LAGOS FIRST LADY RAISES HOPE OF IMPROVED ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE
…..Dr. Sanwo-Olu Tours State-Owned Hospitals
It was all excitement at the Lagos-owned healthcare facilities on the mainland and Island on Friday, when the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, made surprise appearance at five hospitals to assess the progress of the ongoing Healthy Bee programme co-sponsored by the Lagos State Government.
The free medical initiative is aimed at combating organ impairment and life-threatening ailments in children.
It was organised in collaboration with Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat (BOSKOH) Healthcare Mission International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), which provided the personnel and technical service support for the project.
The medical initiative is component of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s development agenda to reposition healthcare and give disadvantaged children access to quality medical care.
The First Lady’s visit excited the beneficiaries whose children went through free medical procedures to heal them of various conditions.
At 10am, Dr. Sanwo-Olu breezed into Massey Street Children Hospital on the Lagos Island, where she observed medical procedures being administered on infant patients suffering dental disorder.
The First Lady moved to Lagos Island General Hospital in Marina, where she visited children operated for different degrees of hernia.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu was also at Onikan Health Centre, Gbagada General Hospital and Orile Agege Health Centre for the purpose.
Speaking after the tour of the hospitals, the First Lady said she was delighted to know thousands of residents had benefited since the free surgeries started.
She expressed optimism that the effort would lead to improvement in healthcare delivery in the State, assuring that the present administration would spare no effort to give deserved attention to health sector, with the view to scaling up healthcare services to the people.
She said: “I see hope for improvement in the health sector after my visit to five hospitals today to observe what has been done in the past few weeks.
“I started with Massey Street Children’s Hospital. I was impressed with the children that I saw there and the Dental Surgeries that have been done, with some still being attended to. The turn out was impressive and the people appreciated what we have done. All the surgeries were being done free of charge.
“I also attended the General Hospital Lagos to see the children that had Orthopedic surgeries and the mothers were also very grateful for what has happened there, as well as Onikan Health Centre. I was also at General Hospital in Gbagada, and finally General Hospital Orile-Agege.”
The First Lady specifically appreciated all the volunteers working to ensure the success of the free health mission, assuring that the project would not be a one-off exercise.
She said: “I am here now in Orile-Agege and I can see the smiles on the faces of the people. I must say I am impressed that even during public holidays, our medical personnel as well as the rest of the management team worked together to ensure that this was a successful programme and that shows that we can do it; this shows that there is hope for Lagos; and there is hope for our citizens.”
Giving a breakdown of the exercise, Executive Director of BOSKOH Healthcare Mission International, Mrs Nike Osai said a total of 81 pediatric patients were referred for various cases, including dental problems and chronic medical conditions, with 67 dental extractions carried out at Massey Street Children’s Hospital in Lagos Island, while over 300 patients were screened at General Hospital in Lagos, with a total of 94 surgeries so far carried out.
At Onikan Health Centre, Osai said a total of 193 patients were registered, out of which 75 surgeries have so far been carried out, with many still ongoing and some slated for surgeries, all free of charge.
In General Hospitals, Gbagada and Orile Agege respectively, Osai said about 120 pediatric surgeries had been done, while 88 eye surgeries were successfully carried out for adults ranging from ages 41 and 90 just within five days.
In all the centres across the State, Osai said thousands of residents have so far benefited, saying that the essence of the project was to give back to humanity and help people in the communities across the State that needed the surgeries and healthcare services.
Mercy Chinwo Slams N1.1 Billion Lawsuit Against Social Media Critic VeryDarkMan Over Defamation
Renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo has taken decisive legal action against controversial social media commentator, VeryDarkMan (VDM), suing him for N1.1 billion over alleged defamation. The lawsuit, dated March 3, follows a series of Instagram posts in which VDM accused Chinwo of withholding earnings from her performances instead of remitting them to her former record label, EeZee Concept, owned by Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, popularly known as EeZee Tee.
VDM further alleged that Chinwo violated contractual agreements before parting ways with the label, claims that her legal team has strongly refuted. According to her lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, VDM had no direct involvement in the dispute yet made “libelous, malicious, and damaging” statements that tarnished the singer’s reputation.
“The claimant avers that she has neither had any form of relationship with the defendant nor was the defendant involved in the issue between the claimant and EeZee Tee in any material particular,” the legal document states.
Chinwo is demanding N1 billion in general damages, N100 million in punitive and aggravated damages, and an additional N25 million to cover legal expenses. The lawsuit also calls for VDM to delete the alleged defamatory posts, issue a public apology, and publish retractions in four national newspapers for 14 consecutive days.
The legal battle stems from an ongoing dispute between Chinwo and her former label, EeZee Concept, over financial disagreements following her departure. Chinwo had previously accused EeZee Tee of mismanaging approximately $345,000 from her digital platforms and events without proper disclosure or remittance. While EeZee Tee has denied the allegations, he later called for an audit to address concerns of financial misconduct.
Amidst the controversy, a federal high court in Lagos upheld an arrest warrant against EeZee Tee on February 17, with the case adjourned until March 6. The escalating legal drama continues to unfold, drawing significant public attention to the gospel music industry and the contractual disputes between artists and their former labels.
As the legal proceedings move forward, industry watchers await the next developments in what has become a high-profile case of defamation, financial accountability, and artist-label relations.
Senate Drama Unfolds as Senator Cyril Fasuyi Announces Petition from Kayode Fayemi Against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
In a dramatic turn of events at the Nigerian Senate plenary session, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, declared that former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, intends to present a petition against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company.
Senator Fasuyi, while making his statement, invoked Psalm 34:19, saying, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” He proceeded to announce that Fayemi would be officially submitting a petition to counter what he termed as a false accusation made by Senator Natasha, alleging that Fayemi sold the Ajaokuta Steel Mill during his tenure as Minister.
“Mr. Senate President, before I say what I want to say, I want to refer you to Psalms 34 line 19. My President, I want to bring up a case that happened when my former governor was ex-Minister of the Federal Republic. I want to say this: that my former governor is going to bring a petition on the allegation that Senator Natasha claimed he (Fayemi) sold Ajaokuta Steel Mill.”
Fasuyi further emphasized that as of today, Ajaokuta Steel remains the property of the Federal Government, dismissing any claims that Fayemi sold it while in office.
However, in a swift reaction, Fayemi’s media office categorically denied any plans to submit such a petition and rebuffed any claims of misconduct against him. A statement signed by Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, head of Fayemi’s media office, clarified the former minister’s position, accusing Senator Fasuyi of misrepresenting facts.
Fayemi Responds, Denies Petition Claims
The statement reads in part: “We have become aware of a statement made by Senator Cyril Fasuyi during today’s Senate plenary, in which he alleged that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously accused Dr. Kayode Fayemi of sexual harassment. We categorically state that this claim is entirely false. At no time has Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan—or anyone else, for that matter—ever accused Dr. Fayemi of such misconduct.”
It further clarified that the only interaction between Fayemi and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was during his tenure as Minister of Mines and Steel Development, where discussions strictly revolved around policy matters concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company. The statement emphasized that while differences in opinions may have existed, there were no allegations of personal misconduct or wrongdoing against Fayemi.
The rebuttal also urged Senator Fasuyi to verify facts before making public statements, especially on issues that could potentially tarnish reputations. “We urge Senator Fasuyi to exercise greater diligence in verifying facts before making public statements, especially on sensitive matters that could damage reputations,” the statement read.
The controversy adds another layer to the ongoing debates around the fate of Ajaokuta Steel and the political undercurrents shaping discourse in Nigeria’s legislative chambers. It remains to be seen whether Senator Fasuyi will retract his statements or proceed with the alleged petition, despite Fayemi’s office distancing itself from the claims.
Signed Mallam Ahmad Sajoh Head, Fayemi Media Office, Abuja March 5, 2025
Daddy Freeze Sparks Controversy Over Sophia Egbueje’s Lamborghini Mileage
Popular media personality, Daddy Freeze, has once again sparked reactions on social media after exposing the mileage of the newly acquired Lamborghini belonging to socialite Sophia Egbueje.
It would be recalled that Sophia had earlier revealed she purchased the luxury vehicle after Nigerian music star Burna Boy failed to fulfill his promise of gifting her one. She proudly shared images and videos of the car’s delivery on her Instagram page, drawing admiration and congratulatory messages from fans and followers.
However, in a surprising twist, Daddy Freeze took to social media to reveal that the car was not as ‘new’ as many believed. Sharing a snapshot of the vehicle’s dashboard, he disclosed that the odometer reading stood at 46,433 miles.
Mileage Controversy
For context, mileage on cars typically represents the total distance a vehicle has traveled since its purchase. It serves as an essential factor in assessing a car’s newness, overall condition, and market value.
Highlighting this, Daddy Freeze sarcastically congratulated Sophia while emphasizing the high mileage count. He wrote:
“Congratulations, our new Lambo has 46,433 miles – 46,433 miles = 74,726.67 KM yaaay we are winning! ”
Mixed Reactions Trail Daddy Freeze’s Post
As expected, the revelation sparked a flurry of reactions from social media users, with many divided in their opinions.
Some ridiculed Sophia over the mileage, suggesting that the car was far from being brand new, while others defended her, arguing that a Lamborghini remains a luxury vehicle regardless of its mileage.
Here are some notable reactions:
@adelakuntufayl:“Just like herself, the car has gone through a whole lot allegedly ”
@abk_sadiq01:“She get Lambo abi she no get?”
@plato_15:“ It was 0 miles but they drove it down from ‘the abroad.’ Hence the increase in mileage.”
@simeon_black:“It doesn’t change the fact that it’s a Lambo. Nothing wrong with the mileage. Make una rest abeg.”
@emeka.daniels:“No one is talking about better government practices, hike in prices of goods et al…”
Luxury or Not? The Mileage Debate
While some argue that mileage is an indicator of how ‘new’ or ‘used’ a vehicle is, others maintain that what truly matters is the car’s make and model.
Lamborghinis, being high-performance luxury cars, often retain significant value regardless of mileage, especially if well-maintained. Some have pointed out that high-mileage luxury cars are common, particularly when imported from abroad.
Despite the controversy, Sophia Egbueje has yet to directly respond to Daddy Freeze’s post or the debate surrounding her Lamborghini. However, her fans and supporters continue to celebrate her latest acquisition, regardless of the mileage discourse.
As the discussion rages on, one thing is certain: Daddy Freeze has once again managed to stir the pot and keep social media buzzing over celebrity lifestyles and luxury purchases.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login