Month: December 2023

  • Betta Edu’s Country Home, Adadama Bubbles as a Tumultuous Crowd of Kinsmen Welcome Her Home Amidst Praises for Pres. Tinubu

    Betta Edu’s Country Home, Adadama Bubbles as a Tumultuous Crowd of Kinsmen Welcome Her Home Amidst Praises for Pres. Tinubu

    Abi Communities in Cross River Welcomes Their Own, Betta Edu, Says Tinubu’s Choice Best as 2,200 Gets Empowered.

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Adadama (Cross River) Flowerbudnews  Adadama, the Country home of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr. Betta Edu was agog over the weekend when a tumultuous jubilant crowd of kinsmen  welcomed her on her first homecoming since becoming Minister.

    The unprecedented crowd of over 15,000 converged in Adadama village of Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, in honour of the dynamic Minister amidst thunderous praises for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name resonated in songs and praises from the over 15,000 residents thanking him for appointing their daughter, Edu as a federal minister of the Federal Republic,a statement by Rasheed Olanrewsju Zubair, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister disclosed.

    The visit was the Minister’s first since her appointment as over 2,200 benefitted from the Renewed Hope empowerment and vocational skills acquisition.

    The seemingly messianic visit was not unexpected as a result of the hard work of the minister that has earned her the star girl and revelation of President Tinubu’s administration,.

    Dr  Edu’s kinsmen noted  the zest at which she has been delivering on her mandate in bringing relief to the Nigerian people.

    The entire Local Government and Cross River State by extension pledged full support to the administration for taking the bold step to bring young people in their thirties into the Federal Executive Council ”not to talk of considering someone from their village.’:

    The Ministe, assured Nigerians that ”in 2024 they will witness an unprecedented victory over poverty as has never been in the history of this country under President Bola Tinubu, as millions would have clear proof of recovery from poverty.”

    “We will deploy all approaches humanly possible until we get results. Cross Riverians will also benefit from the social Protection intervention of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”, She stated.

    The Obol Lepon of Ugep and the Eval Adadama who are Traditional rulers in the region thanked President Tinubu for the privilege of having their daughter as Minister,  stating that they have confidence in their daughter Betta Edu who is a hard worker and goal-getter,  would not fail him.

    They recounted how she built Health Centers for the community and has religiously paid fees for every child in the ward for about a Decade now. She has always had a humanitarian heart and she’s the best fit for the job.

    Those who passed through the vocational training for two days on different skills got their starter packs at the event. While some were put into cooperatives and empowered to set up micro-businesses with strict monitoring.

    These persons were carefully selected through a rigorous process that ensured only the very poor, vulnerable, and sick were considered.

    It was indeed an endless celebration by a people who have faith in their daughter’s ability to deliver on the Renewed Hope Mandate in Nigeria, They prayed for Dr. Betta Edu to exploit while praying for wisdom and divine protection upon her as she carries out her duties. (Flowerbudnews)

  • 4 cows, 3 goats burnt at NCAC National Theatre Fire Outbreak

    4 cows, 3 goats burnt at NCAC National Theatre Fire Outbreak

     

    By Moses Omorogieva

    Lagos:   No few than four cows, three goats kept at the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), National Theatre Complex , Iganmu , Lagos, were killed in a fire outbreak on Saturday night.

    The Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Amodu Shakiru, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

    Shakiru said that the fire was caused by a gas cylinder explosion, which almost spread to the Artistes Village in Iganmu.

    “Property destroyed includes, four cows and three goats, suspected dead as resulted of the fire. Firemen moved in to stop the inferno and our men with others put the fire off completely.

    “The said property belongs to the National Council of Arts and Culture, located opposite Artistes Village. There is no human casualty involved,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • Nigeria will soon witness food sufficiency, price reduction – NACGRAB

    Nigeria will soon witness food sufficiency, price reduction – NACGRAB

     

    By Suleiman Shehu
    Ibadan:  The National Centre For Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), says Nigeria will soon witness sufficiency and price reduction in food commodities.

    The NACGRAB Acting Director, Dr Anthony Okere, stated this at the end of a 2023 Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting on Seed For Resilience (SFR) organised by NACGRAB in collaboration with Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust) in Ibadan.

    He said SFR came into existence in 2021 to improve the efficiency of NACGRAB genebank and enhance the use of conserved genepool by farmers and other users of genetic resources in Nigeria.

    Okere said the project had exposed the diversity of sorghum, cowpea and other crops to farmers and other users in Nigeria in order to mitigate the effects of climate change and boost farmers’ productivity and ensure food and nutrition security in Nigeria.

    He said that the project was successful, based on feedbacks from farmers and other users that the good quality seeds planted this season yielded well in multiples, compared to year 2022.

    “Farmers now feeling free to come to NACGRAB genebank to demand more diversity of materials that could help them to get higher production which in turn would lead to food sufficiency and price reduction in Nigeria soon.

    “There are availability of quality seeds in NACGRAB genebank that farmers can plant and generate good yield due to success of this project.

    ” Various farmers can now dwell in more crops instead of one or two crops; this project has made it possible for farmers to plant diversity of quality seeds and generate good yields which in turn will lead to food and nutrition security in Nigeria,” Okere said.

    Dr Olabisi Alamu, the Activity Team Leader, User engagement of the project, said that NACGRAB and other stakeholders had been engaging with farmers about the project in the past three years.

    Alamu said that farmers in Oyo, Niger and Kano states had been exposed to diversity of seeds of cowpea, sorghum accessions and other seeds conserved in the genebank.

    He said that most farmers now had access to the seeds and were now using them to enhance production, increase their yields and income generation.

    ” In all the three states, we have 49 cluster groups; the Seed for Resilience (SFR) project has impacted over 1,000 farmers over the past three years.

    “Some of them have been adopting it as a result of good quality, traits, early maturity varieties, high yields among others,” Alamu said.

    The team leader said that some of the farmers had also multiplied the seeds they selected in year 2023 and as well disseminated it to other farmers, to enhance the use of the materials in the genebank.

    The Oyo State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Abass Adewumi, said the project had exposed them to a lot of things they needed to know and apply on their farms for crops to germinate well.

    Adewumi said that the research project had also exposed them to know suitable seeds for planting in certain environment which could give better yields, to maximise profit and shun the old ways of planting seeds. (NAN) /Flowerbudnews

  • NDLEA arrests Qatar-based businessman, others over drug trafficking

    NDLEA arrests Qatar-based businessman, others over drug trafficking

    By Ibironke Ariyo

    NDLEA arrested a Qatar-based businessman, Agu Amobi, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Saturday as he was travelling to Doha with 1.3kg of Indian hemp concealed in a bag of foodstuffs.

    Its spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja that Amobi claimed to have been living and working in Doha for more than 10 years.

    He also claimed to have bought the Indian hemp in Enugu to deliver in Doha to enable him to pay his rents in Qatar and in Nigeria and to offset the school fees of his three children.

    The NDLEA also arrested one Uchegbu Obi at the airport following the seizure of 72,000 pills of tramadol from him.

    He was attempting to ship the drugs packed in a carton, weighing 38.5kg to Kano on a local flight when he was arrested.

    Babafemi stated also that on Christmas Day, NDLEA operatives intercepted the trio of Musa Sani, Mohammed Ibrahim and Adamu Usman on Nguru-Gashua Road in Yobe.

    They were arrested in a truck conveying 39 blocks of Indian hemp weighing 15.7kg and 128,500 pills of psychoactive drugs.

    “A follow-up operation on Boxing Day led to the arrest of the owner of the Indian hemp, Ali Ibrahim in Geidam.

    “Additional 208 blocks of Indian hemp were recovered from Ibrahim’s house, bringing the total to 247 blocks weighing 94.74kg.

    “The owner of the psychoactive drugs, Mustapha Goni was equally arrested,’’ Babafemi stated.

    In Imo, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial bus driven by one Peter Orji (42) on Christmas Eve, while on patrol on Owerri-Onitsha Expressway

    Orji was conveying 400 bottles of codeine syrup and 7,590 pills of other psychoactive drugs including tramadol to Port-Harcourt, when he was apprehended.

    In Kano, David Michael (52) was arrested at Unguwa Ukku area on Dec. 24 with 49 blocks of Indian hemp weighing 42.6kg.

    Umar Abdullahi (27) was nabbed with 27,350 pills of psychoactive drugs at Gadar Tamburawa area of the city same day.

    A 45-year-old Yusuf Yahaya was arrested also on Christmas Eve as he was taking 31kg of Indian hemp to Kebbi in a commercial bus which took off from Ibadan.

    “Preliminary investigation showed that Yahaya supplies illicit drugs to bandits in Kebbi and Zamfara,’’ Babafemi stated.

    NAN

  • Liberia’s Electoral Umpire Lauds Nigeria,  Honours INEC Chair, Yakubu

    Liberia’s Electoral Umpire Lauds Nigeria, Honours INEC Chair, Yakubu

     

    Liberia’s National Elections Commission (NEC) has expressed gratitude to Nigeria and paid tribute to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Nigeria, for supporting electoral processes and the consolidation of democracy in Liberia.

    Speaking at the dedication of an Information and Technology (IT) Workspace for NEC staff in Monrovia, officiated by Prof. Yakubu at the weekend, NEC Chairperson, Madam Davidetta Browne-Lansanah acknowledged the critical technical support provided by Nigeria to NEC Liberia, facilitated by INEC and Prof. Yakubu, including for the establishment of the IT Workspace.

    She expressed NEC Liberia’s profound gratitude for “the indispensable contributions made by Prof. Yakubu and INEC Nigeria in sustaining Liberia’s democratic journey.”

    The NEC Chairperson recalled Prof. Yakubu’s role as President of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) 2017-2019, which resulted in the repositioning of the Network, and his advocacy for resource-sharing among regional Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs).

    She recalled that INEC dispatched technical experts to assist NEC with critical preparations for Liberia’s Presidential election in 2017, the 2020 Constitutional Referendum and the implementation of biometric registration ahead of the successful October/November 2023 Elections.

    The ECOWAS Commission, UNDP, and Ambassador Babatunde Ajisomo also played key roles in support of NEC Liberia, during his tour as Special Representative of the ECOWAS Commission’s President in Liberia.

    Nigeria has also provided election logistics and technical assistance on request to other ECOWAS EMBs such as Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau, facilitated by INEC.

    Madam Browne-Lansanah, who has served as ECONEC First Vice-President thanked Prof Yakubu for his steadfast support of NEC-Liberia in various regional endeavours.

    In his response, Prof. Yakubu expressed his heartfelt appreciation to NEC-Liberia for acknowledging INEC Nigeria’s contributions and honouring him with the dedication of the IT Workspace.

    He emphasized the value of sharing resources, information, and experiences, toward enhancing the operational capabilities of EMBs with IT facilities.

    Prof Yakubu emphasized the significance of inter-EMB collaboration in addressing the complexity of election management and called for prioritizing of peer support given the limited resources and escalating election costs.

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    Dignitaries that graced the dedication ceremony included the UN Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Christine N. Umutoni; Charge d’ Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Liberia, Mr Manir Ibrahim; a Representative of the Liberian Bar Association, Co-Chairperson, NEC Board of Commissioners, senior government officials, and staff of NEC Liberia. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Fuel Subsidy: NAFDAC Rolls Out Palliatives to Assist Micro, Small and Medium enterprises

    Fuel Subsidy: NAFDAC Rolls Out Palliatives to Assist Micro, Small and Medium enterprises

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced palliatives to help Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) survive the temporary economic fallouts of fuel subsidy removal.

    The palliatives were also aimed at enhancing achievement of Federal Government’s ease of doing business in Nigeria, a statement by Sayo Akintola,, AFDAC Resident Media Consultant, disclosed.

    The palliatives were approved at the recent meeting of NAFDAC council.

    Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director General said that the Agency had reviewed downward, its administrative charges for late renewal of NAFDAC-regulated products to make the business environment more investment-friendly in response to the realities of the time.

    This translates to a 65 per cent decrease in processing fees for the renewal of registration for locally manufactured products (which will be N44, 200) as against what is currently charged and 45 per cent of the processing fee for foreign products (which will be $ 450) as against what is currently charged.

    In addition, the Director General disclosed that the Agency has also granted a 10 per cent review of tariff structure for facility and inspection fees for Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

    As businesses across the world confront the disruptions caused by the global economic meltdown, Prof Adeyeye noted that NAFDAC would continue to adopt and implement practical measures to ensure that the projected growth in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector is not seriously affected by the development.

    She further explained that the response of the Agency was not just to give succour and assistance to existing MSMEs, but also ensure that there is practical and active fillip to new MSMEs so that the growth of this sector is not discouraged by the current economic trauma.

    This is our moment and NAFDAC as a regulatory agency is prepared to back MSMEs and other businesses that are prepared for the innovative and interesting times that lie ahead of us, she added.

    We have no excuse not to be one of the most productive and prolific economies in the world. We hope to achieve this aim in the incredible numbers of MSMEs that we have, she said, as she described NAFDAC palliatives for MSMEs as a thoughtful and strategic response to the realities of the present time.

    These are all indicators of the new spirit of NAFDAC and foretaste of the support MSMEs stand to enjoy in wading through these trying times. But this is not a new undertaking for us. It is merely an extension or intensification of the Federal Governments long-standing commitment to MSMEs. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • Ex-President Buhari, stakeholders brainstorm over Katsina’s dangerous situation of drug abuse

    Ex-President Buhari, stakeholders brainstorm over Katsina’s dangerous situation of drug abuse

    By Abbas Bamalli

    Dr Muhammad Usman-Bugaje, a prominent political activist, says Katsina State is in a dangerous situation over the rampant cases of drug abuse in the state.

    Usman-Bugaje stated this on Sunday during a dialogue with stakeholders on the theme: “Tackling the menace of drug abuse among youths in Katsina State.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue, attended by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, was organised by a group of concerned Katsina elders, Katsina Consultative Forum (KCF).

    According to him, a report by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has placed the state as second after Bauchi, in seizure of drugs and arrest of dealers and users.

    The political activist further said that all the horrifying figures and information were in spite of the efforts of the NDLEA.

    “Just to avoid doubts, there are six pages of data from the NDLEA on the seizures, arrests and convictions by states for the Northwest.

    “Looking through these figures we noticed that Katsina keeps coming at the top of some of these seizures and arrests.

    “This should be well noted and the KCF should be able to follow up with the NDLEA to find out ways we can stop the rise in the penetration of drugs in Katsina.

    “In another survey done for the whole country, Katsina came second only next to Bauchi in terms of arrests of drug smugglers.

    “All these are worrying and we need to get someone to do something,” he said.

    Usman-Bugaje also suggested that measures to reduce the burden should involve the community, government, and religious bodies.

    He added that preventive measures should target the youth, students, identified sources of the drugs, reasons and risk factors associated with drug abuse in Nigeria.

    Earlier, the KCF Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar-Danmusa said the event aimed at finding lasting solutions to the menace in the state.

    According to him, the choice of the theme is not arbitrary but a reflection of unwavering commitment to safeguard the future of the state.

    Traditional rulers and other stakeholders also graced the occasion.

    NAN

  • Security operatives rescue 21 kidnap victims in Kogi, 48 hours after abduction

    Security operatives rescue 21 kidnap victims in Kogi, 48 hours after abduction

    By Thompson Yamput

    Security operatives in Kogi have rescued 21 kidnap victims, 48 hours after their abduction on Thursday along Ajaokuta – Itobe road in the state.

    Gov Yahaya Bello, who lauded the efforts of the security operatives, reiterated zero tolerance for criminal activities in the state.

    A statement by the governor’s Media Aide, Onogwu Muhammed, said a joint team of security operatives, comprising the Nigeria Police, Civil Defence and local vigilantes effected the rescue.

    The victims, predominantly travelers, had been whisked away to an unknown destination within the dense forest around the Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    But Bello, upon receiving report of the distressing incident, promptly issued directives to both security agencies and local vigilantes to embark on immediate action to free the captives and arrest the perpetrators of this reprehensible act.

    “This directive underscored Gov. Bello’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the citizens/residents under his charge.

    “The determined efforts of the combined security forces yielded results within 48 hours, leading to successful release of the 21 captives.

    “Furthermore, the operation led to the apprehension of some of the kidnappers while those still at large are being trailed,” the statement said.

    Bello, who commended the security operatives for their rapid and effective response, emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and security within Kogi.

    “This administration is committed to leaving no stone unturned in its relentless pursuit of keeping Kogi as one of the safest states in the country.

    “He seized the opportunity to issue a stern warning to those with nefarious intentions and warned criminals against migrating to Kogi for illicit activities.

    “This is because Kogi is a no-go area for all forms of criminalities, therefore this administration will spare no effort in safeguarding the peace and security of the state.

    “The successful rescue operation stands as a testament to the coordinated and decisive efforts of the security apparatus in Kogi State under the guidance of Gov Bello, ” it stated.

    It added that the unwavering commitment to the safety of citizens, coupled with a resolute stance against criminal elements, reflected the dedication of the administration to creating an environment where residents could live without fear.

    NAN

  • Refinery Rehab: Don’t expect immediate PMS price crash, experts tell Nigerians

    Refinery Rehab: Don’t expect immediate PMS price crash, experts tell Nigerians

    By Emmanuella Anokam

    Some Oil and Gas Experts have said that the coming on stream of both Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries may lead to some marginal reduction in the cost of petroleum products and not a significant price crash.

    The experts made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

    According to them, some ancillary costs such as freight and port charges, among others would have been eliminated to achieve the marginal reduction.

    The Federal Government had on Dec. 21, announced the mechanical completion and flare start-up of the Port Hacourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) and the subsequent streaming of its phase two in 2024.

    This, according to the Minister of State Petroleum (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, will herald the commencement of the production of petroleum products after the Christmas break.

    The PHRC comprised of two refining units, with the old plant having a refining capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) and the new plant 150,000 bpd, both summing up to 210,000 bpd.

    Reacting to the development, an Associate Professor of Energy and Natural Resources, University of Abuja, Olanrewaju Aladeitan, said there should be some marginal reduction in petrol prices as some ancillary cost would have been eliminated.

    However, he explained that the price of petroleum products may not come down significantly as to describe it as crashing.

    “The price may not come down significantly considering the fact that crude oil and condensates supply for the domestic market under the Petroleum Industry Act is going to be based on a willing supplier and a willing buyer basis.

    “And the fact that the supply of crude oil will be commercially negotiated having regard to prevailing international market price for similar grades of crude,” he said.

    With this provision, he said there would be no dedicated percentage of crude for local refineries.

    “Hence international market price which of course is denominated in dollars will still be the determinant of cost of the crude oil that would be refined.

    “So I do not see how the price of Petroleum products will crash,” Aladeitan said.

    Also speaking, Mr Yushau Aliyu, an Economic Expert, said reaching to a mechanical test of the refinery after a very long fruitless effort was an indication that part of our refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) deficit would be attended.

    Aliyu described it as a good signal of recovering in the forex deficit which dominated the dwindling liquidity crisis.

    “In addition, the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) is responding to the immediate solution for availability of PMS in the economy.

    “We are expecting the NNPC Ltd.’s retail stations to reduce their pump price due to absence of landing cost in the short term effects,” he said.

    Another oil and gas expert who preferred to remain anonymous said it was obvious that some people in the oil and gas sector were engaged in an act of sabotage.

    He frowned at the situation where the government preferred to spend so much, including foreign currency, to import fuel, rather than fix it refineries.

    “They claim that the 60,000 barrels capacity refinery in Port Harcourt is back on stream, while the 150,000 barrels capacity will work soon.

    “We are waiting to see them work, including that of Warri and Kaduna. When they are put to use, let’s see why fuel prices will not crash,” the expert said.

    NAN reports that pump price of PMS has increased to N660 per litre at various fuel stations, while NNPC Ltd.’s retail outlets sell at N617 since the removal of subsidy in May 2023 due to high crude cost and high foreign exchange rate.

    The after effect of the removal and high cost of fuel brought untold hardship and suffering on Nigerians due to inflation, increase in goods and services, among others.

    NAN