General
Nigeria’s Paralympic Gold Medallist Onyinyechi Mark Backs Compassion Movement
The 2024 Paralympic Gold Medal winner, Ms Onyinyechi Mark, has thrown her support behind a growing international movement for compassion.
The athlete, who has also won medals at the World Para Powerlifting Championships, said the world “desperately needs change,” urging her fellow citizens to get behind the cause.
Ms Mark broke records on her way to Gold in Paris last summer. She previously supported the launch of the Compassion Champions initiative in her hometown of Umuahia in Abia State. This programme will see inmates at the city’s custodial centre offered classes in compassion, helping them show a more caring attitude towards themselves and others.
In announcing her support, the Paralympian said she was moved to back the Global Compassion Coalition (GCC) because compassion is the “antidote” to conflict, division, and hate.
“When I look around at the world’s troubles one thing strikes me so clearly: we desperately need to change our values. Where we’re headed right now is frightening – more conflict, more division, more hate.
“Working with the GCC I’ve seen there is an antidote – compassion. We can all learn it and we can all use it and when we do, some amazing things start to happen. We build community. We build understanding. We build strength. And we build hope.
“To train for and win at the Paralympics, I needed enormous support. Well so too does each and every one of us every day. So if, like me, you want to see a world where we work together a little more, share more, and achieve more, please – join the Global Compassion Coalition,” she stated.
Helping to deliver the GCC’s program for change on the ground are a network of Compassion Connectors – local action groups working to spread compassionate values in their communities. The Nigerian Compassion Connectors network is headed up by Uwalaka Uchechukwu.
Responding to the news that Mark has joined the GCC, Uchechukwu said, “It’s a sign both of Onyinyechi’s huge heart as well as the immense promise of the GCC that these two forces have now come together.
“Onyinyechi is a huge inspiration to so many Nigerian people and I only hope that with her backing our cause more and more will come to our side and join us in creating a national and global majority for compassion.”
Also speaking, the chief executive of GCC, Matt Hawkins, said, “We’re honoured that Onyinyechi has joined our growing movement. Every week the GCC is attracting more and more people to its cause – people who feel that something just isn’t right with the world. People who want to see much more care, connection, and community in the world. And with every single person who joins us, our call is getting louder and stronger. Thank you Onyinyechi for being such a powerful voice for change.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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