inDrive, the urban mobility platform, has unveiled a list of essential delivery tips to help customers ensure the safe delivery of their items.

The list of essential delivery tips includes making a wise choice of courier, labelling of the item with the recipient’s name and address, indicating the fragility and weight of the item to a courier, choosing the right vehicle to transport the item(s), documentation of the item or package’s condition by taking a photo, wrapping the package with recycled materials, checking the courier’s rating and comments, camouflaging the contents of the package, delivering in person expensive items like high-end electronics, cash or jewellery.

The list of essential tips was released against the backdrop of recent findings by the company, which analysed 5,000 comments left by Nigerians about their experiences with deliveries in 2024 and their appreciation of the most unusual deliveries and comments.

According to the study, the top five delivery categories include Food (17%), Clothes (15%), Electronics (10%), Documents (4%), and Medicine (2%). Other notable categories are textiles and cosmetics, which show the broad spectrum of everyday needs for which Nigerians rely on delivery services.

Speaking on the findings, Timothy Oladimeji, spokesperson for inDrive and Senior Business Development, stressed that the platform has introduced many innovations to give users a memorable and safe delivery experience.

“At inDrive, people trust us to deliver everything from daily essentials to meaningful gifts and special purchases. That’s why we are committed to making our service as reliable and secure as possible. Over the past year, we’ve seen incredible growth in new clients in Nigeria, with person-to-person (P2P) deliveries – such as parcels sent between friends, family, or individuals – tripling and B2B deliveries growing sixfold.

In 2024, we introduced improvements to geo-tracking, enhanced courier selection based on ratings and feedback, and made ordering even more seamless. We always encourage users to choose couriers carefully, using our convenient rating system to ensure the best experience. While we strive to provide a safe and efficient service, we also recommend that users take extra care when sending high-value items, just as they would with any delivery service.”, Timothy said.

According to him, it is better always to select a courier with good ratings and positive feedback to ensure a safe and reliable delivery experience.

Food deliveries took the lead, with items ranging from simple everyday meals to elaborate and carefully curated delicacies. While the most common food package is simply labelled “Food” (64%), some senders specify unique dishes, reflecting Nigeria’s rich culinary traditions.

Among the most exotic and rare deliveries are 42 tubers of yams, 5 litres of soup, a bag filled with small chops, a box of pizza, a bowl of goat meat (asun), shawarma and ice cream. Clothes are also major items that dominate as many fashion-conscious Nigerians frequently send clothes through delivery services.

Some of the unique fashion items spotted among deliveries include autogele i.e elaborate headgear used in traditional Nigerian fashion, aso-oke and asoebi i.e fabrics worn at special occasions and weddings, vintage shirts, waist trainers, wedding dresses, veils, and petticoats. Other unique items that have been delivered include esoteric crafts, a fragile bonsai tree, air fryer, bass guitar, PlayStation 5 game disc and excavator keys.

Another significant trend is the delivery of gifts, with flowers, surprise presents, and hampers being among the most commonly sent. The Nigerian love for celebration and appreciation is evident in these thoughtful deliveries.

It noted that the safe delivery tips are also available on the inDrive app.

Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili has accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio of dodging opportunities that would prove his innocence in the sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Ezekwesili said Akpabio and the Senate has continued to deny Natasha the right to a fair hearing and an impartial investigation.

The suspended Kogi Central Senator had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

She claimed that the Senate President denied her certain privileges for turning down his sexual advances even in the presence of her husband.

However, the former minister wondered why Akpabio was obstructing every opportunity for an impartial Senate inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations against him.

Posting on X, she wrote: “This morning, I again remembered the all-time quote of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan:

“This Injustice shall not be sustained.

“I agree. Societies that have kept sustaining injustice are the ones that are stuck in lowest economic growth, pernicious poverty and widespread inequality. So, we should all not agree for the injustice being inflicted on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to be sustained.

“I agree. Societies that have kept sustaining injustice are the ones that are stuck in lowest economic growth, pernicious poverty and widespread inequality. So, we should all not agree for the injustice being inflicted on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to be sustained.

“Can the @NGRSenate and @Senator_Akpabio tell Nigerians why they have persisted in denying their courageous colleague, Senator @NatashaAkpoti, the right to fair hearing and impartial investigation of her Sexual Harassment petition against the Senate President?

Why is Senator Akpabio obstructing every opportunity for an impartial Senate inquiry into this matter? Why is he dodging the opportunity that can help him prove his innocence of the serious allegation leveled by his female colleague?

“Why are Senator Akpabio’s colleagues in the Senate supporting such obstruction in gross violation of the same “Senate Rules” they used in illegally suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?

“The Senate cannot pretend to be “moving on” regarding this case. Not at all. This Injustice cannot be sustained at all.

“The Senate cannot pretend to be “moving on” regarding this case. Not at all. This Injustice cannot be sustained at all.

“There’s no “moving on” possible without accountability, transparency and due process on this case of massive abuse of power by our country’s #3 top ranking public figure.

“Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan is never walking alone on this case. Never.”

Minister of Works, David Umahi has denied directing protest against David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital in Ebonyi State.

There have been protests against the management of the hospital since last week by the host community with the Minister accused of directing the protest.

The protests have caused tension in the health Institution.

Umahi while addressing the community on Monday, emphasized that he did not direct anyone to protest against the hospital.

“I didn’t direct for any protest. The President General asked me in Abakaliki, ‘Shall we do protest?’ and I said no, don’t…”he stated.

He urged community members to cease any form of petition writing going forward, warning that this could play into the hands of those who wish to see the hospital fail.

He advocated allowing the hospital CMD, Professor Uzoma Agwu to serve out her tenure, emphasizing the importance of supporting the institution and allowing posterity to judge the leadership.

He stated: “Let’s hand over the Hospital to her, she is our daughter. And I’m sure you all heard me very well.

If we have our children that are in that hospital that are writing petition, it is against the hospital. Do not write petition against anybody. You will be playing into the hands of our enemies. You will be playing into the hands of those who don’t want the hospital to thrive.”

The Minister highlighted the hospital’s achievements particularly in providing critical care to cancer patients from across the region, not just Ohaozara.

He stressed that the hospital’s success is crucial and appealed for prayers to support its continued growth.

Umahi also announced that the state Governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru has agreed to intervene in the matter, and bring resolution to all outstanding issues.

“The governor graciously has agreed to step in. So let’s allow the governor to find out what is happening and get the problem solved.”

Additionally, Engr. Umahi pledged to collaborate with the head of SMEDAN to empower local business owners in the community and promised scholarships for academic pursuits, to be rolled out in phases.

He urged Uburu Community to sustain the tempo of progress and ensure that a new generation of influential personalities emerges, both in politics and business to carry the torch to be left behind by the older generation.