Flowerbud News

Month: March 2024

  • NIDCOM Boss Says Diaspora Investment Crucial to Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity

    NIDCOM Boss Says Diaspora Investment Crucial to Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity

    By Danladi Ahmed
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  Nigeria’s economic prosperity could be galvanised through a structured Diaspora Investment,  Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM, has declared.

    The NIDCOM Boss emphasized this at a strategic meeting with an Investment Group, Optiva Capital in Abuja, Gabriel Odu of NIDCOM
    Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit,
    disclosed in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Dabiri-Erewa added  that collaboration between Optiva Capital Partners and NiDCOM signals a pivotal step towards harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s Diaspora community, fostering sustainable economic growth, and strengthening ties between the Diaspora and their homeland.

    Dabiri-Erewa added that Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) is willing to partner with Optival Capital Partners in advancing Diaspora investment and leveraging the capabilities of Nigerians living abroad.

    The Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM expressed satisfaction as the meeting aligns with the Commission’s core objectives,
    highlighting the significance of fostering a structured and symbiotic relationship with the Diaspora, stressing the importance of trust building.

    Dabiri-Erewa further stated that platforms such as the Nigerians in Diaspora Investment Summit, which serves as a linkage for Diasporans to invest in various sectors of the Nigeria’s economy. was already in place and would be strengthened , adding that plans are on for a structured Nigerian diaspora fund to be private sector driven with appropriate government supervision

     

    “NiDCOM serves as the bridge connecting Nigeria and its Diasporans, facilitating mutual growth and development,” she stated.

    Jane Kimemia, Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Optiva Capital Partners, expressed satisfaction with MIDCOM’s warm engagement promising to strategically work with the Commission to double Diaspora investment opportunities, fostering new business ventures for the Diaspora to reinvest in their homeland. She reiterated that the best investment by the Diaspora should be in their home country , with a population of over 200 million people

     

    Optiva Capital Partners is a prominent wealth management firm specializing in investment immigration, investment advisory, and insurance services. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Alleged forgery: Court adjourns suit against GTB for adoption of final written addresses

    Alleged forgery: Court adjourns suit against GTB for adoption of final written addresses

     

    Flowerbudnews

    A Lagos High Court sitting in Yaba on Thursday adjourned an alleged forgery suit filed against Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) until May 28 for adoption of final written addresses.

    Justice Ezekiel Ashade adjourned until May 28, after the defence closed its case.

    It would be recalled that the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of RCN Network Ltd, Alhaji Si-Nuraini Abiola, had dragged GTB and others to court over alleged forgery of Tripartite Legal Mortgage (TLM).

    While Mr Abiola is the second claimant, his company is the first claimant in the suit.

    Other respondents in the suit marked: LD/6148LMW/18 were Registrar of Titles, Lagos State Land Bureau, Seinde Fadeni, GMT Energy Resources Ltd, Attorney General of Lagos State and Sanctum Hospitalities Ltd.

    Abiola, who is the petitioner, with his company, had alleged that the bank had registered a default indebtedness position in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Debtor’s Registration Portal in the amount of N257 million debit against RCN’ s name, which were untrue and unfounded.

    The petitioner alleged that bank forged the TLM by swapping the properly signed TLM he had previously executed with respect to his Banana Island Property, for the TLM he had prepared for the Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi property, which he did not signed.

    He also alleged that the bank transposed the title documents of Banana Island property which was a 12-page document onto a nine-page document as listed on the letter footer.

    “It was registered under the Federal Government of Nigeria by altering the attestation page through whiting-out segments on the said page and then manually inserting altercations therein with a typewriter,” the petitioner submitted.

    When the case was called on Thursday, the legal officer of GTB, Mr Nicolas Igwebuike, who was the first defence witness, continued his cross-examination by the claimant’s counsel, Dr. Charles Adeogun-Phillips.

    Igwebuike confirmed to the court that the cover page of Exhibits C6 and D16 did not indicate the first claimant (RCN network) as a mortgagor in the documents.

    The claimant’s counsel asked the witness that what appeared on the consent page was a mistake but the witness said there seemed to be a switch of the party.

    Adeogun-Phillips further asked the witness if there was an acknowledgement that the second claimant (Abiola) submitted the TLM tripartite mortgage to Lagos State Government for processing and not GTB.

    The witness confirmed he did not see the acknowledgement on Exhibit C12, but that there was one on Exhibit D16.

    The counsel further showed the witness a letter addressed to the commissioner of police, Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi for the attention of ACP OhIkeie Idris.

    The lawyer to the bank, Mr Noris Quakers, SAN, however objected that the witness could not be examined on documents he did not tender in evidence.

    Adeogun-Phillips, thereafter, withdrew the question and argued that the basis for asking the question was to tender a four-affidavit of non-service of subpoena on Idris.

    Although Quakers opposed the admissibility of the affidavits, the judge admitted them in evidence.

  • Ashura procession: Appeal Court awards N80m fine against police for attacking Shi’ite members in Sokoto

    Ashura procession: Appeal Court awards N80m fine against police for attacking Shi’ite members in Sokoto

    Flowerbudnews

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has ordered the police authorities to pay a cumulative sum of N80 million to the Shi’ites, followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), for attacking them while on religious procession on August 19, 2021, in the state.

    The three-member panel of justices, in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, held that the appeal succeeded and hereby allowed

    They faulted the judgment of the trial court delivered on May 17, 2022.

    The panel agreed with the submission of the appellants’ counsel, led by Chief M.D. Abubakar Esq., that the trial judge, in his judgment, rather than relying on uncontroverted facts in the appellants’ various affidavits, opted unjustifiably to form opinions, raised doubts and went on to resolve them against the appellants in an action for enforcement of fundamental rights involving lives.

    It would be recalled that members of the Shiites had, on August 19, 2021, embarked on the Ashura procession to commemorate the killing of Imam Hussaini bn Ali bn Abi Talib (AS), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

    While the procession was about to end, the officers of the Nigerian Police were alleged to have attacked the procession around the Mabera area of Sokoto, Sokoto State.

    Four mourners were said to have been killed and numerous others were injured in the incident.

    The Shiites alleged that Hassan Abubakar, Imrana Umar, Bello Muhammad and Haidar Musa Bodinga were among those who were killed by the police.

    After the incident, a fundamental rights suit was instituted before Justice James Omotosho at Federal High Court, Sokoto division where the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in the state were sued as 1st amd 2nd defendants.

    However, Justice Omotosho delivered a judgement in favour of the police.

    Dissatisfied with the judgment, the appellants filed an appeal marked: CA/S/131/2022 on May 30, 2023.

    The 10 appellants, who filed the appeal on behalf of the entire Shia Muslim Community in Sokoto, include Prof. Shehu Maigadi, Mal. Sidi Mannir Mainasara, Mal. Sa’adu Shehu, Abuzar Daniya, Mubarak Jega, Mustapha Shinkafi, Aliyu Abubakar Appel, Nazir Shehu, Mustapha Yusuf and Zayyanu Ladan.

    In the judgement delivered on March 18, 2024, but its certified true copy made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, the Appeal Court declared that the vicious attack by the police officers against the Ashura mourners in Sokoto City on August 19, 2021, that is, opening fire and shooting on Shiites sporadically, using live ammunition, resulting in the deaths of Hassan Abubakar, Imrana Umar Bello Muhammad, Haidar Musa Bodinga, and fatal wounds to Abuzar Yahaya Daniya and others, is deliberate, unwarranted, inhuman, unconscionable, and unlawful, and that the same violates Section 33 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

    The court, therefore, ordered the police to pay compensation of N10 million for each of the four mourners killed and also pay N2 million to each of the five mourners whose personal dignity was violated by the fatal bullet wounds inflicted on them by the police.

    The appellate court also ordered police to pay the Shi’a Muslim community in Sokoto State the sum of N30 million for the degrading and inhuman treatment of firing live ammunition at them during the Ashura procession in Sokoto on August 19, 2021.

    Other members of the panel of justices include Justice Muhammed Shu’aibu and Justice Ebiowei Tobi. (Flowerbudnews)

  • JUST IN: Osun Releases Guidelines For Teachers’ Recruitment CBT Exam

    JUST IN: Osun Releases Guidelines For Teachers’ Recruitment CBT Exam

    The Osun State Ministry of Education has released guidelines for the teacher’s recruitment CBT examination scheduled to begin on Wednesday, the 27th of March,

    In a public notice issued on Thursday by M.A.K. Jimoh, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, applicants were advised to visit the recruitment portal starting from 4:00 pm on Friday, the 22nd of March 2024, to print out their examination slips.

     

    The notice read, “This is to inform the General Public, particularly applicants for the ongoing Osun State Teacher’s Recruitment Exercise that the CBT examination will hold between Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th March, 2024 at different Uniosun designated Centers.

     

    “2. Applicants are advised to visit the recruitment portal https://jobportal.osunstate.gov.ng as from 4:00pm on Friday 22nd March 2024 to print out their examination slips which will contain their examination number, examination center, batch, date and time of their examination.

     

    “3. Also, applicants with special needs will have their CBT examination on Thursday March 28th, 2024, at the Special Needs Secondary School opposite Fakunle Grammar School, Osogbo at 8a.m.

     

    “4. An SMS to this notification will also be sent to applicants via the phone numbers they used on the recruitment portal https://jobportal.osunstate.gov.ng

     

    “5. Applicants are also advised to come to their designated with the printed examination slip. All exams starts by 8am prompt each day

  • Enugu Govt. partners tech firm on training to tackle youth unemployment

    Enugu Govt. partners tech firm on training to tackle youth unemployment

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu State Governnent has partnered a tech firm, African Leadership Accelerator (ALX), to train youths on online tech skills to tackle unemployment and idleness.

     

    The state government and ALX Africa had made it possible for all Enugu State youths to access free-of-charge training on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applicable to all field of human endeavours and jobs.

     

    Speaking further on the partnership on Thursday in Enugu, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Lloyd Ekweremadu, said that the partnership was meant to up-skill and upgrade knowledge newly or already acquired by the youths in the state.

    Ekweremadu said that the partnership and the benefit it would bring to the state “is part of the employment vision of Gov. Peter Mbah to reduce unemployment in the state by about 70 per cent by 2030”.

     

    According to him, what we set out to achieve is to ensure employability of Enugu State youths both in locally and international labour market, which is highly competitive.

     

    “His Excellence, Gov. Peter Mbah is keen on developing the capacity of youths and creating their capabilities for them to compete at the global world employment market.

    “We intend to use technology, tech enhancement and development to drive this process and ensure youths in the state cover up the knowledge and employability gap,” he said.

     

    Ekweremadu said that the state would start with AI training, which will be done for all youths free-of-charge and thereafter other system and software training/courses would be done online at a reduced cost.

     

    He advised youth to take advantage of the trainig, adding the youth ministry was fashioning out ways to tackle the issue of getting a place within the metropolis where youths with challenge of not having power supply, internet connectivity, a laptop, tablets and android phones can participate in the training.

    The Country General Manager of ALX Africa, Ms Ruby Igwe, said that the partnership on various tech training would bring modern skill sets closer to the people especially youths that needed tech skills for employment purpose and to create their own start-ups and be employers of labour.

     

    Igwe said that the free-of-charge AI course training would be for youths between the ages of 18 and 35; while it would run for six weeks on online platform of ALX Africa.

    She said that participants, who successful undergo the course, would be certified as well as have opportunities to participate in other online courses that would enhance their knowledge and reposition them to a vintage position in the global market and international mobility of labour.

     

    “The curriculum for our courses especially the AI course is from a reputable US school and the same course is runned globally and even locally in some countries in Africa and one or two states in Nigeria. So, it is nothing short of internationally acceptable AI training.

    “After the AI Course, other online courses, meant to equip youths with soft and international sellable online skills, will follow in partnership with the state government to ensure we carry hundreds of thousands of youths along and prepare them for the competitive future ahead,” she said.

  • Enugu Govt establishes State Donor Coordination Committee, involves SSDO, others

    Enugu Govt establishes State Donor Coordination Committee, involves SSDO, others

    By Flowerbudnews

    The Enugu State Government has established Enugu State Donor Coordination Committee to ensure streamlining of donor agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) activities conforms with state developmental priorities and plans.

     

    The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, chaired the inaugural meeting in Enugu, which involved seasoned developmental partners, donor agency partners and NGOs such as the South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO) and others.

     

    Speaking to newsmen after the inaugural meeting on Monday, the SSDO’s Executive Director, Dr Stanley Ilechukwu, said that the committee was a welcomed development needed for proper streamlining of developmental interventions.

    He reiterated SSDO’s commitment to align its key projects with the state’s priorities in an effort to optimise resource allocation.

     

    According to Ilechukwu, this will help limit overlaps, waste, underutilisation of resources, and enhance desired development outcomes set forth by each of the donor agencies and NGOs.

     

    “The committee will help to provide strategic guidance and oversight for donor-funded initiatives, ensure alignment of donor activities with the state’s development priorities and plans.

     

    “It will enhance and foster synergy and avoid duplication of efforts among donor agencies and partners.

     

    “The committee will also assist in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness and impact of donor-funded projects,” he said.

  • Touba, Senegal’s Islamic City

    Touba, Senegal’s Islamic City

     

    By Paul Ejime

    (Flowerbudnews):  Senegal prides itself as a country of “Teranga,” or hospitable people.

    Until its recent political tensions and uncertainty over the rescheduling of the presidential election from 25 February to 24 March 2024, and President Macky Sall’s later jettisoned third-term plan, the country held hope as the anchor of political stability and democracy in the politically restive West Africa.

    In the 15-nation ECOWAS region, Senegal and Cabo Verde are also the only countries that have not experienced a military coup.

    West Africa has earned itself the dubious reputation and sobriquet of the “coup belt or coup zone” with almost a dozen failed and successful coups from 2020 and four ECOWAS member States under military dictatorships.

    Even so, religious tolerance remains very much evident among Senegal’s estimated 18 million people, and it is one of the few Muslim-dominated nations, that observe more Christian holidays than the Vatican.

    Similarly, the former French colony that gained independence in 1960 under the leadership of renowned poet and African Socialist President Sedar Senghor, leads other ECOWAS member States in gender political inclusion.

    Although civil society and women’s advocacy groups would want the country to do more in terms of gender parity.

    With Muslims accounting for about 95% of the population, Senegal is home to Touba, in the centre of the country, and arguably the most popular Islamic pilgrimage destination in Africa.

    At some 170 kilometers east of Dakar, the nation’s capital, Touba was established in the 20th Century by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, a highly revered founder of Senegal’s Mourid Islamic brotherhood.

    The city has grown rapidly around the tomb of its respected founder to become the spiritual centre of Senegal.

    With an estimated population of 1.8 million, Senegal’s second largest city after Dakar (census 2023), Touba boasts one of the largest and most beautiful Mosques in West Africa.

    It hosts one of the largest annual pilgrimage festivals on the African continent and matters in Senegal’s political equation, such as the presidential election on Sunday.

    Ordinary citizens and politicians alike have faith in Marabouts and Touba has the largest concentration of them.

    Administratively, Touba is under Mbacke Department in the Diourbel region.

    It has its unique governance system based on strict Islamic rules and regulations, including dress codes for men and women.

    In Touba, women are required to be in their veils.

    Short skirts and trousers are prohibited, while men are required to be properly dressed in no sagging trousers or body-revealing clothes.

    Women activist groups and advocates of liberal Western democracy might have issues with Touba’s strict administrative rules, but there are no indications that these would change anytime soon.

    The Grand Mosque of Dakar is the largest in Senegal. However, the Great Mosque of Touba, which was completed in 1963, with distinctive features such as the towering minaret and multiple blue and green domes, continues to dominate the City’s skyline.

    It is open to everyone but with some restrictions on non-Muslims at certain times. (Flowerbudnews)

  • FATF Grey List:  EFCC, NFIU Step up Exit Plan

    FATF Grey List:  EFCC, NFIU Step up Exit Plan

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja”(Floor):.  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, ohs mapped out fresh strategies geared towards Nigeria’s exit from Financial Action Task Force, FATF’s Grey List.

    The strategies arose from a courtesy visit of the Director and Chief Executive Officer of NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede at the Commission’s corporate headquarters.

    Bakari,  in her speech,  stated that the visit was driven by a kindred spirit, need for stronger bridges of relationship and the FATF challenge. “Our visit today is a recognition of the shared history and a step towards building the foundations of a stronger partnership. We are also here to discuss the steps we need to take together to ensure that Nigeria exits from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force in the near future.”

    In a presentation, the NFIU’s boss outlined the various intelligence-generating and sharing modalities her Unit has been undertaken to serve relevant agencies across the country. She also laid bare how the NFIU has been enforcing compliance obligations of reporting entities to it. She pledged greater effectiveness and integrity of intelligence to tackle corruption, insecurity, banditry,  terrorist financing and other threats to peace and progress of the nation.  “I assure the Commission that we will continue to carry out our assignments with utmost integrity and effectiveness”, she said.

    Olukoyede in his remarks assured her of EFCC’s total involvement and commitment in all that are needed towards the exit. “We are together in this. The EFCC has been playing major roles in driving the exit action plan. And I assure you that we will not rest on our oars, not necessarily to satisfy the international community alone but for the overall growth and development of our nation.  “Foreign interests alone must not drive us to do what is right but the interest of our country. We should always do what is right at all times, not just to satisfy any foreign interests but because right is right,  Let’s carry out the action plan to grow our economy.”

    The FATF, February 2023, added Nigeria to its list of countries under monitoring, designated as “Grey List.” This listing required the country to implement an action plan comprising 19 items before May 2025 to avoid the greater danger of upgrade to the “Black List” which comes with dire economic consequences.

    Olukoyede expressed optimism that the combined works of the EFCC, NFIU and other relevant agencies will assist Nigeria to exit the grey list.

    He reiterated his commitment towards preventive frameworks in tackling economic and financial crimes, stressing that it is cheaper to prevent corruption than to fight it. (Flowerbudnews)

  • An inciting new report on how insecurity is fuelling the illiteracy rate in Nigeria. See what recommendations have been made.

    An inciting new report on how insecurity is fuelling the illiteracy rate in Nigeria. See what recommendations have been made.

    This joint report examines how insecurity affects education in Nigeria. It looks at issues like terrorism, kidnappings, and school closures fuelling the global record-breaking figure of 20.2million out of school children in the country.

    The report explores how insecurity disrupts learning and leaves many children’s futures and the future of the nation in jeopardy.

    Importantly, the report also makes strong recommendations on ways to improve both security and education too.

    By taking action, Nigeria, Nigerians, and friends of Nigeria can together build a brighter future for the giant of Africa.