By Enuma Aghadinuno, Abuja

Livebridge Properties and Investment Limited has extended medical and humanitarian support to more than 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and persons living with disabilities in the Karamajiji community, Abuja.

The outreach, organised as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, provided beneficiaries with free medical consultations, health checks and essential medications, as well as food items, wheelchairs and other relief materials.

Speaking during the exercise, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Livebridge Properties and Investment Limited, Dr.

Nwaneri Obinna Flaker, said the initiative was driven by the company’s commitment to supporting vulnerable people within its host communities.

Flaker said the company had made it a regular practice to reach out to persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups at least once or twice a year.

“We have taken it upon ourselves to give back to our host community as a company. We have made it a norm every year, at least once or twice in a year, to come to the disabled persons community,” he said.

According to him, interactions with residents over the years showed that many members of the community faced basic health challenges that could be addressed through primary healthcare interventions.

“We come here and reach out to them medically. From our interactions and past interviews, it has come to our knowledge that they suffer certain ailments which ordinarily basic primary healthcare can actually attend to,” he said.

The Livebridge CEO also highlighted the challenge of healthcare affordability, particularly the rising cost of medicines, which he said was making access to essential healthcare difficult for many Nigerians.

He called for stronger government intervention in primary healthcare delivery to ensure that vulnerable citizens can access basic medical services and essential drugs.

“The cost of medications is often beyond the reach of the average citizen. We believe the government should intervene, especially in primary healthcare delivery, as many Nigerians are unable to access these essential services,” Flaker said.

He described the outreach as an expression of love and humanity, stressing that the company’s intervention was not based on religion, ethnicity, gender or race.

“The message of love was preached by God Himself. God loves us unconditionally. It cuts across race, religion and ethnic nationality. There is no discrimination; we just love,” he said.

Flaker further urged other corporate organisations and individuals with the capacity to support vulnerable Nigerians to contribute to humanitarian efforts in their communities.

“Nothing is too small. Reach out to those in need. There is someone somewhere today who doesn’t know where the next meal will be coming from,” he said.

Also speaking, the Head of Customer Service at Livebridge, Ejembi Alice, said the company considered it important to support vulnerable communities, particularly amid the prevailing economic challenges.

“If those who can support themselves are struggling, just imagine the plight of individuals with disabilities. That’s why we are here today to offer relief and show compassion to this community,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Abdullah Yusuf expressed appreciation to the company for the gesture and prayed for its continued growth and development.

“We are very happy. May God bless you more,” he said.

The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) has warned operators of pepper and grinding machines against using rusty or poorly fabricated equipment.

The agency said such equipment could expose consumers to metal contamination and other food-safety risks.

Afolabi Solebo, LASCOPA General Manager/Chief Executive Officer, gave the warning in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Solebo said the warning followed concerns raised at the 2026 Lagos State Food Safety Conference and Exhibition.

The conference had the theme, ‘From Burden to Solutions – Safe Food Everywhere.

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He urged operators across Lagos to replace traditional cast-iron and unsuitable locally fabricated machines with stainless-steel and food-grade equipment.

Solebo said the widespread use of grinding machines by households, food vendors and restaurants made compliance with food-safety standards imperative.

He listed hospitals, boarding schools, caterers, traders and small-scale food businesses among other users of the machines.

According to him, worn, rusty or corroded grinding equipment could increase the risk of metal contamination during food processing.

The LASCOPA boss also warned that accumulated food residues, dirt and grease from previous grinding activities could compromise food safety and quality.

He said: “Operators must understand that food safety is not optional.

“The use of unsafe or poorly maintained grinding machines exposes consumers to avoidable health risks.”

Solebo said the use of hygienic and food-grade equipment was critical to safeguarding public health.

He disclosed that LASCOPA’s Monitoring and Enforcement Officers would intensify compliance checks at food-processing and grinding points across the state.

The agency, he said, would take appropriate regulatory action against establishments found using unsafe or unsuitable equipment.

The general manager advised operators to clean grinding machines thoroughly after every use and remove accumulated food residues.

He also urged operators to maintain hygienic surroundings and regularly inspect and maintain grinding components.

Solebo said proper maintenance would help prevent food contamination and cross-contamination during processing.

He advised consumers to remain vigilant when patronising grinding points, particularly where equipment appeared deteriorated or unhygienic.

The LASCOPA chief also appealed to politicians and public-spirited individuals providing grinding machines through empowerment programmes to prioritise stainless-steel and food-grade equipment.

He described consumer protection as a shared responsibility between regulators, operators and consumers.

Solebo assured Lagos residents that LASCOPA would sustain consumer enlightenment, market surveillance and enforcement activities across the state.

He urged residents to report unsafe or unhygienic food-processing practices to the agency for investigation and appropriate action.

“Consumers should not remain silent when practices capable of compromising their safety are observed,” he said. (NAN)

The Police Command in Ondo State says it has arrested a suspected welder in connection with the unlawful possession and handling of a firearm in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of the State.

DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the command’s Spokesperson, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Akure, saying the locally fabricated pistol had been recovered.

Jimoh explained that the arrest followed credible intelligence received by the police on Sept.

11, 2026.

He said the information received indicated that one Andy Giwa, a welder and resident of Imogun Street, Uso, was allegedly working on a pistol at his workshop.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police operatives attached to Uso Police Division proceeded to the location, where one locally fabricated pistol was recovered.

 “The suspect was immediately arrested and taken to the station for preliminary questioning.

“During interrogation, the suspect reportedly claimed that the recovered firearm belonged to an individual whose identity is yet to be established and who is currently at large.

“Efforts have been intensified to identify and apprehend the said individual, while also establishing the circumstances surrounding the possession, manufacture and intended use of the firearm,” he said.

Jimoh also said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Felix Ohagwu, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and comprehensive investigation.

According to him, the investigation will, among other things, establish the source and purpose of the firearm and determine whether other individuals are connected to the matter.

“The CP commends the concerned citizen whose timely and credible information enabled the police to act swiftly and prevent the firearm from potentially being used to perpetrate crime.

“He urged members of the public to continue supporting the command with credible intelligence, assuring them that the identity of informants will be treated with utmost confidentiality and protected in accordance with established security protocols.

“Ohagwu reiterates the command’s commitment to preventing the proliferation and unlawful possession of firearms in Ondo State.

“The police will continue to deploy intelligence-led policing and proactive operations to identify and disrupt activities capable of threatening public safety.

“Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements, activities or possession of firearms to the nearest police formation or through the command’s official communication channels.

“Timely and credible information remains a critical component of effective policing and the collective effort to safeguard lives and property across Ondo State,” the spokesperson said. (NAN)