Flowerbud News

Month: October 2023

  • PDP senator dumps party for APC

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) A bigwig of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Senator Nimi Amange, has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Amange, who represented Bayelsa East in the Senate, said he joined APC because Governor Seriake Dickson arrogated PDP to himself.

    Amange said in a letter he sent to the Chairman of Ward II in Nembe Local Government that his support for APC started before the 2019 election when he helped the party win his senatorial district and the House of Representatives seat.

    He said: “When I was in PDP, we were enslaved by only one man who regarded himself as emperor. There were no political activities, even if you want to be a councillor. The 105 councillors were nominated by him. The eight chairmen were nominated by him. I cannot be part of that.

    “I was one of the founding fathers of PDP in Bayelsa State. I did not join the PDP; I was part of the formation in August 1998, and I have been there since. But I have never seen this kind of authoritarian rule.

    “So, I have decided to pitch my tent with a party that can uproot the party from the ground so that Bayelsans will be freed. I promise you Bayelsans will be freed come November 16.

    “Today, I can tell you that the APC candidate, David Lyon, comes from Southern Ijaw council; that is the council with the highest voting strength. Definitely, that council is for APC. I come from Nembe and by joining APC, Nembe has fallen into the hands of APC.

    “Brass is where Timipre Sylva comes from and Brass normally is for APC. Those three councils are gone and we can give Kolokuma/Opokuma, the smallest council, to PDP because their candidate is from there.

    “Sagbama, where the present governor comes from, will be donated to him because his running mate is from there.

    “Where the governor comes from is where he picked his party’s deputy governorship candidate from. The question is what will other councils do? We can still donate that to him. We are taking three, they are taking two. The remaining councils are 50/50.”

     

  • Pompeo says U.S. backs Saudi Arabia’s ‘Right To Defend Itself’

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Following a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States supports Riyadh’s “right to defend itself” and said Washington would not tolerate Iran’s “threatening behavior.”

    “Met with #Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman today to discuss the unprecedented attacks against Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure,” Pompeo wrote on Twitter on September 19.

    “The U.S. stands with #SaudiArabia and supports its right to defend itself. The Iranian regime’s threatening behavior will not be tolerated.”

    Pompeo’s comments and the meeting with the crown prince, known as MBS, came as tensions in the region soared to new heights following a September 14 attack on Saudi Arabia’s largest oil production complex.

    Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels had earlier said they were behind the attack.

    Washington and Riyadh have directly blamed Tehran. Saudi Arabia on September 18 put on display drone and missile fragments that it said showed the attack was “unquestionably sponsored by Iran.”

    Tehran has denied involvement and warned it would retaliate against any attack that targeted Iran as U.S. President Donald Trump said a variety of options, including war, were available as a response.

    “There are many options. There’s the ultimate option and there are options that are a lot less than that. And we’ll see,” Trump told reporters in Los Angeles. “I’m saying the ultimate option meaning go in — war.”

    Trump also said he ordered the U.S. Treasury to “substantially increase sanctions on the country of Iran!” He told reporters the unspecified economic measures would be revealed within 48 hours.

    Trump and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the attack and discussed in a phone call the need for a united diplomatic response to the incident, the two leaders’ offices said.

    The prime minister’s office said they agreed that [Iran] must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.”

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, meanwhile, said experts from the UN have left for Saudi Arabia to investigate the attacks. He has condemned the attacks, calling them “a dramatic escalation” in the Persian Gulf that must be halted.

    Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, Pompeo said the attacks were an Iranian “act of war” and called the Huthi rebels’ claim of responsibility “fraudulent.”

    “We were blessed that there were no Americans killed in this attack, but any time you have an act of war of this nature, there’s always risk that that could happen,” he said.

    Pompeo said U.S. intelligence experts have “high confidence” the Huthis do not possess the weapons used in the incident.

    Riyadh is leading a coalition of Arab states fighting against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.

    The latest escalation in tensions has dampened speculation of a possible meeting between Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rohani during a gathering of the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.

    Iranian state media reported on September 18 that Rohani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif may not attend the General Assembly at all unless U.S. visas are issued in the next few hours.

    Trump later said that if it were up to him, he would give the two Iranian leaders U.S. visas to attend the UN event.

    The United States is required as host country to issue the visas. The State Department said it does not comment on individual cases.

  • Buhari replaces Oyo-Ita with Yemi-Esan as Head of Civil Service

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja approved the appointment of Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan as the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) with immediate effect.

    In a statement signed by Mr Willie Bassey, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yemi-Esan, who was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources takes over from Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.

    According to Bassey, Oyo-Ita has been directed to proceed on an indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He said the President had also approved the extension of the tenure of seven retiring Permanent Secretaries for a period of one calendar year with effect from Oct. 1.

    “This is to ensure stability in the Federal Civil Service and effective delivery on the nine priority areas of the administration as well as the mandates given to the new Ministers.

    The affected Permanent Secretaries are: Mrs Georgina Ehuriah – Ministry of Interior, Mrs Ifeoma Anagbogu – Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Grace Gekpe – Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

    Others are Dr Umar Bello – Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Suleiman Lawal – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Comfort Ekaro – Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

    Mr Olusegun Adekunle would serve as Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Similarly, the President has directed the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to commence the process for the selection of new Permanent Secretaries to replace all retiring Permanent Secretaries.

    “The decision of government to extend the tenure of these permanent secretaries is premised on the need to ensure that the new Ministers are properly guided.

    “And also to be briefed about their sectors and to ensure that a solid foundation is laid for the delivery on the Presidential Mandate which they jointly signed.”

    Bassey said that the permanent secretaries would also help the ministers to manage the process for the preparation of the 2020 Budget in line with the commitment of Government to return to the January-December budget circle.

    He added that this would help develop various policies and programmes aimed at lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

    “The action of Mr President is in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 171 (2) d of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

  • Johnson says #Brexit deal emerging

    Britain’s Boris Johnson said that a Brexit deal was beginning to emerge, but the EU said he offered nothing to break the impasse during a visit to Luxembourg where he was harangued loudly by protesters and rebuked for trying to shift the blame,

    Don’t make the EU the bad guy,” Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said after a meeting with Johnson, describing the uncertainty over the timing and conditions of Britain’s exit from the European Union as a “nightmare”.

    The British prime minister joined European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for lunch at the Bouquet Garni restaurant, an 18th-century building of bare stone walls and low ceilings in the medieval heart of Luxembourg.

  • Inequality, biggest hindrance to ending poverty- Gates Foundation

    Widening inequality in developing countries threatens to slow or even reverse progress in making life better for people, says Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

    This is according to the third Goalkeepers Data Report co-authored by Bill and Melinda Gates and released on Tuesday in partnership with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.

    The report tracks progress being made on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in addition to the impact of geographical, gender, income and wealth inequality between countries, states and local government areas.

    The News of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation since 2017 produces the Goalkeepers Data Report every year, timing it to the annual gathering of world leaders in New York City for the U.N. General Assembly.

    The report is designed to track progress in achieving the Global Goals, highlight examples of success, and inspire leaders around the world to accelerate their efforts.

    “Even in the worst-off parts of low and low-middle income countries, more than 99 per cent of communities have seen an improvement in child mortality and schooling.

    “Despite this progress, persistent gaps in opportunity mean that nearly half a billion people, that is about one in 15 people still do not have access to basic health and education.

    “Gaps between countries, and local governments, boys and girls prove that the world’s investments in development aren’t reaching everyone.

    “Where you’re born is still the biggest predictor of your future, and no matter where you’re born, life is harder if you’re a girl,’’ the report showed.

    The report showed that in Nigeria, -5 Child Mortality Rate, reduced from 109 per 1,000 birth in 2017 to 104 per 1,000 live birth in 2018 and Child Stunting reduced from 38.14 per cent in 2017 to 36.74 per cent in 2018.

    Similarly, malaria death reduced from about 166 per 1,000 population in 2017 to 160.72 per 1,000 population and cases of tuberculosis reduced from 351.8 per 100,000 population to 344.2 in 2018.

    Also, the cases of Neglected Tropical Diseases went down from 52,566 per 100,000 population in 2017 to 50,584 in 2018.

    It, however, indicated that number of people living in poverty in Nigeria increased from 66.83 million in 2017 to 67.48 million in 2018.

    On vaccinations in Nigeria, the report showed that Measles-Containing-Vaccine second dose (MCV2) was low at 39.27 per cent, Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) immunization coverage was 36.39 per cent.

    The report also showed that the vaccine coverage for Pneumoccocal conjugate vaccines (PCV3) was at 35.67 per cent.

    Meanwhile Bill Gates in a telephone interview with journalists, said that universal healthcare was strategic in achieving the SDGs.

    He said that governments should prioritise primary health care to deliver a health system that works for the poorest.

    Gates also suggested use of digital governance to ensure that governments are responsive to their least-empowered citizens

    “If I had one wish for Nigeria, it would be that the quality and funding of the primary health care system would achieve the level that some lower income countries have attained.

    “One challenge that Nigeria has is that the amount of money that the government raises domestically is quite small compared to other countries.

    “A lot of countries at that level will be raising closer to 15 per cent of GDP and Nigeria is one of the lowest in the world down at about 6 per cent.

    “It’s a huge challenge. If you want to fund infrastructure, health, and education, over time tax collection must go up. Domestic resources are going to have to go up quite a bit,’’ he said.

    As in past years, Bill and Melinda Gates plans to host the third annual Goalkeepers events during the U.N. General Assembly, to celebrate progress and highlight the importance of closing the global inequality gap

  • Afghanistan prepares for presidential election slated for Sept. 28 amid challenges

    War-torn Afghanistan is preparing for the upcoming presidential election slated for Sept. 28 amid Taliban threats and persisting challenges.

    Afghan Interior Ministry officials held a meeting on Monday to discuss election security as Taliban militants fighting the government has vowed to disrupt the process.

    “This morning, I chaired our weekly planning and coordination meeting on elections’ security.

    “We are entering into an important phase.

    “So far, we have accomplished all planned security goals and we are ready and looking forward to Sept. 28,’’ Abdul-Moqim Abdulrahimzai, Director-General of Operations and Plans of the ministry, wrote on Twitter.

    “Our particular focus is on our citizens’ protection.

    “Thanks to all our partners for their tireless support,’’ he tweeted.

    The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have beefed up security operations against Taliban fighters recently as the militants launched massive attacks on cities and districts across the country.

    The security forces have recaptured six districts from Taliban militants in northern Faryab, Takhar and Badakhshan provinces since Friday, in a bid to ensure security for the polls, Rohullah Ahmadzai, spokesman of the Defence Ministry, said.

    The poll will be the fourth presidential election in Afghanistan since 2001 when U.S. troops invaded the country to oust the Taliban regime.

    Taliban militants, who have vowed to derail the election termed the voting process as a “ploy of foreign invaders to continue their occupation of Afghanistan’’, calling upon people to boycott the poll.

    The ANDSF will provide security for 4,942 out of 5,373 polling centres and the remaining 431 centres located in remote districts will not open on the Election Day due to militants’ presence, according to election officials.

    Nearly all election materials have been shifted to 34 provincial capitals and transporting of materials are continuing from provincial centres to districts.

    Meanwhile, the Afghan Election Commission (IEC) has taken measures to ensure transparency during the poll as the past Afghan elections were allegedly marred with widespread irregularities and fraud.

    Election officials and workers will use biometric devices on Election Day to avoid multiple votes and identify people involved in fraud, according to an IEC statement.

    “The IEC will implement anti-fraud measures during voting and tally operations, inspection and invalidation of votes, each polling station will have one biometric device with the related voter list.

    “One additional device is available in the polling centre,’’ the statement said.

    It added that “a QR code will be printed and stacked on the ballot papers.

    “Without the code, the ballot paper will be considered invalid during counting process’’.

    All polling staff will also be registered with biometric information, the statement noted.

    A total of 18 contesters registered to run for the presidency with a five-year term and among the candidates are sitting President, Ashraf Ghani, and government Chief Executive. Abdullah Abdullah.

    More than nine million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots during the election period.

  • Hong Kong Reopens After Weekend Of Clashes, Protests

    Hong Kong’s businesses and metro stations reopened as usual on Monday after a chaotic Sunday when police fired water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters, who blocked roads and threw petrol bombs outside government headquarters.

    On Sunday what began as a mostly peaceful protest earlier in the day spiraled into violence in some of the Chinese territory’s busiest shopping and tourist districts.

    Thousands of anti-government protesters, many clad in black masks, caps and shades to obscure their identity, raced through the streets, engaging in cat-and-mouse tactics with police.

    Also setting street fires and blocking roads in the heart of Hong Kong where many key business districts are located.

    The demonstrations are the latest in nearly four months of sometimes violent protests.

    Protesters are furious over what they see as creeping interference by Beijing in Hong Kong’s affairs in spite promises by Beijing to grant the city wide-ranging autonomy and freedoms denied in mainland China.

    Dozens of university students rallied peacefully on Monday afternoon urging authorities to listen to public demands.

    Dressed in black, some of them donning face masks, students sang “Glory to Hong Kong” a song that has become a rallying cry for more democratic freedoms in the semi-autonomous Chinese hub.

    At Baptist University hundreds of students also marched to demand the university’s management offer support to a student reporter arrested on Sunday.

    The initial trigger for the protests was a contentious extradition bill, now withdrawn, that would have allowed people to be sent from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial.

    The protests have since broadened into other demands including universal suffrage and an independent inquiry into allegations of excessive force by the police.

    Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to China in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” formula that guarantees freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland – including a much-cherished independent legal system.

    Kung Lui, a third-year university student majoring in sociology, said the protests would continue until all five demands were met.

    “The protests have revealed lots of social problems and proved that democracy and freedom are the core values of Hong Kong people.’’

    Police on Monday said 89 people were arrested over the weekend after “radical protesters” attacked two police officers on Sunday evening, hurling petrol bombs, bricks, and threatening the safety of the officers.

    Nearly 1,500 people have been arrested since the protests started in June.

    At least 18 people were injured, three of them seriously, during Sunday’s violence, according to the Hospital Authority.

    The protests have weighed on the city’s economy as it faces its first recession in a decade, with tourist arrivals plunging 40 per cent in August amid some disruptions at the city’s international airport.

    Democratic lawmaker Ted Hui was arrested for allegedly obstructing police, according to his Democratic Party’s Facebook page, as he tried to mediate on the streets in North Point

  • Women empowerment: Zamfara commences second monthly distribution

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)  The Zamfara Government, under the auspices of Office of First Lady, Mrs Aishatu Bello Matawalle, has commenced the second distribution of its monthly women empowerment programme of N20,000 to another set of 1800 women in the state.

    The continuation of the distribution, which commenced on Monday in Maru, Bungudu, Tsafe and Gusau Local Government areas to women that were registered earlier.

    Speaking during the distribution, the Matawalle, who was represented by the Chairperson of Women Empowerment Committee, Dr Rabi Ibrahim, said the government was determined to ensure that the gesture reached the target women.

    “We are working hard to reach out to people that are seriously in need from the society so as to relieve them of their hardship,” she said.

    She urged the beneficiary to make good use of the packages as those benefiting this month would not be given again because the programme was targeted at fresh people every month.

    She said the concerns of this committee and the Zamfara Government were to ensured total eradication of poverty and unemployment in the state.

    According to her, women empowerment is a critical means of eliminating poverty among society by making women self reliant, the living condition of the state would be improved.

    She warned the local government coordinators to maintain transparency in the selection of women from the council.

    A cross-section of the beneficiaries expressed happiness with the gesture and commended the foresight of the governor for introducing the programme, saying that with this the citizens standard of living would be raised.

    Luba Maiganye from Bungudu, expressed her happiness with tear tears of joy, saying she was receiving such amount of money for the first time.

    She said that the money would help to boost her business of selling firewood and Moringa leafs.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 120 women received the sum up N20,000 each  in Maru in Bungudu Tsafe Local Government area, while in Gusau 240 women received the same amount. (NAN)

  • Tiwa Savage walks runway for Naomi Campbell

    TIWA Savage on Naomi Campbell relief Show

    By Anita Eboigbe

    Afro-pop star, Tiwa Savage strutted the runway for supermodel, Naomi Campbell’s 2019 Fashion for Relief show.

    Fashion for Relief is a charitable organization founded in 2005 that has raised funds for various environmental and humanitarian causes. It holds events in association with the London-based non-profit organization CARE

    The ’49-29’ singer showcased her modelling prowess at the British Museum where the event held on Saturday.

    An excited Tiwa shared the news on her Instagram page @tiwasavage hailing Naomi for the chance to walk for a good cause. She said, “Thank you, Queen.”

    Speaking with British Vogue about her experience, Tiwa noted that modelling was harder than it looked and she would only walk the runway for Naomi.

    She said, “If she asks me, yes. Naomi is the only person I would do it for.”

    “You prepare for so many hours and then in a few seconds, it’s done. It is definitely a different experience from singing.

    “It was very quick, and it’s not as easy as it looks… I just found out.” On the experience working with Naomi, Tiwa said, “I still look up to her.

    “I catch myself just staring at her and wondering how her skin glows like that. Naomi is a perfectionist, she knows what she wants and she gets it done.

    “I admire that about her, she just works so, so hard… and she is so down to earth.”

    Tiwa had also been part of Maki Oh’s show during the New York Fashion Week. The brand is owned by Nigerian designer, Amaka Osakwe.

    The singer recently attended shows like Laquan Smith and Pyer Moss and performed at basketball player, Carmelo Anthony’s second collaborative collection, called Melo Made.