News
Brain & Body Foundation And Nigerians in Diaspora Partner to Provide Succour to Sickle Cell Patients
In a bid to increase public knowledge and understanding of sickle cell disease, Brain & Body Foundation (BBF) and the Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO), Washington, D.C. Chapter have partnered to bring awareness and medical support to sickle cell disease patients in Nigeria.
The partnership initiative is in commemoration of World Sickle Cell Day 2020 (WSCD), which is an annual event that is celebrated on June 19th of every year.
The theme for the programme is ‘Breaking The Cycle of Pain’.
The group in a statement said “We believe children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) can live as close to a normal life as possible if their parents and caregivers are aware of and follow certain key principles”.
Dr. David Ajibade, executive director BBF Programme, said “We are happy to work with NIDO Washington DC Chapter.
“Moreover, WSCD is a chance to celebrate the amazing achievements of those living with sickle cell disease.
“In addition, in difficult times such as those in which we find ourselves, it is even more important to come together and support each other, drawing attention to those who are more at risk.
“We have put everything in place to ensure we reach out to as many people as possible with available resources.”
Dr. Ajibade explains further that the goals of BBF in celebrating the WSCD 2020 are two-fold.
Firstly, to create awareness by letting people know that sickle cell disease is not a death sentence and that it is possible to live free of the symptoms of the disease, and in many cases, even recover from its complications if they are equipped with the right knowledge and tools.
Secondly, to provide patients (ages 6 months to 18 years) and their families with the actual nutrients that will strengthen their immune and other systems, thereby helping them recover from the damaging effects of SCD.
Abayomi Animashaun, president NIDO-DC, said “June 19 will be a day of unity and purpose for the sickle cell community, and at NIDO Washington Chapter.
“We are proud to work with BBF to increase awareness about SCD and its impact on individuals and their families in Nigeria.”
SCD is a global health problem affecting millions of people around the world. It is estimated that approximately 150,000 children are born with sickle cell disease in Nigeria every year, while about 40 million Nigerians are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene.
BBF is a Non-profit organization established to help raise the level of health and human performance of people everywhere.
They focus on brain health and creating easy access to important nutrients for parents and caregivers…nutrients which are critical to the healthy development of children.
To benefit from this offer, interested patients or their parents can go to www.brainandbodyfoundation.org/appointment-form/ to input their details.
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has warned local investors and foreign businesses about the activities of fraudsters falsely claiming to represent the company.
The state-owned company said the impostors are reportedly soliciting illegal fees under the guise of arranging meetings with the new NNPC board members, executives, and management.
The disclaimer comes following the change of the NNPCL board.
On April 2, 2025, President Bola Tinubu appointed a new 11-member board with Engineer Bashir Bayo Ojulari as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Ahmadu Musa Kidano as executive chairman.
In a statement signed on Monday by Olufemi Soneye, chief corporate communications officer, NNPC, t said the practice of soliciting fees is completely unauthorised and unlawful.
NNPCL said, “The general public is advised to beware of individuals and companies falsely claiming to represent NNPC Limited.
” Their tactics include soliciting fees for meetings with the NNPC board of directors, executives, and management staff. These actions are unauthorised and illegal.
“Foreign investors and international business entities are especially urged to remain cautious. If approached, report the incident to the appropriate authorities immediately.”
The company clarified that engagements with its boards or executives must follow official channels in line with company policy.
The oil giant said, “All legitimate engagements with NNPC Limited occur strictly through official channels or business units only.
“For further enquiries, please contact us at contactus@nnpcgroup.com.
“NNPC Limited remains committed to transparency, integrity, and the protection of our stakeholders in all interactions.”
The company called for public cooperation to prevent scammers from defrauding investors.
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) has announced that plans to support the country’s farmers with its AgriConnect initiative have kicked off with a pilot scheme launched in Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria.
Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, minister, communications, Innovation and Digital Economy,
Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, minister, communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, last week launched the initiative at the Ogum State Cultural Centre Complex. AgriConnect is described as a transformative programme designed to digitally empower Nigerian farmers through real-time access to agronomic services, weather insights, financial tools and market intelligence.
The pilot scheme is being implemented in partnership with technology vendor Huawei Technologies and operator MTN Nigeria.
AgriConnect will initially benefit over 1,000 farmers, selected from the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS), with over 160,000 registered farmers.
Each beneficiary will receive mobile-data-enabled smart devices, embedded with Huawei’s AI-powered tools and MTN-supported connectivity to enable smarter planting, better risk mitigation and streamlined communication with government data centres.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Tijani noted that AgriConnect highlighted the importance of food security. Referring to a target of cultivating 500,000 hectares of land, he pointed out that innovation would be an important part of the effort.
As the government builds out the framework from this pilot in Ogun State (a leader in cassava production), he said, it aims to scale the AgriConnect model across other states – “ensuring that every farmer, regardless of geography, has the opportunity to benefit from the digital economy”, as he put it.
The AgriConnect initiative reflects an FMCIDE commitment under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to promote rural inclusion and leverage Nigeria’s comparative advantage in agriculture.
By fusing AI, connectivity, and human-centred design, the ministry says that AgriConnect stands as a scalable model for advancing food security, driving innovation, and improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers across the country.
Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Steve Babaeko and the entire X3M Ideas team following their remarkable achievement of being ranked 31st on the Financial Times’ prestigious 2025 list of Africa’s Fastest-Growing Companies.
This recognition by the Financial Times, in collaboration with global research firm Statista, highlights X3M Ideas’ outstanding performance and resilience in a highly competitive and challenging business landscape.
The agency’s ranking was determined based on its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2020 and 2023, verified through independently certified financial data, underscoring the credibility and transparency of the accolade.
Founded by renowned advertising executive Steve Babaeko, X3M Ideas has consistently demonstrated innovation, operational excellence, and creative leadership. The agency’s bold campaigns and commitment to impactful storytelling have not only elevated its profile in Nigeria but have also established its presence across several African markets.
This milestone marks a significant moment for Nigeria’s creative sector, traditionally overshadowed by industries such as fintech and energy in continental rankings.
AAAN President, Lanre Adisa, in a statement, congratulated Babaeko and X3M Ideas on the remarkable recognition. He said: “Steve’s tenure as AAAN President was quite revolutionary. He raised the bar for our association and industry at large. His leadership brought bold ideas to life, executed with brilliance and a deep sense of purpose for the creative community.
“This global acknowledgment is a testament to his enduring impact, not just as a creative force but as a trailblazer on the African continent.”
The Financial Times’ 2025 list features 130 top-performing companies from across Africa, with Nigeria and South Africa accounting for a significant share, reflecting the economic strength and entrepreneurial spirit of the continent’s largest economies.
X3M Ideas’ recognition not only celebrates its own growth but also signals the rising influence of the creative economy in shaping Africa’s future.
This latest accolade adds to a string of recent achievements for X3M Ideas, including being named Independent Network of the Year at the 2025 Pitcher Awards, further cementing the agency’s status as a leader in African creativity and innovation.
AAAN commends Steve Babaeko and the entire X3M Ideas team for their outstanding contribution to the industry and for flying the flag of Nigerian creativity high on the global stage.
Beware!, Fraudsters Using our Name to Defraud Investors- NNPCL
FG Plans AgriConnect Initiative Pilot
Human Hacking: When Cyber Criminals Target You
Telcos Hit by Major Outages across Lagos, Enugu, Others
FIRS Launches Revised SOP to Streamline Tax Payment
E-Financial1 day agoCyber Crime: Hackers to Hold Secret Conference 3.0 July 25
General News1 day agoWema Bank Workers, Others Arraigned over Alleged N8.9Bn Cybercrime
Telecom1 day agoGaps on Phone Number Recycling Fuel Identity Theft, Data Breaches- ICIR
E-Financial1 day agoSEC Flags ‘Punisher Coin’ As High-Risk Scheme
E-Business1 day agoFG Enrolls 59,786 Inmates on NIN Platform
General News1 day agoMusic Stars, Comedians Light Up “Evening with Glo” in Ijebu Ode
Telecom4 hours agoTelcos Hit by Major Outages across Lagos, Enugu, Others
News4 hours agoBeware!, Fraudsters Using our Name to Defraud Investors- NNPCL