Flowerbud News

Month: October 2023

  • Maiduguri Residents Laud Tribunal Judgment, Urge Atiku To Support Buhari

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Some residents of Maiduguri on Wednesday,  lauded the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal for  upholding the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Feb. 23 general elections.

    Someof the residents, who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday, described the judgment as a “victory for the masses”.

    Mr Usaini Yusuf, a teacher, said the decision of the tribunal to uphold the election was a clear testimony that the election was credible, free and fair.

    Yusuf said that Nigerians gave Buhari a second term mandate with majority votes to enable him to continue with the good work of leading to  Nigeria  greatness.

    “The verdict delivered by the tribunal in favour Buhari is in line with the provisions of the constitution and wishes of the people.

    “It will further entrench democratic culture, promote peace and stability in the country.

    “Atiku and Buhari are in the same party at one time, it is good for Atiku to support Buhari so that they work together for the good of Nigerians,” he said.

    Ibrahim Dauda, who corroborated the earlier opinion, stressed the need for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Atiku, its presidential candidate in February poll to support the  Buhari administration to address security and socio-economic problems bedeviling the country.

    Also, Yagana Ahmed, a Civil Society activist commended the court in the manner it handled the case, noting that the court had provided a level playing field to all the parties to present their cases.

    Ahmed added that the court proceedings were also conducted within the confines of the law and stipulated time frame.

    She advised  aggrieved parties on the case to seek redress in a competent court and restrain their supporters from taking  laws into their hands.

    Alhaji Mustapha Abba, an APC stalwart, said that the judgment would enable the president to consolidate on the successes recorded in the counter insurgency campaign.

    However, Abubakar Idris, a member of the PDP, said that the tribunal erred by not voiding the election over lack of Buhari’s school certificate, which he said was established before the court.

    “The tribunal did not address the issues of Buhari’s qualification for the election clearly, if I were Atiku, I will seek redress at the Supreme Court,” he said.(NAN)

  • Meghan finishes maternity leave, to carry out first official public engagement

    The Duchess of Sussex is to carry out her first official public engagement since the birth of her son – launching a high street clothing range in aid of charity.

    Meghan’s maternity leave will come to an end when she proudly shows off the collection created by Jigsaw, John Lewis and Partners, Marks and Spencer and her designer friend Misha Nonoo.

    Since the birth of her son Archie on May 6, she has been caring for her child – although she has been seen privately attending a polo match where husband Harry was playing and watching the women’s tennis finals at Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows, New York.

    The timeless series of outfits – known as a capsule collection – that can be worn in the workplace have been created in aid of Smart Works, a charity which provides training and interview clothes to unemployed women in need, and has Meghan as its royal patron.

    The essential work wear includes a shirt, trousers, blazer, dress and bag – and for every item bought during the sale of the collection, expected to last at least two weeks, one will be donated to Smart Works.

    Meghan announced the project during her guest editorship of British Vogue, and writing in the fashion bible she said: “The reason I was drawn to Smart Works is that it re-frames the idea of charity as community, which, for me, is incredibly important: it’s a network of women supporting and empowering other women in their professional pursuits.”

    Meghan privately visited Smart Works several times before being named as its royal patron in January and has a long-standing commitment to supporting women’s empowerment.

    The duchess’ friend Nonoo is credited with introducing Harry to his future wife via a blind date and she had a VIP seat at the royal wedding.

    Smart Works has helped more than 11,000 women and aims to dress 3,500 this year across their two London offices, and additional bases in Edinburgh, Manchester, Reading, Birmingham and Newcastle.

    It has a team of 300 trained volunteers and helps long-term unemployed and vulnerable women regain the skills, confidence and tools to succeed at job interviews, return to employment and transform their lives.

  • Trade war thaw, ECB stimulus hopes buoy stocks

    World stocks climbed to their highest in six weeks on Thursday as the European Central Bank (ECB) prepared to offer new stimulus measures and the United States and China made mutual concessions in their trade dispute, improving demand for riskier bets.

    U.S. President Donald Trump delayed an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods by two weeks, after China exempted some U.S. drugs and other goods from tariffs.

    The two moves buoyed stock markets from Asia to Europe and put pressure on safe assets like the Japanese yen.

    MSCI’s world equity index, which tracks shares in 47 countries, rose 0.1 per cent to its highest since Aug. 1.

    It was on course for its seventh straight day of gains, its best winning streak in since early June.

    Europe’s Euro STOXX 600 climbed to its highest in nearly seven weeks, then gave up the gains.

    Paris and London markets also relinquished early gains, though Frankfurt held onto a 0.2 per cent advance. Wall Street futures gauges were up 0.1 per cent.

    Some analysts said investors were getting too eager for good news on the U.S.-China trade war. The prospects of a quick resolution were still remote, they warned.

    “I don’t think we’re heading for a deal soon,” said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com. “The market is just buying on any kind of positive news – it seems hungry for anything. It’s setting itself up for a bit of disappointment.”

    The ECB’s move, due at 1145 GMT, also carries a risk of overly optimistic market expectations, investors said.

    Major central banks worldwide are loosening monetary policy, inflation expectations are sliding and the powerhouse German economy is at risk of recession.

    Consequently, ECB President Mario Draghi has all but promised more support.

    But the central bank’s exact moves are far from certain, and any decision that underwhelms markets could push up borrowing costs.

    Among the likely measures are a cut in the ECB’s record-low minus 0.4 per cent deposit rate, a multi-tier deposit rate, and new guidance on rates that would tie any move to certain inflation conditions.

    A new round of bond buying, the bank’s most potent weapon, is also an option – but policymakers from Germany to France are sceptical about that move.

    “We could see some disappointment here. The challenge is more about forward guidance and reassurance for the future,” said Christophe Barraud, chief economist at Market Securities in Paris.

    “It would be surprising if the ECB launches a big stimulus right now ahead of uncertainties such as hard Brexit and the trade war.”

    After the ECB decision, the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to cut rates next Wednesday and the Bank of Japan and Swiss National Bank next Thursday also may ease.

    Euro zone government bonds were steady in early trade, after rising from record lows reached a week ago on doubts that the ECB would resume asset purchases.

    “Whether the ECB cuts rates by 10 or 20 bps is neither here or there,” said Chris Scicluna, head of economic research at Daiwa Capital Markets. “

    The big question is whether they restart QE, and if they don’t, we will see a further sell-off in bonds, especially longer-dated ones.”

    The optimism over trade and the looming ECB decision were felt in currency markets, too.

    The euro fell to a one-week low of 1.0983 dollar overnight on expectations of ECB easing before steadying in morning trade. It has shed 3.5 per cent since June.

    With risk-hungry investors emboldened, the Chinese yuan gained 0.4 per cent against the dollar, touching a three-week high of 7.0855.

    Stephen Gallo, European head of FX strategy at BMO Capital Markets, said he was surprised by the rebound, particularly in the yuan pushing beyond 7.10 to the dollar.

    “The bigger picture is one of a very tense geopolitical environment that is unlikely to be rectified quickly,” he said.

    The Japanese yen, a safe haven for nervous investors, fell to a six-week low against the dollar, and was last down 0.1 per cent at 107.88.

    Brent crude futures fell as a meeting of the OPEC+ alliance yielded no discussion about increasing supply cuts.

    They focused instead on bringing Nigerian and Iraqi output down to their agreed quotas.

    Brent crude futures fell 69 cents, or 1.1 per cent, to 60.12 dollars a barrel by 1055 GMT, heading for a third session of losses.

  • Digital Photography to boost students productivity, industry– expert

    The Chief Executive Officer, Studio 24, Mr Ifeanyi Oputa on Thursday said that advancing photography sector into digital would boost technicality of students, young inventors and the Nigerian film industry.

    Mr Oputa  said the introduction of a robot photography was a step into meeting international standard in the sector.

    This Innovative humanoid robot is the latest, unique and multi-functional robot, designed to engage customers and grab their attention.

    According to him, Studio 24, in a bid to boost the sector, introduced the robot photographer to make the business of photography more lucrative.

    “Studio24 introduced the robot photographer and named it Grace, after a legendary team member, late Grace Ugboh.

    ” The idea behind naming the robot photographer, Grace, was to encourage females in choosing photography as a career.

    “And to honour late Grace Ugboh who led a crack team against all odds to establish and capture post democracy in Abuja in 2002,” he said.

    Oputa noted that Grace, the Robot Photographer, is an innovative product aimed at inspiring the sector and film industry in Africa toward creating an amazingly awesome experience.

    “We will also show Grace to universities, technical schools, industrial and product design fields which will be a source of inspiration in creating outstanding innovations.

    “Grace, Africa’s first ever robot photographer has multifunctional performance that stirs a dramatic customer attraction.

    “It is the first of its kind which recognizes guests, takes their pictures with the option to share or print,” He said.

    Oputa told NAN that the innovation was not aimed at creating unemployment as the Event Robot Photographer would always need the human touch to succeed.

  • No life lost in collapsed building in Enugu –Police

    The Police Command in Enugu State has said that no life was lost in the collapsed three storey building under construction in Enugu metropolis.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said this in a statement in Enugu on Friday.

    Amaraizu said that the incident took place on Wednesday around Monarch Avenue axis of Independence Layout in Enugu metropolis.

    “From preliminary investigations, it is clear that no life was lost in the incident and no other property was lost rather than the collapsed building under construction.

    “The members of the public should discountenance any other information to the contrary on the incident being circulated in the social media,’’ he said.

    According to him, the cause of the incident is yet to be established.

    “Investigation on the incident is still on as the Command plans to get to the bottom of the matter,’’ he said.

    However, an eyewitness, Mr Clifford Eze, said that the collapsed might be due to use of sub-standard building materials and engineers to execute the project.

    Eze, who is one of the residents of the area, said that the block work for the uncompleted building had already been completed and was at the verge of being roofed.

  • Army Director becomes president African Military Law Forum

    The Director Nigerian Army Legal Services, Maj.-Gen. Yusuf Shalangwa, has been elected President of the African Military Law Forum (AMLF), on Thursday in San Remo, Italy.

    Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

    Musa said that Shalangwa was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, African Bar Association, International Bar Association and the African Military Law Forum.

    According to Musa, Shalangwa is a seasoned military legal adviser and has attended several seminars, workshops and conferences on different aspects of military and civil laws, both in and outside Nigeria.

    “He has attended Law of Armed Conflict in Spiez, Switzerland and Legal Aspects of Counter-Terrorism at the Kofi Anan International Peace Keeping and Training Centre, Accra Ghana among others.

    “He is also the Chairman Armed Forces and Security Committee of the African Bar Association and has been a member Board of Directors/Governing Council of many Nigerian Army legal and corporate entities.

    “The AMLF is sponsored by the United States Africa Command, and is a veritable platform which gathers African military legal professionals together annually to discuss international best practices when advising militaries,” he said.

  • Global Fund: FG to stop diversion of malaria drugs

    he Federal Government says it will engage law enforcement agencies against parties whose actions or inactions lead to diversion of anti-malaria drugs (ACT) supplied to Nigeria by Global Fund.
    Dr Evelyln Ngige, the Director Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health, disclosed this at the 62nd National Council of Health Meeting on Friday in Asaba.
    Ngige said the Global Fund financed the procurement and distribution of 16,290,250 ACTs to health facilities in the 13 states in 2018
    “However, only 8,189,226 malaria cases (presumed and confirmed) were reported as treated with ACTs across the 13 states for the same year.
    “These numbers highlight an apparent discrepancy between the service and consumption; this is of serious concern not only for the Federal Ministry of Health but also for our donors, the Global Fund.
    “Having implemented the grant thus far and following examination of grant report for 2018; it became clear that not all malaria commodities distributed to health facilities in the states could be accounted for particularly ACT,’’ she said.
    She said in some places some of these commodities have been found in private pharmaceutical companies, some were on the street even though they are labelled `not for sale’.
    “We don’t know how these commodities that were officially delivered to the states are found on private vendors and Global Fund is aware of it; this put Nigeria in a very bad light,’’ she said.
    Ngige said tax payers in those countries contributed to help Nigeria “yet we are selling commodities that are for people who cannot afford ‘’ so that we can reduce out of pocket expenses towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
    She therefore appealed to States to investigate the matter further so as to identify the parties whose action or inaction led to the observed discrepancies between the ACT distributed to health facilities and reported number of malaria cases treated.
    She said strict sanctions should be applied to all found culpable, stressing that accountability systems should be put in place to ensure that the most vulnerable population in states continues to benefit from the support from the Global Fund.
    The director warned that if much was not done by the state governments, the federal ministry of health would engage law enforcement agents to save the face of the country from further embarrassment.
    She added that global fund was very upset over the issues and the organisation was lamenting over the little achievements in the fight against malaria.
    The director said the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is an international financing organisation established by the United Nations in 2002.
    She added that Global Fund aimed to attract, leverage and invest additional resources to end the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to support attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
    According to her, Global Fund has contributed over one billion US dollars to malaria since inception of its support to Nigeria in 2004.
    “Global Fund malaria grant 2018-2020 currently being implemented in Nigeria are focused at supporting 13 States which include Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Taraba and Yobe.
    “These states are accounting for 42 per cent of malaria burden in Nigeria,’’ she said.

  • FG directs NCC to block 9.2m sim cards

    The Federal Government has directed telecommunication operators, through the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to block about 9.2 million sim cards without proper registration.

    The directive followed the submission of the short-term performance by the NCC as directed by the Minister of Communications Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami.

    Recall that Pantami had directed all Agencies and Parastatals under his purview to submit their baseline short-term performance targets report.

    Based on the directive, the NCC submitted its report in which it stated the figures of improperly registered SIM cards in use around the country.

    The Commission in its report disclosed that an estimated nine million two hundred thousand (9.2M) SIM cards did not comply with the proper procedures of SIM registration.

    To ensure maximum compliance, Dr Pantami directed NCC to ensure all mobile network operators block all SIM cards that do not meet proper registration standards until users comply with proper re-registration procedures.

    The security implication of this irregularity is too grave to ignore and the Federal Ministry of Communications will not tolerate any actions or inaction that will compromise the nation’s security.

  • How Public, private partnerships drive agricultural devt

    Dr Adetunji Oredipe, Task Leader of the World Bank Assisted Agro-Processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) Project says there are potentials embedded in public and private partnerships to drive agricultural development.

    Oredipe said this during the Lagos State Agricultural Stakeholders Engagement, held in Lagos.

    He said that the World Bank APPEALS project was invited to fine-tune and make suggestions that would help the state agricultural policies and strategies in the next four years.

    “Today, we are discussing the agricultural strategy of Lagos State Government going forward in the next four years and in doing that, there are a number of elements that should come together.

    “From the basic projects and policies that will be driven by the ministry, we also know that there are externally financed projects that will support such initiative, such as the APPEALS and FADAMA.

    “We have been invited to be part of that discussion to give suggestions to fine-tune the state agricultural policy and more importantly to contribute from the point of somebody who has been supervising some of these interventions.

    “We need to see that these interventions dovetail and add value to the overall objective that is being pursued in the sector,’’ he said.

    Oredipe said that the Lagos State APPEALS had featured in many initiatives by the Federal Government, adding that the state had played a major role in FADAMA and other interventions.

    According to him, Lagos is a place that has the market for agriculture and other items that are needed in the sector because it has the population, sea, rail and land advantages.

    “We look at Lagos not only to serve as a critical state in the APPEALS project but as a state that will help us in the downstream side of what we have been doing.

    “You know that the project is looking at the livestock sector, specifically poultry and rice where Lagos is doing a lot while partnering with other states,“ he said.

    A former Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Yakub Bashorun said that government could not work alone but there was need for a round-table to deliberate on development and way forward.

    Bashorun said: “The Chinese saying that goes, nobody has a monopoly of wisdom, I think, is what is driving the state government to invite stakeholders to rub minds and develop a blueprint that they can now implement.

    “On their own, they can’t sit at the ministry and think of what they feel are the farmers’ and stakeholders’ problems. The stakeholders are from the various sectors along the value chain of the agricultural business.

    “They know where the shoe pinches and they will be able to tell government, this is where you need to pay attention, this is where you de-emphasise and this is how and when you do it.

    “At this kind of forum, we identify partners that you can work with to deliver on the idea of the state governor to make Lagos a 21st century economy,’’ he said.

    Bashorun said there were things government could do but there were things the private sector, which is where the business aspect come to play must do by themselves with the government supporting and providing enabling environment.

    “However, there are areas that require public and private partnerships with multilateral organizations like the World Bank, FAO among others and APPEALS falls into this category to provide critical support to meet farmers’ needs, especially at the lowest ebb of production.

    “Not big time farmers, but those struggling, and that needs a bit of assistance to cross the threshold of profitability and wealth creation,’’ he said.

    He expressed hope that the road to providing a better Lagos for everyone by the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration would be successful.

    The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal had earlier said that it had become necessary to engage stakeholders positively in the quest to improve productivity.

    Lawal said that the growing population was propelling the need to achieve a potential percentage of food sufficiency in the state.

    “With the growing population and the challenge of meeting food sufficiency, the state government is working hard to ensure that we produce potential percentage of what we consume.

    “The government wants agriculture to feature prominently in the fourth pillar of the six agenda of the government to make Lagos a 21st century economy,’’ the commissioner said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholder’s engagement was to draw a four-year roadmap for the agricultural sector of the state.

    Stakeholders from all the value chains in agriculture were present to discuss and suggest way forward to develop the sector.