Flowerbud News

Month: November 2023

  • Old Naira Notes to Remain in Use Indefinitely- CBN

    Old Naira Notes to Remain in Use Indefinitely- CBN

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja: (Flowerbudnews) The old Naira Notes will now remain in use as legal tender in the country indefinitely,

    A Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statement by Isa AbdulMumin, the apex bank’s spokesman said that the indefinite extension was in line with international best practices and to forestall a repeat of earlier experiences.

    This meant the old design of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations would remain in use.

     

     

    AbdulMumin said that the CBN  was working with the relevant authorities to vacate the subsisting court ruling on the same subject. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Breast Cancer: Early detection key to cure, survival — Expert

    Breast Cancer: Early detection key to cure, survival — Expert

     

    By Suleiman Shehu
    Ibadan:  A Nurse Clinician, Mrs Omolara Olaosebikan, says early detection of breast cancer is key to breast cancer cure and improving the survival rate of patients.

    Olaosebikan stated this during a lecture on breast cancer, organised by the women committee of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State chapter, to mark the second anniversary of the union, on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    The nurse clinician, who worked with Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, said that women must conduct self-examination of their breast once in a month, particularly after menstruation, to be able to detect any abnormality.

    “As women, we are supposed to be doing self breast examination once in a month after menstruation to be able to detect any lump, swelling, discharge from the nipples or change in colour of their breasts.

    “These are the things we should look for on monthly basis and see healthcare provider if there is any abnormal change,” she said.

    Olaosebikan called on women above 40 years to do mammogram (x-ray of the breast) to detect any abnormal change in their breasts.

    She identified four stages of breast cancer, adding that it was better to get it treated at early stage before getting to the last stage.

    Olaosebikan said that breast cancer cure might be difficult if it should be allowed to get to the last stage.

    “Early detection will reduce treatment cost, improve quality of life and survival rate,” she said.

    Earlier, the Oyo State NLC Chairperson (Women Committee), Mrs Kikelomo Ayedun, said that the health talk was organised to sensitise members on how to live a healthy life.

    Ayedun said that what members had gained at the programme would go a long way in improving their health conditions.

    In his own remarks, the state NLC Chairman , Kayode Martins, appreciated the women for organising the lecture, adding: “health was wealth.”

    According to Martins, breast cancer is one of the fastest killing diseases in Nigeria and the world generally, adding that it should not be taken for granted.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the event was blood pressure check and sugar level test.

    NAN also reports that the programme was attended by all women affiliates of NLC, both from the public and private sectors. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • AGF complies with court order, takes over Stella Odua, CCECC’s trial

    AGF complies with court order, takes over Stella Odua, CCECC’s trial

     

    Abuja:   The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has taken over a N5 billion fraud case filed by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, and others in compliance with a court order.

    David Kaswe, the Chief State Counsel from the AGF’s Chambers, told Justice Inyang Ekwo shortly after the matter was called for hearing.
    Upon resumed hearing, Kaswe notified the court that the AGF was taking over the matter and that his office had written to the EFCC but the commission was yet to release the case file to enable them commence the trial.

    He, therefore, sought an adjournment.
    But Justice Ekwo reminded the lawyer that it was the order of the court that the AGF should take over the case.

    The judge, who said that the office of the AGF did not need to write the anti-graft agency, said the EFCC was bound to obey the order.

    Kaswe, however, said that his office took into cognisance the fact that the EFCC had just had a change of leadership.  Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until March 28.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judge had, on July 21, ordered the AGF’s office to take over the N5 billion fraud case shortly after the arraignment of Oduah, a Chinese construction giant, CCECC, and others.
    The development occured after the anti-corruption agency’s lawyer, Offem Uket, was unable to provide a direct answer to the judge’s question on why the agency failed to produce in court persons behind breaching his privacy through text messages on his phone and another group who petitioned the chief justice of Nigeria regarding the ongoing case
    “I will give a date for trial and make a consequential order because you have allowed this matter to degenerate this way.

    “You think you can shield any of these persons who have interfered in these proceedings?” he asked rhetorically.

    “I make an order that the AGF shall take over this case and the EFCC shall hand over the records of proceedings to the office of the AGF,” the judge had ruled.

    NAN reports that Oduah, a former senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District at the 9th National Assembly, and others were arraigned on July 21 on 25-count charge.
    She was arraigned alongside CCECC Nigeria Ltd, the Nigerian subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) established by the Chinese government to execute international contracts and economic cooperation.

    Also joined in the charge are Gloria Odita, Nwosu Emmanuel Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere.

    Others include Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd and Sobora International Ltd.
    They all pleaded not guilty to the counts and were admitted to bail in terms of the administrative bail earlier granted them by the anti-graft agency.

    In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/316/2020 and filed by the EFCC on December 17, 2020, the defendants are being accused of laundering various sums of money totalling about N5,052,415,984 between February and June 2014.

    The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit money laundering, transferring, taking control and taking possession of proceeds of fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering and opening anonymous bank accounts.

    Specifically, the prosecution alleged in two of the 25 counts that Oduah, a former Aviation Minister, and Odita opened anonymous “Private Banking Nominee” dollar and naira accounts with First Bank Ltd, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 11(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 11(4) (a) of the same Act.

    In the charge, CCECC Nigeria Limited was alleged to have transferred over N2.5 billion into the naira account of a Private Banking Nominee between March 31 and June 6, 2014.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • Strike: EEDC is not responsible for the prolonged power outage in Imo – Mgt

    Strike: EEDC is not responsible for the prolonged power outage in Imo – Mgt

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu:  The Management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) says the company is not responsible for the prolonged electricity power outage in Imo.

     

    It would b recalled that Imo had been without electricity for about two weeks following the humiliation and merciless beaten of the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, during his intervention in a labour matter in the state.

    The Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu said that it “customers should totally disregard any misleading publication as EEDC is not responsible for the prolonged power outage”.

    “Our attention has been drawn to a publication making the rounds on the social media, initiated by some mischief makers who have chosen to take advantage of the loss of power supply in Imo State caused by the industrial action to misinform our customers.

    “They are trying to incite our customers against our organisation,” Ezeh said.

    According to him, for the benefit of our esteemed customers affected by this unfortunate situation, we wish to set the records in proper perspective.

    “In the early hours of Nov. 1, 2023, EEDC’s source of supply at Egbu Transmission Station was shut down by the Labour Union following an industrial action caused by the face-off between the Union and the government of Imo State.

     

    “As a result of this development, all the feeders serving our customers in the state were out of supply, thereby crippling our operations and leaving us helpless.

     

    “It is important to note that EEDC only distributes the electricity it receives from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

     

    “Our performance as a Distribution Company is dependent on other members of the electricity value chain (that is the Generation Company and the Transmission Company of Nigeria),” he said.

     

    The EEDC spokesman said that with its source of power at Egbu TCN shut down, there was no way EEDC could get power to serve its customers in Imo.

     

    This, he said, is a situation that has impacted heavily on its revenue and service to customers.

     

    Ezeh noted that as a matter of responsibility, immediately this happened, we notified our customers and deployed several communications across various media channels, explaining the situation and our position in all of these.

     

    He said that the company was mindful of the inconveniences this prolonged situation had caused our esteemed customers in Imo and hope that the issue is resolved so that normalcy can return to the state.

     

    “We urge our customers to remain vigilant and ensure that the electricity infrastructure serving them are protected, as vandals might take advantage of the outage to attack these equipment.

     

    “We empathise with our esteemed customers in Imo State and assure them of our continued commitment to ensuring that we provide them with quality service,” he said. Flowerbudnews

  • National grid intact, supplying bulk electricity to DisCos — TCN

    National grid intact, supplying bulk electricity to DisCos — TCN

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Tuesday denied reports of nationwide blackout occasioned by the commencement of the strike actions by the National Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC).

     

    It said the national grid is intact and currently supplying bulk electricity to distribution companies.

     

    The TCN Spokesperson, Mrs Ndidi Mba stated this in a statement issued in Abuja.

    She noted that the National Control Centre Osogbo which controls bulk power transmission nationwide, is actively operational.

     

    “We hereby note that the nation’s grid is intact and supplying bulk electricity to distribution load centres nationwide,” she said.

     

    The two major labour unions, NLC and TUC, had declared the strike, following the brutalisation of the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, in Imo State on 1 November. Ajaero was attacked in Owerri, the state capital, during an NLC protest against the Imo State government over alleged maltreatment of workers in the state.

    The unions on Monday directed their members to down tools across the country as from Tuesday.

  • Wike inaugurates task force on issuance of C of O, land use contravention

    Wike inaugurates task force on issuance of C of O, land use contravention

    (NAN) The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a Task Force on the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for mass housing and the recovery of land use contravention fees.

     

    Wike explained while inaugurating the task force in Abuja on Tuesday that the measure was to ensure that each of the houses in mass housing estates has its own C of O and pay for it.

     

    He lamented that virtually all the residential areas have been turned to commercial, adding, “something must be done about it.”

     

    He said that those who contravened the Land Use Act must be recertified and pay the appropriate penalties.

     

    Wike explained that those given approval for residential buildings have converted to commercial structures, while those given for commercial also contravene by building residential houses.

     

    “So, there must be a recertification and there must be penalties.

     

    “The only way people can be deterred from doing this is to make sure that we discourage them and discouraging them means that if you want to build, you have a penalty to pay, and that penalty must be severe.

     

    “In as much as we want to generate revenue, we also want to control the development of areas.

     

    “Abuja has to go back to the original Master Plan. If there is need to have some amendment, it is the government that will do such amendment, it is not for the allottees to do so on their own,” he said.

     

    The minister said that government agencies in charge of land administration in the FCT were part of the problem, adding that the agencies were included in the task force to solve the problem they created.

     

    He said: “Part of the problem we are having is the agencies: development control is part of the problem; the land registry is part of the problem; Abuja Geographic Information System AGIS is part of the problem.

     

    “That is why they are part of the task force to face the problem they have caused and solve the problem. No outsider will do it.

     

    “So, you must be diligent. Of course, you know, I will monitor what you are doing, and this assignment will not last more than one month from today.

     

    “Whatever fund you require, let us know, Zenith bank will provide you the fund, but I must approve the fund.

     

    “You write to me, and I will tell Zenith Bank what I need.*

     

    Wike directed the task force to open two dedicated bank accounts for the assignment, saying, “one for non-compliance with the land use act and the other for the C of O.”

     

    He also asked the task force to include people who were given land by the Area Councils but without C of O, adding that those concerned should be asked to apply and be informed about the amount to pay.

     

    Wike explained that Abuja depended on Internally Generated Revenue to execute projects in the FCT.

     

    “I am not interested in who did not comply and I don’t want anybody to write to me that the task force came. All I need is results. I don’t want excuses,” he added.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee would be chaired by Mr Michael Chinda, Senior Special Assistant to Wike on Lands, Urban and Regional Planning.

     

    The Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Shehu Ahmad, would serve as the secretary.

     

    Other members of the taskforce include the Director, Department of Development Control, Director, Department of Land Administration and the Director, Department of Surveying and Mapping.

     

    Others are the Director, Department of Mass Housing, Director of AGIS, and Director, Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

     

    Also included are two estate surveyors, Dr Emmanuel Mark and Mr Emma Okas.

     

    Responding on behalf of the members, Chinda expressed the readiness of the task force team to get to work and promised not to disappoint the minister.

     

    The chairman further promised to deliver on the task within a month.

     

    He described C of O as an “indispensable requirement” for land ownership, adding that the land belongs to the government and the people using it must pay.

     

    “We will not spare anyone that has contravene and we will do the needful

     

    “I can assure you that we will do this job with precision, diligence and a high level of professionalism so that we will meet your expectation and possibly exceed

  • FG meets labour leaders as nationwide strike begins

    FG meets labour leaders as nationwide strike begins

    The Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Simon Lalong, has convened a meeting with labour leaders as the nationwide strike begins.

     

    Our correspondent learnt that leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are expected at the meeting holding on Tuesday (today).

     

    A source familiar with the matter disclosed this to our correspondent on Monday night.

     

    “The minister has convened a meeting with the Labour leaders for Tuesday,” the source simply said.

     

    The labour unions had, on Monday, ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.

     

    TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja..

     

    Osifo said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

    The strike is also to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well as the pending labour issues in Imo State.

     

    Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo, as disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.

     

    Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.

     

    The NLC and TUC later wrote their affiliates such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics among others ahead of the nationwide strike.

     

    The letter to the affiliates was jointly signed by the National Secretary, NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro.

     

    The letter read, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12 midnight today, November 13, 2023.

     

    “Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and WC Whatsapp platforms.

    While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”

     

    Meanwhile, the Presidency has described the planned strike as an attempt to blackmail the government.

     

    The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday said the planned action is an abuse of privilege and one that contravenes a restraining order by the Industrial Court against the strike.

     

    He noted that Ajaero’s assault in Imo though condemnable is a personal issue that shouldn’t force the whole country into punishment.

     

    The statement read, “This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego-tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.

     

    “We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.

     

    “While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered an investigation into what happened to Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.

    Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.”

     

    The statement added that the strike action is a sinister move to cause further hardship on the masses, noting that the labour movement should not be seen as one that shows disdain against the rule of law.

     

    “Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader.

     

    “This flagrant disobedience to a court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion.

     

    “The labour movement has always been a champion of the rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for the court orders.

     

    “We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable,” it concluded.

  • BREAKING: Driver surrenders to police after crushing LAWMA officials to death

    BREAKING: Driver surrenders to police after crushing LAWMA officials to death

    The driver of the Honda Saloon car with number plate EPE 984 DV that rammed into the Lagos State Waste Management Authority sweepers while they were discharging their duties along Gbagada Expressway on Monday morning has turned himself in to the police.

     

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Tuesday.

     

    Hundeyin said the driver would be charged to court on Tuesday for manslaughter.

     

    He said, “The owner of the Honda Saloon car turned himself in yesterday (Monday) night and he will be taken to court today for manslaughter.

     

    “It was not murder, it was an accident and was not deliberate, so he will be charged with manslaughter.

    It was earlier reported that the driver after crushing the two LAWMA sweepers took off leaving his car.

     

    He was reported to have rammed into the sweepers while allegedly trying to escape from officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

    However, the Ministry of Transportation in a statement on Monday night denied the involvement of LASTMA officials in the accident, stating that anyone found culpable after investigation will be punished accordingly.

     

    The statement partly read, “Immediate investigation revealed that no LASTMA officer was involved in the unfortunate incident.

     

    “The Ministry of Transportation wants to assure members of the public that the outcome of the police investigation will be made public and anyone found culpable would be made to face the consequences of the law.”

  • Google asks court to dismiss Nigerian’s $150m damages’ suit

    Google asks court to dismiss Nigerian’s $150m damages’ suit

     

    …..As plaintiff seeks adjournment to respond to Google’s plea

    Abuja:   The Google LLC, an American multinational technology company, has urged a Federal High Court, Abuja to dismiss the 150 million dollars suit filed by a Nigerian, Mr Chianugo Peter, against it and GoDaddy.com.

    Google, the 2nd defendant in the suit, told Justice Obiora Egwuatu that Peter’s claims were unmeritorious, unworthy and should be dismissed in its entirety.

    The company made the averment in its statement of defence dated Nov. 9 and filed Nov. 10 by its lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Peter had sued GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC as 1st and 2nd defendants over allegations bordering on the shutdown of his YouTube Audio domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing works.
    The plaintiff, through his lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong of Fred-Young & Evans LP, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/238/2023 on April 14.
    Peter sought the court declaration that he registered the YouTube Audio business name, commenced trademark registration on the logo of the business name.
    He also said that he secured the YouTubeAudio.com domain name from the GoDaddy in good faith to carry out genuine business to host his application thereon to attract users.
    He also sought a declaration that since GoDaddy and Google encouraged him to make use of the YouTubeAudio.com domain name for the past eight years, “they are estopped from claiming that the domain name infringes any of their trademarks or deny the plaintiff the use of the YouTubeAudio.com domain name.
    “A declaration of this honourable court that the plaintiff is entitled to compensation from the defendants for the loss of the YouTubeAudio.com brand and goodwill which has accrued on the brand and domain name for eight years of promotional and marketing works from 2nd July, 2015 to 7th December, 2022.”
    Peter, therefore, sought an order directing the defendants to pay him the sum of $50 million for promotional and marketing works on the YouTube Audio business name and YouTube Audio.com domain name for eight years from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.
    “An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the sum of 100, 000, 000 dollars to the plaintiff for loss of anticipated profits associated with the brand equity and goodwill of YouTube Audio and YouTube Audio.com domain name.
    “An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the Plaintiff the sum of N50, 000, 000 (Fifty Million naira) to enable the plaintiff to carry out fresh registrations of its new name and secure an alternative domain name to host its application to attract users.
    “An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the sum of N10, 00, 000 (Ten Million naira) paid to the plaintiff’s counsel for prosecution of this suit.”
    NAN observes that though GoDaddy.Com LLC had neither been represented in court nor filed any application since the commencement of the case, Google LLC had responded.
    In its reaction, Google argued that Peter did not act in good faith when he registered the YOUTUBE AUDIO business name and the YouTubeAudio.com domain name.
    According to the company, the plaintiff was aware of his lack of bona fide claim because he approached it before he commenced operation “and acknowledged the 2nd defendant (Google)’s rights.
    It gave reasons Peter should not be entitled to any of the reliefs sought in his statement of claim.
    According to Google, the plaintiff does not own the YOUTUBE trademark nor does he have a bona fide claim to use or register any mark that incorporates or is similar to the YOUTUBE trademark.
    “The 2nd defendant is the international owner of the duly registered and famous ‘YOUTUBE’ word and ‘YOUTUBE GO’ logo trademarks in Nigeria and worldwide.
    “The 2nd defendant started using its YOUTUBE trademark in February 2005 internationally.
    “In addition, the 2nd defendant’s YOUTUBE trademark was first registered in Nigeria in 2007.

    “Such use and registration in Nigeria was prior to the plaintiff’s use in Nigeria, which only commenced in 2015,” the company argued.

    When the matter was called on Monday, plaintiff’s counsel, Jude Otakpor, told the court that while he was in receipt of Google’s statement of defence, GoDaddy was yet to put up appearance in court.

    The lawyer, who appeared for Google, Okimute Ohwahwa, said she had an application for extension of time to regularise their processes.
    Ohwahwa said their statement of defence was dated Nov. 9 and filed Nov. 10.

    Otakpor did not oppose Ohwahwa’s oral application and Justice Egwuatu granted it.
    But Otakpor, however, sought an adjournment to enable them file a reply to Google’s statement of defence.

    The judge, who adjourned the matter until Feb 12, directed that a hearing notice be issued on GoDaddy. /Flowerbudnews