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PHOTOS: Lagos Residents Join ESIF to Walk for Endometriosis
By Adedapo Adesanya
As part of efforts to raise awareness for endometriosis, Lagos-based EndoSurvivors International Foundation (ESIF) kicked off a 3-kilometre walk and 7-kilometre cycling campaign on Saturday, March 12.
The NGO had earlier announced a series of events to mark Endometriosis Awareness Month and yesterday, it held the walk and cycling campaign from the Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT) Park in Ikeja, Lagos.
Tagged Cycle/Walk4Endo, participants reached more than 2,000 people through the distribution of fliers and one-on-one engagement with Lagosians.
Speaking on the event, the founder of ESIF, Mrs Olivia Nwankudu said, “It is good to see the number of people who came out to raise awareness on endometriosis. I believe that through this coordinated effort, we have made a difference.
“A lot of people are passionate about endometriosis and some don’t even know about it, we hope through this walk and cycling experience we are not only able to pique their interests but also educate and change their mindset about it.
“It is important that people be educated about this disease. They should know that it is not a death sentence. Yes, it is a common disease that affects more than 2 per cent of Nigerian women but it can be managed.”
Adding her input, Ms Oluwafikayomi Ooju, the Executive Director at NovaDiamond Foundation noted – “One of our key priorities at this foundation is women’s health and one of the diseases that affect women is endometriosis, we partake in movements like these to see how we can combat them early through awareness, advocacy, and partnerships.
“For the Endo Awareness Day today, we are seeing how we can join our voices with ESIF to ensure that the awareness reaches every nook and cranny that it needs to reach. We particularly work with women in the low-income communities in Nigeria so we think these are the kinds of information that can better the health of women and also society at large.”
A participant at the event, Miss Elizabeth Ogunwale remarked that “Participating in this has been a success. I feel refreshed that I have played my own little role in ensuring that we get the message across.
“I have learnt a lot including the cause, how to change one’s dietary behaviours and daily habits to accommodate a healthy lifestyle when one has this, and I laud the organisers for this.”
Women were also treated to free pelvic ultrasound, free consultation, and there was a range of side attractions including the provision of free T-shirts, refreshments, aerobics, dance and counselling for endometriosis patients.
ESIF has organized awareness outreaches to secondary schools in Lagos having reached over 6,000 adolescent girls with menstrual hygiene and endometriosis awareness lessons, distributed over 4,000 packs of sanitary pads, made donations to orphanages and much more.
March4Endo event continues later this month with the 4th Annual Symposium themed The Role of Imaging in Diagnosing Endometriosis which is scheduled to hold in the Main Auditorium of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) on Thursday, March 24.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Ben Llewellyn-Jones will be the Guest of Honour, while the Director-General of NIMR, Professor Babatunde Lawal Salako as the keynote speaker. Other distinguished experts in the field of gynaecology, radiology, sonography, nursing and general medicine are also expected to grace the event.
The walk for Endometriosis was supported by the Lagos State government, Nova Diamond Foundation, City Cyclers, Greenhouse Bikers, South Shore Hospital, a) EthnosIT Solutions, and 7UP Bottling Company.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The federal government has promised to collaborate with stakeholders in the real estate sector to drive affordable and inclusive housing, aligning with broader initiatives aimed at improving access to decent homes for low-income and informal-sector workers.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Muttaka Rabe Darma, made this pledge at the 2026 Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS), where industry heavyweights like Dangote Cement, HBM Nigeria and others showcased their products.
Mr Darma noted that the government was ready to partner with organisations to address Nigeria’s housing challenges, remarking that the exhibition’s theme, Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa, aligned with government efforts to expand access to affordable and inclusive housing.
He lauded Dangote Cement and others for their significant contribution to affordable housing and infrastructure development in Nigeria, describing them as key partners in efforts to bridge the nation’s housing deficit and improve access to quality building materials.
The Minister also commended Mr Aliko Dangote for his commitment to Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation, noting that his investments continue to drive sustainable growth across the continent.
In the same vein, the chief executive of AIHS, Mr Festus Adebayo, described Dangote Cement as a dependable partner whose consistent support has contributed to the growth and success of the annual housing exhibition.
Dangote Cement’s Regional Sales Director for North Central, Mr Bankole George, who represented the National Sales Director, Dolapo Alli, said housing remains critical to dignity, social stability, economic productivity and inclusive development.
He identified major barriers to affordable housing as high land costs, expensive building materials, limited access to mortgage financing, weak rental systems and planning regulations.
He advocated innovative housing finance models tailored to low-income earners and informal workers, including micro-mortgages, rent-to-own schemes, cooperative savings programmes, employer-assisted housing and incremental housing loans.
The exhibition attracted thousands of policymakers, investors, housing professionals, exhibitors and delegates from several countries, reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s leading platforms for housing and urban development dialogue.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young bloggers, online content creators and digital influencers have been charged to embrace ethical journalism, responsible storytelling and fact-based reporting as they shape public opinion in the digital age.
This task was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum on Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said digital platforms offer enormous opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but must be used responsibly to promote truth, national unity and constructive public discourse.
He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publication, reject misinformation and disinformation, avoid sensationalism, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and promote national development.
Mr Idris also encouraged young Nigerians to see digital content creation not only as a source of income but also as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is essential to strengthening democracy and public trust.
He further encouraged aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and uphold professional standards that will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s online media ecosystem.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to Media and Information Literacy, describing it as a major step in promoting digital literacy and responsible online engagement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, disclosed that Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, signed agreements committing himself to serving only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
Mr Kwankwaso explained that the documents comprised a formal agreement involving the political party and a separate personal accord between himself and Mr Obi.
According to Mr Kwankwaso, the deal stipulates that the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria in 2031 upon the completion of an Obi-led administration’s four-year tenure, if elected next year.
“We have agreed to formalise it in writing,” Mr Kwankwaso stated. “We have executed one document for the party and another between the two of us,” he revealed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday.
He reiterated that Mr Obi would honour his pledge and resist pressure to seek a second term, expressing confidence in the former Anambra State governor, noting that his interactions had convinced him that he would respect the agreement.
“I personally believe him, and, based on what I now know about him, I do not believe he will change his mind when the time comes,” he said. “We are all gentlemen.”
Mr Kwankwaso added that he and Mr Obi would continue to collaborate after the proposed administration completes its term.
“The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a group, as a party, and as friends and brothers,” he said. “After our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the consensus.”
The former defence minister did not state that he would be the NDC presidential candidate in 2031; his comments referred broadly to the presidency returning to the North, rather than to his personal political ambitions.
Mr Obi has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term if elected; however, he has yet to publicly confirm the specific details of the documents described by Mr Kwankwaso.
In the 2023 Presidential polls, Mr Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate while Mr Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
