supreme Court rulings and should be disregarded in all entirety. Find below Extracts from the Supreme Court Judgement as forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Tiled: THE STATUS OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES _RE: JUDGMENT IN SC. 37/2015 ”‘Our clients were duly nominated by the…
Senator Stella Oduah, who is representing Anambra North Senatorial District, has called for the establishment of an Inland Container Terminal in Onitsha, Anambra State to enhance production. Speaking at the interactive session of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, she emphasized the need to encourage more export in the face of the dwindling economy. The Managing Director of Nigeria Export – Import Bank, NEXIM Robert Orya briefed the Committee on its activities in general and the various challenges they are currently facing as an institution. She congratulated the Manging Director of the bank for…
Discussing how to improve maternal health in areas of conflict and extreme poverty with The Guardian (UK), H.E. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Founder-President of the reproductive, maternal, newborn, adolescent and child health (RMNCAH) non-governmental organization – the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has called for an increased emphasis on health education through midwives, which will protect women in crisis settings by ensuring that they have the knowledge needed to protect themselves and their children. Currently, Nigeria – Africa’s most populous nation – is home to 3.3 million people who have been displaced by violence. Sharing insight on the Guardian Global Development Live…
The major security problem Nigeria is experiencing today is the problem of social security. Social security can be referred to as government programs intended to promote the welfare for her citizens through guaranteeing access to shelter, food, health-care, and the provision of employment for the unemployed in the society. Looking at a broader view of the term security, it not only means the protection of lives and property, but it covers many areas of life. Security refers to social security, health security, food security, economic, education and many more. The war against insecurity in Nigeria can not be won if…
Senator Stella Oduah, who is representing Anambra North Senatorial District and Vice Chairman Committee on Women Affairs, has described Women Affairs as the Bedrock of any government. She stated this on Wednesday, 27th January 2016 at the inaugural meeting of the Committee of Women Affairs held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Oduah called for the main streaming of Nigerian women to ensure a more developed society, one that has gender balance. “As far as am concerned Women Affairs is the bed rock of any government, I do not see how we can move forward if we fail to mainstream…
The Governor of Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade, gave his administration a timely shot in the arm when he announced last week that he has appointed the redoubtable economist and politician, Dr. Pius Tabi Tawo as the new Chairman of Strategic Policy Advisory Council (SPAC). Dr. Tawo effectively steps into the shoes of Senator Gershom Bassey, the founding Chairman of that largely invisible, but hugely effective think-tank of Cross River governments. Coming into the Council at this most difficult time in the nation’s narrative with dwindling revenues, insecurity and graduate unemployment, the grand ideas of Governor Ayade will naturally face…
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday night, arrested a serving colonel in the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in the arms deal scandal from the office of the National Security Adviser under Col. Sambo Dasuki. The colonel (names withheld) served as a Special Assistant to the former National Security Adviser (NSA) in charge of liaison with the Nigerian Army, according to Vanguard. It was learnt that upon arrival of EFCC operatives at his residence in Apo, Abuja, the army officer locked himself up in one of the buildings while the EFCC operatives laid siege until about 10pm when…
Hon. Olatoye Temitope (a.k.a Sugar), who is representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency of Oyo State at the National Assembly under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), has appointed no fewer than 43 people as legislative assistants in his constituency. Temitope justified the appointment of such a large number of assistants, saying he decided to have as many as 43 legislative assistants because of his desire to always be in touch with his constituency members. While presenting letters of appointment to the legislative assistants at the end of the year ceremony held at the party’s secretariat in Ejioku, Lagelu Local Government Area…
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, said on Wednesday, that the administration’s unwillingness to risk the lives of the kidnapped Chibok girls is responsible for the restraint in taking the final salvo to the Boko Haram insurgents in Sambisa forest. During a media section in Lagos, Alhaji Mohammed insisted that the insurgents were now contained to attacking soft targets such as markets, motor parks, mosques, churches and entertainment centres, killing innocent men, women and children. The dying and desperate insurgents have carried out some attacks on soft targets in the North-East during this festive season. This is…
Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, has disclosed that the National Assembly (NASS) was unaware of the fuel subsidy removal and the hike in electricity tariff, as the Federal Government is yet to communicate its decision to the Assembly. “Well, all I have heard is pronouncement as far as the electricity tariff is concerned. As you know, a lot of the distributors and players in that industry do not have the tariff reflect their operation cost,” Gbajabiamila said while giving a report of activities of the House of Reps in the 8th Assembly from June to December…
The December 31, 2015 deadline set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for MTN Nigeria to pay a N780 billion fine slapped on it by the regulator has passed. Yet, the payment was not made by MTN. NCC had said the deadline remained despite MTN’s court action the telecommunications company said it does not expect any service disruption on its network despite missing the deadline. The fine, according to NCC, was against the inability of MTN to disconnect about 5.1 million subscribers allegedly not properly registered on its network in August and September 2015. The NCC, yesterday, said it would…
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has challenged the State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose to come clean on how much he got from the N1.4 billion allegedly collected from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) by a former minister for the June 21, 2014 governorship poll in the state. The party claimed that part of the slush funds was used to rig the election in Fayose’s favour. In a statement released yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the Ekiti APC said: “We are aware that Fayose at that time acquired a N750 million building in a…
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is A former governor of Lagos State and national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), has congratulated Nigerians on the New Year, saying “there is no reason that we cannot attain greatness”. In his New Year message, the APC leader, said: “The new year presents a chance for us to place this precious nation on the right path. This path will not be easy as we must press to surmount obstacles that should have been laid behind us long ago. There are no short cuts to take to greatness, but there also is no reason that we cannot…
The Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri Division, has nullified the election of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Abia State Governor. The court declared Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) winner of the April 11 and April 25 supplementary elections in Abia. The five-member panel, headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, annulled Ikpeazu’s election on the grounds of substantial non-compliance with the electoral law. Delivering judgment in an appeal filed by Otti, the court said that the APGA candidate scored 164, 444 valid votes to defeat Ikpeazu who scored 114, 444 votes. The…