Some Muslim scholars under the umbrella of the League of Islamic Leaders in Mushin, Lagos, have launched an initiative called the Market of Convenience (MFC) to sell foodstuffs and essential commodities at reduced prices.

This innovative approach aims to alleviate the economic challenges facing residents of Lagos, especially within the Muslim community.

The establishment of the MFC was highlighted during a one-day sensitization programme held on Sunday in Lagos.

The event emphasized the importance of affordable food markets and encouraged Muslims to embrace this initiative. The Convener and Chairman of the MFC, Alhaji Musoddiq Sanni, underscored the market’s role as a practical solution to the escalating cost of living and a demonstration of the community’s commitment to easing economic hardships.

Sanni explained that the Muslim community introduced the MFC as a strategic response to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“This market serves as an alternative where residents can shop for essential food items at affordable prices,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the MFC would significantly reduce the financial burden on Lagos residents, aligning with the Islamic principles of justice and fairness in commerce. “Allah has commanded us in the Qur’an to maintain justice and fairness during business transactions,” he added.

The chairman also advocated for the expansion of the initiative, urging Muslim leaders in Ikeja and other parts of Lagos to establish branches of the market.

By doing so, he noted, more communities could benefit from affordable food items, further strengthening efforts to combat economic hardship.

Sanni also emphasized the importance of cooperative societies in ensuring the sustainability of the market.

To ensure compliance with Islamic laws, the League of Islamic Leaders plans to develop a blueprint for the market’s operation in conformity with Sharia principles.

He revealed that the MFC has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, demonstrating the seriousness of the initiative.Alhaji Sulaimon Olanijo, Chairman of the League of Islamic Leaders in Mushin, called on other Muslim groups to support the MFC initiative.

He emphasized that such markets would not only reduce the economic difficulties faced by Muslims but also contribute to the Federal Government’s agenda on food security.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Council of Imams, Ikeja Division, Alhaji Abdul-Rahmon Abdul-Azeez, praised the initiative, stating that it was a timely intervention.

He acknowledged the rising cost of foodstuffs and expressed confidence that the MFC could significantly mitigate the financial struggles of Nigerians.

With cooperation from Muslim leaders and other stakeholders, the MFC could potentially be replicated across various communities, promoting economic fairness and reducing hardship nationwide.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that an attempt to embrace smoking as a young man could have led him down a destructive path, stating, “I could have become addicted.”

Obasanjo made the disclosure on Sunday during the Fly Above The High anti-drug campaign conference held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Obasanjo, who admitted he once attempted smoking, claimed that his inability to tolerate it saved him from a path of potential addiction.

“If I had persisted, I could have become addicted. Once you get involved, it is difficult to get out,” Obasanjo said.

The former president also spoke on the troubling rise of drug abuse in West Africa, a problem he said he encountered firsthand as Chairman of the West African Drug Commission under the Kofi Annan Foundation.

Obasanjo stated that members of the commission crisscrossed West Africa with the belief that the region was free from drugs, which he said came mainly from Latin America and go to North America and Europe.

“But to our dismay, displeasure, and pain, at the end of the exercise, we found out that West Africa has equally been a centre for drug consumption in a very bad way,” he added.

“That was more than 10 years ago, so the situation has since gone worse. And whatever applies to West Africa applies to all other parts of Africa.”

The former president, however, warned Nigerian youths to steer clear of psychoactive drugs, adding that “There’s nothing drug can do for you except destruction.”

He also urged those already addicted to psychoactive drugs to seek help and warned the society against stigmatisation.

In 2023, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency reported that approximately 14.3 million Nigerians are involved in drug abuse.

The agency said 14.3 million Nigerian drug abusers are within the age range of 15 and 64 years, adding that more women are now involved.

Head Coach Justine Madugu has called up CAF Awards nominee, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Osinachi Ohale and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide among a list of 20 players for Saturday’s international friendly match against the Les Bleues of France.

US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Turkey-based Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Adoo Yina and forwards Mercy Omokwo and Ifeoma Onumonu are also invited to the encounter scheduled for the Stade Raymond Kopa in the city of Angers, with kick-off set for 9.30pm France time.

Midfield lubricator Toni Payne, now with Everton Ladies in England, as well as Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo – who both starred for the Falconets at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia in September – will also fly to France for the big match.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who is also a CAF Awards nominee, is out as a result of injury.

While the Bleues are happy to take the game as part of their preparations for the League of Nations in the spring and the 2025 UEFA Euro Women Championship in Switzerland in the summer, the Falcons will welcome the encounter as part of the process for blooding a new squad, as well as another test ahead of the 2025 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next summer.

Already pitched with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the Africa Cup final tournament, Madugu will be grateful for the stern test that the Les Bleues will provide for his nine-time African champions in Angers.

All the invited players will fly directly to France for the match, to be joined by the coaching crew and backroom staff.

SUPER FALCONS FOR LES BLEUES CHALLENGE:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey)

Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)

Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens) 

Dangote Petroleum Refinery on Sunday announced a N20 reduction in the ex-refinery price to marketers, with prices moving from N990 to N970 per litre.

The Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, disclosed the new pricing in a statement, describing the development as a gesture of appreciation to Nigerians and the government for their unwavering support.

With the drop in the price of crude oil, the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) should slightly decrease, given that crude oil is a major determinant of the eventual price of petroleum products.

“As the year comes to an end, this is our way of appreciating the good people of Nigeria for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true. In addition, this is to thank the government for their support, as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being,” Chiejina said.

The refinery, which commenced operations earlier this year, has been pivotal in reshaping Nigeria’s downstream petroleum landscape.

Chiejina assured that the Dangote Refinery would continue to maintain stringent quality standards for its products while working to address Nigeria’s fuel supply challenges.

“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption, thus dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply,” he added.

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has appealed to labour unions in the state to shelve their planned industrial action over the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The governor said his administration remained committed to the implementation of the new wage of N70, 000 recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

The governor made the appeal during the 5th edition of the State Solemn Assembly held Saturday night at U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, Otu said his government would continue to prioritise welfare of workers in the state.

It would be recalled that labour unions in the state had on Wednesday issued notice of 2-day warning strike scheduled to commence midnight of Sunday.

The unions attributed the planned action to the breakdown of negotiations between it and the government.

The organised labour threatened that after the warning strike the industrial action would continue with a December 1 panned nationwide strike.

“I appeal to the leadership of organised labor and all affiliates of the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) and TUC (Trade Union Congress) to suspend their planned strike.

“I enjoin them to support the government in the quest to improve the lots of our people,’’ Out said.

He urged the people of Cross River to sustain their support and prayers for the administration to achieve its ‘People First’ mantra.

Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has ordered the arrest and prosecution of six state Ministry of Health members of staff for allegedly diverting materials meant for the ministry.

Nwifuru in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor, on Sunday, ordered the arrest of one Ndukwe Ayansi and five others over the issue.

The statement indicated that the governor while inspecting projects cited an articulated vehicle loading registers, books and other materials from the warehouse of the Ministry of Health.

“Nwifuru stopped and made inquiries but not satisfied with answers given to him.

“The governor probed further and discovered that patients’ data registers, cards and other documents were being moved into the vehicle.

“He also discovered that all the documents had been sold without government approval,” Uzor said.

The governor, according to him, described the action as sabotage of  government’s efforts at repositioning the health sector.

“You are selling government documents without approval on a Saturday afternoon.

“The state’s hospitals in the rural areas are in need of registers data entry forms and hospital cards.

“Unfortunately, you are selling the ones produced by the government,” he said.

Uzor further said that the suspects had been handed over to the police while investigation continued