Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Photo: Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning.

The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life. 

A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy.

Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health. 

However, Nestlé Nigeria's Out of Home business unit, Nestlé Professional Business, and the Association of Caterers and Food Vendors in Ibadan, Oyo State organized a food education workshop for over 200 canteen and food vendors with the theme, "The Business of Food," to educate the participants and give them advice on how to grow their food businesses .

The workshop which was also designed on how to cook tasty meals was also graced by outstanding cooks who were celebrated and rewarded with relevant tools and Maggi products to cook Nigeria’s favorite dishes.

Addressing the participants, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, Mrs. Funmi Osineye, explained that the collaboration with the Association of Caterers and Food Vendors provided an opportunity for Nestlé to share her expertise in Nutrition, Health and Wellness developed over 150 years with members of the association.

Photo: Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria left, with winners of the cooking competitions displaying their gifts.

The conference, according to Osineye, also provided the organization with the chance to promote the new, inexpensive, and budget-friendly Maggi 100g powder in Chicken and Star Seasoning versions to small-scale food entrepreneurs. 

Nestlé Professional would continue to develop partnerships with caterers and food suppliers to provide the industry with better services, she vowed. 

A Cooking Masterclass marked the beginning of the Business of Food event, during which professionals discussed strategies for handling the complexity of food systems. 

The cooking demo that followed the masterclass saw celebrity chef Shine preparing a vegetable soup mixture using the Maggi Chicken and Star Seasoning powders.

Chef Shine also educated caterers on meal tasting and gave a step-by-step guide on how to cook affordable nutritious meals with a consistent taste for their customers.

Nestlé Professional’s food and product education workshop was packaged to equip food vendors and caterers with the knowledge needed to optimise their food business while using Maggi powders effectively. The event combined knowledge sharing with a lot of fun and engaging activities to make it memorable for the participants.

 

Photo: Participants with gift items given by Nestlé Professional.

 

SDGs: FG Approves Nigeria's Alliance For Youth

L to R: Akinlonu Foluso, Director Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development; Sunday Dare, Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development: Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, at the launch of Alliance for Youth Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has signed on to the initiative as a development partner to the alliance, recently.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern over Nigeria's rapidly growing population, claiming that the country is one of the few whose fertility is still increasing despite being the largest in Africa and ranking seventh globally. According to the United Nations 2022 World Population Day estimate, Nigeria's population will reach 216 million in 2022 at a pace of 3.2 percent annual growth. 

According to Buhari, fertility depends on a young population, with over 72 percent of the population being under 30 years old and half of the female residents being between 15 and 49 years old.

Despite being the admiration of many other nations and being the most populated nation in Africa, Nigeria's enormous economic power and human capital, which should be a blessing, are not producing any demographic benefits. The promotion of sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all by 2030 is the eighth of the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals. 

Given the notion of the demographic dividend, Nigeria's rapid population growth poses the threat of a demographic disaster. It seems to reason that Nigeria's population will be its biggest challenge if nothing is done.

Furthermore, because of the vast human capital, there may be more demand for limited resources, hunger, poor access to health care and education, and a high level of unemployment. These are the results of an increase in the number of school-age children who are not enrolled in classes. 

To effectively utilize this demographic dividend, certain organizations, notably Nestle, have started the Alliance for Youth Nigeria program. Within three years, it is intended to provide 250,000 young Nigerians the skills they require to excel in the job or start their own business. 

As of right now, the Alliance for Youth Nigeria has the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on board as a development partner.

At the launch of the Alliance recently,   Mr. Shakiru Lawal, Country Human Resources Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc, had explained that the huge objective of reaching 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills within three years was to address the challenges of youth unemployment in the country.

Speaking during the signing ceremony to mark the formal endorsement of the ministry and its membership in the Alliance, Lawal said Nestle will continue to expand partnerships and collaborations.

“We are assured that we are on the right track to the actualisation of our objectives.”

Lawal who spoke on behalf of the Alliance said: “We are delighted to have the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on board as a Partner of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria.

Contributing, Mr. Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said, “The onboarding of the Ministry as a Partner of the Alliance is significant and timely as Government alone cannot address the huge challenge of youth unemployment. I commend the Alliance for choosing a different and unique path, making investments in the young Nigerians and giving them opportunities to create wealth.

“It is imperative that Nigerian youth equip themselves with the necessary skills to give them an added advantage and enable them to become better positioned for decent work.”

Members of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria include Nestlé Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, The Big Bottling Company Limited, the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, UConnect HR Limited and Sterling One Foundation. Partners include the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development who just signed on recently, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Activate Success International.

The member and partner organisations of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria, invest in joint and individual projects to give young Nigerians readiness-for-work training, entrepreneurship training, meaningful work experience, internships, and mentoring opportunities.

Consequently,  the group contributes  to  the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 – to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all by 2030.

L to R: Gabriel Jacob, Business Development Manager, U-Connect HR Limited; Tumi Onamade, Senior Manager, Participant Engagement & Programs, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria; Sunday Dare, Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development; Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria Plc and Love Idoko, Executive Director, Activate Success International, at the launch of Alliance for Youth Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has signed on to the initiative as a development partner to the alliance, recently.

NGO Partners NBC To Train Women On Skills

By Ngozi Okpalakunne

Over 125 women in Lagos have been trained in different skills by Karis and Eleos Hand of Hope Foundation in partnership with Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC).

The women who were trained in skills such as baking, make-ups, tie and die, cleaning detergents, bead making among others were drawn from  Alausa and  Agidingbi  area of Lagos state. They were also  given a start- up kits by the NBC.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training which came under the theme, “empower her’’,  wife of the Lagos state governor, Ibijoke  Sanwo–Olu described women empowerment as one of the potent weapons to fight poverty and build a successful  society.

According to Ibijoke who was represented by,  Abimbola , when women are empowered  and supported to thrive in their  businesses and careers, they  stand a better chance to build their homes properly  which in turn  would have  a positive multiplier effect on society  at large.

In her words: ‘’The result of what happened in a given society is a reflection of what obtains in the homes.

‘’The  home is the microcosm of society and therefore, there is need for constant efforts  aimed at ensuring  that our homes  are in proper shape, and the role of women as home managers cannot be trivialised.

However she commended NBC and the NGO for the initiative to empower the women to be financially independent thereby drastically poverty  and rejuvenating  self- awareness.

The first lady of Lagos stressed  the need for more efforts to be made so  as to reach out for more women especially  in the underserved areas and peri-urban communities  in order to drastically  reduce the poverty index in the state and country.

Speaking also, director, corporate affairs  and sustainability  of NBC, Nigeria West Africa , Ekuma Eze  described the training as one of the ways his organisation is giving back  people as well as  part of activities to mark the 70th anniversary  of the company in Nigeria.

Eze therefore called on the beneficiaries to ensure they put in proper use all that they were taught during the training.

On her part, founder Karis  and Eleos  Hand of Hope Foundation , Bukola Bamiduro said the project which kicked some months ago  hoped to benefit eight states  across the country.

While lauding NBC for supporting her organisation, she said such partnership would go a long way in eradicating poverty among the participants.

Besides, training the women on skills, she said her organisation also trained them on mental health adding that most women fail in their businesses because they do not have settled homes.

 On the other hand, she urged the beneficiaries to be committed with their businesses as such would enable them record huge success.

Lagos state commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, (WAPA) Cecilia  Dada who was represented by  Funmilayo Raji of the office of the NGO (WAPA) commended the organisers for positively impacting the lives of the women.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event lauded the organisers for impacting them with knowledge and skills that will in turn transform their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boxing Night 26: Abuchi, Ogunbunmi 0n GOtv Win N1.5m For Being Best Boxer

Bartholomew Abuchi and Yusuf Ogunbunmi, both light-welterweight fighters, received N1.5 million on Saturday for winning the best boxer and runner-up awards at GOtv Boxing Night 26. At the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos' Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall, an eight-bout boxing event was held.

 As the night's top fighter, Abuchi—who won his fight against Samuel "African Mayweather" Adebayo by unanimous decision—was awarded the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and the N1 million cash reward that goes along with it.

The second-place finisher, Ogunbunmi, was rated the second-best performer of the evening for his work in the hotly contested match against Kabiru "KB Sniper" Salawu, which he won by a split decision.

He was the inaugural recipient of the N500,000 second-place award, which was presented at this year's GOtv Boxing Night.

GOtv Boxing Night 26 hosted eight bouts instead of the traditional seven. In the International featherweight challenge, Taiwo “Esepor” Agbaje was in a killer mood, as he saw off his Ghanaian opponent Emmanuel “Agogo” Mensah in a dismissive fashion, knocking him out in the seventh round.

 Afonja "Afonja Warrior" Rasheed failed to make a dream return to the show, as he was knocked out by Sulaiman “Armour Tank” Jafaru in their super welterweight clash.

 Winner of the Mojisola Ogunsola Trophy at GOtv Boxing Night 25, Stephen “Freeman” Kadima, was unable to repeat his heroics this time around as he was held to a draw by Muritador Monyashau in the national cruiserweight duel, the same outcome was recorded in the lightweight clash between Ayobami "Latest" Azeez and Sodiq "Golden Boy" Oyakojo.

In another lightweight bout, Prince “Lion” Nwoye defeated Funsho Moshood by split decision. In the 

super Bantamweight division, Tosin “Soja Boy” Osagbovo knocked out Tajudeen Amusa.

Meanwhile, ten fans at the boxing event won GOtv decoders which came with a one-month subscription via lucky dips held between bouts.

The raffle draw was a gesture of appreciation by the sponsors for the support the fans have shown since the boxing event debuted in 2014.

 

If Best Practices Are Followed, Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery Will Have No Side Effect - Dr. Akinbobola

Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbobola, CEO, Beaconhill Smile Group Ltd, receiving the Best Dental Service Provider in the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award  (NHEA) 2022 edition from Mr. Biodun Olofinkinle, Group Head, Human Resources, Beaconhill Smile Group Limited, recently.

In the 2022 edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA), Akinbobola's group of dental clinics won Best Dental Service Provider. According to Akinbobola, "Oral and maxillofacial surgery is safe as long as it is performed within the required parameters." 

A surgical subspecialty of dentistry known as oral and maxillofacial surgery focuses on facial cosmetic surgery as well as reconstructive surgery of the human face, mouth, and jaws. 

Examples include the treatment of oral, head, and neck cancer, the management and extraction of wisdom teeth (trans alveolar extractions), and facial injury and trauma surgery (Le Fort fractures, symphyseal or para symphyseal fractures).

Others include cleft lip and palate repair, corrective jaw surgery, TMJ pain management, jaw cyst enucleation, and frenectomy. 

While difficulties during oral and maxillofacial surgery are possible, according to Akinbobola, they normally heal quickly with no lasting repercussions. 

According to the specialist, complications could occur during surgery, but they are often handled quickly and without any morbidity or death. 

Trans alveolar extractions under general and local anesthesia, cyst enucleations, jaw fracture reductions, and TMJ dislocation reductions have all been successfully completed in our clinic.

“We have also carried out a number of dental implant treatments, advanced bone augmentations, tumor biopsies, and sinus lift surgeries. 

“A significant case of note is a woman who was injured in a car accident and lost all of her front teeth. We were able to repair and immobilize the fracture. Later, implants were used to replace the lost teeth”, he continued. 

Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbobola, CEO, Beaconhill Smile Group Ltd, with some of  dentists at one of the Exclusive Smile Branches recently.

He cited as an illustration the requirement for oral and maxillofacial surgery for anyone with wisdom teeth impaction, oral malignancy, facial or jaw fractures, severe malocclusions, jaw cysts, or severe TMJ problems. 

About three oral and maxillofacial consultants, including a Professor, are on staff at Beaconhill Smile Group to provide the speciality care.

He stated that Invisalign is an orthodontic procedure that straightens teeth without using metal wires. It is a system of individually created, transparent trays that cover your teeth and gradually realign your dentition. 

"Because they are transparent and less apparent than conventional metal braces, patients prefer them to regular braces. 

"A lot of individuals want to make their smiles better. But I believe the only choice is traditional metal braces. Your teeth can be attractive and comfortable with Invisalign while you're getting treatment, and it normally goes more quickly than with traditional braces. 

All branches of Exclusive and Beaconhill Smile provide Invisalign services, he continued. 

 

 

 

Adigwe Empowers NIPRD Ahead Of The Launch Of AFDB

Before the African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation was officially launched by the AFDB, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) made an announcement stating that it had fully mobilized resources and stakeholders to enable it to play a significant role in the continental initiative. 

The African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation's creation was recently approved by the Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AFDB), prompting the NIPRD to make its commitment. 

The Foundation's access to the technologies that support the production of pharmaceutical products including drugs, vaccines, and other healthcare items will be considerably improved in Africa.

In Abuja, Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director General of NIPRD, told journalists that his organization is fully prepared to help the newly established Foundation for the AFDB. 

According to Adigwe, the newly formed AFDB Foundation is perfectly in line with the NIPRD's goals of conceptualizing powerful pan-African projects, where it has made significant progress, especially with the emergence of COVID-19. 

You may remember that NIPRD emerged as a significant contributor to the national and international response during the COVID-19 epidemic.

The notable research from NIPRD served as the foundation for several African governments' categorical stance against the COVID-19 Organics preparation from Madagascar. 

As a result of this analysis's global success, other researchers and decision-makers have cited NIPRD's groundbreaking work on the subject. 

Through their efforts, many lives on the continent were saved, millions of dollars that would have been spent in Africa on an unproven product were saved, and resources for research and development were given priority for more useful solutions. 

In order to create the National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) on the verification of claims by Practitioners, NIPRD assembled an interdisciplinary team of more than 20 famous and learned Professors from various universities and geopolitical regions. 

Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director General of NIPRD, who called the NSAC, claimed that the momentous achievement not only ensures that coronavirus cure claims are tested to the highest standards of world research. 

Additionally, according to Dr. Obi, it makes sure that the highest industry standards for safety and effectiveness are upheld, protecting Nigerians' lives.

The Committee's report has now been widely disseminated throughout the world. The Institute also started work on repurposing Niprimune, its flagship immunomodulatory agent, for pertinent clinical research for COVID-19 based on its record as the first African Institute to develop a world-class phytomedicine from drug discovery up to phase two clinical trials.

Earlier in the pandemic, NIPRD was a pioneer and ardent supporter of hand sanitizers made locally from locally available raw materials. The Institute conceptualized and then created its own line of hand sanitizers, which have since gained recognition for their superior quality on a global scale. 

The Institute has also participated in a number of ongoing Randomized Control Trials as a sponsor and technical partner with the goal of scientifically demonstrating the efficacy of a number of conventional treatments that are now in the Clinical Trials phase. 

The NIPRD workforce has been converted under the current Director General into a world-class Agency, where every confirmed employee has been given laptops and tablets to maximize their individual responsibilities.

Similarly, there has been a tenfold increase in local and foreign trainings for researchers and non-technical staff, which has no doubt significantly impacted on the quality of the Institute’s work and consequently improved access to relevant health and socioeconomic variables.

Evidence for this came from the fact that NIPRD was the only organization in the region to maintain ISO 17025 certification via remote testing, despite the constraints posed by the epidemic.

The Institute had previously made headlines for being the first in the area to receive ISO 17025 and 9001 certifications, as well as for earning Centre of Excellence status in a number of thematic areas. 

However, recent changes at NIPRD go beyond capacity-building. According to reports, vital infrastructure has been updated and new ones have been put into service over the last three years. Additionally, cutting-edge equipment has been purchased, and creative research and development projects aimed at raising socioeconomic and health indicators have been started.. 

By increasing its statutory participation on high level committees called by relevant Global, Continental, and National organizations, these initiatives—along with several others—have once again solidified NIPRD's position as a global leader in pharmaceutical research and development. These organizations include the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), the COVID-19 Presidential Task Force, the World Health Organization (WHO), TETFUND, and the Central Bank of Nigeria. 

Along with introducing leading edge technologies to the continent, such as the use of nanotechnology and artificial intelligence in drug discovery, NIPRD has also become a leader on the continent in the conceptualization of powerful pan-African initiatives.

Dr. Adigwe was influential in shaping the notion of "Medicines' Security," which connects local manufacturing with healthcare access and socioeconomic development, particularly in terms of job creation, knowledge transfer, and revenue generation. 

The Institute last month published a landmark article in the esteemed PLOS Global Public Health Journal on the connection between intellectual property rights and access to COVID-19 vaccines. 

A top-notch webinar put on by the Institute created a contentious discussion that led to the publishing during the outbreak, when Africa, which lacked manufacturing capacity, was purposefully denied equitable access to vaccines. 

This peer-reviewed article is proof that the Institute and AFDB's strategic goals for health security independence are strongly aligned, but it also serves as a concrete example of the agency's distinctive "policy to practice" approach to all of its programs. 

According to a preliminary analysis of media reports, senior Institute officials have long emphasized the importance of policy prioritization of R&D along with a deeper level of engagement with foundations and development partners as the most efficient way to realize the health and socioeconomic potentials of the continent. A strategic partnership between NIPRD and the AFDB’s emergent Foundation is therefore a step in the right direction.

Hospital Bill: CPAN Criticizes MDCAN, APCOM for Prioritizing Personal Interests Over Patients' Needs

The Clinical Pharmacists Association of Nigeria (CPAN) has criticized the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) and Association of Provosts of Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria (APCOM) saying their support for amendment of the University Teaching Hospitals neglects patients needs.

Remember that MDCAN and APCOM, in their recent press statements on the Bill titled: ‘A Bill For an Act to Amend the University Teaching Hospitals ( Reconstitution of Boards) Act, Cap U15 LFN 2004’ is seeking that medical practitioners only should be the CEOs of tertiary hospitals.

CPAN position spoke in a statement signed by Dr. Joseph Madu, CPAN’s National Chairman and Dr. Moteehat Bukkie Olu-Lawal, its national secretary, noting the proposed bill is tailored to meet personal interests than patients' needs adding, that  Nigerians deserve optimal healthcare that fits global best practices.

The statement partly reads, "The Clinical Pharmacists Association Of Nigeria (CPAN) hereby places on record her total condemnation of the position of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association Of Nigeria (MDCAN) , and the Association Of Provosts Of Colleges Of Medicine in Nigeria ( APCOM) over their recent Press statements on the Bill titled: "A bill for an Act to amend the University Teaching hospitals ( Reconstitution of Boards) Act, Cap U15 LFN 2004."

The Bill was sponsored by Hon.Bamidele Salam , representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency.

"CPAN is a registered corporate body of Clinical pharmacists in Nigeria (and in diaspora) with the fundamental aims and objectives to provide direct healthcare to individual patients and the general population through advanced Clinical Pharmacy services.  We believe that Nigerian people deserve and should get optimal healthcare that fits global best practices, and that achieving this goal should override any other chauvinistic professional interests and considerations."

The Bill was sponsored by Hon. Bamidele Salam, representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency is to amend the usurpation and disparity among health workers.

While urging MDCAN and APCOM to prioritize patients/community interests over personal gains, the chairman asserted that the statements credited to both MDCAN and APCOM in various News media recently about the health bill, claiming that Physician led hospitals are universally better managed than non physician led hospitals, is baseless and unfounded. “We hereby state that such claims lack verifiable evidence and are aimed at misinforming the general public and our lawmakers.”

He went further to explain that CPAN is not opposed to any particular healthcare professional group members being the heads of Nigeria's university teaching tertiary hospitals, but deeply concerned about the continued deleterious outcome of sacrificing competence and merit on the altar of ego of a certain group of Nigeria's health care Professionals.

While pointing the continued decadence and downward trend of the critical comparable health indicators in Nigeria for several decades now is the strongest evidence against status-quo; he challenged stakeholders: “Now is the time to change; we cannot continue to do the same things the same way and expect a different result. The Health Bill in reference should be appropriated and allowed to be passed after a constructive debate on the floor of the Nigeria National Assembly. Our national health indices represent a national embarrassment to us Nigerians in the committee of nations. The issue should also be about global best practices in the right sense of the clause as quoted by APCOM and MDCAN in several press releases.”

On who gets appointed for the headship of hospital, the national chairman asserted that what is proper is that physicians who get such apex appointments should be hired based on merit and competence, and not based on their first degree, as this is not the practice anywhere in the world. The criteria are qualifications and cognate experience.

“The position of the Chief Medical Director is indisputably a top management position, and not a direct patient care or clinical position. Generally, anyone vying for the position of headship of hospitals must have the relevant qualifications. It could be a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Masters in Health Management, Masters in Health Administration or Masters in Medical Management or other equivalent administrative postgraduate qualifications.” He added.

He commended the National Assemble for the good works they are doing on the bill, Dr Madu advocates that the National Assembly should as a matter of urgency and necessity as well as of obligation, amend and pass the bill as sponsored by Hon. Salam in the interest of Nigerians. 

According to him, this would usher in growth, competition, comparison, and leapfrogging of Nigeria's health index on the international space.

“No well exposed and informed, except a selfish person and an enemy of health seeking Nigerians, will oppose such a laudable proposed bill by our lawmakers,” the CPAN boss added.

Citing examples of hospital headship across the globe for a clue, he mentioned Karen Davis, a nurse who the CEO of St. Thomas Hospital, Ontario, Canada; Gladys Bogoshi, a Physiotherapist is the current CEO of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (Wits University), and many more.

He concluded by advising MDCAN and APCOM to concentrate their efforts on finding credible individuals to assist clean up the stench in the health sector rather than trying to undermine the health bill, which he claimed was intended to be beneficial for everyone.

2023 Election: US Encourage Nigerians To Vote In Order For Their Voices To Be Heard

On Monday, the US encouraged Nigerians to register up to vote so they could participate in regional and presidential elections in 2023. 

Through its mission in Nigeria, the US praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security forces for their contributions to the success of the governorship election in Osun state on July 16. It also expressed its congratulations to the people of Osun on the peaceful conclusion of the election. 

The short statement begins, "The United States Mission to Nigeria congratulates the people of Osun State on the peaceful gubernatorial elections on July 16."

We applaud the concerted efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff and security forces who helped maintain a safe process that better reflected the will of the people. 

"To ensure that their opinion is heard in the 2023 federal and state elections, we urge every citizen of Nigeria to register to vote immediately."

Nigeria's Oil Production Falls By Roughly 14.94 million Barrels

Based on the most recent data from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' most recent Monthly Oil Market Report for June 2022, Nigeria's oil production fell by roughly 14.94 million barrels in the second quarter of this year. 

According to an analysis of OPEC data and the average price of crude in Q2 2022 drawn from reports on global oil prices, Nigeria's oil revenues fell by about N703.76 billion, or the value of the 14. 94 million barrels of crude that were lost during the review period. 

OPEC reported that Nigeria produced 1.299 million barrels of oil per day in the first quarter of this year based on direct communication from its 13 member countries.

But in the second quarter, this fell to 1.133 million barrels per day, representing a decline of 166,000 barrels per day. 

This suggests that the nation could not generate or lost roughly 14.94 million barrels of crude oil during the anticipated 90-day period in Q2 2022. 

The average price of crude in April, May, and June of this year was $104.58 per barrel, $113.34 per barrel, and $122.71 per barrel, according to data gathered from the international statistical firm - Statistica.

This suggests that the average price per barrel for the reviewed quarter was $113.54. As a result, Nigeria's oil revenues decreased by around $1.696 billion (N703,96 billion at the official exchange rate of N415/$) in Q2 2022 due to a loss of 14.94 million barrels.

The Federal Government has repeatedly lamented the decline in Nigeria's oil production, which they frequently attribute to an act of vandalism by oil thieves. 

Roger Brown, the managing director of Seplat Energy Plc, responded to the issue by stating that greater collaboration between the public and private sectors was necessary to address it.

Nigeria has a lot of crude oil and gas reserves, but Brown, who spoke at the recently completed 2022 Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja, cautioned that this could only be useful if properly utilized. 

"It's obvious that the amounts of theft on the oil side are simply unsustainable. Because of it, our economy is suffering, and that problem needs to be resolved, according to Brown. 

He continued, "On the gas side, it's about mending the value chain across the nation from gas to electricity, from molecules to electrons.

Additionally during the recently finished conference, NNPC Group Managing Director Mele Kyari disclosed that all operators in the sector—aside from the state-run oil company—had virtually stopped drilling for crude oil due to the drop in funding for oil investments. 

Speaking about the difficulties facing the sector, the NNPC boss said that while there were other issues, the problem of inadequate funding has truly had a significant impact on the industry.

Nigeria has the most oil reserves in Africa, according to Kyari, who also said that "we should be the top producer of oil, but today we have our issues, as my colleagues (previous speakers) have pointed out.

"Yes, there are ongoing dialogues and we are receiving support from government security agencies, as well as the Minister of State is providing us with leadership to ensure we solve this security-related issue. 

“We do, however, have other issues. Our industry has experienced a true and obvious natural downturn in recent years. Except for NNPC and a few others, nobody is drilling now when such a decline occurs and you are unable to put money into it to make up for it

So, if you don't drill and downturn persists, you will not only witness the consequence of theft and other vandalism actions that we are experiencing today, but you will also see the collateral effect of lack of investments, he further said.

INEC Announces PDP Candidate Adeleke As Winner Of The Osun Election

The PDP senator, Ademola Adeleke has been proclaimed the winner of the Osun governorship race by the Independent National Electoral Commission. 

In a hotly contested campaign, Adeleke defeated the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, with a total of 403,371 votes, according to Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the returning officer for the election and vice chancellor of the University of Lagos. 

Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen, of the PDP, having complied with the law's requirements, is hereby pronounced the winner and he is re-elected, he announced on behalf of the INEC chairman.

PDP won 17 of the state's 30 local government areas, while APC took 13 of them, according to the total votes tallied by the electoral umpire. 

Atakumosa West, Olorunda, Ilesa West, Obokun, Oriade, Orolu, Ife North, Irepodun, and Ejigbo LGAs were won by the PDP in addition to Ede North and Ede South. 

Ayedire, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Ayedaade, Iwo, Olaoluwa, Isokan, Atakumosa East, Irewole, Ife South, and Ife East LGAs were won by the APC, in contrast.

The award-winning Nigerian artist David Adeleke, also known as Davido, and his uncle Adeleke were shown in a video celebrating an early lead as the counting began. 

In the meantime, there was hysterical celebration in the PDP Situation Room as the PDP declared victory in the election even before the official results were made public.

Although many people believed that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Senator Adeleke were the only two candidates running for governor of Osun, no less than 15 political parties participated in the election. 

Akin Ogunbiyi of the Accord Party, Lasun Yusuff of the Labour Party, Oyegoke Omigbodun of the Social Democratic Party, Segun Awojide of the African Action Congress, Kehinde Atanda of the Action Democratic Party, Awoyemi Lukuman of the Allied Peoples Movement, Adebayo Elisha of the All Peoples Party, and Adeleke Adedapo of the Boot Party were some of the additional candidates.

Additionally running in the election were Rasaq Saliu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Abede Samuel of the National Rescue Movement, Ayowole Adedeji of the Peoples Redemption Party, Ademola Adeseye of the Young Peoples Party, and Adesuyi Olufemi of the Zenith Labour Party. 

There was a significant voter turnout and the election, which was held in 3,763 units across the state's 30 LGAs, was relatively calm. 

A total of 1,479,595 Permanent Voter Cards were gathered before to the election out of the 1,955,657 registered voters in the state.

In addition to the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, had sent roughly 21,000 police officers to maintain order in the state.