Flowerbud News

Month: September 2023

  • 19 kidnapped, 30 killed in Abuja landslide

    19 kidnapped, 30 killed in Abuja landslide

    19 persons were on Thursday, kidnapped in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, while no fewer than 30 persons were reported to have died in a landslide caused by activities of illegal miners in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

     

    These were revealed during the maiden meeting between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the six area council chairmen.

     

    The Minister, who was concerned about the developments said he would summon the FCT Director of State Services, as well as the Commissioner of Police, to be comprehensively briefed about the kidnap incident and facilitate rescue operations.

     

    While asking the council bosses to set up a surveillance task force in their areas to monitor mining activities, Wike said he would meet with his counterpart in Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to eliminate illegal mining in the FCT.

    Speaking on the challenges confronting the councils, Kwali Area Council chairman, Danladi Chiya, appealed to the Wike and the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to come to their aid.

     

    He said, “When we heard about your appointment, we were happy because you have been a Council Chairman and therefore, understand our challenges. Our challenges are inadequate funding of the local government system.

     

    “We have the major challenge of insecurity across the six Area Councils. Just today (Thursday), about 19 people were kidnapped in the Bwari Area Council. I just received about five people in my council, who were in captivity for about six days.

    The next is the development of satellite towns. The issue of sanitation is one of the major challenges confronting us. There is also no efficient transport facility. The Abuja Urban Mass Transit buses are no longer functional.

     

    “Then, there is the issue of land allocation. You sit in your council and your backyard will be allocated to someone you don’t even know. Graveyards and worship centres would be allocated and all we are saying is that we should be carried along in terms of land allocation.

     

    “The responsibility of primary school teachers is on the local governments. The UBE’s payment of salaries lies on the council, which by law is supposed to be 60-40 per cent. We are pleading that you help us so that this issue can be looked into.”

     

    the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Abdullahi Sabo, also lamented the menace of illegal miners, saying, “There is the issue of illegal mining in the FCT. Indiscriminate mining licences are given out and this has led to insecurity. They give letters of consent to Chinese people.

     

    “Just a few days ago, there was a landslide that took the lives of 30 people as a result of the activities of illegal miners. We appeal to you to engage the Minister of Mines to stop mining in the FCT.”

     

    “On sanitation, we have a problem. Sanitation is a big issue. It is the duty of the council not just to collect the fees but to dispose of refuse. We have to sit down and work together on this by adopting a common template.”

     

    Responding, Wike said, “On illegal mining, I will talk to the minister. Ordinarily, I would say you should also form your own surveillance taskforce as Chief Security Officers of your councils and make arrests and we will support you. However, I will meet with the minister”.

  • Six suspects masquerading as drivers with foreign plate numbers arrested in Abuja

    Six suspects masquerading as drivers with foreign plate numbers arrested in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested at least six suspects who masquerade as genuine drivers to commit heinous crimes in the nation’s capital.

    The FCT Commissioner of Police, Haruna G. Garba made this known while parading several suspects at the command’s headquarters on Thursday.

     

    According to the CP, six vehicles belonging to the suspects have also been impounded.

    The Commissioner explained that the suspects were using vehicles bearing “both foreign and local plate numbers or foreign number plates at the back and Nigeria number plate in front” to defraud unsuspecting citizens.

     

    He noted that the modus operandi of the drivers was that “they use the vehicle to convey unsuspecting passengers and midway to their destination, they disposes them of their handsets and other valuables.

     

    “The moment they carry out this criminal act and to avoid been traced or linked to the crime, they quickly remove the Nigeria Plate number. The suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation.”

    No fewer than 13 other suspected criminals were also paraded for committing different crimes across the territory.

  • I was security guard; good education made me President — Tinubu woos Nigerians in India

    I was security guard; good education made me President — Tinubu woos Nigerians in India

    President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said that he was once a security guard but a good education and can-do attitude was the reason he became Nigeria’s president.

    President Tinubu urged Nigerians living in India not to be despondent assuring that Nigeria is ready to accommodate all.

    Tinubu said this in an interaction with Nigerians on Thursday evening in India which was contained in a statement released by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity.

     

    Tinubu currently in India for the G-20 Summit advised Nigerian students in the Asian country to consider their education as a priority.

     

    He said, “Good education brought me here and I am happy to stand before you here as the President of Nigeria. I started small. I was a security guard. I was a tutor in school. I was a brilliant student. I joined Deloitte and was trained by one of the biggest accounting firms in the world, because of my education.

     

    “When I joined them, I asked them, Do you have branches in Nigeria and they said, ‘We have a lot of clients that will take you if you want to go home.’ That’s how I got to Exxon Mobil and was a very successful accountant, auditor-general, and treasurer until I joined politics with a can-do attitude.

     

    “You can also do it; do not be despondent in any way. Nigeria is ready to accommodate all. It does not matter which part of Nigeria you are from.”

     

    Tinubu urged Nigerians to use Nigeria’s diversity and unique culture to advance prosperity fo the benefit of all the citizens.

     

    “We are here to present a new future to you. A future of a country that is so rich, endowed, and highly populated. Very dynamic, and unique in its culture, tradition, and ethnicity. That is what will make our prosperity possible if only we can make use of our diversity for prosperity,” he said.

  • Alleged fraud: Osun Govt shuts state-owned poly, as suspended rector resumes

    Alleged fraud: Osun Govt shuts state-owned poly, as suspended rector resumes

    (NAN)The Osun State Governmenthas directed staff and students of the State Polytechnic in Iree, to proceed on a two-week break, citing the resumption of the suspended Rector, Dr Tajudeen Odetayo, as the reason for its action.

     

    Odetayo was suspended in July by the State Government on account of alleged financial recklessness and abuse of office and was subsequently replaced with Mr Kehinde Adeyemi in an Acting capacity, while a committee was constituted to investigate allegations against him

     

    Announcing the closure in a statement , the state Commissioner for Education, Dipo Eluwole, said, “This is to inform the general public, particularly members of staff and students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to proceed on two weeks break with immediate effect.

     

    “The immediate break is a necessary action to maintain peace in the institution following the forceful return of the suspended Rector, Dr Odetayo.

     

    “The general public should also note that school accounts have been frozen with immediate effect, and it is imperative that everyone cooperates fully and adheres to these directives.”

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that his return followed the ruling of the Lagos Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, which granted an interim order restraining Gov..Ademola Adeleke, and 14 others from appointing a rector for the institution.

     

    Odetayo was led into the premises of the school by armed operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) was also accompanied to his office by some associates and staff of the polytechnic.

     

    While addressing those who received him, Odetayo expressed surprise that he was suspended without being queried.

     

    He said he returned to the school having secured order of court which had restrained the governor from appointing another rector.

     

    “I was really surprised when my suspension letter came in because, prior to that, I didn’t receive any query or called for any meeting.

     

    “I am resuming back to office because the court has given an injunction on the matter and there is a stay of execution.

     

    “I know our governor is a listening person and I want to appreciate him for allowing the rule of law take its course.

     

    “I am back to continue working towards moving the polytechnic forward.” Odetayo said

     

    In reaction to the development, the acting rector, Adeyemi, in a statement called for calm, describing Odetayo’s return as “forceful invasion”.

     

    Adeyemi said, “Following the forceful invasion of the office of the Osun State Polytechnic Iree’s Rector, by the suspended Rector of the institution, as the Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, I appeal to members of the Polytechnic Community to remain calm.

     

    “I urge you to remain calm and go about your normal duties without any protest.

     

    “The government has taken steps to ensure that normalcy returns.”

     

    Meanwhile, the state government has announced the immediate closure of the institution for two weeks.

     

    NAN report that the state government suspended Odetayo through a letter dated July 11, citing financial recklessness and abuse of office.

     

    The government subsequently appointed Adeyemi as acting rector, while a committee was constituted to investigate allegations against the suspended Rector

  • We Will Engage 18,000 personnel For The Conduct of 2024 LG Election — OYSIEC

    We Will Engage 18,000 personnel For The Conduct of 2024 LG Election — OYSIEC

                                

    We Will Engage 18,000 personnel For The Conduct of 2024 LG Election — OYSIEC

    By Adewale Owoade

    The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has said that the Commission will engage about  18,000 personnel  for the conduct of the  April 27, 2024 Local Government elections in the state.

    The Chairman of the Commission, Isiaka Olagunju (SAN), made this disclosure while featuring at a programme of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the  Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) guest platform, “Speak Out”.

    Olagunju stated further that necessary training will be given to the personnel for the conduct of free and fair election

    “As of today, we have over 6,000 polling units  in Oyo State, and we will have at least three people in a polling unit. So, we will have about 18,000 personnel.

    “We will engage them and give them the necessary training that will give us credible election,” he said.

    The OYSIEC Chairman stressed that for the Commission to have successful Election, media men are very important, through dissemination of right information, and that is line is open for any clarification on any issue.

    Olagunju lauded the political parties on conduct of peaceful primaries, and  that by next week screening of candidates to be presented  by the political parties participating in the election will commence.

    He used the  medium to appeal to the politicians, that there shouldn’t be any form of intimidation, that OYSIEC would be neutral and fair to all the political parties.

    Speaking on the security during the conduct of the election, the Olagunju said the commission would engage the services of the Police, Army, DSS and NSCDC, and he has spoken to them.

    “I can assure you that we are planning for adequate security  on that day

    “We may not engage Amotekun to avoid the insinuation that they may be used to intimidate the voters.

    “We are going to engage the Police, the Army, DSS and NSCDC even the Correctional Centre,” he said.

    While speaking on the use of  electronic voting during the poll, OYSIEC Chairman said there is no provi­sion for that in the current Local Government Elec­toral Law of the state.

    That it can only be possible if the Oyo State House of Assembly amended the law.

  • BREAKING: Obi rejects PEPC judgement, heads to Supreme Court

    BREAKING: Obi rejects PEPC judgement, heads to Supreme Court

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections, Peter Obi, has rejected the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court read on Wednesday

    Obi insisted that he would exhaust every legal process available to him.

     

    Speaking in a press briefing in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Thursday, Obi disagreed with the judgement but praised the panel for delivering it in the stipulated time frame.

    In my capacity as a presidential candidate and on behalf of the Labour Party, we will immediately challenge this judgement through the appellate process, as permitted by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

    “The PEPC is not the ultimate authority in this matter, the responsibility now rests with the Supreme Court, which I have confidence in. I urge Nigerians to maintain their focus, steadfastness, and commitment to peaceful processes. This matter has not yet reached its logical conclusion,” he said

    Obi revealed that his legal team has already received firm instructions to file an appeal against the PEPC’s decision. He expressed determination in his pursuit of justice, not only for himself but also for the multitude of supporters across the nation whose electoral mandate he said was unjustly thwarted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)..

    Obi underscored the pivotal role of solid national institutions and the public’s confidence in them in a thriving democracy. He pointed out that electoral litigation could be significantly reduced if INEC discharged its statutory functions transparently and fairly. However, when such bodies falter, as he said INEC did in this case, the judiciary becomes an imperative recourse.

     

    “I will exhaust the process before I can think otherwise. I respect the process. I’m a process person, and what we are going through is what will unite us. You can not use a wrong premise to make things,” he stated

  • FG issues 2-week ultimatum to clear all passport backlogs

    FG issues 2-week ultimatum to clear all passport backlogs

    The Federal Government has given two weeks to the Nigeria Immigration Service NIS to clear over 200,000 pending applications for international passport.

    Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, gave the order on Thursday during a meeting with top government officials, the Acting Comptroller General, Adepoju Carol, and the Managing Director of Iris Smart Technologies, a third-party company in charge of the production of passport booklets.

    Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Babatunde Alao who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday said the order comes in furtherance of his promise to remove “bottlenecks in the acquisition of passports and other immigration documents.”

     

    Delays in the processing and enrolment of passports in Nigeria has been a source of frustration for citizens, causing significant delays in obtaining crucial travel documents.

     

    The Minister noted that having to deal with about 200,000 backlogs calls for national emergency.

     

    He said; “As far as I am concerned, the issue of passport is a national emergency. I keep getting emails daily from Nigerians complaining. We cannot continue like that.

     

    “It has become an embarrassment to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I represent him here as your minister. That embarrassment is mine now. I am not changing my words. I need the backlog cleared in two weeks.”

     

    During the meeting, the Acting Comptroller General, Adepoju Carol, and Managing Director, Yinka Fisher, assured the Minister that all necessary resources and measures would be deployed to ensure the expedited processing of these pending passport applications.

     

    Adepoju disclosed that though the number of enrolment as of Thursday morning was over 200,000 across the country, the Service has been able to secure enough booklets to clear the backlog.

    Charging both the IRIS team and officers of the NIS, the minister revealed that he receives updates on passport enrolments on a daily basis.

    I get daily reports on enrolment from NIS on my phone. This is my best way to be in the know of the situation. Nigerians deserve the best. It is their right to own a passport if they can afford it.

     

    “We will also ensure that our debts are cleared by November. My position remains that the delay in the process of obtaining the passport must end,” the Minister added.

     

    In a similar development, the Minister held strategic meetings with the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Abdulganiyu Jaji; the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa; the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Ahmed Audi.

     

    In the meeting, the Minister issued a directive for the creation of a practical and executable roadmap that entails timelines, approach, deliverables, and methodology

  • Tinubu’s Tribunal Victory: Onanuga Urges LP, PDP to Join Hands With President to Rebuild Nigeria

    Tinubu’s Tribunal Victory: Onanuga Urges LP, PDP to Join Hands With President to Rebuild Nigeria

     

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): With President Tinubu’s victory at the election tribunal, his close associate, Bayo Onanuga, has urged the Labour Party and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join hands with Tinubu to rebuild Nigeria.

    In a tweet on his official handle, @aonanuga1956, Onanuga said; ” It’s time for the PDP and Labour Party to join him (President Tinubu) in the big task of rebuilding our nation”

    Onanuga stressed that through the tribunal verdict, ”God has again shown that President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 25 February election had its divine imprimatur.”

    Onanuga noted that ”it was not ordinary as he (President Tinubu) won against several titanic odds- currency scarcity, fuel scarcity-all stacked against him and his party.

    He pointed out that President Tinubu won resoundingly again at the Presidential Election Petition Court with no split verdict like in the past.

    ”The judges were unanimous in their judgment on the cases filed by Labour Party, PDP and APM, challenging his victory,” Onanuga stated

    He enjoined Peter Obi and Alh. Atiku Abubakar’s supporters to stop insulting the President on social media saying;

    ”I hope henceforth, the campaign of calumny, the insults in the social media, especially by supporters of Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar will stop.

    ”The court of law has given definitive pronouncements on those distorted issues you drag the president about.”

    Onanuga stressed that President Tinubu, as ”’President of the largest black nation and Africa’s biggest democracy deserves respect from all of us. No less. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Medical vacation: Akeredolu returns to Nigeria, resumes soon

    Medical vacation: Akeredolu returns to Nigeria, resumes soon

    Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has returned to the country from his three months medical vacation.

    Akeredolu traveled to Germany for medical attention after falling sick.

    Reliable government source told vanguard that he arrived his lbadan, Oyo state, residence yesterday ( Thursday).

     

    Vanguard gathered that members of the state Executive Council and top party Chieftains have been directed to meet with him in his lbadan residence today – Friday.

     

    Akeredolu is expected to receive briefing from members of his cabinet led by the acting governor, Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa.

     

    Sources said that the governor would stay in lbadan for some weeks before resuming fully for work.

     

    Recall that the governor, began his medical leave in June and it was extended following doctors advise and it was approved by the state House of Assembly.

     

    A viral picture of the Governor inside the aeroplane he boarded has surfaced online.

     

    The first lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu also on his Face book page, announced that they are homebound.

    A top government source confirmed to vanguard that the governor has arrived the country and would meet with his EXCO members on Friday in lbadan.

    According to the source” yes I can confirm to you that the Eagle has landed and his executive members are meeting with him on Friday at his residence in lbadan.

     

    ” The governor would received briefing from them led by his deputy ,Hon Lucky Ayedatiwa.

     

    ” He would be staying for some time in lbadan before resuming fully for work.

     

    “The governor would write to the state House of Assembly before resuming from duties.

    Meanwhile, Governor, Akeredolu, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the verdict of Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT), which upheld his victory in the February 25 Presidential Election.

     

    Akeredolu also congratulated his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), on the victory.

     

    He described the PEPT judgement as a revalidation of the people’s mandate and the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.

     

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde in Akure, said that “This judgement has again deepened our nation’s jurisprudence and solidified our commitment to democratic values.

     

    “As true democrats, we must embrace the tents of democracy which also encompass post election litigations.

    Our struggle for service must also fuel our reverence for democratic values.

     

    “The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal has dispensed Justice. Now is the time to come together and build our nation.

     

    Akeredolu said that “The renewed hope drive of President Tinubu is anchored on assurance of a paradigm shift.

     

    “The result of the February 25 Presidential poll, upheld by the Tribunal, represents the will of majority of Nigerians who voted massively for the APC.

     

    “Our Judiciary has again lived up to expectations. It has reaffirmed our belief that it remains the last hope of the masses

    We must collectively commend the pivotal role our Judiciary has played in enriching our democracy and upholding justice.

     

    “Notwithstanding our days in court, we urge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party Candidate, Mr Peter Obi to sheath their swords and join hands with the President to develop the country.

     

    “The Tribunal verdict should be accepted in good faith by all lovers of democracy. Our commitment to advancing the national project must be built on national interest which prioritises the good of the people above personal victory.

     

    “Since our collective vision is shaped by our passion for a prosperous nation, let us, therefore, embrace the will of the people and support the President in delivering on his Renewed Hope agenda.”

     

    Akeredolu called on Nigerians to also desist from divisive politics and comments, adding that election matters should not hurt the nation’s unity.