Flowerbud News

Month: October 2023

  • Group Accuses US-Based Journalist Of Blackmailing Buhari’s Appointees

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) South Eastern Alliance for Democracy and Progress (SEADP) has cautioned media practitioners to stop using their platform to deliberately spread fake news for cheap propaganda and pecuniary benefits.

    In a statement issued after a one- day interactive session on the role of media in the fight against insecurity, the group’s Secretary General Dr Jideofor Nzekwe, affirmed that media has a constitutional role in a democracy which must be discharged according to the law.

    The group frowned at those media practitioners who use fake news to promote instability across the country.

    Exemplifying with the publisher of Pointblank news, Jackson Ude, the group alleged that the former aide to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, goes extra miles to smear the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    With particular reference to a story against Prof. Charles Dokubo, Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program, the group further observed that the online news platform was in the habit of carrying false stories calculated to tarnish the image of key appointees of Buhari’s government.

    The group further alleged that the platform had also falsely attacked Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of Transportation among others.

    “This man and his group have made unsubstantiated claims of phantom corruption charges and imaginary contract awards against their targets just to tarnish the image of these appointees”.

    “We are aware that many politicians have been victims of this brand of defamatory, irresponsible and gangster journalism.

    “We are warning every discerning member of the public especially those in the social media to beware of his falsehood.

    “However, the painful thing is that these damages are done from abroad and their actions have potential negative implications on the image of our dear country.

    The group consequently called on all security agencies especially the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) and International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to investigate the allegations.

  • Nigeria’s Democracy Is Maturing – Buhari

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja declared that ‘Nigeria democracy is maturing,’ citing the peaceful and orderly conduct of 2019 general elections and the resort to the rule of law by aggrieved candidates in settling disputes.

    Buhari stated this while declaring open the 25th Nigeria Economic Summit (NES) with the theme: ‘‘Nigeria 2050: Shifting Gears’’

    ‘‘The elections have come and gone. Our country, once again, has shown the world that we can choose our leaders in a peaceful and orderly manner. Apart from a few pockets of unrest, majority of voters exercised their civic rights without hindrance.

    ‘‘Furthermore, we also saw an increase in the number of aggrieved candidates, and supporters, who took their concerns and grievances to the courts as opposed to the streets. This is how it should be.

    ‘‘Ladies and Gentlemen, what this clearly shows is that our democracy is maturing,’’ he said.

    The President, who is attending the Summit for the first time since he was elected and re-elected president in 2015 and 2019 respectively, said poverty reduction and inclusivity was at the heart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) economic policies in the last four years.

    ‘‘During the elections, almost all candidates proposed their vision for the economy and for the country.

    Our party, the All Progressive Congress, put before the country policies that focus on delivering prosperity to all Nigerians through enhancing security; eliminating corrupt practices in public service; supporting sectors that will create jobs; and promoting socially-focused interventions to support the poorest and most vulnerable among us.

    ‘‘These areas are all interconnected and are equally important in creating a prosperous society for all,’’ he said.

    More to follow.

  • Iraqi army withdraws from eastern Baghdad suburb after deadly clashes

    Iraq’s Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi on Monday ordered that army troops be withdrawn from an eastern Baghdad suburb and be replaced with police following deadly clashes.

    The Iraqi military said at least eight people were killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and protesters in Sadr City on Sunday.

    A security source told dpa that scores of people were wounded in the clashes.

    The Iraqi military said in a statement that an `excessive force beyond the engagement rules’ was used in the clashes and measures to hold officers who committed such mistakes accountable have begun via investigating councils.

    Thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets of several provinces in the oil-rich country to protest corruption, lack of job opportunities and poor services – in particular access to electricity and clean water.

    More than 104 people, mainly demonstrators, have been killed and about 6,107 others injured in the protests.

    On Sunday, Abdel-Mahdi discussed the protests in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

    The prime minister reviewed the latest developments and the return to normal life after a curfew was lifted and affirmed that security forces have controlled the situation, and stability has been restored.

    He also asserted that his government has outlined a package of reforms and measures and would continue to provide more to respond to the protesters’ demands.

    Pompeo expressed his trust in the Iraqi security forces and affirmed Washington’s support for Iraq and its government’s efforts to boost security and stability.

  • Buhari nominates Adesina for re-election as AfDB President

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Akinwunmi, while speaking at an event in Lagos on Sunday, appreciated Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank.

    According to Adesina, Nigeria has invested so much in me.

    “When asked by former President Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Minister of Agriculture, it was duty calling me to the land of my birth.

    “I served Nigeria to the very best of my ability. I thank God that Nigeria’s agriculture sector witnessed a much-needed transformation at the time.

    `With the strong support of President Jonathan and the then President elect, Buhari, we campaigned very hard for the position of the President of the African Development Bank.

    “It was a Nigeria effort, as all hands were on deck.

    “This included our former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, and of course my dear indefatigable sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who ran a spirited campaign for me.

    “By God’s grace, I was elected President of the African Development Bank on May 28, 2015, exactly 24 hours after my term of office as Minister ended.

    “The nation jubilated as I became the first-ever Nigerian to be elected President of the bank since its establishment in 1964.

    “Once again, Nigeria gave me air in my lungs.

    “At the African Development Bank, we have worked very hard.

    “In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security.

    “We have also given nine million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation.

    “In all, 181 million people have directly benefitted from our investments.

    “I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen.

    “The African Development Bank has continued to maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally.

    “There is still much to do. We have gone some way climbing the steep mountainside of Africa’s development, yet there is still much way to go until we reach the mountaintop.

    “Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing.

    “I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for e-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election,’’ Adesina said.

  • Uganda’s Cheptegei wins 10,000m gold

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei triumphed after a close battle in the 10,000 meters on Sunday, winning his first world title and bringing his country their second medal of the championships.

    Cheptegei remained near the front of the pack for most of the race and surged in the final kilometer to pass leader Rhonex Kipruto.

    He held off the challenge of Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia to finish in a world leading time of 26 minutes 48.36 seconds.

    Kejelcha finished just under one second behind Cheptegei, clinching silver with a personal best time of 26:49.34.

    Kenya’s Kipruto had to settle for bronze after having led for most of the race, crossing the finish line in 26:50.32.

  • GITEX 2019: Minister tasks participants on technology domestication

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Dubai(United Arab Emirates),Oct. 6 (NAN) The Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami, has tasked Nigerians participating in the on-going Gulf Information Technology Exhibition GITEX to ensure they domesticate technology ideas and add value to Nigerias ICT sector to build the country’s economy.

    Pantami said this on Sunday while he led the Nigerian delegation to GITEX, a global technology exhibition that brings together over 200,000 trade visitors from over 145 countries of the world to share trends of ICT and ways of advancing technology innovations.

    Nigeria’s participation in GITEX which is spearheaded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is a week long programme holding from Oct.6 to Oct. 10.

    The minister said that Nigeria’s participating was a platform for the country to showcase its local innovations, ICT potential, learn advancing technology from other exhibitors, network and domesticate ideas to boost the ICT sector.

    “Our mission is to showcase talent, potential, network with other innovators and learn from them.

    “We also hope to showcase our local content, solicit for investors to our innovations, look out for technology transfer because you cannot undermine the capacity of those you wish to learn from.

    “We must make sure there is value for money in our participation to add value to the ICT sector,” Pantami said.

    He further said that as stakeholders in the industry, the success of the sector should be a collaborative effort.

    The minister added that there was a need for exploration of technology advancement and not exploitation of the system.

    Pantami said that ICT’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country had surpassed that of oil which made it important to harness the benefits of ICT.

    The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, said the agency was making conscious effort toward diversifying the country’s economy through ICT, hence its participation in the 39th GITEX.

    Inuwa said the exhibition will create platforms for Nigeria to learn technology trends from other innovators and domesticate the ideas locally.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to UAE, Mr Mohammed Rimi, said Nigeria needed to make serious effort in promoting digital growth ,adding that the government of Dubai was ready to support the country.

    Rimi recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari visited UAE in April to discuss possible ways of digital growth, especially through deploying Artificial Intelligence.

    He urged the delegation to ensure that the outcome of the meeting was implemented to benefit the country’s ICT industry and improve the lives of citizens.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), said the commission was committed to deploy critical infrastructure to the development of ICT.

    “Presently, Nigeria has been able to achieve 35 per cent broadband penetration and granting internet access and speed to close to 70 million citizens.

    “It is required of the commission to boost the penetration to 127 per cent soon on its new broadband plan and we are committed to it to grant the rest of Nigerians internet access,” he said.

    The Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone Limited, Mr Yusuf Kazaure, reiterated that ICT projects development in the country could not be done in silos but required collaborative effort and global exposure.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria Postal Service, Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited, Nigeria Petroleum Exchange Commission, Petroleum Equalisation Fund Management Board are some agencies representing the country at GITEX. (NAN)

  • Bilateral Relations: Onyeama To Meet Namibian Govt.

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama is on a two-day working visit to Namibia to discus strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation between Nigeria and Namibia.

    Mrs Sarah Sanda, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to Sanda, the Minister is expected to meet with his counterpart Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mrs Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Monday.

    She said that both ministers would discuss bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and concern to Nigeria and Namibia.

    Sanda said that Onyeama on arrival held a meeting with Nigerians living in Namibia and took the opportunity to explain some progranmmes and policies on foreign relations of the Federal Government.

    She said that the minister noted that it was heartwarming to note that there is no Nigerian in prison in Namibia.

    Sanda said that Onyeama was received at the Hosea Kutako International Airport by Mrs Lilian Onoh, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, and Amb. Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Executive Director, Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Namibia. (NAN)

  • FG restates committment to strengthen trade relations with Poland

    The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo has reiterated Federal Government’s committment to strengthen relationship between Nigeria and Poland in terms of trade, commerce and industrialisation.

    Adebayo said this in a statement signed by Mr Julius Jegede, the Special Assistant to the minister on Media in Abuja on Friday.

    The minister spoke when he received Mrs Jonna Tarnawska, Ambassador of Republic of Poland to Nigeria in his office.

    He said that government had put in place measures to ensure that all foreigners, including those from Poland engaged with credible local investors.

    He listed one of such measures to include the Executive Order 001, Ease of Doing Business aimed at removing all incumbrances of business regulation.

    “As a ministry, we are more than willing to assist Polish investors in any way possible with a view to guarantee the credibility of Nigeria businesses.

    “We know our people and we know the credible ones, so we are ready to give assistance in that regard. If there are areas where your firms need introduction to credible people here, we will assist.

    “We will give you the investment brochure of Nigeria through the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) to help further your knowledge of our local business environment,” he said.

    Adebayo further said that Nigeria would initiate economic and technical cooperation with Poland so that in the process, there would be a trade mission and proper economic activities to be carried out between the two countries.

    “I want to specifically allay your fears about Polish businesses coming to Nigeria, this ministry is playing a leading role in ease of doing business and it is backed by the Executive Order, tagged “Executive Order 001” .

    “It means that no incumbrance when it comes to the registration of your businesses. Even at the point of entering into the country, you will have automatic visa on arrival.

    “In fact, the agencies under this ministry were given awards for easing businesses for both foreign and local investors.

    “We have the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). We have the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) for the Oil and Gas sector, we have an array of them like that.

    “I’m saying this to allay your fears about the type of relationship that could exist between your country’s business and Nigeria,”he said.

    He said from the export angle, there were lots of things the two countries could synergise on, including items branded and certified, meeting all the necessary international standards through the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    “With all these, the credible platform for all foreigners, including Polish nationals coming to do business in Nigeria is already established,”he said.

    Earlier, the ambassador had expressed willingness to explore further business opportunities in Nigeria, but raised concerns by Polish investors.

    She said the essence of the visit was to reiterate that Poland would like to continue its cooperation with Nigeria.

    “Poland has a long standing relationship with Nigeria. And we will like to further develop on this for the benefits of both nations.

    “Our country is willing to ensure cooperation with Nigeria in many areas such as: maritime, defense, education and economy.

    “I believe we need this relationship now, especially that Poland is opening-up toward West Africa and of course West Africa can not be mentioned without Nigeria.

    “We are looking up to further cooperation too in terms of trade, because many Polish businesses are interested in coming to Nigeria,” she said.

  • German factory orders slump over U.S.-China trade spat

    German factory orders slumped more than forecast in August as the US-China trade war and Britain’s Brexit crisis hit the manufacturing sector in Europe’s biggest economy.

    Industrial orders fell by 0.6 per cent month to month in August after a hefty 2.1 per cent drop in July, the Ministry for Economics said on Monday.

    Analysts had expected a 0.3 per cent fall in August.

    Year on year, August orders contracted by 6.7 per cent from a 5 per cent fall in July, the ministry said.

    Leading the monthly fall in August was a sharp 2.6 per cent drop in domestic orders, which helped to cancel out a 0.9 per cent gain in foreign orders.