Flowerbud News

Month: February 2024

  • SAfER disburses N416m loan to 1,407 farmers in Oyo

    SAfER disburses N416m loan to 1,407 farmers in Oyo

    SAfER disburses N416m loan to 1,407 farmers in Oyo

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    The Chairman, Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State, Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold, says Oyo State government has disbursed soft loans of N416.850million to 1,407 farmers under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) programme.

     

    Akewugbagold stated this while briefing newsmen on the progress of the SAfER programme, in Ibadan.

     

    He said Gov. Seyi Makinde in 2023 provided the sum of N1billion under the SAfER initiative to support farmers to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.

     

    The loan is also to support farmers who lack the capacity to access credit from financial institutions due to stringent conditions.

     

    The chairman disclosed that additional N340.2million will be disbursed to another set of 1,227 farmers across zones, starting from Feb. 9, 2024.

     

    “With the present economic hardship being experienced by the citizenry of the state, our corporation has been given a marching order to better the lot of the peasants.

     

    “Most importantly in the area of agriculture, by granting soft loans to individual members of the farming society.

     

    “Undoubtedly, this project has been non-partisan as it is available for the generality of legitimate farmers and would-be farmers of the state, including the youths that were trained by the state government under the YEAP programme.

    “There is no gainsaying the fact that disbursement has taken place and is still ongoing as quite a number of farmers have benefited and some will still benefit under the intervention programme.

     

    “The sum of N416.850 million has been disbursed to 1,407 farmers.

     

    “The programme is still ongoing as the 4th batch has already been considered and funds shall be disbursed across the various zones as from tomorrow Friday, 9th of February, 2024.

     

    “Invariably, N340.270million shall be disbursed to another 1,227 beneficiaries across the state, starting from 9th of February, 2024.

     

    “I want to admonish all the beneficiaries to complement the effort of the government by being faithful with the funds they obtained.

     

    “And to reciprocate the kind gesture of the government by paying back the funds on the due date such that others could benefit from it as a revolving fund.

     

    “I also want to appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of the State, Eng. Seyi Makinde, who has magnanimously approved the release of the sum of N1billion for the actualisation of this SAfER Programme,” Akewugbagold said.

     

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, the General Manager of the corporation, Mr Emmanuel Ogunniran, lauded Makinde for his efforts. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Food prices: Tinubu directs immediate release of grains

    Food prices: Tinubu directs immediate release of grains

    By Ismail Abdulaziz
    Abuja:.  President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grains including maize, millet and garri, to address the soaring cost of food items.
    Similarly, the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria has also committed to immediately release over 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to the public.
    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this after the meeting of the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention on Thursday in Abuja.
    According to him, these are immediate measures taken by the Federal Government to reduce the hardships faced by Nigerians who are made to bear the brunt of high prices of food in the market.
    “These will be made available and we know that that is enough to take Nigeria through the next couple of weeks, one month, six weeks, perhaps up to two months.
    “Now the whole idea of this is to crash the cost of these food items and these are measures that will happen immediately.
    “Now, the third item is that government is also looking at the possibility of, if it becomes absolutely necessary and as an interim measure, to also import some of these commodities immediately so that these commodities can be made available to Nigerians.”
    Idris said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security would also invest massively in the farming process to boost production and ensure the country’s food potential are fully exploited.
    He said that the government was also appealing to all persons or groups to stop hoarding the products in order to maximise profit at the detriment of ordinary Nigerians.
    “The government of course is also looking at all those who are hoarding these commodities because, actually, these commodities are available in the stores of many traders.
    “Government is appealing to them that they should open up these doors and make these commodities available in the interest of our nation.
    “There is no point when the whole country is looking for this food, you are locking up these products where you make more money and then Nigerians suffer; of course, government will not fold its arms.
    “If they don’t respond by bringing these commodities to the market, government will take appropriate measures to ensure that these products are made available to Nigerians.”
    He also said that the government would take measures to ensure that food remained accessible and affordable to Nigerians.
    “We ask that Nigerians need to be more patriotic, be our brothers’ Keepers.
    “Sell these things (food items), of course at a margin but at a margin that is not also killing to Nigerians.
    “This is an emergency situation. Every nation faces emergency situations, this is our own time to face this challenges.
    “The President has directed that, whatever it will take, food will be available to Nigerians at a cost that is also very reasonable,” Idris said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews
    IS/
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  • AFCON: Kwara Varsity Deputy Bursar Dies Watching Super Eagles Semi-Finals

    AFCON: Kwara Varsity Deputy Bursar Dies Watching Super Eagles Semi-Finals

    The Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, on Wednesday night, died while watching the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa in the ongoing AFCON.

     

    Nigeria won the match against South Africa by 4-2 goals on penalties after regulation and extra time ended 1-1.

     

    Sources close to the deceased but who spoke on condition of anonymity said Abdullahi went to a sports centre in the Sango area before he started feeling uneasy.

     

    One of the sources said, “The Deputy Bursar watched the Nigeria/South Africa match from the beginning till the end of the extra time, till it was time for a penalty kick.

     

    He complained that he was feeling dizzy, so he said he needed to go back home and rest not knowing that his BP had gone up.

     

    “On getting home, he collapsed and was rushed to a private hospital in Sango and he was referred to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and before he could be attended to, he died.

     

    “He was buried on Thursday morning according to Islamic rites.”

     

    The university’s Director of Information, Dr Saedat Aliyu, confirmed Abdullahi’s death.

     

    Aliyu, however, stated that the cause of death was yet to be ascertained by the management of the university.

     

    Yes, he died last night. He was hale and hearty and was full of life on Wednesday at his office. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus” she said

     

    A statement by the university said, “This is to announce the death of Mr. Ayuba Olaitan Abdullahi of the Bursary Department.

     

    “Janazah will be held this morning, and his remains will be interred at the Hausa Muslim cemetery, Apata Yakuba, Oyun area, Ilorin, at 9 am.”

     

    Also, a former federal lawmaker in Delta State, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, died while watching the Eagles’ match..

     

    A source close to the politician said, “Cairo Ojougboh, a medical doctor died during the Nigeria vs.South Africa match.

     

    The incident happened when the penalty was awarded against Nigeria. Dr Ojougboh was said to have shouted and slumped due to a massive heart attack when SA scored.”

     

    In the same vein, a member of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Adamawa State also reportedly died during the game.

     

    The corps member identified only as Samuel from Kaduna State, allegedly passed away just before the final kick which secured Nigeria’s win in the match, The Nation reports

  • DTAC and NTA Forges Partnership to Showcase Nigeria’s Global Impact on Human Development

    DTAC and NTA Forges Partnership to Showcase Nigeria’s Global Impact on Human Development

     

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): Nigerian Technical Aid Corps  and the Nigerian Television Authority have agreed to partner to enhance showcasing of Nigeria’s Global Impact on Human Development

    The understanding was reached today in Abuja when the Director General of the Directorate of Technical Aids Corps (DTAC), Dr. Yussuf Buba Yakubu visited the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), SalihuA dulHamid Dembos  at the NTA Headquarters.

    The two organisations also acknowledged that such fruitful partnership would also help to promote the Foreign Policy Agenda of the Tinubu Administration, a statement by Nkem Anyata-Lafia, the SA Media and Publicity,to the TAC DG, disclosed.

    Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, said the  partnership was necessary to change the narrative of the contributions of Nigeria to global progress and development of mankind.

    The DTAC DG was accompanied on the visit but the entire Management team of the Agency and members of the NTAC delegation led by the Agency’s DG.

    Commenting on the visit, Hon. Buba Yakubu said,  ”I am happy that,alongside his entire Management and members of the TAC delegation, we agreed on a working partnership that will enable us promote H. E. President Tinubu’s Foreign Policy Agenda (4Ds) and change the narratives on the contributions of our nation to global progress and development.’: (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • N1.3billion Fraud:  How Pastor Oloche Ebonyi Acquired Hotel, Factory with Subscribers’ Funds

    N1.3billion Fraud:  How Pastor Oloche Ebonyi Acquired Hotel, Factory with Subscribers’ Funds

     

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  Fresh facts have emerged about the alleged criminal activities of the General Overseer of Faith On The Rock Ministry International, Apostle Theophilus Oloche Ebonyi,  recently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC.

    EFCC has Investigations showed that Ebonyi acquired a 23-room hotel, a pure water factory,  two blocks of a Primary School and two bungalow office  at Nyanya-Gwandara, New Karu,  Abuja and a five-bedroom duplex at Karsana, Abuja  with the proceeds of his fraudulent dealings with his subscribers.

    He also set up a live broadcast channel with studio equipment for his Theobarth Global Foundation with the funds of his subscribers, a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC Spokesman has disclosed.

     

    Ebonyi was arrested  in 2023 by the EFCC for allegedly defrauding his church members and other Nigerians using fake grants from the Ford Foundation to the tune of N1, 319,040,274.31( One Billion Three Hundred and Nineteen Million, Forty Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy Four Naira,  Thirty One Kobo)

     

    Specifically, he was arrested for defrauding his victims, comprising Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs and individuals by advertising an intervention project through his NGO( Theobarth Global Foundation) claiming that the Ford Foundation  was offering a grant of $20,000, 000. 000(  Twenty Billion United State Dollars) to assist the less-privileged in the society.

     

    He allegedly hoodwinked his victims to subscribe as beneficiaries of the phony grant by asking them to pay for registration forms and clusters. Each subscriber was made to pay N1,800,000( One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only).  Through this arrangement,  Ebonyi allegedly raked in N1,391,040, 274.31.  His subscribers are innocent and unsuspecting Nigerians and NGOs across the country.

     

    Investigations by the EFCC showed that Ford Foundation had no arrangement, grant,  relationship or business with Ebonyi.  The Foundation pointedly disclaimed him and his NGO stressing that it had no link whatsoever with them.  The Commission has also traced five properties he acquired as proceeds of his criminal dealings.

     

    Ebonyi is still reportedly reaching his subscribers on some social media platforms to market his spurious grant from Ford Foundation. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • Tinubu launches Construction of 3,112  Houses in Abuja, says Every Nigerian Deserves  Decent, Affordable Housing

    Tinubu launches Construction of 3,112  Houses in Abuja, says Every Nigerian Deserves  Decent, Affordable Housing

     

     

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, performed the groundbreaking of the 3,112 housing-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, and reiterated his administration’s resolve to provide decent and affordable housing for Nigerians.

     

    The project is a part of 20,000 housing units to be delivered in the Federal Capital Territory under a Public Private Partnership Arrangement being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and it represents the first practical expression of the administration’s desire to implement a New City Development Plan under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

     

    The President said under this plan, integrated living communities that will redefine the essence of residential living for Nigerians nationwide will be built, emphasizing that his vision is to build dynamic, integrated, and self-sustaining communities, equipped with amenities to enhance the quality of living for residents.

     

    “This includes well-connected access and internal roads, provision of reliable and uninterrupted electricity, healthcare facilities to offer accessible and quality medical services and educational institutions to provide learning environments that nurture knowledge and skills.

     

    “Our goal is to increase the sense of togetherness, improve health and productivity of our citizens and reduce pressure on city centres. On this note, I am today directing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Minister of Works to provide access roads to all Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Projects to increase accessibility and livability starting with this site in Karsana.

     

    “This is because my administration believes that every Nigerian deserves to have access to shelter that is affordable and adequate,” he said.

     

    President Tinubu stated that beyond the moral imperative of providing decent and affordable housing for citizens, his administration also recognizes the immense potential of housing as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, adding that: “It is with this understanding that we have classified housing as essential social infrastructure and made it a major priority area towards delivering economic growth and Job Creation. At 25 direct and indirect jobs per house, the 20,000 housing units planned for the Federal Capital Territory alone will create 500,000 jobs.”

     

    Speaking on the determination of his administration to ensure that Nigeria’s housing deficit is bridged, the President said he is resolved to facing this challenge with the boldness and urgency that it requires.

     

    “We aim to promote Public Private Partnership (PPP) collaborations that attract domestic, foreign, and diaspora investments. We also aim to design and implement incentive schemes, boost our capital market while enhancing the governance and risk management frameworks to ensure their stability, transparency and integrity.

     

    “We are resolved to facing the housing challenge with the clarity of purpose and determination that is required to break all the barriers that stand in our way of success. That is why I took the historic decision of separating the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development from Works so it can be fully aligned towards tackling the nation’s massive housing problem. That is also why I have appointed experienced professionals with proven track records of delivering in the housing sector to lead the Ministry,” he said.

     

    President Tinubu also said he is committed to providing the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development with the political will that is required to ensure that his administration makes a historic difference in the housing and urban development landscape of the country.

     

    “I am happy to hear that the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has already awarded contracts for the construction of 200 housing units in twelve (12) states (2 per geo-political zone) a (Flowerbudnews)

  • Garrison Commander lauds FG, MTN for commitment toward delivering standard Enugu-Onitsha Highway

    Garrison Commander lauds FG, MTN for commitment toward delivering standard Enugu-Onitsha Highway

     

     

    The Garrison Commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Murtala Abu, has lauded the Federal Government and MTN for commitment toward delivering a world standard Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriage Highway.

     

    Abu gave the commendation in Enugu on Thursday in his office during a strategic meeting with MTN/ Crown Crest Global Engineers (CCGE) Community Liaison Initiative (CLI) team led by the Chairman/Principal, Engr Chris Okoye.

    The commander praised the Federal Government for coming up with such a novel scheme of funding road infrastructure and thanked MTN for its commitment toward delivering a world standard road for the good of Nigerians.

     

    He explained that the challenges with a smart road included: indiscipline by road users and not having enough vehicles for patrols.

     

    The commander added that roadblocks were tactically located as this area is prone to armed robbery and IPOB disturbances.

     

    Abu, however, assured the MTN/CCGE-CLI team that their suggestions on the smart road and the role of security agencies would be further examined so that the best option can be adopted.

    He advised the MTN/ CCGE-CLI team to partner with the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps to also reduce the number of checkpoints on the roads and with the state government to support them with patrol vehicles.

     

    The Garrison Commander said: “A joint security meeting with all the security outfits and the construction companies to discuss the location of the CCTVs and how to ensure that the road remains smart would be the sure way to go.

     

    “I will also appeal that the road be constructed to make room for future expansion into a four-lane expressway due to the growth and development of Nigeria’s South-East and the importance of this particular Highway”.

     

    Earlier, Okoye said that when completed, the 107-kilometre Enugu–Onitsha Dual Carriage Highway would be a full option smart road; adding that MTN is funding the construction through the Federal Government novel Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (RITCS).

    According to him, smart roads are in vogue world over and are good for traffic management and security; while it is planned to be a freeway to encourage a free flow of traffic from one end to the other.

     

    “When completed, there will be no difference between day and night time driving on this Highway as there are plans to deploy solar light right from Enugu to Onitsha.

     

    “Drones and CCTV Cameras will be deployed along the length of the road in which control rooms will be installed to monitor activities on the road.

    “Checkpoints will also be a thing of the past if the smart road concept is fully deployed, instead lots of security patrols will be encouraged to guard against a situation where checkpoints hamper and slow down traffic on the Highway.

     

    “The security personnel will be encouraged to do more of clear stop-and-search as stop by and clearing areas will be an integral part of the dual carriageway’s construction,” he said.

     

    Okoye said MTN/CCGE-CLI was focused to ensure that the Highway remained beneficial to all stakeholders along the road corridor and “MTN/CCGE-CLI is committed to working with the Nigerian Army to create a synergy on security on the road”.

    Okoye was accompanied to the meeting by Dr Reginald Facah, Coordinator of the MTN/CCGE Community Liaison Initiative (CLI) and the Community Liaison Officer in Enugu State, Mrs Chinenye Okwuosa. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Osun Assembly suspends council chair in Adeleke’s hometown over indiscipline

    Osun Assembly suspends council chair in Adeleke’s hometown over indiscipline

    The Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday, February 7, suspended the caretaker chairman of Ede South local government area, Lukman Afolabi.

    The Nation learnt that Afolabi was suspended over gross misconduct and disrespectful and unguarded utterances to the Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun during a peaceful meeting with local government chairmen in the state at the Assembly.

     

    It was gathered that Afolabi was cautioned over his action but flayed corrections at the Assembly complex which resulted in the suspension.

     

    A release by Egbedun through his press secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu stated that Osun State House of Assembly has suspended the Caretaker Chairman of Ede South Main Council, Lukman Afolabi for misconduct.

  • Ban on Alcohol in Sachets, a Collective Decision of Stakeholders to Safeguard Public Health – NAFDAC Boss

    Ban on Alcohol in Sachets, a Collective Decision of Stakeholders to Safeguard Public Health – NAFDAC Boss

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Management of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that the ban on production of alcohol drinks in sachets was not hasty but phased over a give year period for easy implementation.

    NAFDAC Director General, Prof Moji Adeyeye stated in a statement on Thursday in Abuja that the ban was ”in line with the 5-year phase-out plan of the affected presentations of alcoholic beverages which began in January 2019 and ended on 31st January 2024.”

    Prof . Adeyeye said that the actions taken on sachet alcohol was ”pursuant to the powers conferred on it by the NAFDAC Act, and in keeping with the mandate of ‘safeguarding public health.”

    Flowerbudnews recalls that NAFDAC recently began the implementation of the ban on the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small volume PET and glass bottles (below 200mls).

    Prof. Adeyeye said, ”It is important to emphasize that the ban was not a unilateral regulatory action but is being implemented on the strength of the recommendation of a high-powered Committee of the Federal Ministry of Health and NAFDAC on one hand, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC),

    ”and the Industry represented by the Association of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employers (AFBTE), and the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria (DIBAN), in December 2018.”

    The DG stated further, ”It is also important to clarify that the implementation of the ban on alcohol in sachets and small volume PET and glass bottles was not hasty, and is in line with the 5-year phase-out plan of the affected presentations of alcoholic beverages which began in January 2019 and ended on 31st January 2024.”

    She stated that ‘:the 5 year period granted the industry stakeholders offered a practical, reasonable and sufficient time for full compliance with the phase out of the production of alcoholic beverages in sachets and small volume PET and glass bottles (below 200mls)”

    Prof Adeyeye stressed that ”for the avoidance of doubt, it is important to emphasize that the ban only affects alcoholic beverages in sachets and small volume PET and glass bottles below 200mls.”

    ”Other presentations of alcoholic beverages are not affected by the ban and therefore are still permitted for manufacture, importation, distribution, sale and use in Nigeria,” the DG clarified further.

    Prof Adeyeye reiterated NAFDAC commitment to continuously protect public health, saying, ”NAFDAC remains fully alive to her responsibilities and is committed to putting the health of Nigerians in the forefront of regulatory actions.”

    ”Our population’s health is the wealth of our nation. The primary focus of the ban on easily accessible, affordable, portable presentations of high content alcohol in sachets and small volume PET and glass bottles below 200mls is in the interest of safeguarding the health of our under-aged, vulnerable children and the larger society. Beyond the negative health consequences,” Prof Adeyeye stated.

    The NAFDAC Boss said that ”the ban is also in the interest of curbing increasing social vices attributable to the harmful use of alcohol.,”

    ”We use this medium to solicit the continued support, cooperation, and collaboration of Nigerians in the task of safeguarding the health of the nation, and in this particular instance, to safeguard the lives and future of our young generation of productive Nigerians. Health is wealth,” the DG counseled.

    ”We need a population of healthy and productive Nigerians to create wealth and prosperity for our dear nation. God bless Nigeria, ” she noted.

    NAFDAC………safeguarding the health of the Nation, she concluded the statement (Flowerbudnews)