…targets 3 million people in 2025 through its various initiatives

In commemoration of the 2025 World Oral Health Day, Pepsodent, a leading global toothpaste brand, in collaboration with the Nigeria Dental Association has launched its dental health campaign themed “Talk to A Dentist”. The campaign aims to reach 3m Nigerians this year, surpassing 2024 reach of 2.4m.

L-R: Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Miss Mary Akindola; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Emeka Obi; President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Emedom Elias; Director/Head of Dentistry Division, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe and Personal Care Research & Development Head of Africa, Unilever, Mr. Uchenna Nwakamma, during a press conference for the 2025 Pepsodent World Oral Health Day held at Unilever’s corporate head office in Lagos today.

Speaking during a press conference to herald the commemoration of the 2025 World Oral Health Day, Brand Manager, Pepsodent, Mary Akindola, stressed the need to instill good oral hygiene habits among children by ensuring they brush day and night for at least 2 minutes.

She further disclosed that part of the brand’s mission was to drive behavioural change among Nigerians by ensuring that brushing twice daily becomes a universal habit.

Akindola described good oral health as a fundamental human right for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or location.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), about half of the world’s population suffers from oral health conditions, ranging from mild to severe cases. Yet, many do not take action until their condition becomes critical. One of the most prevalent oral health issues is tooth decay, with an estimated two billion adults silently battling cavities. If left unaddressed, these cases have long-term consequences. 

In 2025, our goal is to expand Pepsodent Schools Program to reach 2.7m pupils while dental camps activations are projected to reach 300,000 Nigerians, targeting key regions in the North, West and East, she said. 

Speaking further on the plans, she revealed that Pepsodent and Nigerian Dental Association have scheduled dental camp activations across 20 states in Nigeria and the FCT. She explained that the activations, which would afford people from various communities to participate in oral hygiene education, dental screenings and dental treatment, will take place in 5 locations in South-West, 8 locations in the East and 7 locations in the North.

The list of identified states for the activations include Lagos, Ogun, (Oyo)Ibadan, Osun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Kano, Katsina, Kaduna,  Borno, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger and FCT Abuja.

“In addition to the dental camps, Pepsodent will reach 30,000 pupils with oral health education and oral screening, across 50 schools in Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Abuja, in celebration of the World Oral Health Day”, she said. 

In his remarks, Personal Care, Research & Development Head of Africa, Unilever, Uchenna Nwakanma, stated that Unilever, through Pepsodent, remains absolutely committed to boosting oral health awareness and increasing access to dental care globally, as demonstrated by the various programs and partnership embarked upon by the company adding that the goal is to eradicate oral disease for everyone.

According to Nwakanma, the series of activities undertaken by the brand to commemorate World Oral Health Day have reached 640,433 Nigerians in 5 years.

Since inception, the Pepsodent schools program initiatives have reached 9.1m pupils in Nigeria. With the plan to reach 2.7m pupils in 2025, the program is projected to reach 11.8m Nigerians by the end of 2025, surpassing the projection of reaching 10m pupils by 2025.He noted that prevention remains the most potent and effective strategy in the fight against oral disease, adding that awareness among children was crucial in setting them up for a life free of preventable oral health conditions.

Unilever is deeply committed to transforming oral health awareness and access to dental care globally. To us, World Oral Health Day is a day to re-emphasize the importance of oral health to overall well-being, and of course encourage call to action from industry stakeholders and the populace to drive good oral care hygiene within their sphere of influence and access professional dental care regularly, he said.

In his remarks, the President of the Nigerian Dental Association, Dr. Elias Emedom, commended Unilever Nigeria Plc for its continuous partnership in promoting oral hygiene in the country. 

Emedom further highlighted that the connection between oral health and mental well-being, stressing that limited access to oral healthcare and poor awareness are contributing factors to the rising burden of oral diseases in Nigeria. He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to collaborating with government agencies and healthcare providers to promote oral health and improve overall well-being.

This year’s FDI theme ‘A healthy mouth is a happy mind’ highlights and seeks to draw attention to the importance of the relationship between oral health and mental wellbeing. Nevertheless, we are confronted with peculiar challenges in promoting oral health in Nigeria. Oral diseases are largely untreated due to limited access to oral healthcare and poor oral health care practices, amidst poor oral health awareness contribute to increase in the burden of oral health diseases. This greatly impacts negatively on our national health, quality of life and productivity, he said. 

Also speaking, the Director/Head of the Dentistry Division at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Gloria Uzoigwe, acknowledged the government’s efforts to improving oral health policy, emphasizing ongoing initiatives to integrate oral health into primary healthcare. 

Uzoigwe commended Unilever for its partnership as demonstrating the power of public-private collaboration in achieving common goals. 

Furthermore, she extended her heartfelt gratitude to all stakeholders stating that together they will achieve a healthier Nigeria, where every citizen has access to the best oral health care and education.

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Entering your 30s often comes with increased responsibilities, whether in career, relationships, or personal growth.

Finding balance is essential for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being amid the fast pace of life. One of the best ways to achieve this is by engaging in hobbies that bring joy, relaxation, and fulfilment. If you’re looking to enrich your life while maintaining a sense of equilibrium, here are seven hobbies worth exploring.

1. Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation offer a perfect blend of physical activity and mindfulness, making them excellent hobbies for women seeking balance.

Yoga enhances flexibility, reduces stress, and promotes overall well-being, while meditation helps in calming the mind, improving focus, and fostering emotional stability. Whether you join a class or practise at home, incorporating these into your routine can be life-changing.

2. Creative Writing or Journaling

Expressing thoughts and emotions through writing can be incredibly therapeutic. Journaling allows you to reflect on your experiences, set goals, and clear your mind, while creative writing like poetry, short stories, or blogging offers a productive and fulfilling way to channel your creativity.

ALSO READ: How To Get More Comfortable Talking About Your Mental Health

3. Gardening

Gardening is a calming and rewarding hobby that connects you with nature. Whether you have a large garden or just a few indoor plants, caring for greenery can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and even provide fresh herbs or vegetables for your meals. The act of nurturing plants can be deeply satisfying and a great way to slow down from the hustle of daily life.

4. Painting or Drawing

Artistic hobbies like painting and drawing provide an excellent outlet for self-expression. They allow you to step away from digital distractions and engage in a meditative process that enhances creativity and focus. Even if you’re not naturally artistic, experimenting with colours and patterns can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

5. Dance or Fitness Classes

Staying active is key to maintaining balance in your 30s, and dance or fitness classes offer an exciting way to do so. Whether it’s Zumba, Pilates, or ballroom dancing, these activities not only improve physical health but also boost confidence and mood through movement and music.

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The hashtags #30DaysRantChallenge and #TinubuIsATerriblePresident are currently trending on social media, largely sparked by the viral video of an NYSC corps member.

The Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, lamenting that hard work seems futile amid financial struggles.

ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Sowore storms NYSC office with embattled corper who criticised Tinubu

She openly criticised Tinubu, calling him a “terrible leader,” and questioned the government’s efforts to alleviate citizens’ suffering. Additionally, she described Lagos State as a “smelling state,” complaining about its odour and poor living conditions.

“I don’t know if there has been any other president that is terrible but you are such a terrible president”.

-Nigerian lady blåsts Tinubu over the unbearable cost of living in the country. pic.twitter.com/jbpNFBmmNX

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— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) March 15, 2025

Shortly after her video went viral, Uguamaye claimed she began receiving threats, allegedly from NYSC officials, threatening her into silence and pressuring her to delete the content. In response, Nigerians who shared her sentiments rallied behind her, creating various hashtags to amplify her message and encourage more people to speak out.

As if to say, “You can’t silence us all.” Countless videos have flooded social media under the trending hashtags, each filled with frustration and despair. These hashtags have seemingly opened the floodgates for Nigerians to voice their grievances like never before, but is anyone listening?

An X user in his own submission asked Nigerian leaders if they are not ashamed of themselves. He criticized them for being the only government that would board a private jet with 200 delegates just to beg for financial aid from Western counterparts.

Dear Nigerian politician,
How do you live with yourself?
Are you not ashamed calling yourself a leader?#30DayRantChallenge#TinubuIsaTerriblePresident pic.twitter.com/c1pNn4YlUR

— Jude Bela (@realJudebela) March 17, 2025

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Another X user highlighted the extreme poverty in Nigeria, stating that people are no longer just begging for money, they are now begging for food. He shared a striking example, explaining that while dining at a restaurant, it’s now common for strangers to approach, pleading for a meal.

ALSO READ: Public figures who have reacted to the NYSC member saga

He likened Tinubu’s government to the saying, “You go dey beat pikin, dey say make pikin no cry.” He went further to call the government an evil one.

#30DayRantChallenge#TinubuIsaTerriblePresident
TINUBU IS A TERRIBLE PRESIDENT
TINUBU IS A TERRIBLE PRESIDENT pic.twitter.com/rNMNaHy38T

— Nwa Nigeria 🇳🇬 (@AllwellDika) March 16, 2025

Nigerians are not even mincing words. They are calling out the President’s full government name, labelling him a failure, a terrible leader who is tribalistic and bigoted—a president who stole the election!

He said it as it is…
"Tinubu is a terrible leader"#30DayRantChallenge#TinubuIsaTerriblePresident pic.twitter.com/ik2cLeWp9W

— Royal Spotlight (@Royal_Spotlight) March 16, 2025

One deeply frustrated Nigerian went as far as visiting the market to compare current food prices with previous ones, proving that the NYSC corps member wasn’t lying. He questioned why she was being threatened into silence for simply speaking the truth.

#30DayRantChallenge#TinubuIsaTerriblePresident pic.twitter.com/1TXTQKnUr5

— Fab (@fabthaFabulous) March 16, 2025

Tweet after tweet, Nigerians are calling out Tinubu and his government—one that seems more determined to plunge the people into deeper hardship. With a 500% rise in food prices, the fall of the naira, and skyrocketing petrol and diesel costs, are citizens expected to suffer in silence?

These hashtags serve as a clarion call, a rallying point for Nigerians to voice their frustrations. At the very least, if we have nothing else, we still have freedom of speech. The truth is, not everyone can japa, so we must continue to speak out, to demand better, and to actively push for change.

Despite this collective outcry, the silence from those in power is deafening. So we could just be wailing in a vacuum or perhaps this is the beginning of a revolution, who knows?

READ MORE: ₦49m for tuition in Nigeria’s most expensive secondary school