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“Onwa December” is Here! 5 Road Safety Tips you Should Know

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By Majolie Obaje

It’s “Onwa December” – that time of the year when there is usually a frenetic and high frequency of vehicular movement, transporters making too many trips and people working extra hard for more bucks. Grand plans are also made to “ball”, flex, travel, have fun and visit loved ones during the Christmas holiday.

This period, also part of the popular “ember months” – September through December, has a superstitious ring around it, with some people claiming that there are blood-sucking spirits on the roads that work overtime to fill their quota for the last quarter of the year.

This is further fueled by the suggestion that many deaths on the nation’s major highways occur during this time. What, however, is not in doubt is the sheer number of lives lost to road accidents.

According to UNITAR, road traffic injuries globally claim 1.35 million lives each year, disproportionately impacting health and development. They are the ninth leading cause of death across all age groups globally and the leading cause among young people aged between 15 and 29 years.

Sadly, the data coming out of Nigeria isn’t a pleasant read. The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC said: “2021 witnessed the highest number of road accident cases. A total of 10,637 accidents involving  35,791 persons were recorded, out of which 5,101 were killed and 30,690 injured.” 

The scale of health losses arising from road accidents makes road safety a development priority for all stakeholders – government, auto companies and individuals. This is why we must pay it the required attention.

Here are 5 things you should know and do to be travel-safe this season:

Be prepared

It’s important you get ready for any eventuality at all times, especially as a car owner. This involves having important safety tools in your car like the warning triangle (c-caution), fire extinguisher, jack, spare tyre, first aid kit and so on. You can’t go wrong with these in your car.

Don’t overload your car

When you overload your vehicle, you risk increasing the pressure on the suspension, brakes, tyres and other parts. This also makes it harder to steer the vehicle safely when you have a blowout or hit a rough patch on the road. Resist the urge to pack your car full this season. Did you know that overloading a vehicle is a traffic offence? Now you know.

Drive within speed limits

The road isn’t a race track, therefore, as a rule of thumb, always avoid overspeeding by keeping to the speed limits on the road. Overspeeding is a bad driving behaviour that could lead to a fatal end.

Don’t drink and drive

Because it’s a time to be merry and jolly, alcoholic beverages usually flow steadily during the ember months.

It has been medically proven that when you drive under the influence of alcohol or any other substance, many of the skills that safe driving requires – such as judgement, concentration and coordination – are significantly impaired. As such, you cannot take note of road signs, broken vehicles and blind spots on the road.  The message is simple – don’t drink and drive.

Be security conscious 

Given the state of things in Nigeria today, everyone must adopt a security-conscious approach to living. Keeping your doors locked while driving can make all the difference. Keep your eyes peeled, especially when someone in another vehicle is trying to distract you, and don’t lose your guard.

What do you do if a car pulls up in front of you and tries to force you to stop?  Turn on your hazard lights, reverse as fast as possible, and keep blaring your horns.

Finally, if you feel your car is no longer reliable, browse through affordable options on Jiji. The Inspection reports they offer would allow you to evaluate your car’s true condition and get the vehicle that won’t let you down when you least expect it.

The goal should always be to arrive safely at your destination.

Majolie Obaje is PR and Marketing Head, Jiji Nigeria


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Haleon Introduces New Corporate Identity in Nigeria

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Haleon, a global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health, is introducing its corporate identity across Nigeria in a phased transition. Trusted brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne, Macleans, Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000 and Andrews Liver Salts remain unchanged in formulation, quality, and effectiveness.

Following the formal demerger from GSK, Haleon was launched on July 18, 2022, as an independent company 100% focused on consumer health. Haleon is the new home for brands like Sensodyne, Panadol, Centrum and others, trusted by millions worldwide for their proven effectiveness in improving everyday health.

From relieving tooth sensitivity or pain to providing essential vitamins and nutrients, our products are designed to fulfil Haleon’s purpose: to deliver better everyday health with humanity.

This revised corporate identity is a branding change only and does not affect the safety, quality, or efficacy of the products. Haleon is sharing this update as part of its commitment to transparency and consumer confidence, helping consumers continue to choose the brands they know and trust.

Haleon’s collaboration with Fidson Healthcare forms part of this approach, reinforcing the value of local production in supporting trusted everyday health brands in Nigeria.

Panadol Extra 100s and Panadol Pain & Fever 100s are currently being produced and supplied to the market under the Haleon identity. Sensodyne Rapid Action will bear the Haleon corporate identity from mid-June, followed by Andrews Liver Salts later this year.

In due course, additional brands—including Otrivin, Voltaren, Cac 1000, Macleans, and the wider Sensodyne portfolio—will also transition to the Haleon identity.

Haleon remains committed to ensuring consumers can continue to access the same high-quality brands at pharmacies, supermarkets and other retail outlets across Nigeria.

“As Haleon introduces its identity in Nigeria, we want consumers to feel informed and reassured. The trusted products they rely on remain the same in quality, formulation and effectiveness.

“At the same time, our local production approach in partnership with Fidson Healthcare supports reliable access to high-quality everyday health products in Nigeria,” said Himanshu Raj, Haleon General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa.

 


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Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

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Tech entrepreneur and SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, has become the world’s first trillionaire after the successful public listing of SpaceX pushed his net worth beyond the $1 trillion mark.

Elon Musk Makes History as the World’s First Trillionaire

Elon Musk

According to multiple financial reports, Musk’s fortune surged to approximately $1.1 trillion following SpaceX’s historic stock market debut on June 12, making him the first individual in history to achieve the milestone.

The sharp increase in wealth was driven primarily by SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO), which valued the company at more than $1.7 trillion at listing before rising above $2 trillion during its first day of trading. Musk’s holdings in SpaceX, combined with his stakes in Tesla and other ventures, significantly boosted his net worth.

Musk, 54, is also the founder or co-founder of companies including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and The Boring Company. He acquired social media platform X, formerly Twitter, in a $44 billion deal and has remained one of the most influential figures in technology and business.

Financial analysts noted that Musk’s wealth now far exceeds that of any other billionaire.

Matt Durot, deputy editor at Forbes Wealth, said the gap between Musk and the world’s second-richest individual had widened significantly, with no other person currently close to the trillion-dollar threshold.

Despite the historic achievement, Musk’s vast wealth has reignited debates over global inequality and the responsibilities of ultra-wealthy individuals in addressing humanitarian challenges.

Advocacy groups have frequently pointed to issues such as hunger, disease eradication and access to education as areas where large-scale private philanthropy could make a significant impact.

In 2021, Musk publicly challenged the United Nations to provide a detailed plan showing how billions of dollars could help combat world hunger. Although a proposal was later presented, no donation followed.

Analysts note that much of Musk’s wealth remains tied to company shares rather than liquid cash, meaning his net worth can fluctuate significantly with market movements.

Nevertheless, the SpaceX IPO marks a historic moment in global finance, placing Musk in a wealth category previously considered unimaginable.

Commenting on Musk’s business achievements, Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase, described him as “the Edison of our time.”

Musk’s rise from co-founding internet startup Zip2 in the 1990s to becoming the world’s first trillionaire is regarded by many analysts as one of the most remarkable wealth creation stories in modern history.


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Kaspersky Warns of “Grey” Scam Websites Exploiting User Trust

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Recent research by Kaspersky has shown that the so-called “grey” websites repeatedly target all world regions, and this may be driving both financial loss and large-scale data harvesting.

Grey websites are deceptive online platforms that fall outside traditional phishing definitions but still manipulate users into voluntarily handing over money and personal data. Kaspersky’s new report provides detailed insights into the threats posed by the grey websites on global and regional levels.

Unlike classic phishing attacks, which aim to steal credentials outright, grey websites rely on persuasion, misleading interfaces, and hidden terms to exploit users. They often impersonate legitimate services such as e-commerce platforms, financial tools, AI services, or subscription-based content, making them significantly harder to detect.

Kaspersky analysis shows that the majority of suspicious resources globally fall into several recurring categories:

  • Fake browser extensions and “security tools” that actually harvest browsing data and track user activity.
  • Fraudulent financial platforms including crypto exchanges, trading tools, and investment schemes promising unrealistic returns.
  • Intermediary services (e.g., legal or real estate), charging for low-value or nonexistent services while harvesting sensitive personal data.
  • Subscription traps offering low-cost trials that convert into costly recurring payments hidden in fine print.
  • Fake online shops that either deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all.

Example of a grey website.

A notable trend is the emergence of tools disguised as AI services or image-processing platforms, reflecting attackers’ ability to adapt to current digital trends and target younger audiences.

There are proven security solutions that help users to detect grey websites across different types of devices – those running on Windows, Linux, Android and iOS. The detection model is based on many factors, including domain name and age, IP reputation, stability of the infrastructure used, DNS configurations, HTTP security headers, digital identity and popularity of the web resource and other criteria.

Regional specifics

Regional variations in grey websites demonstrate how threat actors localise scams based on user behaviour and trending technologies.

In Europe, the threat landscape is dominated by links to suspicious browser extensions and fake “privacy-enhancing” tools.

These resources often present themselves as security solutions, promising safer browsing or anonymous search capabilities. In reality, they function as browser hijackers – intercepting traffic, collecting cookies, tracking user behaviour, and injecting advertisements.

The popularity of these threats reflects a high level of user concern around privacy and security, which attackers actively exploit. Additionally, these regions show a steady presence of phishing intermediaries and crypto-related scams, indicating a blend of technical and financially motivated attacks.

Across African markets, financial scams are the most prominent category of suspicious resources. Fraudulent trading platforms, fake brokers, and investment schemes frequently mimic legitimate financial services, often accompanied by fabricated licenses or endorsements.

These platforms typically prevent users from withdrawing funds, instead introducing additional “fees” or taxes to prolong the scam. The concentration of these threats highlights how attackers leverage growing interest in online investing while exploiting gaps in regulatory enforcement and financial literacy.

In the Middle East and North Africa region, suspicious resources frequently mimic communication (Internet telephony) tools, financial platforms, or betting services. Additionally, Ponzi-style investment schemes and crypto scams are widespread, often presented through polished interfaces that mimic legitimate platforms.

Web browser-based threats also play a significant role, with malicious extensions targeting user data and browsing activity. The regional threat profile reflects a convergence of financial fraud and technical compromise, where users risk both data exposure and monetary loss.

“Suspicious websites don’t look harmful at first glance. But they exploit trust, urgency, and familiarity, and a single click on what looks like a harmless AI image tool, a “secure” browser extension, or a heavily discounted online shop could be all it takes to lose money or expose sensitive data.

Instead of direct credential theft, attackers turn to behavioural manipulation – whether that’s subscribing, investing, or installing software,” comments Anna Larkina, Web Content and Privacy Analysis Expert at Kaspersky.

 


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