Flowerbud News

Month: September 2023

  • Two Jailed 5 Years for Land Fraud in Sokoto

    Two Jailed 5 Years for Land Fraud in Sokoto

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Sokoto (Flowerbudnews): Justice M.U Dogondaji of the Sokoto State High Court has convicted and sentenced one Sanni Dikko and Naabu Umar to five years imprisonment for conspiracy and cheating.

    The convicts were however, given an option of N200,000 fine, a statement by EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed.

    Dikko allegedly connived with Umar to fraudulently obtain the sum of N1, 500,000 from one Mustapha Mudashir in a land deal.

    Investigation revealed that Dikko, having previously sold the plot of land to one Ashiru Muhammed, got Umar to present himself as the owner of the land to convince Mudashir to buy the property at the rate of N1.5m.

    Mudashir was in the process of developing the property when he stopped by the actual owner.

    Justice Dogondaji convicted and sentenced the defendants to five years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 each.

    They were also ordered to pay N1, 500,000.00 as restitution to the victim through EFCC or risk a further five years in prison. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Culture Minister, Musawa pledges to boost nation’s IGR through innovative strategies

    Culture Minister, Musawa pledges to boost nation’s IGR through innovative strategies

    By Taiye Olayemi 

    Hannatu Musawa, Honourable Minister of Culture and Creative Economy has promised to boost nation’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through developing innovative strategies in the arts and culture industry.

    Musawa made the pledge during a meeting with Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), in Abuja.

    The Minister in a statement said the arts and culture industries would be improved on and brought to an era of unparalleled growth and creativity.

    Musawa complimented Amao’s efforts and achievements at CBAAC while sharing her personal connection to the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC), underscoring its influence on her identity as a proud black individual.

    She proposed the revival of FESTAC to foster global black unity.

    The Minister conveyed her anticipation for future collaborations with CBAAC as it was an agency dear to her heart.

    She also promised to find a lasting resolution to the challenges highlighted by the Director-General. 

    Earlier, Amao presented an overview of CBAAC’s significance as a Pan African heritage centre that houses all the core collections, artefacts and rare cultural items displayed by the 59 Black and African countries and communities that participated at FESTAC”77. 

    She further explained that CBAAC as a core cultural agency had played key roles in making Nigeria the arrowhead in the preservation and promotion of African cultural heritage.

    She said this was done with a vision and mission to promote public interest in the understanding and appreciation of black and african arts and cultures. 

    Amao emphasised CBAAC’s international collaborations, achievements, programmes and events, including the commemoration of FESTAC @ 45 in 2022.

    She informed the minister on the commissioning of the Black and African Hall of Fame in 2021, several trainings and workshops organised on deploying arts and culture as tools for poverty alleviation, Public lectures and symposia.

    She stated that the centre had the challenge of financial limitations to execute more projects and many more challenges.

    The Minister and the DG agreed that different strategies should be explored to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Africa through exhibitions, festivals, and digital platforms, thereby enhancing global recognition and appreciation.

    On a final note, the meeting laid the foundation for collaborative efforts between the government and the Arts and Culture sector, with the shared goal of promoting innovation, preserving cultural heritage.

  • SON presents MANCAP certification for quality products to 14 companies in Enugu

    SON presents MANCAP certification for quality products to 14 companies in Enugu

    Flowerbudnews

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu:  The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), on Friday, presented the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certification for quality products production to 14 manufacturing companies in Enugu.

    Presenting the MANCAP certificates in Enugu, the Director-General of SON, Mallam Farouk Salim, said that the application of Standards in business whether manufacturing or production, “is to create value and the value created makes businesses connect seamlessly irrespective of location”.

    Salim, represented by the Director of SON in South-East, Mr Fred Akingbesote, noted that in its standardization and quality assurance drive, SON had put in place policies and initiatives to ensure value is created for the overall sustenance of the consumers and country at large.

    “Some of these policies and initiatives are seen in the services SON provides to MSMEs, which includes but is not limited to: Subsidized sale of Standards to MSMEs; subsidized Certification charges; and subsidized laboratory testing charges.

    “SONCAP-Import Permit at subsidized service charge to support the importation of raw materials and equipment; inclusion in all Technical Committees on Standards elaboration; and recommendation of MSMEs with certified products for financing,” he said.

     

    He said that MANCAP is a mandatory product certification scheme to ensure that all locally manufactured products in the country conform to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS) before such products are presented for sale in the market or exported.

    According to him, following the issuance of MANCAP Certificates to your companies, we will undertake periodic factory inspections, sampling and laboratory testing.

     

    This, he said, was to ensure that the products certified today continue to meet the requirements of the relevant standards that had earned the establishments these certifications.

    “The product are to be revalidated every three years, and it is of utmost importance that you note that the certificates issued today shall be withdrawn or suspended if the products fail to meet the minimum requirements.

     

    “I will like to use this forum to call on all manufacturers in the state who are yet to be certified to contact our office and begin the process of getting their certification.

    “Some of the benefits of the MANCAP certification include: enhanced business growth and maximization as well as encouraging production of excellent quality products and healthy competition through consistent compliance to relevant standards.

     

    “Encouraging continual improvement on quality of products and production processes by manufacturing industries in the country and promoting global competitiveness among domestic manufacturers among others,” he added.

     

    In an address, the State Coordinator of SON, Mr Francis Onyeji, noted that the MANCAP certificate stipulates that “your products having been subjected to conformity assessment and testing processes fulfilled all the requirements of their respective relevant standards, and therefore certified”.

    Onyeji commended the effort of the awardees, adding that the benefits of being a MANCAP licencee cannot be over-emphasized as the general public are confident that any product with the MANCAP logo is of “high quality”.

     

    Speaking, Mrs Blessing Okeke, Project Officer of Bank of Industry (BOI), lauded SON for its commitment to quality in the country, while calling on manufacturers to partner BOI to expand their businesses, increase productivity and employment within the country.

     

    One of the awardees, Mr Kingsley Atuh, representing Savanah Standard Roofing Ltd, thanked SON for educating and following-up the manufacturing process of the product of the company he represents to attain international standard and making it exportable.

    The 14 companies and the products that they got certified on included: Ecaison Ventures Nigeria Ltd manufacturers of Ecaison Table Water; Star Roof Ventures Ltd manufacturers of Star Roofing Sheet; Obika Industries Limited manufacturers of Bejoy Table Water.

     

    Others are: Justice Papermill Industries Ltd manufacturers of Justice Jumbo Reel; Onwudiwe Electrical Enterprises manufacturers of Rockdave Table Water; Marvel Nisi Stores Ltd manufacturers of Marvel Nisi Bread; and Iykon Integrated Services Ltd manufacturers of Steph-Joe Parboiled Rice.

    The rest are: T.U Woods Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd manufacturers of Rovia Table Water; Gibdoz Enterprise manufacturers of Prisca Soya Bean Powder; Sapphire Ceramics Nigeria Ltd manufacturers of Sapphire and Yaqak Ceramic Tiles; and Chimes Aluminium Ltd manufacturers of roofing sheets.

     

    Savanah Standard Roofing Ltd manufacturers of Savanah Standard Roofing Sheet; Sunchi Integrated Farms Ltd manufacturers of Sunchi Soya Oil; and Sunzern Aluminium Products Ltd manufacturers of roofing sheets. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Xi congratulates National University of Defense Technology on 70th anniversary

    Xi congratulates National University of Defense Technology on 70th anniversary

    Flowerbudnews

     

    Beijing:  (Xinhua/NAN) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday congratulated the faculty, students, and alumni of National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) as the university marked its 70th anniversary.

    Xi, also Secretary-General of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) gave the congratulatory letter to the university.

    In the letter, he acknowledged the great contribution made by the university over the past seven decades to the development of national defense and the armed forces.

    He stressed that the university had nurtured excellent graduates, achieved cutting-edge scientific and technological break throughs and made progress in researching and developing weaponry and equipment.

    Xi expressed hope that the university would fully implement military education policies for the new era, cultivate high-caliber professional military personnel, step up innovation in defense sciences and technologies.

    According to him, this will strive to play an important role in strengthening the military through science and technology and personnel training.

    Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the CMC, read out Xi’s letter at a meeting to the hearing of members.

    The meeting was to mark the anniversary in Changsha, capital city of central China’s Hunan Province being held on Friday.

    It is imperative to study and put into practice the guiding principles of Xi’s instructions, said Zhang.

    Zhang urged the NUDT to further improve the education quality and capacity for scientific and technological innovation, and strive to build the university into a world-class institution of higher education. (Xinhua/NAN) (www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • ECOWAS CHAIRMAN URGES QUICK RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER IN NIGER

    ECOWAS CHAIRMAN URGES QUICK RETURN TO CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER IN NIGER

    Flowerbudnews

     

    By Paul Ejime

    Abuja: Nigeria’s President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the ECOWAS current Chairman has urged the Islamic group involved in negotiations with the Niger junta to return to Niamey, stressing that diplomatic options would be exhausted before possible military intervention as a last resort.

    “…General Abdulsalami Abubakar (a Nigerian former military Head of State) instituted a nine-month transition programme in 1998, and it proved very successful, leading the country into a new era of democratic governance,” a presidential spokesman said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, 31st August.

    Gen Abubakar is the ECOWAS Special envoy to Niger.

    “The President sees no reason why such cannot be replicated in Niger, if Niger’s military authorities are sincere,” the statement added.

    President Tinubu spoke during an audience with a delegation of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    “I must thank you for your several visits to Niger Republic, but you will still have to go back. My fear has been confirmed in Gabon that copycats will start doing the same thing until it is stopped.

    “We are neighbours with Niger Republic, and what has joined Nigerians together with their great people cannot be broken,” said the ECOWAS chairman.

    Nigeria has already condemned the coup in Gabon, which ousted President Ali Bongo Odimba on the 26th of July.

    On Niger, President Tinubu reiterated that “Nobody is interested in a war. We have seen the devastation in Ukraine and Sudan. But, if we don’t wield the big stick, we will all suffer the consequences together.”

    The Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani-led Niger junta has proposed a 36-month transition period, which ECOWAS has rejected.

    But ECOWAS has not suggested any transition timetable for Niger, as it did with three other member States – Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso – which are also under military rule.

    Algeria, one of Niger’s neigbbours has suggested a six-month transition timetable, but neither the junta nor ECOWAS has responded to that proposal.

    The series of sanctions, which ECOWAS imposed on Niger over the coup that toppled elected and detained President Mohamed Bazoum, included border closure, freeze of financial transactions by ECOWAS member State and Nigeria’s suspension of vital electricity supplies, are biting hard on the population.

    President Tinubu described the soldiers’ action as “unacceptable,” warning that “the earlier they make positive adjustments, the quicker we will dial back the sanctions to alleviate the sufferings we are seeing in Niger.”

    ECOWAS leaders had activated the regional Standby force for possible deployment in Niger, but military intervention is growing unpopular in the region because of Niger’s complex situation, compounded by its so-called strategic interest to foreign powers, particularly America and France.

    Both countries have military bases in Niger and are working to protect their defence and financial interests, especially the mining of Niger’s priced uranium.

    Washington also appears undecided whether to classify the Niger putsch as a coup or an attempted coup, because its constitution frowns against relations with a regime that assumed power through a coup.

    Amid the growing tension and volatile situation, the U.S, dispatched its new Ambassador to Niger recently, while France insists that its ambassador expelled by the junta should stay put.

    The junta now say the French envoy has been stropped of all diplomatic immunity, further jeopardising the Niger-France diplomatic relations.

    There have been sporadic anti-French street demonstrations in Niamey and at the entrance to the French military base, with Niger armed forces restraining the crowd from forcing their way into the base.

    Military intervention under such complicated situation could unleash unintended consequences and humanitarian disaster in the Sahel and ECOWAS region, already scarred by insecurity linked to insurrections by Islamic jihadists and other terrorist and separatist groups.

    A transition timetable shorter than the 36 months announced by the Niger junta could be a compromise to break the stalemate in Niger and resolve the crisis diplomatically. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Tinubu sacks Gwandu as CEO NASENI, appoints Halilu

    Tinubu sacks Gwandu as CEO NASENI, appoints Halilu

    President Bola Tinubu has terminated the appointment of Dr. Bashir Gwandu as the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, NASENI.

    President Tinubu also approved the appointment of Khalil Suleiman Halilu as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale in Abuja on Friday.

     

    According to the statement, “By this appointment, Khalil Suleiman Halilu will serve for an initial term of five years in accordance with the relevant sections of the NASENI Act, 2014.

     

    “Mr. Halilu, 32, is expected to bring his significant experience as an innovator and technology expert to bear in this important new national assignment.

     

    “The tenure of Dr. Bashir Gwandu as EVC/CEO of NASENI is hereby terminated.

     

    “By the directive of the President, this appointment takes immediate effect

  • Osun Government not Recruiting at the Moment

    Osun Government not Recruiting at the Moment

    Osun State Government wishes to inform the general public that it is not currently recruiting for any position in the state Civil Service Commission.

     

    Any information circulating on social media or other platforms about recruitment by the Osun State Government is false and misleading.

     

    On the issue of sale of forms by the Civil Service Commission, the public should be reminded that collection of employment forms is a normal routine with all civil service Commission. Such normal activity is however not an indication that the state government has started recruitment exercises.

     

    Members of the public are hereby advised to disregard such information and report any attempt to defraud them using the name of the Osun State Government to the appropriate authorities.

     

    Announcements will be made via official government channels anytime the government is ready to start recruitment of staff.

     

    Mallam Olawale Rasheed ,

    Spokesperson to the Governor

  • FG, Oyo Govt. Distribute Palliative to 200 Poultry Farmers

    FG, Oyo Govt. Distribute Palliative to 200 Poultry Farmers

     

    FG, Oyo Govt. Distribute Palliative to 200 Poultry Farmers

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    The Oyo State Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has distributed palliatives to about 200 poultry farmers, who were affected by the 2022 flood disaster.

    Distributing the palliative to the beneficiaries at the National Cereal Research Institute, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye said that the Oyo State government recognises the impact of farmers and felt the loss caused by flood disaster last year.

    He added that the palliative given would not equate the loss, but it serves as a show of recognition of their importance in the state economic development.

    According to Olasunkanmi, “I wish to commend the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter for the crucial roles you play in the State and Nigeria at large in improving nutritional, economic growth and livelihood of people in our dear State”.

    “This palliative given today is nothing compared to your importance in our economic development l, but it is done to show that the government recognises your impact and to give this as part of efforts of the Federal Government intervention through Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde”.

    The Commissioner revealed that the Oyo State Government would very soon partner with stakeholders and investors on the need to introduce egg powder making factories.

    This, according to him, would require standard quality egg production, enough quality per day as well as enhancing production of eggs throughout the year.

    He however opined that the claims by the Association, that it has the highest poultry production in the country, there was no authentic data for the state to work with.

    He therefore urged the association to always cooperate with staff of the State Ministry of Agriculture in providing accurate and authentic data, adding that this would enhance authentication of their members.

    The commissioner, therefore enjoined the beneficiaries to make adequate use of the palliative, promising that more is in the pipeline.

    In her welcome address, the State Coordinator for Federal Ministry of Agric and Food Security, Dr. Mrs. Kakulu Florence said the post disaster palliative was to cushion the effect of 2022 flood that ravaged the poultry farmers in the Oyo State, stressing that the post disaster palliative was predicated on the government’s decision to mitigate the effects of the flood.

    According to her, we on behalf of the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and Oyo State Government commiserate with our poultry farmers who may have lost their properties and chickens as a result of the ravages caused by the flood.

    “The distribution of the palliative was part of the government’s effort to mitigate and cushion the effect that the ugly incident may have caused on our poultry farmers”, she said.

    Commending the Oyo State Government in its various proactive efforts in enhancing farmer’s production and collaboration, Dr. Kakulu revealed that each of the participants would go home with 8 bags of poultry feed, crates and some cash for their logistics.

    She therefore urged the association to always provide accurate data for the government to work with.

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter (PAN), Elder Omidokun Oyekunle appreciated the government for providing succour to members in the state.

    He urged the federal government to release grains from the Nation’s grain reserves to poultry farmers, saying their major challenge was non availability of maize.

    He therefore pledged his Association’s readiness to support the government in eradicating famine in the state and the country at large.

    Commending both Governments for their support to the association, the beneficiaries Mr. Samson Feyisetan and Mrs. Bakare Rofiat, said the palliative was given in a time they needed it most considering the price of a bag of feed, adding that the palliative would relieve them in feeding their chickens.

  • NUC, VCs deny bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee

    NUC, VCs deny bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee

    Flowerbudnews

     

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja:  The National Universities Commission (NUC) and Committee of Vice Chancellors (VCs) have denied bribery and extortion allegations against the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing job racketeering and mismanagement of IPPIS in MDAs.

    Prof. Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary, NUC, and Prof. Isiah Tanko, the VC of University of Jos, denied the allegation as reported by an online medium.

    They denied the report attributed to them when they jointly appeared before the committee in Abuja on Friday.

    Speaking on the issue as reported by the medium which alleged that the committee collected money from NUC and VCs for soft landing over the probe, the NUC official said the report was baseless.

    According to him, the publication is regrettable, whatever the substance is, we wish that this does not impugn the partnership we have with the lawmakers which we should be promoting.

    Maiyaki said the universities occupied a special place in the life of any nation, advising that the lawmakers and the universities should come together to create a game changer for the country.

    On his part, Tanko, who represented Prof. Lilian Salami, the Chairman of the Committee of VCs, said they read the publication, but added that the VCs were not part of the allegation.

    “”We read the disturbing publication and I can say that the VCs were not part of that and we did not provide any bribe to anybody,

    “”We all dispersed from the committee investigative hearing as soon as we finished the last time we appeared before you,” said the representatives of the VCs.

    Maiyaki stressed that: “Soliciting money for bribes is out of contest and not true, the reporter did not find out the fact. We have hope and confidence in this ad hoc committee.”

    He said more than five programmes of University of Jos were in danger of being dis-accredited because of lack of manpower, adding “we were looking up to the committee to correct that”.

    The Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, however noted that the publication was a sponsored to divert the attention of the members from finding out the deep rooted evil that existed in public sectors.

    “”It is not even our mandate to investigate the publication by Premium Times, but to investigate alleged racketeering in MDAs.

    “”The investigating authorities like the ICPC and EFCC have been given the mandate to investigate those allegations and the account number,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews)/ Flowerbudnews