Flowerbud News

Month: September 2023

  • Rep Nnamchi rejects tribunal judgment, heads to Appeal Court

    Rep Nnamchi rejects tribunal judgment, heads to Appeal Court

     

    Enugu:  Prof. Paul Nnamchi, House of Representative Member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal constituency, has rejected the judgment of the three-man panel of the National Assembly Election Tribunal at its sitting in Enugu.

    It would be recalled that the panel of the National Assembly Election Tribunal, on Friday, nullified the election of Nnamchi of the Labour Party (LP); while declaring the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the election.

    This is contained in a press statement issued by Nnamchi through his Media Adviser, Mr Sam Nwanze, shortly after the judgment.

     

    Nnamchi said that the “verdict does not conform to the provisions of the law and expectation of his teeming supporters”.

    According to him, I am not satisfied with the judgment of the tribunal which to me is not in accordance with the provisions of the law and expectation of my teeming supporters.

     

    “Consequently, I have instructed my lawyers to proceed to appeal the matter at the Appeal Court which has the final say on the case and I am confident we will get justice at the Appeal Court.

     

    “My confidence in the judiciary is not shaken by this judgment.

     

    “I am hopeful justice will be served at the next level and the current verdict will be overturned at the appellate court.

     

    “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to my teeming supporters to remain calm as we are hopeful to reclaim the mandate at the Appeal Court,” he said.

    Nnamchi also used this opportunity to appreciate all his supporters who had called to show solidarity and those who might not reach him.

     

    “I can assure you all of my resolve to defend the mandate freely given to me through your votes by fighting to the end. It is not yet over. God bless you all,” he added. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Enugu communities protest detention of son, Ugwu, for 3-month without trial

    Enugu communities protest detention of son, Ugwu, for 3-month without trial

     

     

     

    Enugu:  The people of Opi community and Ekwegbe community in Enugu State have marched to the Government House to protest continued detention of their son, Mr Onyekachi Ugwu, in Enugu Custodial Centre over alleged kidnapping.

     

    Ugwu, who is from Opi community and counsel to Ekwegbe community, had been in detention for over three-month over his arrest for alleged cyber-stalking (use of digital technology to harass someone) against the former Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dan Shere.

     

    It was gathered that when the bail application for Ugwu (a lawyer) came up at the Enugu Magistrate Court, Shere brought in new petition against Ugwu as one of the persons that masterminded his (Shere’s) kidnap on Oct. 27, 2022.

    Worried by his continued detention without any charge as the Magistrate Court declined jurisdiction to try the new charges, the communities marched to the Government House to seek the help of Gov. Peter Mbah intervention for the release of their son.

     

    Addressing Journalists after submitting their petition to a representative of Gov. Peter Mbah on Saturday, the mother of Ugwu, Mrs Monica Ugwu pleaded with Shere to bring whatever the matter is home to be resolved amicably and called on government intervention. .

     

    Mrs. Ugwu, who broke down in tears, said: “My son who has been a great friend and confidant of Dr. Shere has been in detention for almost four months. I don’t know what went wrong and the brotherhood they shared was destroyed.

    “I have gone on my knees to beg Dr. Shere to please bring the matter home let us know what went wrong but he has ignored all my pleas.”

     

    When asked what she was told her son did, the mother said: “my son is a lawyer and they said he was offering legal services to the people of Ekwegbe and that was the problem.

     

    “In the midst of that, we started hearing that he was involved in kidnapping. My son is not a kidnapper, he is a lawyer and was contracted by Ekwegbe community people.

     

    “He is a brother to Dan Shere, they are from the same village and community. I am on knees and begging the government and Dr. Shere to please come to my aid and let my son free.

     

    “For almost four months I have not seen my son, the only thing I was told is that he is in a (correctional service) yard,” Mrs Ugwu said while sobbing uncontrollably.


    Also speaking, Chief Fidelis Nweze from Ekwegbe community, said they (Ekwegbe people) contracted Ugwu to help them secure their over 2,000 plots of land which they are at the risk of losing to some persons.

     

    “We are stranded. We don’t know what is happening because we have always known Ugwu and he cannot be a kidnapper,” Nweze said.

    Explaining the controversy surrounding the land, he said they never sold their land but went into an agreement with the owners of Winners Chapel to release the land to them for a University Project.

     

    He further explained: “Six villages in our community donated their lands to the church because we know of the enormous benefits a university will bring to our community.

     

    “We have lost the university because the church did not come again to develop the land again as they promised.

    “We are supposed to sit down with them and put the oral promises made to our people on paper as well as tidy the negotiations.

     

    “They promised to give our children scholarship, make our son a member of the governing council of the University, and give us a percentage of the work force for the junior cadre. They also promised to give the contract for the perimeter fencing to our people.”

     

    He disclosed that the university never paid them for the land but made a monetary commitment to them which they said was a paltry sum because it is not enough to buy the land.

     

    Conclusively, Nweze called on the Gov. Peter Mbah, whom he described as a listening leader, to come to their aid and ensure the release of their lawyer and their land not encroached into.

     

    All efforts to contact Dr Dan Shere for comments failed as he’s yet to respond to several calls and SMS sent to his mobile line on the matter. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Yobe LG Polls: Sector of Yobe IPAC concurs on rescheduling

    Yobe LG Polls: Sector of Yobe IPAC concurs on rescheduling

     

    Damaturu:  A section of the Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Yobe state Chapter concurred with the decision of the other faction for the postponement of the local government elections in the state.

    The IPAC Secretary, Yobe State chapter Alhaji Abdullahi Bello made this in a press release on Friday in Damaturu.

    A faction of IPAC under the Chairmanship of Mr Bala Mohammed on 5th September, 2023 appealed to Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission to postpone local government elections scheduled to hold November to a later time.

    The IPAC Secretary, who signed this second press release said, Muhammed’s camp did not make adequate consultation to Exco members before conducting the first press briefing.

    However, Bello said after extensive consultations, they also agreed that the election should be rescheduled to the most appropriate time, giving electorates the opportunity to fully participate in the campaign and election activities.

    “By this, we wish to render our unreserved apology to all for our late decision.

    “We take the decision to preserve the integrity of all political parties involve,” he added.

    Bello commended to Gov Mai Mala Buni for ‘the all-inclusive policies’ of his administration.

    “We hope and pray that your government will accept the decision to shift the local government election to another appropriate date,” the secretary added. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Much Ado About TPLT Wayrrmark on PEPC Judgement

    Much Ado About TPLT Wayrrmark on PEPC Judgement

     

    By Barr. Jesutega Onokpasa

    (Flowerbudnews):  Any copy of the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, that bears the watermark of the Tinubu Presidential Legal Team, TPLT, is the copy circulated by the TPLT, itself and this is so because when the judgement was released to it, it decided to watermark it as its own copy while scanning it for release to the public.

    The original copies released by the PEPC does not bear the TPLT watermark and so the copies circulated by the PDP, Labour Party and APM (if they bother to circulate same) should similarly bear their own watermarks if they so desired but I don’t think they would be minded to do so since they lost so woefully and were so thoroughly excoriated, and rightly so, by their lordships.

    Any copy of the judgement bearing the TPLT watermark bears it because it was placed there as a mark of pride in its work at the tribunal by the TPLT when circulating it.

    The original at the PEPC does not bear it and never did.

    While social media “experts” have been advertising their ignorance over the watermark, the legal teams of Atiku Abubarkar and Peter Obi have kept mute because they know it’s total humbug. (Flowerbudnews)

  • In democracy, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose – ex-Enugu APC Chair

    In democracy, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose – ex-Enugu APC Chair

     

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu: Dr Ben Nwoye, former Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, has advised politicians aggrieved over the outcome of Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) judgment to seek redress at the Supreme Court.

    Nwoye gave the advice while speaking to newsmen on Thursday in Enugu over the PEPT Judgment which reaffirms the victory of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the Feb. 18, 2023, Presidential Election.

    He said: “The candidates and supporters of the opposition parties should never take laws into their hands.

    “The beauty and lesson of democracy is that “sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

    “No one should resort to violence or instigation of the people against the government or her institutions because the outcome of the Presidential election judgment did not favour his or her party.

    “The Supreme Court is a veritable option for appeal by anyone aggrieved or not happy with the outcome of the PEPT judgment and not calling people out into the streets”.

    According to him, no one has the right to truncate our hard earned democracy because a judgment did not favour him, his supporters or political party.

    Nwoye, a founding member of APC, noted that those who lost in the tribunal, both in facts and evidence, should obey the sound judgment of the PEPT.

    “Those that submitted themselves to the judiciary process and system should also submit themselves to the judicial outcome.

    “The opposition should stop abusing the judiciary but submit to the painstaking sound judgment the judiciary delivered on Wednesday,” he cautioned.

    On the reaffirmed victory of President Tinubu, Nwoye said that the judgment was clear and convincing to all sound minds in the entire nation.

    “The victory of President Bola Tinubu is the will of the people and a victory for democracy.

    “Nobody wins 100 per cent in any given election, even in advanced democracies such as the U.S. and Great Britain.

    “The opposition parties should do well by congratulating President Tinubu and join hands with the ruling APC-led government to move Nigeria forward,” he added.

    It would be recalled that President Tinubu defeated and floored Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) at the PEPT on Wednesday. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Culture capable of promoting national security, economic growth – Don

    Culture capable of promoting national security, economic growth – Don

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Prof. Uche Waleke of the Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, on Friday urged Nigerians to embrace and uphold their culture to achieve national security and economic development.

    Waleke made the call during the investment forum segment of the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC) in Abuja.

    The professor spoke on the theme “Culture, Economic Development and National Security”.

    According to him, culture plays a  significant role in economic development and national security.

    “The nation has embraced a mono economy for too long hence its challenges of insecurity and minimal economic growth,” ‘Waleke said.

    He noted that when Nigeria begins to diversify its economy with a look into the culture industry, it will be better for it.

    According to him, creating a more prosperous, equitable and secure society entails  government rendering utmost support to the arts, crafts, fashion, music, movie sectors of the culture industry.

    “Mass production of Nigerian cultural products is capable of ensuring employment creation, income generation, export promotion ,creation of some sense of identity and belonging as well as attracting tourists.

    “This will also guarantee social cohesion.

    “Culture is critical to economic development, skills development should be encouraged as well as good sense of business ethics.

    “Also, to enhance the ease of doing business, efficient and non corrupt bureaucracy must be ensured, taxes be harmonised and the culture of paying bribes be dealt with,” he said.

    Waleke advised the Federal Government and Nigerians generally to cultivate the habit of savings,  as it  leads to investment,  growth and development.

    He said that the government must begin to involve local communities when developing cultural products.

    “This will help to ensure that the products are relevant and meaningful to the people who create and consume them.

    “Government must work on protecting intellectual property rights so that cultural producers are compensated for their work.

    “Government needs  to promote cultural diversity so that all cultures are represented and respected, as well as support small-scale producers so that they have the resources they need to produce high-quality cultural products.

    “Nigerian culture that values meritocracy, fair treatment, civility, harmony, rule of law and equality before the law and hard work  is going to produce a far more developed and secured society than a culture that values nepotism and caste system,” he said.

    Also speaking, Suleiman Mohammed, National President, Society of Nigerian Artistes, urged Nigerian universities to intensify efforts on conducting research on the nation’s  culture and ways of advancing the sector.

    He said this would go a long way in positioning the arts and culture industries.

    Picto Uzochukwu, a security expert, said that the issue of national security must be a collective effort of every Nigerian.

    He noted that culture had great potential for employment creation, urging Nigerians to tap into the preservation of historical sites as a means  of wealth creation for themselves. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • CIIE holds business forum in Kazakhstan

    CIIE holds business forum in Kazakhstan

    CIIE holds business forum in Kazakhstan

     

    A business forum on China International Import Expo (CIIE) was held in Kazakhstan on September 7.

    Yu Xiantao, economic and commercial counsellor of Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, attended the forum and expressed his willingness to further encourage Kazakhstan companies to participate in the CIIE and showcase their high-quality products.

    Yu added that he is looking forward to seeing more Kazakhstan companies and agencies join the 6th CIIE, which will take place from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai.

    Five years on, the CIIE has been a witness to closer China-Kazakhstan cooperation.

    According to a representative of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), which is the venue for the CIIE, Kazakhstan has always been a significant participant of the CIIE. Over the past five editions, hundreds of Kazakhstan enterprises participated in the Business Exhibition and occupied a combined exhibition area of 2,000 square meters.

    President Tokayev of Kazakhstan even once described the CIIE as a “golden gate” for global commodities to enter the Chinese market.

    Many Kazakh companies have achieved commercial success at the expo, with the intended turnover generated by these companies over the years totaling $430 million. Several of Kazakhstan’s renowned goods like candies and dairy products have also become well-known to Chinese consumers thanks to the CIIE.

    Egemberdieva Asel Yerikovna, deputy CEO of QazTrade, said during the forum that Kazakhstan is upbeat about its economic and trade cooperation with China as bilateral trade between the two rose 34 percent year-on-year to $24.1 billion in 2022.

    Speaking of QazTrade’s preparations for this year’s expo, Egemberdieva said that the organization will once again help more Kazakh enterprises enter the Chinese market and make their products known to the world.

    During the forum, a CIIE delegation updated the audience about the preparations for this year’s event. According to the delegation, over 360,000 square meters of exhibition area has already been booked by more than 2,000 enterprises. The number of Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises taking part this year is also more than that of the last edition.

    Notably, the physical Country Exhibition will make its return this year.

    In addition, the World Openness Report 2023 will also be released at the 6th Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a key component of the CIIE.

    For more information, please visit our official website https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/ or follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok!

     

  • OmoBarca meets Ajeromi Ifelodun GCE Beneficiaries

    OmoBarca meets Ajeromi Ifelodun GCE Beneficiaries

    By Aluta News

    Sept 8, 2023

    OmoBarca meets beneficiaries of his 150 free GCE forms, announces scholarship Philanthropist and politician, Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima aka OmoBarca met with the beneficiaries of his foundation’s 150 FREE GCE forms giveaway.

    The beneficiaries, who are youths of Ajeromi Ifelodun federal constituency, were glad to meet their benefactor.

    Speaking to them, OmoBarca reminded the excited youths of the importance of education and urged them to take advantage of this opportunity to prepare themselves for the academic challenges ahead.

    The beneficiaries were delighted when OmoBarca announced a scholarship of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) for any candidate who scores 9 “A”s in the forthcoming examination.

    He also advised them to study hard, pass the examination and make the constituency proud.

    The beneficiaries applauded OmoBarca for his generosity and promised to seize the opportunity to pursue academic excellence.

    A photo session followed immediately after the meeting.

    The beneficiaries were presented with a token each for their refreshment and transportation back home.

    Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima’s empowerment cuts across all spheres of life, he is indeed focused and passionate about making Ajeromi Ifelodun federal constituency a better place for the people.

    He is believes that when youths are empowered, the community is empowered.

  • Steer clear Aregbesola’s caucus — Oyetola tells Osun APC members

    Steer clear Aregbesola’s caucus — Oyetola tells Osun APC members

     

    Osogbo – The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola has charged members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun state to stay away from former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’ys caucus.

    Aregbesola had recently flouted a caucus named Omoluabi Progressives saying the political party is a product of the amalgamation of caucuses.

    However, Oyetola, while addressing party members who received him at the Tinubu-Shettima campaign office in Osogbo, warned party members to ignore the group in the collective interest of the party.

     

    The Minister, who spoke in Yoruba language, said he was not averse to reconciliation but those who were involved in anti-party activities must be sober, adding that expulsion and suspension of erring members by the State Working Committee of the party is a step in the right direction.

     

    “I am telling now that you should not attend any caucus meeting, the only valid meeting you must attend is APC meetings at your various wards, there is no any caucus or faction in the state APC. Don’t be mislead by those caucus handlers, they will trade you away.

     

    “I am not against the punishment meted against our party members who engaged in anti-party activities during the last sets of election. We worked for three years to ensure reconciliation but they jeopardised our efforts, I am fully in support of the party’s action.

     

    “However, I am not averse to genuine reconciliation. If they show remorse and they are sober we must go to the roundtable to dialogue”, he added.

     

    The former governor urged party faithful to ensure that they attend party meetings and activities promptly, saying the party will return to power

    by 2026.