Flowerbud News

Month: March 2024

  • Special Needs Expert Calls For World Free Discrimination Against Woman

    Special Needs Expert Calls For World Free Discrimination Against Woman

     

    Special Needs Expert Calls For World Free Discrimination Against Woman

    By Seyi Oduneye – Ogunwomoju

    A Primary and Special Needs expert, Mrs Folaranmi Esan, has called for a world free of biases, stereotypes, and discrimination against women.

     

    Esan said this at the International Women’s Day celebration, IWD, with the theme: Invest In Women Accelerated Progress, held at the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan.

     

    Esan stated further that this would make for a world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive for women to thrive.

     

    “A world where difference is valued and celebrated. As women together, we can forge women’s equality.

    “Investing in women is not only a moral imperative. When we invest in women, we accelerate progress on multiple fronts.

    “In economic growth, women make significant contributions to the economy when empowered.

    “Diverse perspectives drive innovation. By supporting women entrepreneurs and leaders, we bring fresh ideas to the table, leading to more creative solutions and advancements across industries’’.

    According to Esan, closing the gender gaps is essential as investing in women is crucial for achieving gender equality.

    “Closing gender gaps in education, employment, and leadership positions not only promotes fairness and social justice but also unlocks vast untapped potential for global progress,” she said.

    Esan added that investing in women wasn’t just the right thing to do, but was also the smart thing to do.

    “ By empowering women economically, socially, and politically, we can accelerate progress towards a more equitable and prosperous world for all,” she added.

    In her remarks, the Curator of National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Mrs Oriyomi Otuka, said that the 2024 IWD theme was apt to posit that women are catalysts to development.

    Otuka stressed the need to promote as well as invest in women with a view to accelerating the progress of society.

    “Women’s positive contributions to human race in the past, present and in the near future are worth amplifying.

    “ This is to project the pious estate as well as accord them with respect, statutory rights, and privileges which they deserve.

    “Let’s remember and put on record notable contributions of women to the development of the world economy and their inalienable rights despite all odds,” she said.

    The curator added that the role of women in the history of the world could not be overemphasised.

    That apart from being homemakers, and backbone to their husbands, they are also great support for the family, which, of course, is the basic unit of society.

    “This underscores the fact that we are to be cherished, cared for, protected by all, and honored by our gender counterparts for our beauty, integrity, agility, and divinely ascribed virtues.

    “Therefore, any form of abuse, dishonor, misrepresentation, and misplaced priority must be properly addressed and redressed without looking back,” she said.

  • EEDC is committed in improving customers’ experience, ensuring constant power – DMD

    EEDC is committed in improving customers’ experience, ensuring constant power – DMD

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Dr Ernest Mupwaya, Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), says the company is committed to improving customers’ experience and ensuring constant power supply in the South-East.

    Mupwaya said this in an address during EEDC Customers Town-Hall Meeting held in Enugu on Friday

    He noted that EEDC’s mission extends beyond merely providing electricity; as the company strives to ensure that its services exceed customers’ expectations and significantly enhance their daily lives and businesses.

    According to him, achieving this mission is impossible without a solid foundation of transparent and constructive engagement with you, our valued customers, as well as our commitment to nurturing an environment of open communication.

    “In promoting efficient two-way communication; your feedback is the lifeblood of our operations. This meeting serves as a platform for you to share your experiences, concerns, and suggestions, enabling us to listen, understand, and act upon them.

    “A seamless partnership between EEDC and our customers is vital for efficient operations. We aim to address and resolve any challenges that may impede our business interactions, ensuring a smoother experience for everyone involved.

    “Transparency and honesty are the cornerstones of trust. We are dedicated to fostering a relationship based on these principles, with the goal of earning and retaining your loyalty.

     

    “Your contributions today will significantly influence our strategies and initiatives. By comprehending your needs and expectations, we can customize our services to better serve you.

    “In our pursuit of excellence, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our services. I would like to highlight two key initiatives,” he said.

     

    The EEDC boss said that the company understands the importance of addressing customer complaints promptly and effectively; adding that it had established a clear and accessible procedure for lodging and resolving complaints.

    “Our customer service team is trained and equipped to handle your concerns efficiently, ensuring that your issues are addressed to your satisfaction,” he added.

    The EEDC Chief Technical Officer, Mr Vincent Ekwekwu, apologised to customers for the poor power supply experienced across the network, explaining that it was as a result of the gas constraint, which had impacted the performance of the generation companies.

    “This impacts the energy allocation EEDC is getting from the grid and further affects the hours of supply our customers get. However, it is not a hopeless situation and it is being looked into by the Federal Government.

     

    “I appeal to customers to desist from paying for repairs of electricity infrastructure within their neighbourhood, and advised them to report to our office anytime there is fault,” he said.

     

    Speaking, the Head Health, Safety and Environment in EEDC, Dr Francis Iwu, stressed on safety issues while encouraging customers to use electricity properly to avoid losing their lives.

    Iwu regretted the rate at which people build their houses and carry out business activities under high tension lines, an act that has claimed so many lives.

    The Head Corporate Communications of EEDC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, enlightened customers on the ongoing Standard Transfer Specification (STS) prepaid meter upgrade and encouraged customers to upgrade their meters so they do not lose them, adding: “Meter upgrade is free-of-charge and at no cost to customers.”

    During response/feedback, a customer, Chief Ben Ezeibe, commended EEDC for the good work it had been doing despite the numerous challenges, while urging the company to work at providing prepaid meters to customers and end to estimated billing.

    Another customer, Mr Innocent Obodo, appealed to the company to continue training its field staff to be more courteous in relating with customers.

    Mr. Joe Aneke, a customer from Abakpa-Nike area of Enugu, complained of poor electricity supply and high bills, noting that the economy is biting hard and they are finding it difficult to survive. (Flowerbudnews)

  • President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s game changing reforms in the oil and gas sector: An excerpt from the speech delivered Friday 8 March at a press conference in Abuja by special adviser on energy Olu Arowolo Verheijen

    Background
    • Our ambitions to accelerate our economic growth and diversify the
    economy for the benefit of all Nigerians require timely, credible, clear
    and consistent policy.
    • We are faced with a revenue crisis which is impacting all Nigerians.
    To urgently address this, President Bola Tinubu is actively seeking
    ways to grow revenue and forex to stabilize our economy and
    currency. The Oil and Gas sector is critical to our ability to do so.
    However, our current oil and gas production and investment levels
    falls significantly short of our potential.
    • Since 2016, Nigeria has only accounted for only four percent (4%) of
    Africa’s total oil and gas investments, despite possessing thirty-eight
    percent (38%) of the continent’s hydrocarbon reserves. A society is
    not rich because of its resources but because of what it does with
    those resources
    • His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to
    reverse this trend and take decisive steps to ensure to a conducive
    business climate and reposition Nigeria as a preferred investment
    destination for oil and gas sector.
    • To achieve these objectives, Mr President has:
    – Issued a Presidential Directive to streamline and clarify the
    scope of the two Regulators in the petroleum sector to provide
    certainty and create a conducive business environment.
    – Directed the NSA and Special Adviser on Energy to coordinate
    enhanced security measures in the Niger Delta. Owing to this
    Directive, the TNP pipeline which had been repeatedly
    vandalized is now enjoying improved uptime; availability has
    practically doubled since these directives were implemented.
    This has translated to increased liquids of over 200,000
    barrels/day being transported over the last 6 months. It has
    increased the availability of NLNG Trains 1-6 from 57% in 2023
    to 70% in Q1 2024.
    – The President has also introduced fiscal incentives to deepen
    Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquified Petroleum Gas
    (LPG) penetration. These incentives were designed to:
    o ease the impact of fuel subsidies on transportation cost
    and enable the displacement of PMS/Diesel and;
    o contribute to stabilizing the price of cooking gas in the
    market and support the transition to clean cooking.
    Following extensive engagements, analysis and benchmarking, with
    industry operators and regulators, the President has taken further action
    to address foundational issues identified in the course of these
    engagements. Mr President has initiated amendment of primary
    legislation to introduce fiscal incentives, reduce project execution
    timelines and promote cost efficiency. However, recognising the urgency
    to accelerate investments to stabilise the economy, His Excellency
    executed these Policy Directives to clearly signal the policy direction of
    this administration to both the market and regulators.
    The Policy Directives are:
    1. Fiscal Incentives for Non-Associated Gas (NAG), Midstream and
    Deepwater Oil & Gas Developments:
    This Directive aims to facilitate the monetization of Nigeria’s extensive
    oil and gas resources. For Gas, 76% of our gas reserves, remain
    undeveloped. This explains why, despite possessing one of the largest
    gas reserves globally, we lack sufficient gas to meet our domestic
    needs for industry, for power and for cooking. The fiscal incentives
    introduced will attract the much-needed investments to enhance
    energy security, catalyze economic activity, attract essential foreign
    exchange, and promote job creation.
    2. Streamlining of Contracting Processes, Procedures and Timelines: The
    President has issued directives to reduce contracting timelines and
    project delivery. Benchmarking and analysis revealed that the
    contracting cycle takes up to 36 months. This Directive should have the
    effect of compressing this cycle to less than 6 month in line with global
    averages. This will expedite the delivery of oil and gas products to the
    market and enhance overall value for the country.
    3. Local Content Practice Reform: This Directive seeks to ensure that
    local content requirements are implemented in a manner that does not
    impede investments or the cost competitiveness of oil and gas projects.
    This Directive aims to reduce the cost premium of operating in Nigeria,
    presently averaging at 40%. We anticipate significant benefits from this
    reform, including the development of local companies’ capacity, thereby
    generating additional business opportunities, job creation and boosting
    economic growth.
    Implementing Partners
    • A diverse array of stakeholders were consulted and provided input
    into. Some of these stakeholders will be responsible for
    implementation.
    1. Fiscal Incentives: The Minister of Finance/Co-ordinating
    Minister of the Economy will develop and propose amendments
    to introduce fiscal incentives for deep-water developments into
    legislation. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the
    Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission
    (NUPRC) will issue guidelines on the implementation of the
    fiscal incentives.
    2. Streamlining of Contracting Processes, Procedures and
    Timelines: The MOFI, MOPI, Nigerian Content Monitoring and
    Development Board, NNPCL will be responsible for
    implementation and enforcement.
    3. Local Content Practice Reform: The NCDMB is responsible for
    implementing the Directive and issuing supporting guidelines.
    Details on the role of each stakeholder are contained in the Policy
    Directives, which have been Gazetted and will be distributed shortly.
    Co-ordination
    • The Special Adviser to the President on Energy to play a
    coordinating role in ensuring implementation within the timelines
    stipulated in the Directives.
    • I will follow up on implementing these directives and in return we
    expect the Operators to commit to their promises to make these
    investments.
    Conclusion
    • Our need to fuel economic growth at rates that significantly exceed
    our population growth rate has never been more urgent. The
    President strongly believes that private sector-led growth enabled by
    clear and inclusive government policies is the most enduring path to
    prosperity for all Nigerians. We will sustain engagement and
    collaboration with key investors to ensure we attract capital and
    capabilities to this sector to catalyze job creation, productivity,
    income growth across multiple sectors. This administration is laser
    focused on enabling transformational economic opportunities to lift
    millions of hardworking Nigerians our of poverty. (Flowerbudnews)

  • X-RAYING CHINA’S FOREIGN POLICY AT HER ‘2024 TWO-SESSIONS’

    X-RAYING CHINA’S FOREIGN POLICY AT HER ‘2024 TWO-SESSIONS’

    By – Lawal Sale

    The Two Sessions (Lianghui) of China’s 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference began in Beijing on March 6 at the Great Hall of the People. It is expected to last for a week.

    President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening of the meeting along with Premier Li Qiang, who delivered a Government Work Report at the meeting.

    As has been the tradition in such meetings, reports will be reviewed from the State Council on the implementation of the 2023 Plan for National Economic and Social Development as well as the 2024 draft Plan for National Economic and Social Development.
    The lawmakers will also review report from the State Council on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023, as well as the draft for the central and local budgets for 2024.
    Among the key takeaways at this year’s legislative meeting at the 2nd session of the 14th NPC will be: GDP growth of 5%, creation of 12 million new urban jobs, CPI increase of around 3%, grain harvest of about 650 million metric tonnes and a cut of around 2.5% in energy intensity.

    Amongst other activities on the sideline of the Two-Session 2024 Meeting so far has been the interactive session with the Press by the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

    At the Press briefing, Mr. Wang Yi shed light on the raging Gaza conflict and said categorically that the Palestinian people indeed deserved justice and that there was need for full implementation of the two-state solution to the crisis, as the only way to break the vicious cycle of Palestinian-Israeli conflicts. He reiterated that China supported Palestine’s full membership of the United Nations, while calling for a more broad-based, authoritative and effective international peace conference on the Gaza conflict.

    Mr. Wang stressed that for world’s stability, an equal multi-polar world that translates to equal rights, opportunities and rules for every nation; is imperative, adding that “an orderly multi-polar world means that all should observe the purposes and principles of the U.N Charter.”
    He expatiated on all three principles proposed by President Xi Jinping for a viable China-US relations, wherein “mutual respect is the pre-condition, peaceful co-existence is the baseline, and win-win cooperation is the goal”, adding that “if the U.S is obsessed with suppressing China, it will harm itself”.

    On ‘certain powers’ that monopolize international efforts, Mr. Wang warned that countries should not be categorized according to their ‘strength’, stressing that ‘those with bigger fists’ should not have the final say on matters of global concerns. Such, he warned, is unacceptable as certain countries cannot be at the table while some others can only be on the menu.
    Mr. Wang Yi further outlined the strategic importance of China-Russia relations, disclosing that the two historical allies and neighbours have forged a new paradigm of ‘Major-Country’ relations that differ entirely from the obsolete Cold War approach, non-alliance and non-confrontational, which all do not target any third party. He maintained that the growing relationship is a strategic choice by the two sides, which is wholly based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

    On China-Africa relations, the Chinese Foreign Minister said that a new meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Autumn where Chinese and African leaders will discuss future developments and cooperation and hold in-depth exchanges on governance experience.

    He added that China will continue to stand firmly with the African brothers and support an Africa that is truly independent ‘in thinking and ideas’, assuring them that China will assist in building capacity for self-driven development and support for faster modernization of the continent.

    Perceptive analysts note that currently, China maintains diplomatic ties with about 53 African countries – all on the basis of win-win cooperation for common development.

    (Sale, a Global Affairs Analyst writes from Abuja, Nigeria). lawalsale@mail.ru

  • MC Oluomo’s aide dies in autocrash on Third Mainland Bridge

    MC Oluomo’s aide dies in autocrash on Third Mainland Bridge

    Akintoye Benson, an aide to the chairman of the Lagos State Park and Garages Management, Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, has reportedly died.

     

    Benson, who was seen in a wrecked vehicle in a viral video, was said to have died in an auto crash on Third Mainland Bridge on Thursday night.

     

    Confirming his death, a friend of the deceased, Ogunseye Vincent, wrote on his Facebook page that the late Benson was a vibrant man with high hopes and vision.

     

    “The news of your passing came to me as a rude shock. You were a vibrant man with high hopes and vision.

     

    Though the memory we shared remains forever, I take solace in the trust that Olodumare will grant your soul a peaceful rest. Sail well to eternity, Comrade Akintoye Benson (Baba Ogun),” he added.

     

    Until his death, Benson was the chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria (TOOAN) Zone H.

     

    Efforts to reach Akinsanya for a comment proved abortive as his phone could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

     

  • Just in: Gunmen kill 5 police officers, 16 others in Ebonyi, Benue

    Just in: Gunmen kill 5 police officers, 16 others in Ebonyi, Benue

    Gunmen have reportedly killed five police officers on Friday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

    Sources said the unfortunate incident occurred around 5:am at Ebyia bridge, along Hilltop/Nwoke road.

     

    , a retired army officer, and 15 others have been reportedly killed by suspected armed herdsmen in Thursday evening attack on Wandor, Mbaikyor community in the Mbalom Council Ward of Gwer East Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State.

     

    The invaders were also reported to have razed over 50 houses, huts, farmlands and food barns in 11 settlements in the attack.

     

    The latest attack came about six years after a similar attack by armed herdsmen on St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Ukpor Parish, Mbalom Gwer East LGA claimed the lives of two Catholic priests and 17 parishioners.

     

    A survivor of the attack who spoke on condition of anonymity said the well armed marauders numbering about 40 stormed the community at about 7pm and opened fire on the locals who were taken unawares.

     

     

    Confirming the development, the Caretaker Chairman of Gwer East LGA, Mrs. Comfort Agbo said “at the moment there is relative peace in Wandor community. 16 bodies have so far been recovered. Two were injured and are receiving treatment.

     

    “Those who attacked and killed my people are suspected armed herdsmen. The security operatives are currently moving the bodies to the mortuary.”

     

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent, SP, Catherine Anene who confirmed the development said the Police Commissioner was on his way to the scene of the attack for on-the-spot assessment.

     

    The Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode was said to have also led a delegation to the community.

  • Two killed as robbers raid banks in Kogi

    Two killed as robbers raid banks in Kogi

    Gunmen have attacked two commercial banks in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing one security officer and one civilian during the operation.

     

    According to a video that has gone viral on social media, the incident happened at approximately five o’clock in the evening on Thursday.

     

    Eyewitness accounts also indicated that there were sporadic shootings while the operation lasted.

     

    The robbers on entering the town, first attacked the police station along Anyigba -Idah road and killed a policeman who was simply identified as Idoko.

     

    The source said that the slain policeman had just been transferred to the station, and hailed from Iyale, a neighbouring town in the same local government area.

     

    Also killed in the attack, according to the source, is a man, popularly known as Alagama who sells petty items at the roundabout in Anyigba, a few metres from the scene of the incident. He was said to have been killed by a stray bullet during the operation.

     

    The eyewitness further stated that the gunmen followed the bullion truck to their Anyigba headquarters, where they disabled the security measures before removing all of the cash.

     

    Another gang, also purportedly belonging to the hoodlums, broke into the town’s First Bank and stole an undisclosed sum of money.

     

    Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Kogi State Police Command, SP William Aya, is yet to confirm the development

  • Four KWASU students allegedly beat colleague to death for filming them

    Four KWASU students allegedly beat colleague to death for filming them

    Four yet-to-be-identified students of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, in Moro local government area of the state, have been arrested by the police for allegedly beating a fellow student to death.

    Vanguard Correspondent reliably gathered that though the students were arrested on Wednesday, the incident happened penultimate week in one of the private hostels outside the university premises.

     

    was gathered that the students descended on the deceased student, whose name could not be ascertained as of press time, for allegedly filming them without their consent.

     

    The victim was said to be recording the four students who were reportedly in a discussion when one of them spotted him.

     

    The four students consequently approached him to know why he was filming them without their consent, to which he couldn’t offer any ‘reasonable explanation’. Afterwards, the four enraged students pounced on him for his action.

     

    A student who craved anonymity told Vanguard correspondent that “the victim later died from the severity of the beating meted out to him by the students.”

     

    When contacted, the State Police Public Relations officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi (DSP), confirmed the incident to our reporter late Thursday night.

     

    According to her, “The alleged culprits were four, but I cannot confirm their names now. They have been arrested while an investigation is still ongoing over the matter,” she said.

  • Kaduna crash: Pilots escape death, air chief orders probe

    Kaduna crash: Pilots escape death, air chief orders probe

    A trainer aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force experienced “a minor mishap” in Kaduna State on Thursday.

     

    The aircraft, a Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, was involved in a minor mishap at about 2.35 pm, according to the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet.

     

    Gabkwet, in a statement, said the incident occurred while the pilots were returning from routine training.

     

    He, however, said the two pilots “came out of the crash unscathed.”

     

    The statement read, “A Nigerian Air Force Super Mushshak trainer aircraft was involved in a minor mishap earlier today, 7 March 2024, at about 2.35 pm.

     

    “The accident, which occurred at about 3.5 nautical miles from Kaduna Military Airfield, involved two pilots who were returning from a routine training flight. Luckily, both pilots came out of the crash unscathed.”

     

    Gabwet said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had ordered a probe into the incident.

     

    He said, “The CAS has since directed for preliminary investigation to ascertain the immediate cause of the crash.”

     

    The PUNCH reports that between 2015 and December 2023, Nigeria suffered at least 17 military air crashes, leading to the death of many.

     

    Some of the incidents include the crash which occurred in Port Harcourt in December 2023. A MI-35P helicopter belonging to the Air Force crash-landed with five crew members sustaining injuries.

     

    On August 14, 2023, a NAF aircraft was said to have departed Zungeru Primary School en route to Kaduna but was later discovered to have crashed in a village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger.

     

    Also, in July 2023 An FT7-NI aircraft crashed in Makurdi no death was recorded.

     

    In addition, in February 2023, the Air Force recorded a crash after one of their jets lost its tyre mid-air and made an emergency landing at Lagos Airport on its belly. No death was equally recorded.

     

    On February 22, 2021, seven NAF personnel on their way from Abuja to Minna, Niger State to rescue the abducted students and workers of Government Science College, Kagara, died when their plane crashed shortly after takeoff from the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport