Nigeria News (Standard)
Nollywood Star Ini Dima-Okojie Welcomes Baby Boy in Lagos After 9-Year Fibroid Struggle
Actress celebrates first child and 36th birthday same day, urges Nigerian women to prioritise fibroid care
Actress celebrates first child and 36th birthday same day, urges Nigerian women to prioritise fibroid care
Nollywood actress Ini Dima-Okojie has welcomed her first child, a baby boy, in Lagos on Monday, 24 June 2026, coinciding with her 36th birthday. The milestone comes after nearly a decade of battling uterine fibroids and fertility challenges, which the actress has spoken about publicly over the years.
Dima-Okojie, known for her role in ‘Blood Sisters,’ announced the birth of her son with husband Abasi Ene-Obong through social media posts showing her cradling the newborn. She described motherhood as a humbling and rewarding experience. “There is no role I have ever played that has humbled me, stretched me, challenged me, or filled my heart quite like this one,” she wrote. “These past weeks have been some of the most beautiful, overwhelming, exhausting, and rewarding of my life.”
Her journey began in 2017 when she was first diagnosed with fibroids by a gynaecologist who reportedly advised marriage if symptoms did not worsen. By March 2020, after consulting another doctor due to increased discomfort, she was recommended for surgery—a procedure delayed by the COVID-19 lockdowns. During that period, Dima-Okojie tried alternative remedies including herbal treatments and dietary changes before undergoing a successful myomectomy in November 2020.
However, in July 2024 she revealed that the fibroids had returned three years post-surgery. Instead of another operation, she adopted a holistic approach—cutting out red meat, dairy, processed foods and refined sugar—documenting her journey to inspire other Nigerian women facing similar struggles. By October 2024 an ultrasound confirmed that the fibroids were shrinking.
In April this year Dima-Okojie announced her pregnancy online, describing it as “a miracle” and referencing Jeremiah 1:5 from the Bible: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” She encouraged women not to ignore fibroid symptoms and offered to sponsor scans for those unable to afford them.
With her son’s arrival on her birthday, Ini Dima-Okojie’s long road from diagnosis to motherhood has ended on a joyful note. Many fans and colleagues have taken to social media to congratulate her and echo her calls for greater awareness about women’s health challenges in Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NIVEA Launches Derma Control Range in Lagos, Targets Improved Underarm Skincare for Nigerians
New product line promises relief from irritation and dark marks as beauty industry addresses neglected body care
New product line promises relief from irritation and dark marks as beauty industry addresses neglected body care
NIVEA has introduced its Derma Control range in Lagos, aiming to transform underarm skincare for Nigerian consumers. The launch, which took place on 25 June 2026, brings attention to an area often overlooked in personal care routines. According to the company, the new line includes two products designed to nourish underarm skin, reduce irritation, and address uneven skin tone resulting from daily stress like shaving and sweating.
The Derma Control range features two variants: Defend and Natural Tone. Defend is formulated with Pure Hyaluron and Pro-Vitamin B5, intended to soothe irritation and prevent itchiness caused by friction. Natural Tone combines Pure Hyaluron with Vitamin C, targeting dark marks while maintaining sweat and odour protection. NIVEA stated that both products are enriched with vitamins and offer a level of care typically reserved for facial or body skincare products.
The launch comes as the Nigerian beauty industry experiences increased demand for specialised skincare solutions beyond traditional face and body products. Industry observers note that many Nigerians face discomfort or confidence issues due to underarm concerns but have limited access to targeted solutions. With the introduction of this range, NIVEA aims to fill this gap by providing options specifically developed for sensitive underarm skin.
While official reactions from government regulatory agencies were not immediately available at press time, experts in dermatology have previously highlighted the importance of using gentle formulations on delicate areas such as underarms. The company did not disclose retail prices during the launch event but indicated the products would be widely available across Nigeria from July.
As more brands respond to consumer calls for comprehensive skincare options, stakeholders expect competition in Nigeria’s beauty market to intensify. NIVEA’s move may prompt other manufacturers to develop similar targeted products addressing specific needs of Nigerian consumers.
Source: https://guardian.ng/life/your-underarms-deserve-skincare-too/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Fubara Submits 2026–2028 Fiscal Framework as Rivers Assembly Reconvenes After Months
Lawmakers resume plenary in Port Harcourt, receiving multi-year budget proposal amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State
Lawmakers resume plenary in Port Harcourt, receiving multi-year budget proposal amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has presented the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to the Rivers State House of Assembly, marking the first plenary session held by the lawmakers in several months. The assembly reconvened on Thursday in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria, where members received the fiscal strategy document from the executive arm.
The development comes after a prolonged period of inactivity in the state legislature, which had been dogged by political disagreements and leadership disputes. At Thursday’s sitting, Speaker and other principal officers were present as the assembly formally acknowledged receipt of Governor Fubara’s proposed spending plan for the next three financial years.
The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is a statutory requirement that outlines projected government revenue and expenditure, providing a basis for annual budgets. Its submission signals preparations for next year’s appropriation bill and is seen as a step towards restoring normal legislative business in Rivers State, following recent tensions between factions aligned to different political interests.
While details of Fubara’s spending priorities were not immediately disclosed at plenary, observers say the resumption of legislative activities may help douse anxieties among stakeholders about governance stability in the oil-rich state. Attempts to reach opposition lawmakers for comment were not successful as at press time.
The assembly is expected to deliberate on the framework in coming weeks before its adoption, paving way for formal budget presentation later this year. Political analysts note that sustained engagement between the executive and legislature will be key to unlocking delayed development projects and addressing constituents’ concerns across Rivers State.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Expert Warns SME Growth in Nigeria Needs More Than Capital Injection
Stakeholders urged to address infrastructure, policy bottlenecks as financial support alone fails to drive sustained expansion
Stakeholders urged to address infrastructure, policy bottlenecks as financial support alone fails to drive sustained expansion
Efforts to boost small and medium enterprise (SME) growth in Nigeria must go beyond simply providing capital, a leading industry expert has advised. Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, George Ogbonnaya stressed that entrepreneurs continue to face major hurdles despite increased funding opportunities, pointing to issues such as poor infrastructure, inconsistent policy and limited access to markets.
Ogbonnaya highlighted that while government and private sector interventions have made more funds available for SMEs in recent years, many businesses still struggle to survive or scale up. “The reality is that capital alone cannot solve the challenges facing Nigerian SMEs,” he said during a stakeholder meeting. “We must also address electricity supply, transportation, and regulatory barriers if we want real growth in this sector.”
SMEs account for an estimated 48 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and employ over 80 percent of the country’s workforce, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). However, the sector continues to face persistent challenges ranging from unreliable power supply and high logistics costs to frequent policy changes. These factors often undermine the effectiveness of loan schemes and other financial initiatives aimed at supporting business owners.
Ogbonnaya called for a coordinated approach involving federal and state governments, development agencies and private investors. He urged policymakers to streamline regulations and invest in infrastructure projects that would lower operational costs for SMEs. “If we focus only on giving money without fixing these underlying problems, we will keep seeing high failure rates,” he cautioned.
He also encouraged SME owners to seek out training and mentorship opportunities while leveraging digital tools to expand their reach. The expert’s remarks come amid renewed calls for economic diversification as Nigeria seeks new engines of growth beyond oil revenue.
NIVEA Launches Derma Control Range in Lagos, Targets Improved Underarm Skincare for Nigerians
Fubara Submits 2026–2028 Fiscal Framework as Rivers Assembly Reconvenes After Months
Expert Warns SME Growth in Nigeria Needs More Than Capital Injection
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