Flowerbud News

Month: October 2023

  • Nigeria can generate huge Forex from processing Indian hemp oil — Agro Economist

    An Agro-Economist, Dr Victor Iyama, says Nigeria can generate foreign exchange by producing Indian hemp which abounds in the country for the international market rather than destroying large farms of the herb.

    Iyama told members of the Food and Agriculture Writers Organisation of Nigeria (FAWON) at a stakeholders meeting in Lagos that processing hemp oil was capable of generating huge forex.

    Iyama, who is also the National President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), said that Nigeria had failed to harness all the wealth that was available.

    “The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) goes about destroying hemp farms and they are happy, a country that has no dollar goes about every day destroying dollars and you say you are working, which work?

    “When we can easily take only three months to grown hemp. A litre of hemp oil is sold for 12,000 dollars, a litre of your fuel is N145 or 200 which is about a dollar.

    “We have hemp in abundance here, just three months and dollars is real. All we need is adequate regulation of the production process,’’ he said.

    Iyama noted that nothing stops NDLEA from being posted to these farms where the processing machines would be put up and then monitor it.

    “If you see anybody taking it out of that place, arrest him, we do things in this country by starting to run without crawling and without walking.

    “Everybody is shouting China today, did China get to this place by starting from the top? No, you have to be able to face the reality, this country is blessed, in fact over blessed.

    “People want to look at those who have gone into space, what have they achieved in the space, before going into space you must be able to provide simple basic things of life for your society; food, shelter, electricity mainly and water.

    “Go to countries like Malaysia, China that is the first thing you do as a country. We are not a poor country, it is just unfortunate that we have failed to harness all the wealth that we have been given, the best wealth any country can have in this world is land and we have land in abundance.’’

    Iyama added: “Tell me which country will have the kind of land we have and be importing food. We have too many things fishery, snailry, just name it.

    “That is why I said to get over 100 billion dollars from agriculture annually is not an exaggeration, because I know how much is being made even from ordinary snail.

    “There is a lot, but a lot of infrastructure has to be put in place and that is why I said that the key thing first is for us to fix our infrastructure, especially electricity because by the time you manufacture and you want to ship things out,’’ Iyama noted.

    According to Iyama, who is also a cocoa and oil palm producer, the manufacturing sector will continue face challenges if the electricity problem is not addressed.

    NAN

  • Laporte, Ikone in line for France debuts in Euro qualifiers

    By georgina.bode

    Paris:  France manager Didier Deschamps has called up Manchester City defender, Aymeric Laporte and Lille forward, Jonathan Ikone, who could both make their debuts in the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Albania and Andorra next month.

    Laporte, 25, has been named on the bench for France before but has yet to make an appearance for the world champions.

    It is a first call-up for 21-year-old Ikone, who has been named in the squad as a replacement for the injured Kylian Mbappe.

    However, Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, Manchester United forward Anthony Martial and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Tanguy Ndombele were all left out, due to injuries and fitness concerns.

    There was also no place for World Cup winning defender Samuel Umtiti, who is yet to play for Barcelona this season.

    France, who are currently top of Group H after four qualifiers, host Albania on Sept. 7 and Andorra three days later.(Reuters/NAN)

    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Silas Nwoha

     

  • FIB opens investigation against ex-Chief of Naval Staff over alleged 3 bank accounts

    By Martins Odeh

    The Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) Unit of the Nigeria Police Force says it has opened investigation against on a former Chief of Naval Staff, retired Vice-Admiral Jubril Usman over alleged proxy ownership of three bank accounts.

    DCP Mr Ben Okolo, disclosed this in response to a petition filed by the Executive Secretary of Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative (ARDI),  obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    The reply to the petition dated Aug. 20, with number: CR:3000/FIB/TE/FHQ/ABJ/VOl.22/933, was addressed to the Executive Secretary of the ARDI.

    NAN recalls that the anti-corruption organization, has acted as a whistle-blower to expose graft, including the case of Justice Walter Onnoghen, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

    The FIB letter was titled: “Investigation Activities: Re: Petition Against Former Chief of Naval Staff, retired Vice Admiral Jubril Usman , For Suspected Illegal Ownership and Control by Proxy Of At Least Three (3) Zenith Bank Accounts Containing Funds Suspected To Be Proceeds Of Corruption’’.

    The letter reads in part: “I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your petition, dated July 29,  on the above subject matter and to inform you that investigation into the case has commenced.

    “Accept the warm regards of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (FIB) please’’.

    Usman is currently standing trial on allegation of N600 million fraud before Justice A.S. Umar at the Federal Capital Territory  High Court.

    Usman, a member of the All Progressive Congress was disqualified from contesting the Governorship ticket of the party in the forthcoming Kogi governorship election.

    NAN

  • Oyo Pensioners hail Gov. Makinde over prompt payment of allowance

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Oyo State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), on Thursday, commended Gov. Seyi Makinde, over the prompt payment of Pensioners’ monthly allowance.

    Chairman of the chapter, Mr Olusegun Abatan, who spoke in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday, described the governor “as God-sent”.

    “I want to sincerely and most honestly tell you that we are indeed lucky to have Makinde as our governor.

    “Just as in his campaign slogan; `new dawn has arrived in Oyo State’, pensioners are happy, workers are happy, everybody is feeling the impact of Makinde’s administration.

    “Immediately after he was sworn-in, he dedicated his tenure salary to pensioners union, and he has not gone back on that promise as we get the alert of his monthly salary in the NUP account.

    “He promised us that workers and pensioners will always get their salaries and allowances on the 25th of every month and he has been good to his words.

    “Because 25th of this month fell on Sunday, Makinde paid workers and pensioners on Friday, 23rd, is he not God-sent? May God bless this man for us, he has put smiles back on our faces,” he said.

    Abatan also revealed that retired primary school teachers in the state now received their full salaries as against the part-payment received under the last administration.

    “Oyo State is a civil servants’ state, and we all depend on payment of salaries and allowances.

    “Because Seyi pays early, market women are happy, artisans are happy, everyone is happy; we pray he continues like this.’’ (NAN)

  • Customs seizes contraband worth N501.6m, 16 exotic cars, makes 7 arrests

    By  evangeline.opara

    Owerri:  Nigeria Customs Service in Owerri said it confiscated 16 exotic cars and other contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N501.65 million in the last three months.

    The Controller of the Zone, Mr Kayode Olusemire, said this while displaying the seized contraband to journalists at their Benin office on Thursday.

    He said the 16 exotic cars included an armoured car.

    Olusemire said other contraband included 4,338 50kg bags of foreign rice, 781 cartons of fake pharmaceutical drugs and 53 bales of used clothes.

    He said that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items.

    Olusemire said that importation of contraband had negative effects on Nigerian econony, expressing regret that Nigerians were yet to key into the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture and directives on importation of goods.

    “Despite efforts being made by the Federal Government, people are still bent on smuggling in goods and contraband into the country. But customs men are always ready; we are prepared to continue to fight the smugglers to a stand still.

    “Nigeria has aerial land, our vegetation is green, we should have sufficient food if the people buy into the agricultural policy of the FG,” he said

    Olusemire said that while the Customs Area Controllers (CACs) Roving Information team in the zone impounded the smuggled bags of rice, the Benin mobile patrol axis confiscated the state-of-the-art cars.

    He listed the seized items as an Armoured Toyota Land Cruiser (2013 Model) with a duty paid value of N63,530 million, Toyota Hilux (2018 Model) worth N30.13 million, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado valued at N10.56 million and 781 cartons of Chakapacin Xtra tablets with duty paid of N39.50 million.

    Other items impounded by the customs are three Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Camry,  four Toyota Hilux, three Toyota Venza, four Matic MC 350 Mercedes Benz (2012 model) and none Toyota Privics Bus.

    The seizures include 4.338 bags of 50kg foriegn rice in diffrent conveyor trucks.

    The trucks and rice have duty paid value of N66.97 million and 53 bales of used clothes valued at N7.63 million.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the goods were concealed in plastic containers and non-contraband items

    Olusemire expressed concern about the unabated tide of smuggling in the country in spite of government’s stringent measures.

    He said the Customs Service would continue to evolve pragmatic and result-oriented strategies to neutralise the antics of the smugglers.

    “Smuggling is an act of sabotage to the nation’s economy and we will not relent in our efforts to monitor and checkmate smugglers wherever they are, no matter the method they apply to achieve their goals.

    “Our men are all over the place and we will never give them a breathing space because we are now better equipped, trained, mobilised and motivated to perform,” he said.

    Olusemire said that the foriegn rice had expired and were unhealthy for human consumption due to long period of storage in their countries of production, while the pharmaceutical drugs had  no NAFDAC numbers.

    He called on members of the public to always provide useful information about smugglers, their agents and collaborators to NCS for necessarily actions, saying the information would be handled confidentially.

    NAN reports that Olusemire also appealed to business people to always buy cars from relaible dealers.

    He also appealed to members of the public to always exercise patience with custom officers and allow them do their work whenever and whereever. (NAN)

     

  • Customs in Owerri confiscates contraband worth N501.6m, 16 exotic cars, makes 7 arrests

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Owerri said it confiscated 16 exotic cars and other contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N501.65 million in the last three months.

    The Controller of the Zone, Mr Kayode Olusemire, said this while displaying the seized contraband to journalists at their Benin office on Thursday.

    He said the 16 exotic cars included an armoured car.

    Olusemire said other contraband included 4,338 50kg bags of foreign rice, 781 cartons of fake pharmaceutical drugs and 53 bales of used clothes.

    He said that seven suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items.

    Olusemire said that importation of contraband had negative effects on Nigerian econony, expressing regret that Nigerians were yet to key into the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture and directives on importation of goods.

    “Despite efforts being made by the Federal Government, people are still bent on smuggling in goods and contraband into the country. But customs men are always ready; we are prepared to continue to fight the smugglers to a stand still.

    “Nigeria has aerial land, our vegetation is green, we should have sufficient food if the people buy into the agricultural policy of the FG,” he said

    Olusemire said that while the Customs Area Controllers (CACs) Roving Information team in the zone impounded the smuggled bags of rice, the Benin mobile patrol axis confiscated the state-of-the-art cars.

    He listed the seized items as an Armoured Toyota Land Cruiser (2013 Model) with a duty paid value of N63,530 million, Toyota Hilux (2018 Model) worth N30.13 million, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado valued at N10.56 million and 781 cartons of Chakapacin Xtra tablets with duty paid of N39.50 million.

    Other items impounded by the customs are three Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Camry,  four Toyota Hilux, three Toyota Venza, four Matic MC 350 Mercedes Benz (2012 model) and none Toyota Privics Bus.

    The seizures include 4.338 bags of 50kg foriegn rice in diffrent conveyor trucks.

    The trucks and rice have duty paid value of N66.97 million and 53 bales of used clothes valued at N7.63 million.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the goods were concealed in plastic containers and non-contraband items

    Olusemire expressed concern about the unabated tide of smuggling in the country in spite of government’s stringent measures.

    He said the Customs Service would continue to evolve pragmatic and result-oriented strategies to neutralise the antics of the smugglers.

    “Smuggling is an act of sabotage to the nation’s economy and we will not relent in our efforts to monitor and checkmate smugglers wherever they are, no matter the method they apply to achieve their goals.

    “Our men are all over the place and we will never give them a breathing space because we are now better equipped, trained, mobilised and motivated to perform,” he said.

    Olusemire said that the foriegn rice had expired and were unhealthy for human consumption due to long period of storage in their countries of production, while the pharmaceutical drugs had  no NAFDAC numbers.

    He called on members of the public to always provide useful information about smugglers, their agents and collaborators to NCS for necessarily actions, saying the information would be handled confidentially.NAN

  • Rice smuggling: Nigeria risks loss of $400m if… As RIPAN backs border closure

    Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) has said Nigeria risked the loss of over $400 million to rice smuggling if the over one million metric tonnes of the commodity is allowed to enter the country from Benin Republic. (more…)

  • GOODWILL VISIT BY AN INDIAN NAVAL WARSHIP, INS TARKASH TO NIGERIA TO MARK INDIA-NIGERIA @ 60

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS  INS Tarkash on her way to Lagos, Nigeria
    1. Indian Naval Warship, INS Tarkash will be paying a goodwill visit to Lagos, Nigeria from 5 September 2019 to 8 September 2019. The visit of the Indian warship coincides with the celebrations to mark 60 years of establishment of bilateral relations between India and Nigeria (India- Nigeria @ 60).
    2. INS Tarkash is a state-of-the-art frigate commissioned into the Indian Navy on 9 November 2012. The well-equipped ship is manned by a motivated crew and is one of the highly potent platforms of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet.
    3. The ship will engage extensively with the Nigerian Navy including professional interactions and joint exercises, sports events and social engagements, which would go a long way in enhancing cooperation and understanding between the two navies.
    4. The visit of INS Tarkash reiterates the strong bond and growing bilateral defence cooperation between India and Nigeria. It also reflects the commitment of the Indian Navy to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy in the face of growing global maritime security challenges, especially in the Gulf of Guinea.

  •  DPR seals 12 filling stations in Taraba

    In its efforts towards ensuring compliance with the rules and regulations guiding the industry, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed 12 filling stations in Gassol and Wukari, Taraba State for allegedly breaching regulations and guiding the industry. (more…)