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Nigeria generates about 32 million tonnes of solid waste every year, and 2.5 million tonnes are plastics.

Most of the waste ends up in landfills, drainages, and water bodies causing a major environmental hazard that can last for centuries to come.

In response to resolving the impact of this challenge, both the public and private sectors have over the years developed different strategies and measures to improve waste management.

In proffering solution to this challenge, one of the core pillars of Unilever’s global sustainability target is plastic, where the goal is to work to end plastic pollution through reduction, circulation and collaboration.

Unilever Nigeria has over the years ensured it sustained it’s zero waste to landfill commitment to minimise the impact of it’s manufacturing processes to the environment and keep the planet heathier and more sustainable for all.

In line with its purpose to Brighten Everyday Life for All, Unilever Nigeria is pleased to announce that it has achieved plastic neutrality in November 2024, meaning it has collected and processed more plastic from the environment than it has put into it through the sales and distribution of its products.

Unilever Nigeria plc has been in partnership with Wecyclers since 2014. As part of this partnership, new livelihoods for up to 1000 collectors have been created, providing much needed contribution to their household incomes.

Speaking on the plastic neutrality target achieved in 2024, The Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria, Tim Kleinebenne, said, “our vision is a world in which everyone works together to ensure that plastic stays in the economy and out of the environment. Our plastic is our responsibility and so we are committed to collecting back more than we sell, as part of our drive towards a circular economy.” 

“I am very pleased to share that Unilever Nigeria achieved plastic neutrality in 2024 and I sincerely hope that our example inspires more companies to join this important initiative. Moving forward, we will continue to double down our sustainability focus on plastic through our collection models to ensure we have a healthier planet and at the same time use our collection strategy to improve livelihoods by creating new job opportunities.”  Kleinebenne said.

While commenting on the neutrality achievement with Unilever Nigeria, The Chief Executive Officer of Wecyclers, Olawale Adebiyi, said, “Working with Unilever over the years has been a progressive journey of impact, collaboration and partnership. Through our partnership with Unilever Nigeria, we have now collected over 13,000 tons of plastic and created job opportunities for over a thousand people.”

Mr. Adebiyi further noted that through the years, Unilever Nigeria has invested in Wecyclers operations through different models of collections that include Wecyclers Recycling Exchange Program, which is a model that facilitates the drop off of recyclable materials at various kiosk locations. Unilever also helped facilitate a pioneering Corporate backed Impact Bond program that invested in the establishment of 26 Wecyclers Franchise locations. These models of collections are spread across the country, and they enable us to support Unilever Nigeria to achieve their target of collecting more plastic from environment than what they put into it.

As the longest-serving manufacturing company in the country, Unilever Nigeria emphasises its commitment to Brighten Everyday Life for All through its brands and operations.

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The General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, MFM, Daniel Olukoya, has declared that Nigeria needs divine intervention.

The MFM leader who was at the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, during its 34th and 35th convocation ceremonies said;

“There is only one weapon that can kill any problem, and it is prayer. No matter how strong the problem is, prayer can dismantle it.

“What we need in Nigeria is divine intervention. Let God intervene in what we are doing. Divine intervention is greater than human intellect.

“From what is happening in the world, you can see that God is showing mankind that they are helpless.”

Olukoya also attributed the high school fees and the cost of energy required to run these institutions.

“It is not the fault of those proprietors. I am one of them. I am always supportive of the poor because I know how difficult it was for me to get to the university. My parents didn’t have the money.

 

But the current situation is that if you cannot pay good money to lecturers or professors, you won’t get good teachers.

 

And if you run a private university and are paying less than federal universities, you will not get good professors.”
 

Eniola Oduse, 22, and her two children, Eri, 4, and Onoara, 2, have been burnt to d£DJ ZAIKY VEVO (Mrholdsomething) after suspected arsonists set their home ablaze at the Ita Marun community in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State. 
 

The dec£BLESSED NOLLY TV’s husband, Kehinde, 25, who was also caught up in the fire, is currently battling for his life in a hospital. 
 

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, November 26. 
 

The family of four was asleep in their room on Monday night, Nov. 25, when some yet-to-be-identified individuals entered their premises at about 2 a.m. 
 

The individuals were said to have sprinkled petrol around their apartment and specifically poured it into their room before setting it on fire, Punch reports. 
 

While the husband managed to run out, the wife, who is a fashion designer, and her two children did not make it. 
 

The husband’s twin sister, Taiwo, told Punch that her brother ran out of the room to seek help. 
 

She said, “The incident happened around 2 am. My brother and his family were already asleep when the people came and poured petrol on the building. Meanwhile, my brother had opened his window to allow ventilation. When they saw the window open, they sprinkled petrol in their room. The smell of the petrol woke the wife, who quickly called her husband’s attention to the smell. 

“By the time they attempted to find out what was going on, they saw someone light a fire and throw it into their room. Kehinde, with fire on his body, quickly ran out of the house to call his relative living close to the house. Although the relative did not respond to his call, it was another neighbour who heard his voice and ran out to help.” 
 

According to Taiwo, Kehinde’s wife and the two kids were already caught up in the fire when they returned to the apartment. 
 

She said, “When they got back to the house, they saw the wife lying on the entrance of the house with the legs of her two kids in her arms. She actually tried to drag them out but the fire was too much and the kids were already d£dj Cruz beauty world at the time.” 
 

Another member of the family of the victim, who identified himself as Razaq, said the couple were rushed to various hospitals at midnight but were rejected due to the degree of the burns. 
 

He said they were moved around for medical attention for about seven hours before they were later referred to a hospital where they were later admitted. 

“They were eventually taken into a hospital somewhere in Lagos where they were attended to. But at the time they got medical attention, they were both weak. Doctors tried to save the wife but she later d!£d in the early hours of Thursday, Nov. 28. We really can’t ascertain the situation of Kehinde at the moment.” 
 

The deceased wife and children have been buried. 
 

Razaq alleged that the arson attack is believed to be connected to issues relating to land in the community. 
 

He said, “The family has been under pressure and a series of attacks due to attempts to seize their land running into hectares from them. This was a part of what led to the d£DJ ZAIKY VEVO (Mrholdsomething) of their father about four months ago. His brother had also fled the community due to this, but Kehinde chose to stay behind because of his family. He was not at home for about some days. He only came back that Monday to spend the night with his family when this incident happened.”
 

Dozens of people have reportedly been k!lled in Guinea after a clash between football fans at a match turned violent.

According to local media, around 100 people are dedj Cruz beauty world, and local hospitals are being overwhelmed by the amount of bodies filling up the morgues and spilling out into hallways.

It was gathered that the match was part of a tournament organised in honour of Guinea’s military junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup and has installed himself as president.

Local media reported that the stampede happened after a fight broke out among spectators during the match on Sunday afternoon following a disputed decision by the referee.

A witness claimed ‘it all started with a contested decision by the referee’ which caused fans to invade the pitch. 

Demonstrators vandalised and set fire to a police station and shocking, but unverified, videos allegedly show chaos on the street outside the match with numerous bodies lying on the ground.  

A local doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said: ‘There are bodies lined up as far as the eye can see in the hospital. Others are lying on the floor in the hallways. The morgue is full.’

He added: ‘There are around 100 dead.’

Another doctor said there were ‘dozens of dedj Cruz beauty world’. 

“The government deplores the incidents that marred the football match between the Labe and Nzerekore teams this afternoon in Nzerekore. During the stampede, victims were recorded,” Prime Minister Mamadou Oury Bah said in a statement.

An opposition group said dozens of people were killed in the crush, adding that a final death toll had not yet been determined.

“The violence quickly escalated, and scenes of panic invaded the stadium, while police used tear gas,” local media outlet Guinee Panorama reported.

Opposition group National Alliance for Change and Democracy said the authorities bore “significant responsibility for these grave events”.

A woman who left her husband after over 20 years of marriage has revealed a statement he made in the early years of their marriage that made her vow to leave him some day. 

She narrated how she left her bank job to raise kids when they got married. 

However, one day, when her first child was 1 year and 8 months old and her second child was just 2 months old, she arranged the house, settled the kids, and took a nap only to wake up to see that her husband was busy playing games on his computer, leaving their first child to make a mess in the house. 

She explained that when she confronted her husband for not looking after their child, he reminded her that she is jobless and he is the one feeding her. 

She said she was hurt because she was working when they met and only quit to take care of her family. 

She added that she told him on that day that she will work to be financially independent and will leave him eventually. 

She soon became financially independent but stayed until her children were adults and she left her husband as promised. 

Read her story below.
 

A woman in Zimbabwe has sought court intervention against her husband’s unrelenting demands for intimacy, citing emotional and physical distress caused by his actions. 

Nancy Chihota, in her testimony, accused her husband, Benny Hizaki, of forcing her into intimate acts even during deeply personal moments, including her mother’s funeral.

“With tears still on my cheeks, he forced himself on me,” Chihota told the court, recounting an incident just before she departed to mourn her mother. Despite her grief and exhaustion, she said Hizaki’s demands continued unabated upon her return from the funeral.

Chihota revealed that Hizaki insists on daily intimacy regardless of her condition, stating, “He insists on being intimate every day when he comes home from work, even if I’m on my monthly periods.” She also disclosed that Hizaki had threatened to marry a second wife if she continued to resist his advances, a threat that has further strained their relationship. “I still love him, but because of the way he acts, sometimes I feel like I’m losing interest in him,” she admitted.

In his defence, Hizaki leveled a shocking accusation against Chihota, claiming she had concealed her HIV status. “She has been taking antiretroviral drugs for the past five years, and she never told me,” Hizaki alleged. He expressed feelings of betrayal, saying, “I feel like I should punish her for those five years.” He said despite this, he maintained his love for his wife, though he admitted the revelation had fractured their trust. “I also love her, but she can’t be trusted,” he remarked.

Magistrate Meenal Narotam, after hearing both parties, ruled in favour of Chihota, granting her a protection order against Hizaki. The ruling highlighted the importance of setting boundaries within a marriage and emphasized mutual respect and understanding between partners.

The case has ignited discussions around the complexities of marital relationships, the limits of conjugal rights, and the need for partners to prioritize each other’s emotional and physical well-being.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain steadfast in his commitment to the state’s development despite facing opposition. Speaking on Sunday at the first Etche Festival of Food, Art, and Culture held in Nihi community, Etche LGA, Jonathan emphasized that challenges faced by Fubara are shaping him into a stronger leader.

“I know you (Governor Fubara) are passing through challenges, and on occasions like these, I try to keep quiet. I don’t like to say certain things. But this is the first time you are holding top political office. You will pass through a lot. And, just know that nobody becomes a general without fighting wars,” Jonathan remarked.

“So, whatever challenges you are meeting now are baking you to be a general in politics. And with your total commitment and with the support I have seen from the people of Rivers State, God will surely see you through.”

Fubara has been locked in a political feud with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, over control of the state’s political structure. The dispute has caused political unrest and division within the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Jonathan stressed the importance of peace in Rivers State, highlighting its central role in the country’s economy and the stability of the Niger Delta region.

“We want a peaceful Rivers because Rivers State is the centre of the Niger Delta. And I always make it very clear: if we create serious perturbation in Rivers State, we are creating a crisis in the Niger Delta, which is not good for our economy as a nation,” he said.

“We want a peaceful Rivers State. We want the governor of Rivers State to remain calm and do his work. After he finishes serving, another person will take over. In political office, we have tenures. And so, we don’t need to kill ourselves over any political office. Allow those who are there to do their work, and after that, anything can happen.”

Governor Fubara expressed gratitude for Jonathan’s support during challenging times, acknowledging his unwavering encouragement. “Coming here to celebrate with the Etche people is a sign of humility. So, I want to thank you for coming and being with us today,” Fubara said.

“When I was told that our Daddy (Dr Jonathan) would be coming here, I had to cancel all other programmes that I had to be here to receive him and to honour him. He has stood with me in this most difficult period of our administration. So, the little I can do is to come to wait for him, to receive him, and to share in this honour.”

Holcim, the Swiss building materials giant, has announced its decision to sell its Nigerian business to Huaxin Cement Ltd., a Chinese firm, in a deal valued at $1 billion. 

The agreement, which includes Holcim’s 83.81% stake in Lafarge Africa Plc, marks another major exit from the Nigerian market by an international firm.

“Holcim has signed an agreement with Huaxin Cement Ltd to sell its entire 83.81% shareholding in Lafarge Africa Plc, at an equity value of $1 billion on a 100% basis,” the company said in a statement on Sunday. “The transaction is expected to close in 2025, subject to customary and regulatory approvals.”

Lafarge Africa, a member of the Holcim Group, is a key player in Nigeria’s construction industry, producing cement, construction aggregates, and ready-mix concrete. Holcim did not provide reasons for its decision to exit the Nigerian market.

This announcement follows a wave of departures by multinational firms from Nigeria, citing challenging economic conditions and shifting corporate strategies. On May 24, Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Huggies diapers, announced its withdrawal from the Nigerian market, ending 14 years of local manufacturing and sales. The company attributed the decision to refocused corporate priorities and economic trends in the country.

Similarly, in October, South African grocery retailer Pick n Pay revealed plans to exit Nigeria by selling its 51% stake in a joint venture. CEO Sean Summers explained that the move was part of a broader restructuring strategy outside its home market.

The pharmaceutical sector has also seen significant exits in 2023. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Nigeria Plc ceased operations and outsourced its business activities to a third party. Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria Limited, a French pharmaceutical company, halted its direct operations in November 2023, followed by Procter & Gamble (P&G), which transitioned from local production to importing its products.

XRP, the native crypto asset of the Ripple network has surpassed Solana and Tether to become the third-largest crypto asset by market capitalization.

XRP displaced both crypto assets in a week following an impressive surge in price.

XRP surged by a whopping 64.3% in the past seven days, with its market capitalization rising to 138 billion USDT.

The crypto assets’ new market capitalization makes it the industry’s third-largest displacing Tether and Solana from the list of top ten crypto assets by market capitalization.

At the press time, XRP is currently exchanging hands for $2.40 surging by 27.0% in the last 24 hours with a maximum price of $2.48 and a minimum price of $1.88.

Ripple Vs SEC case driving surge

The current surge in XRP price is largely due to positive developments around the ongoing case between XRP’s parent company Ripple Labs and the United States SEC.

The US SEC’s Gary Gensler recently announced that he will be stepping down on January 20 2025 and that was perceived as a piece of positive news by the crypto community.

Gary Gensler’s tenure as the US SEC Chief was perceived as stringent by the crypto community despite landmark milestones like the launching of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

The case between Ripple Labs and the US SEC was closely followed by XRP investors and the recent positive development has increased optimism amongst investors.

• XRP today is still 28.4% down from its all-time high of $3.40 which it clocked in 2018. XRP took nearly 7 years to break through the $2 mark hovering around $1.50 for most of the waiting time.
• The new price for XRP reveals the significance of the current surge in the crypto asset’s price.
• XRP community and investors have waited for a long time for this moment with analysts predicting the token to surge even further under President Trump’s administration.
• Top crypto-assets continue to surge following last week’s profit-taking measures and a dip in the price of the leading digital asset, Bitcoin.
• Other Altcoins over the last 24 hours Cardano (ADA) are up about 10%, while other top cryptos, including Shibu Inu (SHIB) and Stellar (XLM), are up 8% and 13%, respectively.

What to Know 

XRP is a crypto asset that focuses on delivering cross-border payments with low transaction fees. The token is the native currency of the Ripple network developed by Ripple Labs.

XRP’s case with the US SEC is one of from burner regulatory issues in the crypto industry keenly followed by lots of founders who are worried about their startups too.

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