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Empowering communities: How NNPC prioritises cancer, eye care, ICT projects under Kyari

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Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari

Empowering communities: How NNPC prioritises cancer, eye care, ICT projects under Kyari

As Nigeria grapples with persistent healthcare challenges—from inadequate infrastructure to limited access to diagnostic tools—NNPC Ltd. is redefining the playbook for Corporate Social Responsibility.

With initiatives spanning cutting-edge medical facilities to grassroots health programmes, the state-owned oil giant is setting a new standard for private-sector engagement in public health.

In a sector often criticised for neglecting social impact, NNPC Ltd.’s interventions signal a transformative approach to addressing societal needs at scale.

NNPC Ltd., long synonymous with energy solutions, is redefining its corporate identity by addressing critical healthcare challenges.

Through its CSR arm, the NNPC Foundation, and strategic partnerships with Joint Venture (JV) partners, the company is reshaping the healthcare narrative in Nigeria.

These initiatives align with the vision of its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari, and exemplify a profound commitment to improving the quality of life for Nigerians.

One of the most notable interventions is the recently inaugurated state-of-the-art mammography centre at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lafia, in Nasarawa State.

Developed in partnership with TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited, SAPETRO, CNOOC, and PRIME 130, the facility is equipped with the Senographe Pristina 3D mammography system and stereotactic biopsy capabilities.

This advanced centre can undertake over 120 examinations daily, significantly enhancing diagnostic capacity in the North Central region.

This is the second of such centres, following a similar facility at Garkida General Hospital, Adamawa.

These projects are part of NNPC Ltd.’s strategic push to improve access to early cancer detection and treatment, aiming to reduce Nigeria’s high cancer mortality rate.

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The Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr Bala Wunti, who was represented by the Head of Business Services, Mr. Sani Kabo, said the mammography centre was a symbol of NNPC Ltd.’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare in Nigeria.

“We hope that under the stewardship of the state government, this facility will become a beacon of comfort and a critical resource for timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer,” Wunti said.
On his part, the Managing Director/Chief Executive and Country Chair of TotalEnergies Upstream Nigeria Limited (TUPNI), Mr Matthieu Bouyer, who was represented by the Acting General Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs Tonye Osifo, said TotalEnergies was committed to addressing healthcare challenges through strategic partnerships.
“This mammography centre is among 84 infrastructural projects TotalEnergies has delivered since 2016. It signifies our active role in the global fight against cancer and reflects our alignment with the #WorkingWithCancer initiative, which supports recovery and retention for individuals affected by cancer,” Bouyer stated.

In addition, the company’s free cancer screening campaigns target 3,000 individuals across the six geopolitical zones, providing not only screenings but also health education, workshops, and consultations.

Tagged “Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening, the campaign aimed at empowering individuals to recognise early symptoms, adopt preventive health measures, and better understand the importance of regular screenings.
The screening centres were set up in Kaduna, Rivers, Ondo, Benue, Imo, and Gombe to focus on breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, offering critical early detection support for at-risk populations.

Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, emphasised the collective effort required to combat cancer, noting, “This campaign is about more than just screening; it’s about saving lives, building awareness, and creating pathways to preventive care for Nigerians who need it most.”

“In a country of over 200 million people, too many still lack access to the early detection tools that could make a life-saving difference. NNPC Foundation is dedicated to addressing this critical gap by bringing cancer screenings directly to communities. Early detection is crucial to improving survival rates, and this campaign is a vital step towards that goal,” she added.

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The Union for International Cancer Control has introduced a new World Cancer Day theme for 2025-2027, which is “United by Unique”. World Cancer Day is held on February 2024 of every year and the new credo places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation.
Explaining the theme, the UICC on its website, said, “United in our goals, unique in our needs. That is the World Cancer Day credo that will be heard around the world in the lead up to and on 4 February 2025.  Its meaning is simple: everyone has unique needs, unique perspectives, and a unique story to tell, yet people touched by cancer are united in a shared ambition to lower the cancer burden, to see cancer treated successfully, and to lead better lives with cancer.”
According to the international body, people-centred care accepts everyone for who they are, and it aims to deepen the connection not only between healthcare providers and patients but with whole communities.

“That’s why World Cancer Day counts on everyone – patients, loved ones, caregivers, friends, neighbours, practitioners, researchers, advocates, allies – to play an important role in the campaign. The campaign will explore different dimensions of people-centred cancer care and new ways of making a difference. It will offer a three-year journey from raising awareness to taking action,” it said.

Cancer remains one of the most formidable health challenges in Nigeria, with over 79,000 cancer-related deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The most common cancers affecting Nigerian men include prostate and liver cancer, while women are predominantly impacted by breast and cervical cancers.
Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPC Ltd., explained that NNPC Ltd.’ was thinking ahead by initiating the ‘Cancer Awareness and ZSX Screening’ aimed at 3,000 beneficiaries across the geo-political zones.

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He described the oil giant’s cancer awareness campaign as an initiative aimed at countering the trend of late-stage diagnoses, which occur frequently due to limited access to screening facilities, cultural stigmas, and insufficient awareness.
“These free cancer screening campaigns reflect NNPC Ltd.’s broader mission to promote health equity and enhance the well-being of Nigerians across the country through its Foundation,” he had said.

Equally impactful is the “Eye Can See” programme, a JV initiative with Seplat Energy, which restores vision and hope to communities.

In the Ohaji/Egbema community of Imo State, the programme has distributed over 10,000 reading glasses, performed 639 eye surgeries, and provided essential medical consultations.

Commenting on the initiative, Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC’s Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), stated that the programme reflected  NNPC Ltd.’s belief that corporate structures could and should play a vital role in societal development.

Further expanding this outreach, NNPC Ltd. and its partner, SNEPCo Production Sharing Contract (PSC), launched the Vision First Programme in Lagos.

Targeting the Ilaje community in Bariga, the initiative offers comprehensive healthcare services, including cardiovascular screenings, BMI assessments, and treatment for chronic diseases, alongside free eye care services.

However, NNPC’s interventions extend beyond healthcare. In collaboration with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the company commissioned a state-of-the-art ICT centre at Bauchi State University.

The facility includes a Wi-Fi lounge, computer laboratories, and 3D printing labs, aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure and inspiring IT ecosystem growth in the North-East.

In addition, the NNPC Foundation’s Financial Literacy Programme has engaged over 284,000 corps members, equipping them with business skills and providing startup support.

These efforts, coupled with a 50% reduction in CAC registration fees for corps members, demonstrate NNPC’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development.

Another laudable initiative involves a joint donation of N53 million by NNPC Ltd. and First Exploration & Production Limited to NGOs addressing healthcare, education, and economic growth.

Beneficiaries include organisations like the Irede Foundation, which provides artificial limbs to child amputees, and the Niola Cancer Care Foundation, which conducts colon cancer awareness and screening programs.

Also, NNPC Ltd and its Joint Venture partners in OML 18 – the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), SNEPCo, Total Energies EP Nigeria Ltd, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd, and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Ltd – donated a 2,300-seater state-of-the-art digital library to the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
With 100 computer systems, e-learning and research facilities, interactive smart boards, projectors, camcorders, e-books, e-journals, e-learning portal, and reading halls, the digital library was designed to promote ICT education and provide a conducive learning environment for students and researchers.

NNPC Ltd.’s unwavering commitment to healthcare and community development under Kyari’s leadership sets a benchmark for corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria.

By addressing immediate needs and laying the groundwork for a healthier, more prosperous nation, the company continues to inspire and lead by example.

These interventions not only redefine corporate identity but also underscore the transformative power of strategic partnerships and holistic community engagement.

Empowering communities: How NNPC prioritises cancer, eye care, ICT projects under Kyari

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JUST IN: Senate rejects Makinde’s call for UN investigation into Oyo school abduction

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JUST IN: Senate rejects Makinde's call for UN investigation into Oyo school abduction

JUST IN: Senate rejects Makinde’s call for UN investigation into Oyo school abduction

The Senate on Tuesday rejected Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations (UN)-backed investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, insisting that the incident remains a domestic security matter that should be investigated by Nigerian authorities.

The upper legislative chamber reached the decision during plenary while deliberating on the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, who spent 56 days in captivity before regaining their freedom in a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

Lawmakers maintained that internationalising the incident could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and cast doubt on the capability of the country’s security institutions to investigate and address internal security challenges.

The Senate’s position followed a contribution by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who criticised Governor Makinde’s proposal to involve United Nations agencies and civil society organisations in probing the circumstances surrounding the abduction.

According to Oshiomhole, inviting international organisations to investigate the incident was unnecessary, particularly after security agencies successfully rescued the victims through what officials have described as an intelligence-led operation.

He argued that the governor’s proposal could diminish public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture and send the wrong message to the international community about the country’s ability to manage its own security affairs.

Following deliberations, the Senate resolved that Governor Makinde should allow relevant national institutions to complete investigations into the abduction and the events surrounding the victims’ prolonged captivity.

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The lawmakers stressed that the Federal Government, the military, the police and intelligence agencies possess the constitutional responsibility and institutional capacity to investigate the crime and prosecute those responsible.

The Senate also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Armed Forces, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and other security organisations for their coordinated efforts that led to the safe rescue of the pupils and teachers.

Lawmakers described the rescue operation as a demonstration of improved synergy among Nigeria’s security agencies and praised the professionalism, courage and sacrifice of officers involved in the mission.

The chamber equally observed a minute’s silence in honour of military personnel and police officers who reportedly lost their lives during the rescue operation. It urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt payment of insurance benefits, pensions and other entitlements to the families of the fallen security personnel while calling for increased investment in intelligence gathering, logistics, surveillance technology and personnel welfare.

Governor Makinde had, in a statewide broadcast following the release of the victims, called for an independent investigation involving relevant United Nations agencies and international accountability organisations.

The governor argued that an international inquiry would help establish the full circumstances surrounding the abduction, identify any institutional failures and strengthen public confidence in the outcome of the investigation.

His proposal, however, has generated mixed reactions, with supporters describing it as a move towards transparency and accountability, while critics insist that Nigeria’s institutions should be allowed to conclude their investigations without external involvement.

The Presidency has also questioned the governor’s call for a UN-backed investigation, maintaining that the successful rescue operation already demonstrated the effectiveness of Nigerian security agencies and that there is no evidence requiring international intervention.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed criminals attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. They regained their freedom on July 10 after spending nearly two months in captivity.

The incident remains one of Nigeria’s most significant school abduction cases in recent years and has intensified national debate over security, accountability and the appropriate framework for investigating major kidnapping incidents.

JUST IN: Senate rejects Makinde’s call for UN investigation into Oyo school abduction

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BREAKING: Security operatives arrest alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeniyi Adeyemi

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BREAKING: Security operatives arrest alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeniyi Adeyemi

BREAKING: Security operatives arrest alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeniyi Adeyemi

Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), has been arrested by security operatives shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest over allegations of forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Adeyemi’s arrest followed an order by Justice Mohammed Umar after he failed to appear before the court for his scheduled arraignment on Tuesday. The judge granted an application by police prosecutor, Wisdom Madaki, directing law enforcement agencies to arrest the defendant and produce him before the court.

The defendant was expected to take his plea in an eight-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, but was absent when the matter was called. Although a lawyer announced an appearance on his behalf, the prosecution informed the court that Adeyemi had failed to honour the court’s summons, prompting the request for a warrant of arrest.

The charges, filed by the Nigeria Police on November 27, 2025, accuse Adeyemi and two other defendants of forgery, impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and other related offences linked to the activities of the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly forged several official government documents, including a presidential appointment letter, State House correspondence, documents purportedly approving the establishment of the council, requests to open government bank accounts, applications for office accommodation and letters seeking collaboration with federal ministries and agencies in an attempt to present the organisation as a legitimate government institution.

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Investigators further alleged that Adeyemi operated the purported council from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he allegedly held meetings with diplomats, investors and government officials while presenting himself as the head of a recognised presidential agency.

The prosecution has lined up several witnesses expected to testify during the trial, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation—Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu—as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police and other investigators involved in the case.

The prosecution is also expected to tender documentary evidence, including the petition submitted by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Inspector-General of Police, police investigation reports, witness statements and the alleged forged appointment documents.

The arrest came barely 24 hours after Adeyemi denied reports that he had gone into hiding to evade security agencies. During an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he insisted that he had stayed away from public appearances because he feared for his safety.

“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger. There have been several attempts on my life,” he said.

Adeyemi also repeated his claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council. According to him, those from whom he borrowed the money later petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the transaction.

The Presidency has consistently maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised Federal Government agency. The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police after allegedly discovering forged appointment letters and other official documents purportedly issued in the name of the State House.

Authorities insist that the alleged council was never created by the Federal Government and have described it as a fictitious organisation used to mislead members of the public and government institutions.

Following the execution of the court’s arrest warrant, Adeyemi is expected to be produced before the Federal High Court in Abuja to take his plea. Justice Mohammed Umar has adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, for arraignment and further proceedings.

The case has attracted nationwide attention as investigators seek to establish how the alleged fake council operated, the extent of its activities and whether forged presidential documents were used to gain legitimacy and interact with public institutions.

BREAKING: Security operatives arrest alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeniyi Adeyemi

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Court orders arrest of alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi over forgery, fraud charges

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Court orders arrest of alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi over forgery, fraud charges

Court orders arrest of alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi over forgery, fraud charges

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the arrest of Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-acclaimed Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC), after he failed to appear in court for his scheduled arraignment over allegations of forgery, fraud and impersonation.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued a bench warrant for Adeyemi’s arrest on Tuesday when the criminal case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/562/2025, was called and the defendant was absent from court. The judge granted an application by police prosecutor, Wisdom Madaki, directing law enforcement agencies to arrest Adeyemi and produce him before the court.

Adeyemi is facing an eight-count charge bordering on alleged forgery, impersonation and fraud. The charges, filed by the Nigeria Police on November 27, 2025, also named two other defendants who are reportedly at large.

The prosecution told the court that Adeyemi’s absence prevented the commencement of his arraignment, prompting the request for a warrant of arrest. Although a lawyer announced an appearance on his behalf, the court held that the defendant must personally appear to take his plea.

The case has generated widespread public attention following allegations that Adeyemi presented himself as the head of a presidential agency that the Federal Government insists does not exist.

According to the charge, Adeyemi and the other defendants allegedly forged several official government documents to create the impression that the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) was a legitimate federal agency. The police accused them of producing and circulating fake documents, including an alleged presidential appointment letter, forged State House correspondence, documents purportedly approving the establishment of the council, requests for the opening of government bank accounts, applications for office accommodation and letters seeking collaboration with federal ministries and agencies.

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Investigators further alleged that the accused operated the purported council from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja while presenting it as an official government institution.

The prosecution has lined up several witnesses for the trial, including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Paul Emmanuel, Jeremiah Imoukhede, Ituah Sylvester, officials of the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation—Akimbo Shola and Adamu Balongu—as well as a Deputy Superintendent of Police and other investigators involved in the case.

The prosecution is also expected to tender documentary evidence, including the petition submitted by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Inspector-General of Police, investigation reports, witness statements and the alleged forged appointment documents.

The court’s decision came barely a day after Adeyemi denied reports that he had gone into hiding to evade arrest. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he insisted that he was not avoiding security agencies but had stayed away from public appearances because of fears for his safety.

According to him, there had been several attempts on his life, adding that he was willing to appear publicly when his safety could be guaranteed.

Adeyemi also repeated his controversial claim that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council. He alleged that individuals from whom he borrowed the money later petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the payment.

The Presidency has consistently maintained that the PFIPC is not a recognised government agency. The Office of the Chief of Staff to the President had earlier petitioned the Inspector-General of Police after allegedly discovering forged appointment letters and other official documents bearing the name of the State House.

Authorities insist that the alleged council was never established by the Federal Government and have described Adeyemi as an impostor facing criminal prosecution.

Following Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice Umar adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, when Adeyemi is expected to be produced before the court for arraignment if the arrest warrant has been executed.

The case is expected to remain in the spotlight as prosecutors seek to prove allegations that forged presidential documents were used to create and operate a non-existent federal agency.

Court orders arrest of alleged fake PFIPC DG Adeyemi over forgery, fraud charges

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