Nigeria Roundup: Dangote plastic recycling, Senator Natasha court contempt, healthcare fraud

Dangote moves to tame plastic pollution in Nigeria

Dangote Cement Plc has launched a plastic-to-fabric initiative as part of efforts to tackle plastic pollution and advance Nigeria’s circular economy. At a graduation ceremony for women trained in the programme at its Obajana Plant, Engr. Nawabuddin Azad, represented by Head of HR Adeniyi Azeez, said, “As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, inclusive community development, and innovative material reuse, Dangote Cement Plc has successfully concluded a five-week plastic-to-fabric training programme.” Head of Social Performance, Wakeel Olayiwola, added, “The training covered a range of practical techniques including washing, cutting, threading, weaving, and basic sewing, enabling participants to produce items such as tote bags, school bags, lunch bags, and purses,” Nature News quotes. 

Nigeria missing as Trump hosts African leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump will meet the leaders of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in Washington next week for trade-focused talks, but Nigeria is notably absent. A report by Naija News quoted a White House official, “President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our African partners.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio added, “Washington is phasing out ‘charity-based’ foreign aid in favour of partnerships with countries that show both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”

Nigeria’s first indigenous container vessel arrives Lagos

The M.V. Ocean Dragon, Nigeria’s first locally owned container vessel, docked at Tin Can Island Port carrying over 350 containers. Vice President of Clarion Shipping, Mrs. Benedine Eloka, called the arrival “the fulfilment of a long-term strategic plan.” She explained, “The vessel is not only designed for operations along Nigeria’s coastline but will also serve regional routes including Cotonou, Lome, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.” Bookings are already underway for shipments to Ghana and Lomé, and a second vessel is planned for direct service from China to Lagos, Daily Post reports.

Court finds Senator Natasha guilty of contempt, fines her N5m

The Federal High Court in Abuja has found Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for publishing a satirical apology on Facebook to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, defying a gag order. Justice Binta Nyako ordered her to pay a N5 million (approximately US$3,269) fine and to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on Facebook within seven days, Vanguard Nigeria reports. The court declined to grant further relief to Senator Akpabio but proceeded to rule on the senator’s suit challenging her six-month suspension from the Senate.

US indicts Nigerian in $14bn healthcare fraud

The US Department of Justice has charged Olatunbosun Osukoya, a Nigerian, along with 323 others in a nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud schemes causing $14.6 billion in intended losses. “Olatunbosun Osukoya, 67, of Plano, Texas, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with the submission of over $25 million in false and fraudulent medical claims,” the DOJ said. According to prosecutors, Osukoya recruited insured individuals for costly tests and paid bribes to physicians to refer patients to his company, Cambridge Diagnostics, the Punch Nigeria reports.