Flowerbud News

Month: October 2023

  • Grace Oyelude Celebrates Her 87th Birthday, Chidinma Aaron Visits Her (Photos)

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Grandmother Grace Atinuke (born November 16, 1931) is known to be the first ever Miss Nigeria, having won the pageant — also the maiden edition — in 1957.

    Though she hails from Kogi State, Grandma Oyelude was born in Kano to James Adeleye Olude and Marthan Dantu, who both hail from Isanlu, present day Kogi State.

    The story of how she became the first Miss Nigeria is as riveting as her enigmatic personality, even in her advanced old age.

    Miss Nigeria started in 1957 as a photo contest, whereby contestants posted photographs of themselves to The Daily Times headquarters in Lagos. Finalists were shortlisted, and successful finalists were invited to compete in the live final at the Lagos Island Club.

    Then, the Miss Nigeria contest did not include a swimsuit competition.

    Then, Oyelude was working at UAC when she represented the then Northern region. After winning the contest, she travelled to England where she studied Nursing. Within months of gaining admission to the School of Nursing in Ashford, she was crowned Miss Nigeria.

    She tells her story: “I was living in Kano then. My brother saw the advertisement in the newspapers and advised me to go to Lagos for an interview to be selected as a Miss Nigeria contestant.

    “He applied, and the result was that I was supposed to be in Lagos for the Miss Nigeria contest.

    “I was working in the UAC then, and they also were also involved in the pageant.

    “The following day, they got me on a plane to Lagos and that was it.”

    Oyelude currently holds the chieftaincy titles Iyaolu of Isaluland and Iyalode of Okunland. She has many grandchildren.

    More recently, precisely on July 16, 2018, her ebullient nephew and a Professor of English Language at Carleton University in Canada, Pius Adesanmi, posted a photograph of the gracefully ageing Grandma Oyelude.

  • Vatican’s Head Of Financial Regulator Resigns

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Vatican said the head of its financial regulator would leave, weeks after unprecedented police raids on his organisation and another key arm of the Catholic Church’s bureaucracy.

    Rene Bruelhart, a 47-year-old Swiss lawyer, told Reuters he had resigned from the top job at the Financial Information Authority (AIF), but did not go into further detail.

    Vatican police entered the offices of the AIF and of the Secretariat of State — the administrative heart of the Catholic Church — on October 1, as part of an investigation into an investment the Secretariat had made in London real estate.

    The officers, operating under a search warrant secured by the Vatican’s own prosecutor, seized documents and computers.The head of the Secretariat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, last month acknowledged that the property deal had not been transparent and promised to shed light on it.The AIF board, headed by Bruelhart, has said the regulator did nothing wrong when it looked over the property investment.

    A Vatican statement said Bruelhart would leave at the end of his five-year term on Tuesday and a successor would be named after Pope Francis returns from a trip to Asia on November 26.

    “I resigned,” Bruelhart told Reuters by phone shortly after the announcement was made.

    Five Vatican employees were suspended immediately after the October 1 raids, including AIF director Tommaso di Ruzza.

    Two weeks later, Domenico Giani, the Vatican’s longtime security chief and the pope’s personal bodyguard, resigned over the leak of a document related to the investigation.

    Vatican prosecutor Gian Piero Milano is looking into possible crimes such as embezzlement, abuse of office, fraud and money laundering connected to the purchase of the building by the Secretariat of State, according to people familiar with his search warrant.

    The Secretariat of State spent about US$200 million (RM830 million) in 2014 for a minority stake in a complex plan to buy the building in London’s Chelsea district and convert it into luxury apartments.

    The personnel changes at the AIF come as the Vatican is preparing for a new evaluation by Moneyval, a monitoring body of the Council of Europe, which has given Vatican financial reforms mostly positive reviews in its most recent evaluations.

    Moneyval executive secretary Matthias Kloth told Reuters last month after the police raids that the organisation was “following developments closely.” He said Moneyval’s onsite visit will go ahead as scheduled next spring ahead of a new evaluation in December.

  • Troops Overcome Another Ambush By Boko Haram In Dikwa – Army

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)The Nigerian Army says its troops have overcome another ambush  by the Boko Haram terrorist in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno.

    The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

    Iliyasu said that the encounter took place on Monday when troops of 153 Task Force Battalion deployed at New Marte embarked on fighting patrol to Dikwa to hunt and destroy remnants of the insurgents.

    According to him, the troops encountered an ambush staged against them by some remnants of the criminal Boko Haram insurgents along the patrol route at Ala Village, 7 km away from New Marte.

    “The ambush was reinforced with a crudely prepared Improvised Explosive Device planted by them against the troops.

    “In a rare display of boldness, resilience and faithful service to their fatherland, the troops, turned around the initial setback and dealt a devastating blow on the criminals.

    “Having so clearly asserted their superiority in the ensuing fire fight, the criminal insurgents were forced to flee in disarray.

    The gallant troops then embarked on a relentless pursuit of the scampering insurgents who abandoned some of their fighting equipment in utter confusion,” he said.

    Iliyasu disclosed that the troops recovered two Gun Trucks, two Anti-Air Craft Guns, 2,080 Rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 26 Rounds of 12.7 mm Armour Piercing Incendiary ammunition at end of the pursuit and exploitation.

    He added that three AK 47 Rifles, six Rounds of 12.7 mm (Belted), one AOJOE motorcycle, some clothes, food stuffs and mechanical tools belonging to the criminals were also captured by the troops.

    According to him, most of the Boko Haram criminal elements were believed to have escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.

    “However, troops continue to dominate the area with patrols to deny the criminal insurgents freedom of action.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has commended the troops for their gallantry and reiterate the commitment of the Nigerian Army to accomplish its constitutional mandate professionally and responsively for a secured Nigeria.

    “He also thanks all well-meaning Nigerians for their unalloyed support, goodwill and understanding towards officers and men of the Nigerian Army as they tackle the myriad of security challenges confronting our dear country,” he said. (NAN)

  • Mourinho replaces Pochettino as Tottenham Hotspur manager

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been appointed to replace Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham Hotspur Manager on a contract that runs until the end of the 2022/23 season.

    Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham after its frustrating start to the English Premier League (EPL) season.

    Pochettino led Spurs to four successive top-four finishes in the league and also oversaw a memorable charge to the Champions League final last season.

    Tottenham went down 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, however, and with 12 games played in the top flight this season, it sits 14th, having won just three times.

    It also suffered a humiliating 7-2 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last month.

    Chairman of the club Daniel Levy said: “In Mourinho we have one of the most successful managers in football.

    “He has a wealth of experience that can inspire teams and he is a great tactician. He has won honours at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room.”

    Speaking on his appointment, Mourinho said: “I am excited to be joining a Club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters.

    “The quality in both the squad and the academy excites me. Working with these players is what has attracted me.”

    Mourinho was previously the head coach of EPL giant Manchester United before being sacked in December last year.

    The 55-year-old Portuguese, took over in May 2016 and led United to League Cup and Europa League titles.

  • Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site: US Revokes Waiver To Allow Research

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The United States has cancelled a sanctions waiver to allow research at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility, announced U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

    “The United States will terminate the sanctions waiver related to the nuclear facility at Fordow effective Dec. 15, 2019,” Pompeo told reporters at the State Department.

    “The right amount of uranium enrichment for the world’s largest state sponsor of terror is zero. Iran originally constructed Fordow as a fortified underground bunker to conduct secret uranium enrichment work, and there is no legitimate reason for Iran to resume enrichment at this previously clandestine site.”

    “Iran should reverse its activity there immediately,” he added.

    The move came as Iran announced and the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the regime resumed uranium enrichment at Fordow, which is underground, in violation of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

    Read more at:

  • Proposed bank strike: stakeholders call for dialogue to avert plan

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Some financial experts and stakeholders have appealed to bank unions’ to dialogue with their employers to forestall the proposed operation shut down of banks by Jan. 2.

    The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and the National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (NUBIFI), on Nov. 17, issued a strike threat to bank employers.

    The unions said that workers in the sector would embark on an indefinite strike over failure of their employers to review the Collective Bargaining Agreement in line with extant law.

    Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Emmanuel Atama, the Executive Secretary of the National Cooperative Financing Agency of Nigeria (CFAN), appealed for an amicable resolution.

    He said the proposed shut-down of banks would be detrimental to the economy of the country if implemented.

    “It is a notice that they have given and every employee has bargaining power and when an employee wants to hit an employer, he hits the employer from a very tight corner so, there is no cause for alarm.

    “I strongly believe that issues like this can be resolved.

    “My appeal is for both parties to come to the table and amicably resolve this because if that is not done, it will go a long way to affect banking.

    “Some people will think that if they keep their money in the bank and the banks can put them under a tight corner, it is better for them to withdraw.

    “The effect of it is that the public will embark on panic withdrawal  and the banks cannot withstand it.

    “It will come to a point where employees will start begging that people should not withdraw their monies from their banks because people will resort to banking at home.

    “They know that they are very important in the economic life of citizens so everybody must come to the table to get the issues resolved,’’ he advised.

    Mrs Ijeawele Ndu, an Abuja based civil servant, called on the parties involved to resolve the issues peacefully and promptly before the festive season.

    “I am not surprised to hear about this strike because of the way and manner that bankers are relieved of their duties.

    “But I can’t even imagine what will happen by the time banks close operations and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) is not working.

    “It will be disastrous to the economy and to us as individuals more so when it is during the festive season,’’ she said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Lucky Abomi, a business man in Karu Local Government Area, FCT, said the proposed shut down of banks would negatively impact businesses across the country if implemented.

    Abomi appealed to governments at all levels to intervene in the matter in the interest of peace and development of the country.

    “The Federal Government closed the border and that is already affecting our businesses and now, we are hearing that banks might close down too.

    “The government should come and mediate between the parties involved so that our businesses do not suffer setbacks,’’ he appealed.

    Mrs Oyinkansola Olasanoye, the President of ASSBIFI at its 10th Triennial National Delegates Conference, regretted the deliberate disrespect of human rights by some bank employers contrary to the provision of the Central Bank of Nigeria. (NAN)

  • Gashua Market Fire: Minister Sympathises With Victims, Directs Urgent Assessment

    Abuja, Nov. 19, 2019 (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of  Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, has condoled with the victims of Gashua Market disaster in Yobe.She also tasked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to conduct an assessment of the losses and make recommendations that would alleviate the sufferings of the victims.Farouq, in a statement in Abuja, described the fire incident in the potash market in Gashua as “one fire too many”.The Minister described the incident as “saddening”.“I was greatly saddened by the unfortunate news of the fire outbreak that has once more left innocent victims counting their losses.“I commiserate with the government and people of Yobe State on this unfortunate incident.“I pray that the Almighty God will grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the losses,” she said.Farouq said that the frequency and intensity of market fires across the country, as well as the impact on lives, property and livelihoods, was a challenges to government and agencies tasked with managing disasters.“The ministry will continue to coordinate activities to ensure that all stakeholders leverage their tools and resources to ensure efficient prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response to fire disasters.“I thank God that no life was lost. However, I have directed the Director-General of NEMA and the North-East Regional Team to visit the site of the fire disaster.“They are also to perform necessary assessment and report back with actionable recommendations that will ensure that the victims/traders are empowered as they rebuild back their lives.“I implore Nigerians to initiate fire prevention measures and general health and safety measures in our homes, schools and workplaces,” Farouq said. (NAN)

  • Consult Embassy Before Business Venture In Dubai- Ambassador

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)Nigerian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohammed Rimi, has advised Nigerians coming to Dubai for genuine businesses to consult with the Embassy or the Consulate before embarking on such ventures.

    The ambassador gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dubai at the 5th Edition of the Global Business Forum (GBF) on Africa tagged `Scale-Up Africa’ which kicked off on Monday.

    Rimi said that it was always better to let the embassy know in advance of any business venture.

    “In fact, if they need assistance, we will try as much as we can to provide them with such. There are those who already have their contacts before coming.

    “For us to keep track of genuine businesses, they need to let us know; even if they have a partner here when they come.

    “They should let us know who their partners are when they come here and what they are doing. Fine, if they have done due diligence on their business partners on their own and are satisfied.

    “If not, we can also do some due diligence for them,” he said.

    According to him, If you tell me you are dealing with Company A and that you are coming to meet with that company, whether you ask us or not to do due diligence, I will try to find out what that company is all about.

    “Because a lot of the businesses happen which are not documented by the Consulate.

    “So, it very difficult sometime for us to say there is this number of visitors coming to do business here in Dubai. So we do not have the statistics of people coming to do business in Dubai,” Rimi said.

    On the image of Nigerians in that country, the ambassador said that the UAE Government and its citizens had high regards for Nigerians and Nigeria.

    He noted that 98 per cent of Nigerians living or visiting in Dubai were well behaved.

    The ambassador, however, said that there were over 10,000 Nigerians living in Dubai,.

    Rimi described the government of UAE as very liberal and tolerant to all.

    According to him, the country’s government had seen the world and equally moved round the world to see what was happening around.

    NAN reports that the first session of the Forum examined key trends and technologies driving business growth across the African continent.

    Industry experts who spoke at the session noted that the new technologies and trends were reshaping Africa’s economic landscape and creating plenty of business opportunities and investment prospects which were not there before.

    The Group Chief Executive Officer, Emerging Africa Capital Group, Nigeria, Mrs Toyin Sanni, during an interactive session entitled “Linking Back – the Entrepreneurial Support Chain’’, shared her views on a changing business landscape in Africa.

    “A great deal has changed and there is now a lot more support. At the beginning of my career I was dependent on the goodwill of my superior – now we have in-house mentorship programmes.

    “I’m happy to see entrepreneurs coming to the table,” Sanni said.

    She noted that some of the problems confronting entrepreneurs in Africa had to do with government policy reforms which she described as important for businesses to thrive.

    Also, Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director, Securico, Zimbabwe, stressed the importance of investing in education and skills development.

    In another session entitled “Finding the Sweet Spot – Momentum for Change’’, Dr Carlos Lopes, a Professor at Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, South Africa, said that Africa could not be ignored for two reasons.

    “Africa is positioning itself as the continent where you have the highest young consumer concentration. Secondly, it’s not just the size but because it’s easier for younger people to absorb the new technologies,” he explained.

    Sharing his insights and perspective, Jonathan Berman, Author of “Success in Africa: CEO Insights from a Continent on the Rise’’, noted that continent’s growing appeal as an attractive investment destination was being driven by widespread digitisation.

    “The visibility and scale of opportunities across borders is like never before. The range and size weren’t there seven years ago,” Berman said.

    He, however, stressed the importance of initiatives like Dubai Chamber’s GBF Mentorship Programme, which had created new growth opportunities for African entrepreneurs who are looking to scale their businesses and expand beyond borders.

    Heads of State, ministers, policymakers, prominent business leaders, investors and entrepreneurs from Africa are attending the event which kicked off on Nov.18 to Nov. 19.

    The Forum is organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

    GBF Africa 2019 is the largest event of its kind in the region, focusing on Africa’s vast economic potential and exploring new avenues of cooperation between UAE businesses and their African counterparts. (NAN)

  • Dubai’s Non-Oil Trade With Africa To Exceed AED1trn

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Dubai’s non-oil trade with Africa will exceed Dhs one trillion for the period extending from 2011 until the end of 2019, the Chairman of Dubai Chamber, Mr Majid Al Ghurair has said.

    Al Ghurair made this known while declaring open the 5th edition of the Global Business Forum on Africa (GBF Africa) which opened on Monday in Dubai.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum which  is organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dubai Chamber) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, end on Tuesday.

    Al Ghurair highlighted the long-established UAE-African relations in all fields, and Dubai’s status as Africa’s gateway to new markets building on its strong presence on the global economy map and its role in advancing international trade.

    He said that over the course of its five previous editions, GBF Africa had become a leading Platform for expanding UAE-Africa economic cooperation and forging partnerships across different markets.

    ”The African continent is a key partner in Dubai’s plans to diversify its economy.

    ”With the support of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the forum has seen considerable growth in terms of significance and number of participants, bringing together heads of state, policymakers and business leaders to identify exciting business prospects emerging across the continent.

    ”The African market is a market of strategic importance to Dubai and a key focus of Dubai Chamber’s expansion strategy and we are closely monitoring developments and the business climate in Africa to identify growth opportunities available for our members,” Al Ghurair added.

    He, however, underlined the huge potential to boost UAE-Africa trade and investment flows following the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area earlier in the year.

    Al Ghurair also asserted that Dubai was well-equipped to support Africa’s next phase of growth and development, especially as the emirate offers valuable expertise in several key sectors, including logistics services, infrastructure, retail, tourism and finance.

    “Held under the theme ‘Scale-Up Africa’, GBF Africa 2019 is among the world’s largest events focusing on Africa’s economic potential, highlighting business and investment potential and opportunities on the continent.

    “Africa’s changing economic landscape is creating new business opportunities,” he said.

    Participants at the event included George Weah, President of Liberia; Danny Faure, President of Seychelles; Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and Carlos Agostinho do Rosario, Prime Minister of Mozambique.

    Others are Ruhakana Ruganda, Prime Minister of Uganda; Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General, Expo 2020 Dubai; Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber; Hamad Buamim, President & CEO of Dubai Chamber and Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, President of Dubai Business Women Council, among other prominent speakers. (NAN)