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 Nollywood Star Mercy Johnson-Okojie Reveals Cancer Scare and Thyroid Surgery Behind Weight Loss  Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie has addressed concerns over her drastic weight loss, revealing that a cancer scare led to thyroid removal surgery. The movie star’s transformation sparked widespread discussion on social media, prompting her to share details of her health struggles in a recent conversation with veteran actress Joke Silva. Okojie disclosed that she faced a challenging period after the cancer scare, with her youngest child only six months old at the time. “I had a cancer scare and I had my thyroid removed,” she said. “It was a journey for us because we have kids, and my lastborn was six months old. My husband and I kept saying we had to understand this is the new us, let’s go get the surgery done.” She explained that post-surgery, doctors informed her she would require lifelong medication, outlining the side effects and the need for strict adherence. “I’m recon...

 PERMANENT SECRETARY ASSESSES STATE OF 66 PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES IN LAGOS HEALTH DISTRICT III The Permanent Secretary of Health, District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, has embarked on a comprehensive performance assessment of all 66 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) within the district to ensure alignment with Lagos State’s goal of accessible and quality healthcare for all. Speaking on the rationale behind the quarterly monitoring exercise, Dr. Adeleke emphasised that the exercise was far more than a routine inspection. “It was a deliberate, hands-on commitment to see, hear, and understand the current state of the 66 health facilities personally. " The quarterly assessment tour approved by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu covered all Primary Healthcare Centres located across the Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe areas of the state, including riverine and hard-to-reach areas.  According to the Permanent Secretary, the exercise provided an opportunity to evaluate infrastructure, interac...

  Edo Deputy Speaker Resigns as PDP Loses Majority Edo Assembly Deputy Speaker Resigns as PDP Becomes Minority The Deputy Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mrs Maria Oligbi-Edeko (PDP- Esan North East II) has tendered her resignation. She voluntarily resigned her position due to the minority status of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Assembly. Oligbi-Edeko was elected Deputy Speaker of the 8th Assembly on June 16, 2023, and served in that capacity until her resignation. In her resignation speech, the former deputy speaker said that she resigned her position to allow for justice, fairness and equity for all the constituencies. She thanked the leaders and members of the PDP for finding her worthy to represent her constituency in the assembly. Lawmakers in the House took turns to praise her unwavering dedication, passion for public service, and the high level of integrity she consistently demonstrated throughout her tenure. Many of the lawmakers described her as a committ...

 NiDCOM Rescues 13 Trafficked Nigerians from Ghana, Mali The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has received 13 trafficked Nigerians, comprising 12 girls and a five-year-old boy, from Ghana and Mali. In a statement issued Sunday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols, the victims were handed over to NiDCOM Chairman Abike Dabiri-Erewa. The girls reported being deceived with promises of jobs in Ghana and Mali, only to be forced into prostitution. They recounted experiences of sexual abuse, physical assault, and emotional trauma inflicted by their traffickers. Dabiri-Erewa assured the victims that NiDCOM would facilitate their reunion with families and collaborate with state governors to support their rehabilitation. She called for a crackdown on human traffickers, urging their prosecution and public naming to curb modern-day slavery. The victims were subsequently transferred to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking...

 SSANU, NASU Reject FG’s ₦50bn Allocation Formula, Demand Fair Share for Non-Teaching Staff The Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied Institutions (NASU) has rejected the Federal Government’s distribution formula for the ₦50 billion approved for university-based unions, citing gross unfairness. The funds, intended for SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), allocated 80% to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), leaving only 20% for the three non-academic unions. In a statement issued Monday, the non-academic unions described the allocation as “grossly unfair, provocative, and totally unacceptable,” warning that it risks creating industrial disharmony and deepening the teaching/non-teaching divide in Nigerian universities. “Non-teaching staff are not second-class citizens but critical stakeholders who contribute immensely to the day-to-day funct...

 Russia Bombards Ukraine with Drones Hours After Trump Announces Talks with Putin May 19, 2025 — Kyiv, Ukraine In a sudden escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a wave of drone attacks on multiple Ukrainian cities early Monday morning, mere hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed plans to open direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that it intercepted 24 out of 32 Iranian-made Shahed drones targeting infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro. Several explosions were heard across the capital, and emergency services responded to fires and damaged residential buildings. At least five people were injured in the capital, with reports of additional casualties still being confirmed. “Russia continues to terrorize our civilian population,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a televised address. “These attacks are a direct challenge not just to Ukraine, but to every nation that values peace ...

 Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer, Offers Heartfelt Thanks for Nation’s Support May 19, 2025 — Washington, D.C. Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, his office announced in a statement Monday morning. The 82-year-old leader, who served as the 46th President of the United States, is said to be undergoing immediate treatment under the care of a specialized oncology team at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Shortly after the news broke, Biden released a brief but emotional message via social media, thanking the American people for their outpouring of support. “I’m deeply grateful for the thoughts, prayers, and kind words that have come in from across the country,” Biden wrote. “I’ve faced tough fights before, and I’ll face this one with the same faith and resolve—with Jill and my family by my side.” The diagnosis was confirmed following a routine check-up earlier this month. According ...