General News
Mercy Johnson-Okojie, Daughter Purity Unveiled as Co-Brand Ambassadors for Girls Tag
Nigeria’s menstrual health sector is witnessing a fresh wave of innovation with the launch of Girls Tag, described as the country’s first all-in-one period care kit tailored for young girls.
The initiative aims to provide adolescents with dignity, comfort and confidence by combining premium hygiene products with age-appropriate educational resources to support healthy development.
In a move to strengthen the brand’s reach and credibility, Nollywood actress and philanthropist Mercy Johnson-Okojie and her daughter, Purity Okojie, have been unveiled as co-brand ambassadors.
Speaking at the unveiling, Johnson-Okojie emphasized the importance of empowering young girls with knowledge and confidence as they transition into adolescence.
“As a mother, I want my daughter to step into womanhood without fear or embarrassment. Girls Tag is helping families replace shame with pride and confusion with confidence,” she said.
A key component of the Girls Tag kit is Johnson-Okojie’s newly authored book titled Youberty, a puberty guide designed for boys and girls aged 10–13. The book, included in every kit, provides relatable and practical guidance for children navigating puberty.
According to the promoters, the integration of educational material distinguishes Girls Tag from conventional hygiene products, positioning it as a holistic menstrual health solution.
Each kit contains premium sanitary pads in various sizes, overnight period pants for enhanced absorbency, panty liners, disposable disposal bags, and a discreet carrying pouch to promote privacy and confidence, particularly in school and public settings.
Representatives of iBlend Services, the regional agency for Girls Tag, said the partnership with Johnson-Okojie and her daughter reflects the brand’s commitment to authenticity and family values.
They noted that the ambassadors’ public journey as mother and daughter resonates with many Nigerian families, strengthening the brand’s appeal in the local market.
Girls Tag is scheduled for nationwide rollout in the second quarter of 2026. Distribution will be through retail outlets, pharmacies and malls, as well as direct sales via the brand’s official website and social media platforms.
Promoters say the initiative represents a broader commitment to advancing menstrual health awareness, promoting corporate social responsibility and ensuring that young girls across Nigeria grow up informed, confident and empowered.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Saturday inaugurated a series of landmark projects at Southern Delta University, Ozoro, as part of activities marking the institution’s maiden convocation ceremony.
The commissioned projects include a block of science laboratories, the Faculty of Computing Complex, the Pa James Odhokpa Izomor Engineering Workshops comprising 10 fully equipped workshops donated by Engineer Godwin Izomor, male and female hostels, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences building constructed by the Delta State Government.
Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude to God for the milestone and commended the university for its steady growth within a short period.
“I am very pleased to be here today. First and foremost, I thank Almighty God for making this occasion possible, and I commend Southern Delta University for this remarkable achievement,” he said.
The governor disclosed that he began the day’s engagements before 9 a.m. with the commissioning of key facilities, including laboratories and workshops for the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and the Faculty of Computing Complex.
He described the engineering workshops built through private initiative in memory of Pa James Izomor as particularly inspiring, noting that the gesture represents a meaningful investment in education and human capital development.
“While many invest their wealth in luxury and showmanship, this family chose to invest in education. This is highly commendable, and I pray that God will continue to bless them,” he stated.
Governor Oborevwori also praised the Vice-Chancellor, Jacob Oboreh, the Governing Council and the university management for what he described as prudent and transparent management of the institution’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said has translated into visible infrastructural development.
“I am particularly impressed with the prudent use of Internally Generated Revenue by the University management. I encourage Vice-Chancellors of other universities to emulate this example,” he added, reaffirming that the institution is authorised to manage and deploy its IGR for developmental purposes.
Reflecting on the Faculty of Medical Sciences project, the governor recalled inspecting the building last year and promising that the faculty would be provided with a befitting structure and conducive learning environment.
“Today, I am glad to say that this promise has been fulfilled. The quality of work delivered here speaks volumes. This is a promise made and a promise kept,” he said.
He described the Medical Sciences project as critical to advancing medical education and scientific research in the state.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Oboreh disclosed that several of the projects were executed through internally generated revenue and direct labour, a strategy he said ensured cost-effectiveness and quality control.
He thanked Governor Oborevwori for his consistent funding and support, which he noted had enabled the young institution to achieve significant infrastructural and academic milestones within a short period.
The inauguration of the projects marked a major highlight of the university’s historic maiden convocation, underscoring the state government’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education and providing modern facilities to enhance learning and innovation in Delta State.
A fire outbreak on Friday night gutted parts of the Palace of the Emir of Jama’a in Kafanchan, the headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The affected section of the palace is said to include apartments within the wing occupied by the Emir’s mother.
Sources disclosed that the fire started while members of the household were preparing for the early evening (Magrib) prayers, causing panic within the palace and neighbouring areas.
As of Friday night, parts of the building were still smouldering, with visible signs of extensive damage. Several rooms were badly burnt, and household items were reduced to ashes.
Residents and sympathisers trooped to the palace to express solidarity with the Emir and his family.
Eyewitnesses said officials of the Kaduna State Fire Service in Kafanchan responded to a distress call but were unable to immediately contain the blaze, as their pumping machine reportedly failed to start on arrival.
The malfunction, sources said, hampered initial firefighting efforts, allowing the fire to spread and destroy four flats before additional support was mobilised.
Local volunteers joined emergency responders in salvaging property and preventing the inferno from spreading to other sections of the palace.
No casualties had been reported at the time of filing this report, though the incident caused significant property loss.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities are yet to issue an official statement detailing the extent of the damage or circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
Residents described the incident as unfortunate and called for improved emergency response capacity in the area.
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama has granted bail to prominent constitutional lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), and his co-defendant, Ponfa Useni, also known as Mr. Tali Shani.
The court admitted both defendants to bail in the sum of N10 million each, with one surety required to own landed property within the FCT. The court also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the court registrar.
The ruling came shortly after their arraignment on a 12-count charge filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) of the Federal Ministry of Justice, alleged forgery of documents, including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, reportedly linked to a property dispute in London.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ozekhome was represented by Chief Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), alongside several Senior Advocates of Nigeria and members of the Bar. Useni was represented by F.R. Onoja (SAN), who led his legal team.
Although the prosecution did not oppose the bail applications, it urged the court to impose conditions that would ensure the defendants’ attendance at trial. Defence counsel, however, requested liberal terms, noting that Ozekhome had previously complied with administrative bail conditions granted by anti-graft agencies.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter to March 13 and April 15 and 16, 2026, for further hearing.
The defendants have since met their bail conditions and were released.
The case has drawn significant public interest, given Ozekhome’s longstanding role in legal advocacy and national discourse on constitutionalism and human rights. Further proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.