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Transforming Lives: Mercy Ships Revolutionizes Surgical Care In Africa
Mercy Ships, in collaboration with African nations, is bringing surgical training and life-changing procedures to individuals in need.
Mercy Ships, a renowned international faith-based charity, has been instrumental in providing surgical care and training to local healthcare professionals in African nations.
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Over the past three decades, this extraordinary organization has partnered with African nations and local organizations to improve surgical infrastructure and transform the lives of individuals in need.
In this article, we delve into the inspiring story of Hamadou, a courageous four-year-old boy from eastern Senegal, whose life took a remarkable turn after receiving life-transforming surgery from Mercy Ships.
Hamadou’s Journey
Hamadou was born with a cleft lip, a condition that not only affected his physical abilities but also had a profound impact on his social interactions.
Sadly, his parents could not afford the surgery required to correct the cleft lip. As a result, Hamadou faced challenges in swallowing, eating, and even attending school.
In his community, the simple act of sharing water from a common pot became a hurdle due to the stigma associated with his condition. Despite the hardships, Hamadou’s parents remained by his side, offering unwavering support.
Mercy Ships’ Arrival
The turning point in Hamadou’s life came when his family learned about Mercy Ships’ presence in the port of Dakar, Senegal.
Mercy Ships operates two hospital ships, including the Africa Mercy, which deliver free surgical care to individuals lacking access to such treatment. The news filled Hamadou’s parents with hope, and they were overjoyed when their son was cleared for the much-needed surgery.
A Fighter’s Spirit
Upon Hamadou’s arrival on the Africa Mercy, American nurse Mary Toupin recognized his indomitable spirit. Despite living his entire life with a cleft lip, this little boy exhibited remarkable courage.
Mary explained how infants with cleft lip struggle with eating due to difficulties in suction and drinking milk.
However, Hamadou’s resilience stood out, as he defied the odds. Lily Orcel, a volunteer pediatric nurse from France, expressed her admiration for Mercy Ships’ ability to transform the lives of individuals like Hamadou, who had endured treatable conditions for years.
A New Beginning
Following the successful surgery, Hamadou’s face gradually returned to normal, and a radiant smile adorned his face like never before.
Discharged from the Africa Mercy hospital, Hamadou and his mother, Hawa, returned to their home in Senegal’s Tambacounda region. The surgery had come just in time for Hamadou to pursue his dreams, unimpeded by his condition.
With a deep passion for technology waiting to be nurtured, Hamadou was now ready to embark on his educational journey.
Technology’s Role
Hamadou’s affinity for technology became evident during his time on the hospital ship, where he caught the attention of volunteer videographer Eugene Ampadu from Ghana.
Witnessing the joy on Hamadou’s face as he engaged with technology, Eugene realized the profound impact it had on the young boy.
In Eugene’s words, patients like Hamadou not only experience physical healing but also rediscover their inherent gifts and talents, offering a renewed sense of hope.
Mercy Ships’ Dedication
Mercy Ships, with its team of over 3,000 volunteers from 60 different countries, operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ships—the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy.
These selfless individuals contribute their expertise and passion to provide life-changing surgical care to those in need. Through partnerships with African nations and local organizations, Mercy Ships continues to revolutionize surgical training and infrastructure, ensuring sustainable healthcare development in the region.
Hamadou’s story is just one example of the countless lives transformed by Mercy Ships. With their unwavering commitment to providing surgical care and training, this extraordinary organization has become a beacon of hope for individuals in Africa and beyond.
Through their collaborative efforts, Mercy Ships and their dedicated volunteers are bridging the gap in surgical care, empowering communities, and shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N825.
Esan Sunday, head of media relations and branding communications at Dangote Group, announced the reduction in a statement on Wednesday.
The development comes more than three weeks after the refinery reduced petrol price from N950 per litre to N890.
The new price means that the refinery has significantly cut the ex-depot price by N125 from N950 per litre in January.
“This recent price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“This strategic price adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.
“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
“This marks the second reduction of PMS prices in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60 earlier in the month.
“Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.”
The oil firm refinery also said previous reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
Dangote refinery added that its high-quality products, which have become a favourite in both domestic and international markets, will remain available nationwide, particularly through its key partners — MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden — at market-friendly rates.
The organisation assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings.
The refinery also called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its effort
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party had a debt of N8.9 billion when he assumed office.
Ganduje took over from Abdullahi Adamu, who was the national chairman of the APC until his resignation in July 2023.
Speaking during the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Kano governor said the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
“The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” Ganduje said.
However, the APC chairman said Kareem Kana, the national legal adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the national executive committee to intervene accordingly,” he said.
Earlier today, the chairman said the party is making efforts to mend internal divisions and bring aggrieved members back into the fold.
Ganduje explained that the APC had initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and stakeholders to address lingering disagreements and strengthen party unity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.