Month: January 2024

 

By Flowerbudnews
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Borno State Government has began moves to forge collaboration with North-East state governors and the UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to deepen help and restore hope to displaced persons in the state.

Gov. Babagana Zulum disclosed this while speaking in interview with newsmen on the sideline of the Nigeria Housing Design Competition tagged “Home After Crisis”, an event organised by the IOM through funding from the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (NHF).
in Abuja on Friday.
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The governor said that the partnership would boost measures towards safety of lives and property of displaced persons in the North-East region.

Gov Zulum said that the partnership would boost measures towards safety of lives and property of displaced persons in the North-East region.

According to him, Government of Borno and the North-East states will provide the political will needed to partner the IOM and other organisations, to build more hopes to the families of the displaced persons.

”We are into an agreement with the IOM and we will see how we can partner, and do more; most importantly the fact that the First Prize winners of the competition are from Nigeria means a lot.

”The University of Maiduguri and Yola are good to go. The security situation in Borneo has improved by not less than 90 per cent. We are doing very well, so we have many safe areas.

”We will do everything possible to ensure the houses when built and completed are set in dignified manner, in line with the Kampala Convention”.

The governor disclosed that about 90 per cent of housing in Borno has been destroyed by Biko Haram within the past 12 years.

”Beginning with my predecessor, I think we have built more than 30 per cent of that, but we still have huge significant deficits amounting to not less than 50, 000”, Zulum said.

Also speaking in an interview, Mr Laurent De Boeck, Chief of IOM Mission in Nigeria, said a lot would be achieved through the partnership with the government of Borno in such regard.

According to him, the IOM has an aim of one million housing plan in Maiduguri and Yola only. We hope it will also grow for the country? so we want the private sector to look at the protection support.

”This is why we have associated our work with the Nigeria Architecture in different situation. We have a commitment by the state which is quite encouraging.

”So, we hope we will be able to build 23 million houses in Nigeria. It is a shift of mind we want, we want a way of responding to the needs of displaced population.

”If we do it for North-East, we will do it everywhere as an organisation. We basically want to promote that way of thinking in response to displaced population,” Boeck said.

Meanwhile, the initiator of the ”Home After Crisis”, Davies Okoko, said the idea was conceived during the presentation of 1.9 million returnees and 2.3 million IDPs in Maiduguri in 2021, and the thought to return them to a home.

According to Okoko, Programme Manager of Shelter and NFI, we are trying to see how best to address housing deficits for displaced persons in the North-East, we have now settled not less than 9 000 IDPs.

”It is an indicator that they have crossed the lines. Our next step is that we want to go into duale housing whereby an IDP can get a house that has relative space in areas they choose to settle.”

Highpoint of the event was presentation of 5 000 Euros to Sabon Gida, Sabon Farko, “New Home, New Beginning” as the First Prize winner

Zuhura Zuhair won the Second Prize of 3 000 Euros, while the ‘Be coming Home’ emerged third with the Prize of 2000 Euros. Flowerbudnews

 

By Taiye Agbaje

Abuja:  A Diaspora group, under the auspices of Plateau State Association, USA, Inc., (PSA-USA), has donated relief materials to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of PSA-USA, Francisca Keyen, made the statement available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

She said the President of the association, Dr Bartholomew Shepkong, embarked on a first-hand assessment visit to the Central IDP Camp on Friday.

Keyen said food items, consisting of bags of rice, vegetable oil, flour and other valuables, were distributed to the displaced at the camp situated at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN Central).

The group’s President, Dr Shepkong, during the assessment visit, expressed surprise at the level of condition the victims of the violent attacks were subjected to.

“I wish to offer to you our deepest condolences at PSA-USA over what has happened because it is inhumane and at the same time it bothers us; those in the Diaspora as we have brothers and sisters back at home.

“As a matter of fact, one of us was affected because seven of his cousins were killed, and so you can imagine how much it hurts,” he said.

(The President of Plateau State Association, USA, Inc., (PSA-USA), Dr Bartholomew Shepkong, during the donation of relief materials to the internally displaced persons in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State on Friday.)

He was hopeful that in no distant time, the period of trial would be over.

According to him, I think it’s just a matter of time that everybody will definitely be all right.

“We have to be here to offer our support, to let you know that we, as an organisation, are always thinking about you and we’ll continue to do our best to offer the assistance that we can,” he said.

Former LGA Chairman of Bokkos and member of the IDP Support Committee, Mr Zakka Akos, informed that the situation was not only in Bokkos.

(Some of the relief materials donated to the internally displaced persons in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau on Friday by Plateau State Association, USA, Inc., (PSA-USA).)

According to him, we have this situation in Mangu as well but the staff here are not resting at all as they constantly have to ensure they attend to the needs of the people.

“Our people prefer to stay in their homes ordinarily, but the homes are not safe at all and we can’t afford to take them back home when the enemies are still lurking around,” he said.

Chairman of the IDP Support Committee, Rev. Mandong Bitrus, thanked the PSA-USA for their thoughtfulness and support.

He said there were about 13 IDP camps and that no fewer than 6,000 displaced persons were recorded with the exception of those seeking shelter in the homes of their relatives.

“And the total number of people that have been dislodged from 32 different communities of Bokkos is about 19,000,” he added.

Bitrus said they streamlined the aid to those whose houses were destroyed and looted and had nothing to hold on to “and we’re still collecting statistics.”

He also appealed for more support and attention from spirited individuals to assist with food items and roofing materials as the houses of displaced persons would need to be rebuilt when the situation is brought under considerable control.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bokkos LGA, Rev. Steven Saleh, thanked the PSA-USA for the uncommon brotherliness displayed.

He advised that the same act be conveyed to all other members in the Diaspora.

“It is a fact that whoever visits you in time of trouble is your own. I have no doubt that PSA-USA has earned a special place in the hearts of our people.

“May God repay you in great measure for your show of support to the brothers and sisters in need for no fault of theirs,” he said.

Other members of the IDP Support Committee at the event include Mr. Steven Manshigil, secretary; Ms. Sarah Danchin, member of the Red Cross and Ms. Victoria Jeremiah, committee member.(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

We are not discouraged with results in Education Sector, Makinde says

 

By Adewale Owoade

 

 

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his administration will not be discouraged with the seemingly slow results the state is getting in Education Sector.

 

 

Governor Makinde made this known while receiving a Sweden delegation led by the Ambassador of Sweden to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and ECOWAS, Her Excellency Ms Annika Hahn-Englund, at his Ikolaba residence in Ibadan.

 

 

He expressed the readiness of the state to provide necessary support in the areas of education infrastructure and the recruitment of more teachers in order to improve the quality of education.

 

 

“As an administration, when we came in in 2019, we put together a roadmap for accelerated development of Oyo State. We focused on four major pillars – Health, Education, Security and also expansion of our economy through agribusiness and development of our infrastructure.

 

 

 

“That was why in my first budget we ensured that we met the UNESCO recommended standard, and since then we’ve tried to improve on that.

 

 

 

“If the result has not been commensurate with the investment, but we are not discouraged, because we know that if we have to treat something that has been on for so many years, we don’t expect that we will get a quick turnaround.

 

 

 

“But surely we know the gap that we have in terms of infrastructure

 

 

“I look forward to us having some breakthrough with the discussion we had,” Makinde said.

 

 

Speaking to Journalists, Hahn-Englund said the Swedish Government is interested in partnering with and complementing the efforts of Gov. Makinde in developing the state.

 

She added that Sweden is also ready to learn from Oyo State on ways to better improve the economy.

 

 

“The purpose of the visit is looking to possibilities to collaborate with Oyo state. So, with me I have a delegation of Swedish businesses, business in the urban transport sector, renewable energy, agriculture and education.

 

 

“These are all areas that we think we can do more together. It was a very good meeting with the governor, am very happy and honored that he made it possible to meet with us,” she said.

 

Similarly, the Regional Director, West Africa & Transport Industry Lead- Africa, Ms. Anthonia Adenaya Huard, said Nigeria was becoming a major interest of Swedish companies, indicating their

interest in working more with Oyo State in several sectors.

 

“Nigeria is becoming one of the major interests of Swedish companies in Africa and a major hub for West Africa. We see more and more interest, and for us, it’s not just looking at Nigeria, we are looking at proactive states.

 

 

 

“We are quite interested in working more with Oyo State in several sectors that the State is focusing on, like; sustainable urban transport, renewable energy, agriculture, education, and we have several companies today represented in this areas.

 

 

 

“We are also interested in other areas that we see we can share experiences from Sweden and learn from Oyo state as well on how we can better improve our relationship, trade wise, but also socially and environmentally,” She said.

 

 

The Executive Adviser to Gov Makinde on Agribusiness, International Cooperation and Development, Dr Debo Akande, reiterated the effort of Gov Makinde in growing the economy of the state.

 

 

 

“Responsibility of a government is to create enabling environment, develop infrastructure, and bring in right programmes and then allow private sector to drive it.

 

 

 

“This government under Gov Makinde is actually doing all those three.

 

 

 

“This is a big thing for us in the state the more of this, the better it is for the economy of the state and for the growth of the state as well, both at short and long term.

 

 

 

“In my new role as the International Development and corporation adviser for Gov Makinde is why we are bringing all these people,” Akande stated. (NAN)

OWO

R-L::Governor Yahaya Bello (GYB) “stepped aside” on Saturday, January 27,2024 in Lokoja after the successful completion of his eight years in the governance of Kogi State.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo(OAU) stepped in

 

By Mikail Sanni

Abuja”: (Flowerbudnews): Over the last four weeks, I have experienced more deaths in my life than I have ever imagined. *One of my twin cousins, two friends, a friend’s wife, a friend’s mother, and the centenarian patriarch of Tajwid in Yorubaland, Shaykh Hafiz Abou.* May Allah’s Mercy embrace them all.

Apart from the grief and agony brought by these deaths, I was assailed by a shocking reminder of my own mortality.

As important as all the deaths I experienced in the last few were, the latest brought in its wake lessons that made me wish that my mum should come back from the great beyond.

*What I am referring to is the death of Alhaja Hafsah Sanni, the illustrious mother of Dr.Mikail Sanni, the Grand-Chief Imam of Ejigbo Town in Oshodi- Isolo LGA, Lagos, and a lecturer in the Department of Religion and Peace Studies at the Lagos State University (LASU).*

As a people, we tend to dread death, and unless it is absolutely necessary, we avoid it as a topic of discussion, particularly, if it is about our own death. To many people, it is weird to talk about death or refer to the possibility of one’s own death.

*Yet, it is important for us to have a conscious awareness of the transient nature of our sojourn on earth fact that our time on earth and to reflect often on its implications. This is not to scare us but to ensure that we live wisdom and freedom.*

Like most of those who have lost their mothers, Mikail Sanni experienced great pain and agony; *but unlike most of them, he had prepared for the time he would no longer see her again by serving her wholeheartedly.*

At the gathering of tributes organised in her honour last week, Shaykh Mu’izz-ud-Din Alawiye exposed a unique aspect of Mikail’s life in this regard. Till his mother’s death, *it was customary to see Dr Mikail Sanni coming to personally wash his mother’s clothes.*

*Neither his position as the Chief Imam of a popular town nor his academic status deterred him*.

Despite several attempts by his wives, his children, and his subordinates to assist him, he insisted on doing this alone till Alhaja’s glorious exit!

*It is also on record that he often personally ran petty errands like buying pap, bean-cakes, and other things for her despite having so many people around him who would have gladly done so on his behalf.*

*I left that gathering wishing my late mum could come back.* Though I did my best to serve her in her lifetime, I must confess that most of the assignments were done either by my wives or by my aides. Though I facilitated whatever they did, it can not be compared with the *direct labour paradigm* of Mikail Sanni.

Why was Mikail able to do all he did? Why was he not deterred by his status and worldly attainments? Why didn’t he delegate those functions to others when he could conveniently pay for them? The answers are many, but they could be simplified and fused into one: *he understood the blessings of motherhood more than his peers.*

Who is a mother in Mikail’s mind, you may want to ask? *To him, a mother is a delicious admixture of patience, kindness, tolerance, understanding, discipline, industry, purity, and love.*

She is a unique being with a polypodic function who can be one and different persons at the same time- a counsellor to a depressed daughter, a coach to an athletic son, a doctor to an ailing child and a nurse to a disabled husband.

She is the only being on earth equipped by Allah with the capability to weep when she is happy, laugh when she is disheartened, and work when she is ill. *She is as meek as a lamb, strong as an ox, and brave as a lion when the affairs of her kids are involved.*

She may appear weak and helpless when her husband is around but transforms into a heroine of valour and resourcefulness when she’s all alone.

*With love, she smiles at the folly of her teenager and lovingly corrects it; she laughs at the naughtiness of her toddler and, with care, rearranges the scattered books and the shattered utensils. She’s whatever you call her; she fits into all, be it, mummy, mom, “mumsy” or simply, maami.*

Nothing gives her a greater joy than seeing you happy and successful; and nothing should give you a greater thrill in life than to point at her and shout with pride: “That’s my mother.”

*May Allah bless our mothers. If you are still lucky to have one, please honour and cherish her. If you are unlucky like me to have lost yours, pray for her every day of your life and do charity in her name.*

May Allah enable you to earn His favour and pleasure through devotion to your mum; may His Love transform you into a symbol of His Grace; may His Clemency embrace your supplications for your parents, and may His Benevolence sustain you till the end of time. (Flowerbudnews)

Timehin Saheed Olurotimi*

By Talatu Maiwada

The Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), has sought the support of the Judiciary in curbing electricity offences in Adamawa.

Blessing Urang, YEDC’s legal team lead made the request during a courtesy visit to the State Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, on Friday, in Yola.

Urang`s requests to the Chief Judge, aimed at enhancing the prosecution of electricity offenders and offences in the state.

“Our first request is to designate a special court within the state high court headquarters complex for trial of electricity offenders and offences, as provided by section 223(1) and (2) of Electricity Act 2023.

“The second request is to impose the maximum prescribed punishments for electricity offences, ranging from fines of N100, 000 to N1million.

“Or an option of jail term of two to six years, as stated in sections 209 to 214 and 220 of the Electricity Act 2023.

“Our third request is to ensure that all customer issues submitted for adjudication before the court comply with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) regulations and guidelines.

According to her, the request would help to avoid unnecessary litigation and foster a harmonious relationship between the company and its customers.

Responding, Abdulrahman, promised that all cases that do not pass through the channel of resolution would be struck out in the courts.

She said there was no need for a special court to try electricity offenders, but assured expeditious hearing and judgment of any case brought by the company.

The Justice advised the company to increase its sensitisation processes of seeking customer redress before approaching the courts.

She said that this would strengthen the collaboration between YEDC and the judiciary. (NAN)(www.nannews.com)