UMEH KALU
The need to let Nigerians know the true facts of Senator Akpabio’s legal journey to the 10th Senate of the National Assembly has always been in my thoughts for the past twelve (12) months. My interface with a colleague of mine within the premises of the F.C.T. High Court, Abuja, has further buoyed me to make this write up. (more…)
Ahead of November 2024 Governorship poll in Ondo State, a socio-political forum, Ondo Elite Group, has warned against any move to tamper with the political structure in Ondo State. (more…)
An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on members of the National Assembly (NASS) to ensure proper distribution of thousands of bags of rice and other foodstuffs recently given to them for sharing by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. (more…)
By Fortune Abang/Hadiza Mohammed
Abuja:. The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, has assured the Palestinian envoy to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh, of the Agency’s commitment to objective reportage of news from his country.
Ali gave the assurance on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the Palestinian Ambassador to the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, NAN will always report all sides of a story as it is duty-bound to do so in line with international best practices.
(R-L) Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdullah Shawesh, on Friday in Abuja. (NAN)
“We always say there are two sides of stories, not even two; there is your side, there is my side and there is also the truth.
“Now, on the conflict in Gaza which has raged for years, we shall be fair to all sides.
“Where there is iniquity, we want to expose it and whatever information is made available, we will authenticate it and go ahead to report it. We are not tilted to any particular inclination.
“We align with the truth and it is the truth we believe in as an agency.”
The managing director said that the mission statement of the agency was to report factually without bias and prejudice, and tell the rest of the world about Nigeria and Africa.
“We equally have a mandate to report Africa to the rest of the rest of the world.
“The role of the media is to expose corruption, iniquity and injustice; you will always find a willing partner in NAN ready to expose such.
“The media tradition is always on the side of the underdog.
“It has never been in doubt for the media and for an agency like ours that we pride ourselves in authentic reporting factually, without prejudice to anyone.
“We are duty bound to report accurately what is going on in Palestine and the whole of the Middle East,” he added.
Earlier, Shawesh said he was at the agency not to seek support, but to ensure balanced reporting of the event on all sides.
“I am not here to seek any support, this is my message to everyone.
“It is very fair, legitimate and human to listen, then you can align yourself.
“Once you listen to us and listen to the other side, you can decide by yourself where you are going to put your shoes, complicity, silence, neutrality, is good, but sometimes listen to us.
“Open your heart, open your ears, open your cameras and listen to us,” Shawesh added. (NAN) (www.nannews.com.ng) /Flowerbudnews
By Joshua Oladipo
Osogbo: The late Nollywood actor, Adedeji Aderemi, popularly known as “Baba Olofa Ina” has been buried at his residence in Wakajaye area of Edeland in Osun on Friday .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the burial of Nollywood actor began at 4:15 p.m. after the arrival of some prominent personalities such as politicians and traditional rulers including Islamic clerics with community sympathisers.
NAN further reports that the late Nollywood actor’s residence was filled with entertainers in the Nollywood industry across the country and abroad to grace the burial ceremony.
Present at the burial ceremony were representatives of Timi of Ede land, Oba Munirudeen Lawal and President of Theater and Motion pictures practitioners association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr Bolaji Amusan also known as Mr Latin,
In his tributes, Amusan, represented by TAMPAN’s Director of Finance, Mr Ayo Oladapo said the deceased would be missed by all the TAMPAN members and his supporters including family members.
TAMPAN’s president said the late Aderemi played significant role in the entertainment industry with many upcoming artists looking up to him as a role model.
Amusan urged TAMPAN members and those who knew the deceased to always reflect on their last days by living a life worthy of emulation with the fear of God.
He described late Aderemi as one of the pioneers of TAMPAN in the country, saying he was a good man during his life time but God loves in most.
He prayed to God to grant the soul of the departed eternal rest and also his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost.
Also speaking, Mr Amitolu Shittu , former Osun Amotekun Field Commander and a human right activist, described the deceased as someone who was humble and loved by everyone in Ede town and entertainment industry.
Shittu said late Aderemi was one of the personalities that placed Ede town on the global map because of his exceptional character and reputation.
Prof. Siyan Oyewesan, a friend to the deceased said the state and the entire Yorubaland lost an icon who had impacted a lot to many.
Oyewesan said the name ” Olofa Ina ” was taken by the deceased from the founding fathers of Edeland and that made him to make Ede town popular.
According to him, humans are mortal with a time to die. Once a man crosses the age of 60, the rest will be to God’s grace and mercy.
“The bible made it clear that we have three scores and 10 years to live on earth and once we crosses, the rest is Grace .
NAN reports that late Adedeji Aderemi, popularly known as ” Baba Olofa Ina” died at the age of 73 years after a prolonged illness. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng ) /Flowerbudnews
By Emmanuella Anokam
Abuja: A Chinese firm, Beijing Zhogmin Xinjunlong New Energy Technology Company Ltd. and NIGUS International, a Nigerian firm, have signed $1 billion agreement to fund and develop gas flaring solutions for Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pact signing held on Friday in Abuja was in the light of the national directive from President Bola Tinubu.
The deal which is monumental to Nigeria will help to end gas flaring and introduce Nigeria into the world of Green Sustainable Energy Production.
(HRH Malik Ado Ibrahim, CEO and Chairman, NIGUS International (Left) and
Mr Yung Ruming, CEO, Beijing Zhogmin Xinjunlong New Energy Technology Co. Ltd after the $1bn deal signing on flare gas solutions.)
Speaking at the agreement signing, HRH Malik Ado Ibrahim, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of NIGUS, said the partnership with the Chinese company was aimed at imbibing its new state of the art technology profile to convert flared gas for commercial use.
This, new technology, according to him, will create Gas-to- Liquid (GTL), (synthetic diesel to galvanise energy mix), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) for export and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas), among others.
NAN reports that the GTL technology is a process that converts natural gas, the cleanest burning fossil fuel to high quality liquid fuels such as gasoline, jet fuel and diesel.
“The joint ventures is about NIGUS, as a renewable energy company, joining forces with the technology that allows us to bring clean climate economy to Nigeria and create value from what we are wasting at the moment to generate lower pricing energy.
“We seem not to be contributing to the carbon footprint, we flare a lot of our gas, 90 per cent of what we produce in Nigeria in being flared, not utilising the gas.
“We are bringing to play a very modern, state of the art technology by joining forces with China to create wealth and carbon neutrality then generate lower price energy.
“The project is to demonstrate the president’s wish to utilise flared gas, this technology will put his wishes into action.
“The GTL will allow us to turn the gas into liquid, to create LNG, the paradigm shift is that we will be able to imbed the technology where is needed rather than adding infrastructural cost,” he said.
He explained that the packaging would be beneficial to Nigeria in terms of job creation for economic growth and development.
“If Nigeria is able to push this technology, we can get some global green funds, we expect that our carbon footprint and neutrality profile will allow the joint ventures to assess the kind of funds Mr President put available for Nigeria,” he said.
Mr Yung Ruming, the Chief Executive Officer, Beijing Zhogmin Xinjunlong New Energy Technology Company Ltd., while expressing readiness for the partnership said its technical team and equipment would be deployed to actualise the project.
Ruming thanked the Federal Government for giving the company the opportunity to carry out the work.
He noted that Nigeria and China had enjoyed good relationship in the past years hence the project would be of immense benefit to Nigerians. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews
By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Dr Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has dismissed as spurious, allegations involving her in an alleged N3bn NSIPA fund misappropriation.
In a press statement posted on twitter handle, the Minister also described the allegations a A Tissue of Lies designed to divert the attention of the Anti-Graft Agency’s.
Below is the full text of the statement: .
By Biola Lawal
Jos: (Flowerbudnews): In fulfilment of her promise to create jobs for Millions of Nigerians, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,Dr. Betta Edu has announced job openings for Aid workers to serve in Plateau state.
Flowerbudnews recall that the Dr Betta Edu had promised, on her first day in office as a minister, to create jobs for millions of Nigerians.
She stated that as part of the plans for the new New Year, her Ministry would be hiring temporal Humanitarian aid workers and deploying them to every location where there are humanitarian crises.
This was disclosed in a statement by Rasheed Olanrewsju Zubair the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister,a copy of which was made available to Flowerbudnews on Friday in Abuja.
”This will not only reduce unemployment but will improve our response time and the quality of response going forward,” Dr Betta Edu said, adding;
”These people will be hired for three months in the first instance, and if the crisis is protracted, they may be made to stay 6 months or one year maximum.”
She, however, said that persons who had skills and experience working in humanitarian crisis situations would have greater advantages.
”To improve on inclusiveness, members of the public who wish to apply may do so through a written application to the department of Humanitarian Affairs or as an online application (portal link will be publicised by Monday). Application for the job is totally free”, the Minister stated.
Meanwhile, In line with President Tinubu’s directives, more relief materials have arrived Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu LGAs of Plateau state, Flowerbudnews reports.
Relief commodities being distributed to the distressed persons included both food and none food items as part of humanitarian response.
Communities are expected to work with the security agencies on the ground to ensure protection and fair distribution of items to all affected, the Minister said. (Flowerbudnews)
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By Joshua Olomu
Abuja: Funke Akindele’s blockbuster, ‘A Tribe called Judah’, has broken box office record within 21 days of its release in cinemas to become first Nollywood film to gross One Billion Naira.
Ace Nollywood actress and producer of the movie, Funke Akindele, made this known on her Instagram page as she shared the One Billion Naira feat flier.
She wrote: “Thank You LORD!!!, Thank NIGERIA!!Thank you GHANA!!”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the movie which hit cinemas on December 15,2023 has continued to break records, becoming the first to gross over N 133 million in its opening weekend.
It became the highest grossing Nollywood film for the year 2023 after grossing over N 613 million within first 14 days of its release.
The film earlier made history on January 2, as it emerged the highest grossing Nollywood film ever with a reported N854 million at the box office within 18 days in cinemas.
This feat has surpassed Akindele’s previous films ‘Battle on Buka Street’ (N668.4 million), and ’ Omo Ghetto’ (N636.1 million) which now currently sits as the second and third highest grossing film in the Nigerian box office respectively.
NAN reports that a ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ is directed by Adeoluwa Owu, popularly known as Captain Degzy and is distributed by FilmOne Entertainment.
The star-studded movie featured seasoned actors including Nse Ikpe Etim, Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Ebelle Okaro, Uzor Arukwe, Genoveva Umeh, and Nosa Rex, among others.
Other cast include Boma Akpore, Ebele Okaro-Onyiuke, Etinosa Idemudia, Fathia Balogun, Jide Achufusi, Olayode Juliana, Olumide Oworu, Paschaline Alex, Tobi Makinde, Uzor Arukwe and Yvonne Jegede.
According to Akindele, the plot of ‘A Tribe called Judah,’ revolves around a woman called Jedidah Judah, who has five sons from five different men, all belonging to different tribes.
She said: “The story is so dear to my heart and it has a part of my late mum in it, and it represents the struggles faced by many single parents and mothers in society.”
According to her, the movie is currently showing in cinemas in Ghana and the United Kingdom.(NAN) (nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews