Flowerbud News

Month: October 2023

  • Hajj commission discovers N774m outstanding balance for 504 prospective pilgrims

    Hajj commission discovers N774m outstanding balance for 504 prospective pilgrims

    By Ishaq Zaki

    The Zamfara State Hajj Commission on Monday said that it discovered N774 million as outstanding balance not refunded to 504 prospective pilgrims in the state from 2019 to date.

    The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Musa Mallaha, disclosed this in Gusau at the commission’s inaugural meeting.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the meeting, Mallaha presented appointment letters to the recently appointed five parmanent commissioners and 18 part-time members to the commission on behalf of Gov. Dauda Lawal.

    Mallaha further disclosed that from 2019 to date, the immediate past administration had not refunded N775 million to the 504 prospective pilgrims who deposited their money with the commission.

    “This commission has been owing N775 million for 504 intended pilgrims from across the 14 local government areas who were not able to complete payment for hajj seats from 2019 to date.

    “You know, I was appointed by Gov Dauda Lawal as Amirul Hajj for this state in the 2022 hajj.

    “Many people in this state have complained to me that they have deposited their money in the commission for pilgrimage over the years but not refunded.

    “I complained to the governor, after my appointment as Chairman to this commission, the governor directed me to investigate the matter and ensure justice for everyone involved.

    “We further discovered that the commission had 16 finance accounts in different banks, I requested office of the State Accountant-General to verify all the accounts after which we recovered N254 million.

    “We further discovered that parts of the money deposited previously by the intending pilgrims had been used for free hajj tickets and renovation of state’s Hajj Camp by the immediate past administration.”

    According to him, currently the commission had total balance of N92 million out of the outstanding N775 million to be paid.

    He said the state government would continue with the investigation and make sure that justice was done to the matter.

    “You know,  government is a continuous process; I am therefore appealing to Gov. Dauda Lawal to pay all the intended pilgrims their rights,” Mallaha added.

    NAN

  • States, FCT generated N1.9 trn as IGR in 2022 – NBS

    States, FCT generated N1.9 trn as IGR in 2022 – NBS

     

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded a 1.6 per cent year-on-year growth in Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to N1.92 trillion in 2022 from N1.89 trillion in 2021.

    This is contained in NBS report on Internally Generated Revenue At State Level for 2022.

    ccording to NBS, the 2022 IGR had two major revenue sources namely; taxes and  Ministries, Departments and Agencies’ (MDAs’) revenue.

    The bureau sais taxes sub-category recorded in the period are Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Direct Assessment, Road Taxes, Stamp duties, Capital gain tax, Withholding taxes, Other taxes and LGAs revenue.

    According to the report:  “Similar to what was recorded in 2021, the leading states in total IGR in 2022 were Lagos, Rivers, and the FCT with ₦651,145,633,085.30, ₦172,823,232,535.44, and ₦124,366,774,519.25, respectively.

    “While the least three performing states during the year were Kebbi, Taraba, and Yobe with the value of ₦9,146,249,907.83, ₦10,238,110,125.95, and ₦10,456,776,796.18, respectively.”

    The report said PAYE was the most contributing revenue source in 2022 with a 67.62 per cent share to the total tax generated revenues nationwide.

    The bureau said capital gains tax generated the least in 2022 with a 0.24 per cent share to total tax revenue.

    The report said Oyo, Lagos, and Jigawa states led with the highest LGA revenue reported during the year.

    “The states recorded ₦11,832,437,020.33, ₦11,505,586,283.35, and ₦8,700,993,591.78, respectively,” the NBS said.

    NAN

  • P&ID: Tinubu elated by UK court Judgment – Minister

    P&ID: Tinubu elated by UK court Judgment – Minister

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammad Idris, said on Monday that President Bola Tinubu was elated by UK court reversal of $11bn awarded against Nigeria.

    Idris stated this while fielding questions from the State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC), held at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    ” Let me reiterate that Nigeria actually saved $11.6bn by that singular judgment. You recall that this is not a case that was instituted against this administration.

    ” It is against the Federal Government of Nigeria over the years. The government of President Bola Tinubu inherited it but dealt with it judiciously and expeditiously. It ensured that all legal mechanisms were put in place to get us to win that case.

    ” So, it was actually a very delightful moment during the Federal Executive Council meeting when the news filtered in that Nigeria had indeed won this case. And of course, as expected, the President was very elated.

    ” So also were members of the Finance Council. We’re all very happy that that news filtered in and this is one direction that Mr president is going, ensuring that things are dealt with expeditiously, responsibly and with utmost responsibility.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). reports that a Business and Property Court in London, presided over by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales, had quashed the $11 billion awarded against Nigeria in a case filed by the Process and Industrial Developments Company, (P&ID).

    Judge Knowles held that the award was obtained by fraud and that what had happened in the case was contrary to public policy.

    The court also declared that it did not find any merit in the charges of bribery levelled against a former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, who represented Nigeria in the arbitration.

    NAN also reports that in the case marked: CL-2019-000752, the Federal Government sought to overturn $6.6 billion arbitration awarded in favour of P&ID in 2017.

    The award had continued to accrue interest since then, rising to approximately $11 billion before the judgment.

    NAN

  • Tinubu approves additional funding for training, empowerment of adolescent girls – Minister

    Tinubu approves additional funding for training, empowerment of adolescent girls – Minister

    The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said on Monday that President Bola Tinubu had approved additional funding for the training and empowerment of adolescent girls in the country.

     

    Mamman disclosed this while addressing State House Correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

     

    The minister said: “Two things I want to mention and comment on, which are very important parts of the deliberations and resolutions in the council today.

     

    “One, is additional funding for the training and empowerment of adolescent girls in Nigeria. One of the major policies of government is to target the education, training and empowerment of young girls into society.

     

    “Initially from seven participating states, we will now have about 11 additional states participating in this project, which will lead to the empowerment of girls between 10 and 20, right across the participating states.”

     

    Mamman explained that as a major escalation of the programme, it was meant to empower girls, teachers and the provision for additional schools in the country.

     

    He also said that President Tinubu’s administration was working assiduously to reduce the incidents of out-of-school children in the country.

     

    “It is actually quite in line with part of the agenda of this government to ensure that the number of girls and people who are out-of-school is reduced, if not eliminated altogether.

     

    “Today, the council took a very major decision to review policy so that the Public Procurement Act is brought into practice as it were, as to the handling of projects and government activities in Nigeria.

     

    He said this would enable the Public Procurement Council to exercise its powers under the Act, and then the council would now concentrate on issues of national importance and issues of policy.

     

    On his part, Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, confirmed that FEC approved funding for training and empowerment of adolescent girls.

     

    Edu disclosed that he presented five memos at the FEC meeting, which were gracefully approved.

     

    He said that the memos had to do with concessional and zero-interest financing by the World Bank and the International Development Association, which was the very concessional financing arm.

     

    The minister said that the projects approved for funding were in the power and the renewable energy sectors.

     

    Edu further said there was funding provision for states for resource mobilization programme to help them with their internally-generated revenue efforts.

     

    “There was a project for adolescent girls’ initiative for learning and empowerment, essentially, as it says, it is a programme to support young girls from the age of 11, secondary school age.

     

    It is to ensure that at the end of their schooling, they have one skill or the other that is marketable, as well as the academic laurels.

     

    The minister also disclosed that the FEC approved funds for the financing of women projects as additional ventures.

     

    “The first one was very successful. It was all about empowering women, upscaling their skills level, and of course, giving them some financial inclusion, including in the banking system.

     

    “So those were five loans totaling $3.45 billion. And as you know, the tenure is all around 40 years, moratorium period of around 10 years and interest very low, or in the cases of the loans, zero interest,

  • Pastor commits suicide after leaks on church’s WhatsApp group

    Pastor commits suicide after leaks on church’s WhatsApp group

    A Christian cleric of the United Methodist Church identified as Oscar Mukahanana reportedly committed suicide following the leakage of his adultery scandal on the church’s WhatsApp group.

     

    The cleric who was a Reverend at the Harare East District Superintendent in Zimbabwe, engaged in an extra-marital affair with a female youth in the church.

    There were reports that the audio of his secret sexual engagement with the said lady leaked on the WhatsApp group of the church.

    He talked about how his wild excitement after meeting the lady adding that he had a good session before her menstrual cycle.

     

    After the audio leaked on the WhatsApp group, Mukahanana’s church members started sharing the leaked conversation making him an object of mockery.

     

    Local media said they even created memes, ridiculing the District Superintendent over the adultery scandal.

     

    Mukahanana who felt humiliated and embarrassed over the matter then committed suicide on Friday when he could not withstand the shame.

     

    The UMC Harare District, while reacting to the incident said in a statement, “It is with heavy heart to announce to you the untimely death of our Beloveth District Superintendent Rev Oscar Mukahanana of the Harare East District.

     

    “The Office of the Bishop shall be informing the church of developments and funeral arrangements. As a Church, you are being cordially requested to support the Mukahanana family through your prayers.”

  • Price locally sourced gas in Naira, not Dollar, FG told

    Price locally sourced gas in Naira, not Dollar, FG told

    The CEO of Mezovest, Mr. Tosin Thompson, has called on the Federal Government to price local gas for local demand in Naira

    He said this at the Avalon Policy Dialogue on Gas where he spoke extensively on how efficiencies in the gas sector can lead to wealth and job creation.

    By Uche Kenechukwu

     

    The CEO of Mezovest, Mr. Tosin Thompson, has called on the Federal Government to price local gas for local demand in Naira.

     

     

    He said this at the Avalon Policy Dialogue on Gas where he spoke extensively on how efficiencies in the gas sector can lead to wealth and job creation.

     

     

     

    Thompson explained that increased participation of small businesses in the gas distribution network could lead to cost efficiencies.

     

    In addition, he stressed the need for government to focus on regulation and tax collection while allowing the private sector to drive efficiencies.

     

    His words:”There is no reason why gas that is sourced locally, for local demand, should be priced in dollars.

     

    “When more small businesses come into the ecosystem to participate in the distribution of gas, you’re creating efficiencies, reducing and eliminating arbitrage. And we will see prices come down. “

     

    Also speaking at the event, Mr Folarin Lajumoke, Executive Director at DAMAS, stated that “There is the need for comprehensive policies that promote local gas usage, which could contribute significantly to economic growth and energy sustainability. Over 75% of Nigeria’s Total Energy Supply (TES) is made up of biomass, primarily firewood and charcoal. This is inefficient and detrimental to the health of the people. Replacing this with LPG will not only boost the economy but is also environmentally friendly. Howver, this needs ot be affordable. Affordability will come about once the market becomes efficient. We have the demand and we have the available resource, what is lacking is the infrastructure.

     

    “We need to build pipelines that connect processing plants to markets across the country as that is what will make investments in this sector attractive. With adequate infrastructure, investors in the sector could look to supply neighbouring countries with gas”

     

    Furthermore, Folarin admitted that the opportunities in Nigeria are vast – due to high demand, and capitalizing on this demand could drive economic development and energy security.

    Continuing, he decried the level of investment in the sector, stating that government needs to make the country investment-friendly. He argued that “once investors can see a route to market, investment will follow.

    Continuing, he decried the level of investment in the sector, stating that  government needs to make the country investment-friendly. He argued that “once investors can see a route to market, investment will follow.

     

     

     

     

  • Tinubu appoints Abdullahi Mustapha as CEO Energy Commission

    Tinubu appoints Abdullahi Mustapha as CEO Energy Commission

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha as the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).

    Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha has served for over a decade in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) with significant experience in the Energy and Space Technology sectors. Dr. Mustapha most recently obtained his Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Renewable Energy, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship as a Research Associate in the School of Engineering at the prestigious University of Manchester.

    A statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale said President Tinubu expects the new ECN Chief Executive to make a positive impact on his administration’s intensive push to diversify the nation’s energy sources in a synergized fashion across the government toward the ultimate aim of industrializing every part of the country with every citizen emancipated from the shackles of energy poverty

     

  • In Jakarta, Gov. Mbah woos investors with investment opportunities, ease-of-doing-business

    In Jakarta, Gov. Mbah woos investors with investment opportunities, ease-of-doing-business

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu:   Gov Peter Mbah, on Monday, urged Indonesian businesses and investors to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities, improved business environment and ample returns on investment in Enugu State.

    This was even as the governments of Nigeria and Indonesia pledged closer collaboration to boost trades and investments between both countries for their mutual prosperity.

    Mbah made the call in a keynote address he delivered at the 2023 Nigerian-Indonesian Investment and Trade Forum, which opened in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia. The same address was issued to newsmen in Enugu.

    At the event organised by the Nigerian-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) in collaboration with the Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre, Lagos; Mbah commended the growth of trade volume between Nigeria and Indonesia to $4.7 billion.

    The governor, however, observed that both countries could actually do much more, especially considering the abundant opportunities offered by Enugu State.

    He listed the investment opportunities in the state, spanning agriculture, mineral resources, logistics, aviation, tourism, real estate, mineral resources and ICT among others.

    According to him, in the area of agriculture, Enugu is blessed with 10 per cent arable, fertile land with a high factor of productivity and good access to both surface and subterranean water that makes all year-round agriculture possible.

    “The State is climatically disposed to the production of key produce like cassava, oil palm, cashew and spices of various types.

    “These areas offer not only the opportunity for primary agricultural production, but also the opportunity to invest in industrial facilities to add value to these produce for local consumption as well as export.

    “The State is also blessed with significant deposits of minerals. In the area of petroleum, Enugu State has proven deposits of oil but more importantly has extensive deposits of natural gas.

    ‘Other minerals within the state include coal, gold, kaolin, gypsum, clay, and limestone, among others. This makes Enugu State ideal not only for mining, but also for the siting of key industries,” Mbah said.

    Assuring that Enugu State was open for business, he said his administration’s target to grow the state’s economy from the present $4.4b to a new level of $30b was anchored on extensive private sector investment and utilisation of strong local and international partnerships.

     

    “It is in view of this, that we are here today reaching out to the government and business community in Indonesia to let you know in the clearest way possible that Enugu State is open for business,” he said.

    .

    The governor listed some of the key ongoing steps taken by his administration to improve the investment and business climate of Enugu State to include expansion of security networks for improved security.

     

    “A functional One Stop Centre for speedy processing of investment interests and needs, massive urban and rural infrastructural development, establishing about 300,000 hectares land bank for both corporate farmers and special agro-processing zones,

     

    “We are establishing of Free Zones, the recently signed Enugu State Electricity Law to create a free market electric power, and the effort to build a Tier 4 Hyper Scale Data Center.

     

    “Others include far-reaching reforms towards stronger contract enforcement, ease of procurement of land titles, which would now take 72 hours,” he added.

     

    Speaking, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Nigeria, Dr. Usra Harahap, reiterated the readiness of the government and business community of Indonesia to strengthen investment and trade ties with Nigeria at both federal and sub-national levels for mutual benefits.

     

    “In 2022, the trade volume between Indonesia and Nigeria reached US$4.7 billion, with the majority of Indonesia’s imports in oil and gas.

     

    “However, there are untapped potentials for trade and investment in other sectors, which are massive and open for future development,” Harahap said.

     

    In his remarks, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Usman Ogah, said the Investment and Trade Forum was yielding the required results.

     

    Ogah said: “At this time last year, we were saying our $2.6 billion trade volume would go to $4 billion. Today, we are talking of $4.7 billion in less than one year.

     

    “And the Chamber has said they are targeting $6 billion from now to December ending. I can bet you we will do it. And it is important I tell you that the balance of trade is in the favor of Nigeria.”.

    The organisers led by the President of the Nigerian-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Mr. Ishmael Balogun, and the Director, Indonesia Trade Promotion Centre, Lagos, Mr. Hendro Jonathan Manurund, reiterated their resolve to deepen trade and investment relations between both nations./Flowerbudnews

  • Nigerian Army has acquired electronic warfare capabilities – Gen. Lagbaja

    Nigerian Army has acquired electronic warfare capabilities – Gen. Lagbaja

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja:  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says the Nigerian Army has acquired electronic warfare capabilities and was now taking advantage of the convergence of electronic and cyber warfare.

    Lagbaja said this on Monday in Abuja, at the opening of the Maiden Cyber Security Workshop of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School (NACWS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop is, “Role of Information Technology to national security against upcoming threats and cyber-attacks.”

    Represented by the Deputy Director-General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), Maj.-Gen. Sanusi Dahiru, he said the Nigerian Army had in the past, made very limited inroad in its attempt at acquiring electronic warfare capabilities.

    He said the limitation, which was primarily due to the high cost of devices and the limited technical know-how within the army, had been overcome.

    “This is because ICT networks are also dependent upon the myriad properties of the Electro Magnetic Spectrum for their essential connectivity in cyberspace, an environment where a number of actors operate to create exponential effect when compared to other domains.

    “I therefore urge the school to hold and expand this collaboration until we find the ability to play the role of second eleven in this field.

    “The workshop should not only focus on cybersecurity but should include cyber warfare, as this will equip the Nigerian Army with expertise and knowledge of integrating cybersecurity into military doctrine and tactics as well as exploring the role of cyber warfare in contemporary military operations,” he said.

    Lagbaja said that cyber threats could come from many sources, including foreign organisations, hacktivist, governments, groups, criminal as well as individuals, adding that cyber-attacks were increasingly targeting critical infrastructure such as power grids, financial systems, healthcare organizations and government networks.

    He added that Nigeria, like other modern societies, was overwhelmingly becoming reliance on cyberspace for its activities, as it had become an emerging theater of operations and would undoubtedly be contested in future conflicts.

    “It is for this reason that the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command (NACWC) and NACWS were established to curb the threats posed by this domain.

    “We therefore need to rally round to ensure this initiative is effective and efficient, besides the need to protect the huge investments made so far.

    “I am particularly pleased with the drive of the school in using its tools not only as a means of academic excellence but as a viable means of proffering solutions to contemporary and future security challenges which is in line with the sustainment of my command philosophy for the Nigerian Army.

    “For all the participants, you must use this singular opportunity to learn as much as you can, open up new vistas and perspectives so that we can achieve landmark results for the army and the nation at large,” he said.

    The COAS thanked President Bola Tinubu for his supports and pledged that the army would continue to remain apolitical, professional and ever ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.

    Earlier, the Commandant, NACWS, Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi Ahmad, said that the school was established to build capacity of army personnel with the ability to curtail the excesses in cyber domain and the threat posed by its existence to current and future operations.

    Ahmad explained that the threats posed by the terrorist and other criminal elements to exploit the cyberspace and the Nigerian Army Information and Communications systems necessitate the establishment of NACWS.

    He added that the workshop was designed to expose the school to comprehensive knowledge of modern trends in cybersecurity and indeed cyber warfare.

    He said that the workshop was to also create a forum for erudite scholars, relevant stakeholders, and indeed the army eggheads, both serving and retired, in the field of cybersecurity to share their perspective on selected topics for the school to gather honest inputs toward achieving its mandate.

    According to him, the NACWS is of the view that this is one way of ensuring the attainment of the COAS command philosophy.

    The philosophy is “to transform the Nigerian Army into well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.

    NAN reports that the weeklong event will feature lectures on topics such as “Integrating cybersecurity into military doctrine and tactics from both military and academic perspectives, among others.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews