Flowerbud News

Month: October 2023

  • Rustling: 6,622 cattle recovered in 14 months in Niger

    Rustling: 6,622 cattle recovered in 14 months in Niger

    The Director General of Nomadic Affairs, Alhaji Abdullahi Babayo says that the agency has recovered 6,622 cattle in 14 months.

    Babayo made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday.

    He said that most of the cattle recovered were not the specie of cattle in Niger saying that the rustlers usually took advantage of states that had borders with the state.

    “The major problem we are having is that our borders are encroached by cattle rustlers who enter our state.

    “The claimers of the rustled cattle usually come from Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto to claim their cattle,” he said.

    Babayo said that 80 per cent of the cattle recovered were from Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto saying that the specie of cattle was different from what they had in Niger.

    The director general advocated for states bordering Niger to have nomadic affairs agency to enable them address issues of cattle rustling.

    “If other northern states will have this office, I think we will be able to collaborate to tackle the menace of cattle rustlers.

    “If Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto will create nomadic office, I can assure that rustling will be radically reduced and there will be less pressure on us,” he said.

    Babayo said that the agency was working round the clock to see that rustling were brought to the barest minimum especially in the Ember month. (NAN)

  • Malpractice: WAEC wants law enabling demobilisation of telephone networks in exam centres

    Malpractice: WAEC wants law enabling demobilisation of telephone networks in exam centres

    The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has urged the Federal Government to enact a law that would enable it to demobilise networks in all centres during the conduct of its examinations.

    The Head, Public Affairs of the council, Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    Ojijeogu said this would help to further tackle the rising cases of examination malpratice among candidates in the country.

    He spoke against the backdrop of activities of some fraudulent persons who operated rogue websites and use it to defraud candidates by posting wrong questions and answers during its examinations.

    “You know, WAEC is not a national body. It is a regional body and as a result, we must always strive to operate within the ambit of the law that sets up the examination body.

    “The fight against malpractice has remained one of our key challenges in ensuring that the integrity of our examination is not compromised.

    “As such, we want all stakeholders, especially the Federal Government to join hands with us in taking it seriously and fighting the scourge.

    “Indeed we want to appeal to the Federal Government to assist us further by passing a law that will enable WAEC to jam the respective networks in all centres during our examinations.

    “This is because countries where this has been successfully carried out, it is the governments of such countries that made it possible, for the sake of the future of their children and their education,’’ Ojijeogu said.

    According to him, the council on its own, is doing all it can to tackle the menace by continually deploying cutting edge technologies and training and re-training of staff, to be able to detect and nip all forms of malpractice before it can be carried out.

    “It will be recalled that we use persons who are not WAEC staff during the conduct of our examinations and therefore, we must always be proactive by being ahead.

    “We are always putting measures in place to ensure that operators of those rogue websites are also apprehended and charged to court.

    “In April this year, during the conduct of our West African Senior School Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, some operators were caught and paraded, same as last year.

    “For this year, we have also been notified about their activities at our ongoing second series 2018 WASSCE for private candidates and we are already investigating to find out their location.

    “We are indeed working hard to get as much information as possible in order to assist the police to swing into action.

    “So far, about 12 persons who have been arrested in connection with these fraudulent activities have been charged to court and our expectation is that the law will take its full course to serve as deterrent to others,’’ he said.

    Ojijeogu noted that the fraudsters were currently working hard to defraud gullible candidates writing the WASSCE for private candidates by posting past questions of some subjects using various social media platforms.

    “These questions are papers already taken at the Gambia and Sierra Leone and we want to admonish candidates not to fall prey to these persons as it is capable of compromising their performance and their future,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • UN urges African CSOs to advance continent’s environmental agenda

    The UN Environment on Saturday called on African civil society organisations (CSOs) to help advance essential environmental agenda that are critical to the effective implementation of policies and projects in the field of environment and sustainable development.

    Juliette Koudenoukpo, Director and Regional Representative at UN Environment Africa office, said that the CSOs could shape African countries’ innovative solutions to tackle environmental challenges that are facing the society.

    “Use your networks and diplomacy to shape the environmental agenda in the continent,” Koudenoukpo said during the opening a two-day African Major Groups and Stakeholders forum in Nairobi.

    Koudenoukpo said there was need to move faster from “business as usual” approach and devise ways and means to address issues such as rising energy costs, poverty, environmental degradation, pollution and social inequality.

    She said that African continent had the capacity and the knowledge to innovatively overcome environmental challenges.

    The UN Environment official noted that Africa needs to invest in innovative solutions to unlock its economic and social potential and create inclusive wealth for the well-being of their populations.

    She called on the organisations to engage the youths in changing policy, since they have innovative ideas and initiatives capable of making a difference in transforming societies.

    “You represent the many voices of those most likely to be directly affected by environmental crisis and the adverse effects of natural resource degradation,” Koudenoukpo said.

    She said that the CSOs have a role in bridging the gap between science and policy, and engaging key stakeholders in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s (AU) agenda 2063.

    The two-day consultation conference for the African Major Groups and Stakeholders is being held to prepare their inputs for the seventh special session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment which starts Monday.

    The outcome of the meeting will be a regional statement including key messages by civil society from Africa.

    This regional statement will be incorporated into the overall information document comprised all regional statements by civil society and presented as an official preparatory document to the UN Environment Assembly in 2019. (Xinhua/NAN)

  • 110,542 tonnes of cannabis burn in Ondo — NDLEA

    110,542 tonnes of cannabis burn in Ondo — NDLEA

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State on Thursday destroyed drugs weighing 110,542 tonnes.

    Speaking during the exercise in Akure, the Chief Executive of NDLEA, retired Col. Muhammad Mustapha, said drug trafficking and abuse were not abating.

    Mustapha, represented by his Chief of  Staff, Femi Oloruntoba, said the magnitude of drugs coming out of the farmlands “ was not a thing of joy.’’

    “ Ondo State remains one of the six states in the country where cannabis is cultivated in large quantities.

    “ As a result of cannabis plantations, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find virgin forests.

    “The agency has invested a lot of resources to seize this magnitude of drugs. I commend the commander, officers and men of this command for a job well done.

    “This quantity of drugs, weighing 110,542 tonnes, is frightening and demands more reflections,” he said.

    Mustapha also said the use of cannabis remains high in the state because of availability and affordability.

    He, however,  added that abuse of tramadol and cough syrup containing codeine rampant in other states was not common in the state.

    Mr Haruna Gagara, the Commander of the NDLEA in the state, also disclosed that one tonne of cannabis was seized in August alone.

    Gagara said no fewer than  200 suspects were also arrested,  while some had been convicted.

    He said collaboration with the community was part of strategies used to sensitise the people against the cultivation of cannabis.

    Gagara added that between January and August,  the agency destroyed over 300 hectares of  farmland used in cultivating cannabis. (NAN)

  • Buhari pledges enhanced welfare, documentation of Nigerian Students in Malaysia

    Buhari pledges enhanced welfare, documentation of Nigerian Students in Malaysia

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the Malaysian government that issues relating to the documentation and welfare of Nigerian students in the country will be properly handled to avoid hitches during their stay.

    Buhari said this when he received Letters of Credence from High Commissioner of Malaysia to Nigeria, Mrs Gloria Corina Peter Tiwet, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

    He said he had instructed the Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs to ensure full compliance of students with all the requirements for studying abroad, including visas, before departure.

    “I have given instructions to the Minister of Education and Minister of Foreign affairs to resolve all the problems related to Nigerians studying in Malaysia.

    “We want to ensure that students don’t get stranded while pursuing their education abroad, especially on issues that have to do with their visas and documentation.’’

    The President also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of North Korea, Mr Jon Tong Chol, and High Commissioner of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Wendell Vincent Carlton De Landro.

    He told the Ambassador of the Republic of North Korea that the recent opening of discussions between the country and America, and South Korea, was very encouraging to the ongoing peace efforts across the globe.

    “We have observed with keen interest the technological developments in North Korea, and really congratulate you for the innovation.

    “The meeting between North Korea and America received a lot of international publicity and we are all encouraged on the efforts towards global peace.’’

    He assured the High Commissioner of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago that the bilateral relations with the country would be improved, especially in the shared interest of petroleum exploration.

    In her remarks, Mrs Peter Tiwet said the process of improving relationship in trade, training and education with Nigeria had already started, promising that all outstanding issues would be resolved.

    Mr Tong Chol and Carlton De Landro assured the President that they would work hard to strengthen relations with Nigeria.(NAN)

  • Lagos PDP woos Gov Ambode

    The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said it would   welcome Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode into its fold, if he decided to dump the All Progressives Congress. (APC).

    The Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Taofeek Gani, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    Gani spoke following reports that Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, a former Commissioner for Training and Establishments in the state, had been adopted by the APC leaders to succeed Ambode.

    The APC chairman in Lagos State, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, had told newsmen on Wednesday that the governorship ticket of the party was open to all aspirants.

    NAN reports that the former Commissioner for Works, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, is another aspirant seeking the job of Ambode with Sanwo-Olu.

    NAN also reports that all the aspirants have since obtained and submitted their nomination forms.

    The PDP spokesman said that the party would be glad to receive Ambode into its fold if he decided to leave APC for whatever reason.

    Gani said: “Any forward-looking party would not have rejected its main opponent joining it, especially a big personality like Ambode.

    “We are ready to welcome him (Ambode) to our party, if he decides to join for any reason. We are very ready to accept him, if he decides to join us.

    “You see PDP is a party for all, so far value will be added. We cannot turn down our opponents, especially a big personality like Ambode.

    “Therefore, he is welcome. His joining us will definitely add value and boost our chances to win the state.”

    He said the party would accord him all the rights and privileges with the existing members to realise his political ambitions.

    NAN reports Chief Deji Doherty and Mr Jimi Agbaje are among those who have picked the PDP nomination forms for the governorship ticket. (NAN)

  • 2019: Mimiko joins president race promises security, restructuring, youth empowerment

    Dr Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo state on Thursday, declared to run for president of Nigeria on the platform of the Labour party (LP) in 2019.

    Mimiko, who declared his intention at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja,expressed concern over what he described as wanton killings in the Middle Belt and other parts of the country.

    He said that the effect of the current economic reality, unprecedented level of division, distrust at individual and communal levels, were of great concern to him.

    Mimiko said ability to envision great ideas and demonstrable track record, rather than place and circumstances of birth should be the most compelling basis for investing candidates with power.

    He said:“This is, therefore, not the time to cheapen the dialogue by engaging in argument on whose turn it is to run the country. Rather, it is time to insist that only the best is good for Nigeria.

    “It is time to all march out and recall our past, take charge of the present and launch out into greatness as one inclusive and cohesive family,

    “There comes a moment in the life of a nation when every patriot must stand up to be counted!.At such a moment, no person worthy of a place in history can afford to remain ensconced in his or her comfort zone.

    “ For our country, Nigeria, the moment is now! .The truth, however, is that bad as these times are, they will not pass away if we choose to remain on this same old path.

    “I am running for president because I believe that working together, we can restructure and redesign our country in such a way that it would mean for all of us.’’

    “We shall frontally attack corruption in all its ramifications by strengthening existing institutions, deploying technological tools and deepening relevant policies on cashless society while proactively leveraging global frameworks for anti-corruption.

    He said that as governor of Ondo state for eight years, he restructured the state, empowered youths and transformed the education as well as health sector among others.

    Mimiko promised to commit to mobilising the youth of Nigeria for education, providing opportunities for them to be productively engaged and elevating them into leadership, through a careful process of acculturation.

    Speaking, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam, the factional Chairman of Labour Party, congratulated Mimiko for his declaration.

    Abdulsalam said that the party decided to support and give Mimiko nomination form, based on his track record as one time governor of Ondo.(NAN)

  • 9,822 stranded Nigerians in 18 months receive by NEMA

    9,822 stranded Nigerians in 18 months receive by NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says no fewer than 9, 822 Stranded Nigerians were assisted back home by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) from 10 different countries in 18 months.

    The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, South West Zone, Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, disclosed this while receiving another batch of of 153 Assisted Voluntary Returnees (AVR) brought back by IOM from Libya on Friday.

    He said majority of the returnees were from Libya with about 8,657 voluntary returnees, while others were brought back from Niger, Mali, Morocco, Liberia, Burkina Faso, France, Ireland, Austria and Poland made up the remaining balance.

    Suleiman explained that IOM had been working with NEMA and other federal agencies towards giving the returnees appropriate humanitarian assistance since the exercise started.

    According to him, the returnees were brought back between April 2017 and September 2018.

    “The IOM analysis of the exercise reveals that out of the total figure, 59 per cent of the returnees are males and 41 per cent are females.

    “Further analysis shows that out of the above, 57 per cent are adult males, adult females consisted of 37 per cent , minor males are three per cent and minor females are also three per cent,”he said.

    Suleiman said 215 of the women returned under various stages of pregnancy while while 214 males and 141 females had various degree of medical challenges.

    He also disclosed was that there were 59 males and 52 females unaccompanied minors while about 24 males and 174 females need psychosocial first aid.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new batch of returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 1.05 a.m. on Friday.

    The Nigerians, comprising of 97 males and 56 females, arrived aboard a Libyan Airline with registration No: 5A-DMG and flight No: BRQ 189. (NAN)

  • Don’t obey IPOB sit-at-home order, Police tells Enugu residents

    Don’t obey IPOB sit-at-home order, Police tells Enugu residents

    The police command in Enugu state on Thursday, said the recent sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should be disregarded and urged residents to go about their normal businesses.

    The Commissioner of police in the state, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, said this in Enugu on Thursday during the meeting he held with the 17 local government chairmen in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner made the plea against the backdrop of the Sept. 14 sit-at-home order across the South-East states by IPOB.

    NAN gathered that IPOB had earlier written to various unions and associations in the state, including council areas, to shut down businesses and other activities.

    The group has also posted notice of the sit-at-home order in strategic locations across the state.

    Danmallam said, “the command is appealing that you use your good offices to help encourage residents of your areas to come out as usual to do their various businesses without fear of intimidation or molestation and not to succumb to any threat of sit at home by any faceless group.

    “The peace and security in the state cannot be compromised, as nobody or group of persons whether known or faceless, will be allowed to threaten the existing peace and security.

    “However, the command and other sister security agencies are on the trail of those in this habit of putting fear and panic in the minds of law abiding citizens with a view to arresting and bringing them to book.’’

    He commended the local government chairmen for maintaining peace and security in their respective domains and solicited their cooperation, before and after the controversial order.

    “I will seek your further co-operation to ensure that business activities as well as other activities take place before, during and after Sept. 14 in your domain.

    “The command is assuring you that security operatives are already on ground to ensure that members of the public go about their normal lawful businesses.’’

    NAN reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja on Sept. 21, 2017 gave judicial backing to the executive order of President Muhammadu Buhari, outlawing the IPOB and declared its activities as acts of terrorism and illegality. (NAN)