The Aliko Dangote Foundation, (ADF) has flagged off the distribution of 80,000 10kg bags of rice to the vulnerable in Lagos State.
President of Dangote Group and Chairman of the foundation, Aliko Dangote, noted that the gesture is part of the over one million 10kg bags of rice that would be distributed to reach one million vulnerable people in the 774 local government areas of the country. (more…)
By Uchenna Eletuo
Bishop Edoho Ighalo, the Senior Shepherd of A Touch From Heaven Ministry, says the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Lagos State remains united.
Ighalo gave the assurance at a news conference in Lagos to disabuse people’s mind of any crisis in the body.
The Bishop, a PFN member,said that contrary to the news being circulated that there were divisions in PFN after the annulment of its election in February, the fellowship remained united.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that PFN on Monday, February 5 held an election to pick a new executives for the body but the exercise was annulled by the PFN National President, Bishop Wale Oke.
The election conducted by the State Advisory Council (SAC) produced Rev. Toyin Kehinde, Senior Pastor of Agape Generation International Church, as the new state chairman of the Pentecostal body, was annulled for not conforming to standards.
Speaking at the conference, Ighalo, said that Kehinde reportedly floored his opponent and former chairman, Apostle Enyinnanya Okwuonu, with a wide margin.
The Shepherd of the touch from heaven ministry said that the election was annulled because of inadequate awareness and those meant to oversee the election were not well constituted.
According to him, this development was observed that some members were trying to disorganise the sanctity of PFN through certain inciting publications.
“My advice to everyone is to work toward building peaceful operations of the organisation.
“The Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) is not meant to interlope in the affairs of PFN.
“I want the CAN National President, Bishop Stephen Adegbite to focus solely on the activities of CAN and not interlop in PFN affairs.
“In view of the annulment of the PFN election in Lagos State, as a father, I maintain an unbiased position.
“Some members are trying to disorganise the sanctity of the organisation of the PFN in Lagos State.
“I want to advise Adegbite to stay on his side of the line. We should not bring ethnicity to play in kingdom business.
“Any statement that is insightful is not advisable in the body of Christ.
“We are not going to sit down and watch what our founding fathers laboured to build to be destroyed by challanters.
“I advise Adegbite to engage Bishop Wale Oke, the Head of PFN and not render inciting statements in the newspapers,” he said.
Also, speaking at the event, the President of Agape Worship Ministry, Apostle David Odi, said:”There is no fight in PFN; Lagos is one of the most organised, we are united.”
Similarly, the President of Voice of His Words Ministry Nigeria and Overseas, Apostle Bolaji Akinyemi, urged all Christian faithful to work unanimously in ensuring sanctity in PFN and CAN.
Akinyemi, however, said that a committee would be constituted to see to the issue at hand.
He described CAN and PFN as stewards in God’s vineyard where discord should not be condoned, saying they would work on engaging the leadership of CAN and that of PFN to foster harmony .
NAN ready that PFN is the umbrella body of the Pentecostal churches in Nigeria (NAN)(nannews.ng)
Flowerbudnews
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Nigerian Army has fixed Wednesday, March 27for the burial of 17 soldiers killed while on a peacekeeping mission in Delta State.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Army noted that the soldiers killed in the Okuama community in Delta State will be buried on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to be the Special Guest of Honour at the burial ceremony.
The burial is billed to take place at the National Cemetery, Abuja, by 3pm.
By Stanley Nwanosike — 08055823260
Enugu: Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Tuesday, called for closer synergy and cooperation among security agencies to ensure safety on roads within the country.
Mbah, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Chief Eze Aka, made the call in an address at the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course 2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command and Staff College, Udi near Enugu.
The governor noted that closer security and intelligence sharing on incidents on roads within the country by various security formations and agencies both military and para-military would lead to greater security and safety of lives and property on roads.
He said that the state government had keyed into the FRSC vision of reduction in road crashes and fatalities, adding that it had equipped the state traffic officers with the same set targets.
“As an administration, we are making all efforts to fix and improve on all roads and road infrastructure within the state; while we are calling on the Federal Government to do the same.
“Our partnership with the FRSC for training and retraining of our road traffic officers will continue and be strengthened so that as a state it will also build its own capacity to deal with road traffic issues and challenges,” he said.
Mbah congratulated the graduating participants of the course, while commending the FRSC management for being in the forefront of raising the standard and quality of its staff.
According to him, my administration will continue to partner with the FRSC and strengthen existing engagements of mutual benefits.
Earlier, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Dauda Biu, said that the event was significant to the Corps as it marked its commitment to continuously improve its educational and operational standard and capacity.
Biu, represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Bisi Kazeem, who is in-charge of FRSC Training, said that the Corps was building resiliency and increasing its service delivery capacity by equipping its officers with quality and international standard training.
“The course is meant to prepare the participants for command and leadership roles in road safety operations and management within and outside the country.
“I congratulate the graduates and urge them to pass down all they have learnt in the course to their colleagues in various commands and units within the country.
“They should also promote the ideals of FRSC and be good ambassadors of the College in word and deeds,” he said.
Biu commended the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force, President Bola Tinubu, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for all the support and encouragement they had given the Corps to succeed.
In a welcome address, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Chidiebere Nkwonta, appreciated the Corps Marshal and FRSC management for the fatherly support to the college especially to the Senior Course 2 during their six-month course period.
Nkwonta noted that the participants displayed resilience, hard work and dedication while passing through the rigours of the course, adding that the course curriculum included: leadership and management; ICT; FRSC operations, FRSC legal framework; demonstration/simulation among others.
In a goodwill message, the Auxiliary Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Bishop Ernest Obodo, advised the graduating participants to put all they had learnt to practical use in the society to further reduce road accidents.
“I must tell you that our people needed more enlightenment and education on road safety issues so that there would be a level of discipline and positive culture on our roads and user roads being considerate to one another,” Obodo said.
The first best graduating officer, Funmi Rufui, who spoke on behalf of other graduating officers, thanked the FRSC Corps Marshal and management for the privilege and opportunity to learn in the prestigious College.
Rufui appreciated the Commandant, directing staff and lecturers of the College for imparting their knowledge and inestimable experience on them.
The high points of the event were the conferment college award on participants, decoration of participants with college pins, issuance of certificate to participants and award to six best graduating participants.
BY IKECHUKWU ANI
(Flowerbudnews): t was a colourful gathering at the second edition of the Police Service Commission end of year Party and Awards Ceremony which held at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission on Tuesday, 19th December 2023.
It was a celebration of excellence and a testament of the making of a new and forward looking PSC, a statutory Federal Government Agency charged with the responsibilities of appointment, promotion, dismissal and disciplinary control of Members of the Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector General of Police). For one, the Commission had something to celebrate and this celebration attracted galaxy of eminent Nigerians who came in their numbers.
The Commission mid last year formally relocated to its corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, an imposing edifice that took the uncanny determination of Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, the 18th Inspector General of Police who was barely two weeks in office as the 5th Chairman of the Commission, to see to reality.
It was clear 12 years after the construction of the building began during the tenure of Parry Osayande, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police as Chairman.
On Friday 29th of this month, March 2024, Dr. Arase would be one year old on the saddle and within this short period, the story of the Commission has since changed for the better, a Commission that now leads the way attracting a lot of goodwill and defining the road map for a new and vibrant policing sector in the country.
From a neglected and abused orphan, the Commission has been rejuvenated to play its constitutional roles of appointment, promotion and discipline of the work force of the Nigeria Police Force and has also continued to attract the attention of all Nigerians and non Nigerians of goodwill.
Dr. Arase had captured the mood in the Commission in his welcome address at the end of year ceremony and Awards night.
He noted “without sounding immodest, permit me to say that within these nine months of being at the helm of affairs of the Commission, the story of the Commission is different, quite different; contrastingly different; positively contrasting to the inglorious past in the life of the Commission.
He continued; “Today over 130 staff of the Commission have been trained both locally and internationally. Retreat for management Staff was successfully organized and held in Benin, Edo State.
For the first time in the life of the Commission, its Directors were admitted into executive and strategic Management Courses in prestigious national institutions like National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), National Defence College (NDC) and Institute of Security Studies (ISS).”
According to Dr. Arase, the Commission “is now always in the news and obviously for the right reasons adding that the relationship between the Commission and Nigeria Police Force is now cordial with both Institutions respecting the constitutional boundaries and powers of each other.
This according to him was achieved based on trust-building mechanisms employed through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, geared towards the enhancement of the overall interest of our national security”
At one year in Office, Arase gives thanks to God. According to him “there is no vision that any man has that is not from God and we give him all the glory for what we have achieved.
” I will not say we have reached the peak or reached the eldorado but I think from now, we have been able to put the Commission on auto Pilot that with or without me the Commission will just work seamlessly and that was the purpose ”
He continued ” we have faced a lot of challenges, scarcity of funds, so no matter how you think you want to drive the process, once there is no fund, you are slowed down drastically but we thank God that we have been able to have people who are keying into our Vision like the road leading to our Corporate office in Jabi which was part of the things the FCT Minister graciously reconstructed and gave to us.
” You will now see that the ambience of the Commission has taken up a new look and we have been able to make sure that our corporate office has the semblance of a home outside of home, we have a sick bay which we have been able to emplace, we have a creche which is also up and running. I am a very sensitive person, so I want the women who are here who have children to be able to have that confidence that they are coming to work and are able to get the work done without distraction.
“My own take about the Commission is that the Human Resources Department must have the capacity to train the staff in such a way that if we are talking about PSC, you can boast and say we have the best materials you can think of, people who can think critically and be able to develop policies for the Nigeria Police Force.
The recruitment, yes, the Promotion, yes, Discipline, yes, these are the main things but it is more than that”.
Dr. Arase continued; “If you look at what oversight and accountability of civilian oversight of the Police is in other jurisdictions, you will discover that we have not gotten there.
But luckily, last year, despite there was no funds, we were able to train close to about 130 Staff without a dime from the Commission. Now we have been able to secure two slots at the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS. I am also looking at the Institute of Security Studies too to see how we can have two participants.
” I think going forward we should have some consideration for setting funds aside for training, most of the trainings we have done have been courtesy of UNDP, UNODC, ICRC (Red Cross) etc.
We also had this online programme with a South African University. And now in about three weeks or two, people will be leaving for Japan and we are also thinking that we should be able to get about twenty slots for our staff to go to South Korea. I am more of a trainer, any place I have worked, I had used training to change the narrative and outlook of the establishment.
Dr. Arase admits that the journey so far has not been easy, but ” we have remained undaunted in our efforts to change the narrative about the Commission and reposition it towards greater efficiency and effectiveness in delivering on its mandate.
Within a space of one year Arase has ensured the training and retraining of Staff (both locally and internationally) with over 200 already trained. He deployed his extensive national and international contacts to give the Commission the opportunities to access these trainings hitherto unknown in the Commission.
He also saw to the establishment of Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) to oversight the Police Complaints Unit; establishment of a sick bay in the Office and prompt dispensation of Disciplinary issues against Police Officers.
His leadership has increased visibility of Commission’s activities across the nation through regular and reliable media outreach; successful conduct of the ongoing recruitment exercise in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, including restoration of harmonious working relationship between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
It is obvious that the Commission has positioned itself to make a success of its constitutional mandate. Dr. Arase came into the life of the Commission with a big dream and promise.
He has restored the self worth of the staff and brought credibility to its operations. The ongoing recruitment of Nigerian youths into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force has been painstaking and without hitches.
The setting up of a Police Recruitment Board comprising all the relevant Agencies in the Police Sector (Police Service Commission, Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Police Affairs, Federal Character Commission, Police Trust Fund and Police Colleges)has not only conferred credibility to the exercise but brought inclusiveness.
It is obvious that at the end of the day Nigerians will be happy to have a Police Force ready and equipped to secure our fatherland.
Dr. Arase is obviously walking the talk and it is becoming a promise looking good. Nigeria and Nigerians will be better for it. Although Dr. Arase says this is just a tip of the ice bag. (Flowerbudnews)
(Ikechukwu Ani is the PSC Spokesman)
By Flowerbudnews
Abuja (Flowerbudnews) Below are the names and countries of posting of Nigeria ‘s new Ambassadors. Confirmation is however, being awaited from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
*S/N Name State Of Origin Portfolio.*
1. Obinna Chukwuemeka Agbugba Abia Ambassador to Togo.
2. Salisu Umaru Adamawa Ambassador to Senegal.
3. Paragalda Ilyasu Audu Adamawa Ambassador to Turkey.
4. Inyan Udo-Inyang Akwa Ibom Ambassador to Gabon.
5. Okeke Vivian Nwunaku Anambra Ambassador to Spain.
6. Nonye Udo Anambra Ambassador to Austria.
7. Liman Munir Bauchi Ambassador to Congo.
8. Ndem Jane Ada Benue Ambassador to Sweden.
9. Demenongu A. Agev Benue Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea.
10. Mohammed Hassan Hassan Borno Ambassador to Kenya.
11. Toko Ali Gongulong Borno Ambassador to Sao Tome & Principe.
12. Lawan Abba Gashagar Borno Ambassador to Mali.
13. Martin Nyong Cobham Cross River
Ambassador to Thailand.
14. Odeka Janet Bisong Cross River Ambassador to Zimbabwe.
15. Janet Omoleegho Olisa Delta Ambassador to Jamaica.
16 Itegboje S.Sunday Edo Permanent Mission in New York.
17 Queen I. Worlu Edo Ambassador to Cuba.
18. Olatunde Adesesan Ekiti Ambassador to Angola.
19. Emmanuel Kayode Oguntause Ekiti Ambassador to Benin Republic.
20. Lilian Ijeukwu Onoh Enugu Ambassador to Namibia.
21 Adamu Onoze Shuaibu FCT.
Ambassador to Rwanda
22. Manaja Tula Isah Gombe Ambassador to Israel.
23. Habu Abubakar Gwani Ibrahim Gombe Ambassador to Zambia.
24 Ngozi Ukaeje Imo Ambassador to Portugal.
25. Kenneth C. Nwachukwu Imo Ambassador to Cameroon.
26. Bello Kazaure Huessini Jigawa. Ambassador to North Korea.
27. Enoch Pear Duchi Kaduna Ambassador to Ireland.
28. Garba Baba Kano Ambassador to Poland.
29. Rabiu Akawu Kano Ambassador to Algeria.
30. Usman Bakori Aliyu Katsina Ambassador to China.
31. Ibrahim Hamza Katsina Ambassador to Iran.
32 Umar Zainab Salisu Kebbi Ambassador to Botswana.
33. Momoh Sheidu Omeiza Kogi Ambassador to Liberia.
34. Kadiri Ayinla Audu Kwara Permanent Mission, Geneva.
35 Olufemi Abikoye Kwara Ambassador to Ghana.
36. Balogun Hakeem Lagos Ambassador to Indonesia.
37. Inusa Ahmed Nasarawa Ambassador to Ethiopia.
38. Ibrahim Isah Niger Ambassador to Australia.
39. Bankole Adegboyega Adeoye Ogun.
Ambassador to Belgium
40. Sonaike Adekunbi Abibat Ogun Ambassador to Philipines.
41. Ibidapo-Obe Oluwasegun Osun Ambassador to Port of Spain T&T.
42. Ogundero Sakirat Oyo Washington.
43. Eric A. Bell-Gam River Ambassador to Argentina.
44 Attahiru Halliru Sokoto Ambassador to Niger Republic.
45. Rahmatu A. Dunama Taraba Ambassador to Burkina Faso.
46. Musa Saban Mamman Yobe: Ambassador to South Sudan.
47. Kabiru Bala Zamfara Ambassador to Mozambique
A Chinese man identified as Quandong Geng has bagged a death sentence for killing his girlfriend Ummulkusum Sani Buhari also known as Ummita.
Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the Kano state high court delivered the judgement in a landmark ruling on Tuesday.
The incident occurred in September 2022 when Geng fatally stabbed Ummita during a heated argument at her residence in Kano.
Following his escape from the scene, Geng was arrested by the police and charged to court with murder.
During the proceedings, Geng revealed his why he killed the lady, saying he was heartbroken over Ummita’s decision to marry another man after he had invested in their relationship, including extravagant wedding preparations and financial support totaling millions of naira.
“I went to Sokoto to see her family members where I spent N700,000.
“On the 13th September 2022, she requested some money to be used in the house she is building in Abuja but I didn’t give her because I don’t have money then.
“Since then, she stopped answering my calls because she thought I am broke”, he told the court.
By ELENA ORTIZ
The status of women in the United States is declining: The U.S. ranks 37th globally in terms of the best countries to be a woman, compared to its ranking of 26th in 2017 on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index.
Between 2017 and 2023, the U.S. saw a decline in its score of about 2.5 percent on the WPS Index, while on average, countries around the world have improved by about 3 percent.
The Index report, published by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) and the Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO), uses 13 indicators of women’s inclusion, justice and security to rank and score 177 countries on women’s status.
Two indicators of women’s status have significantly worsened in the United States: maternal mortality and political violence against women.
Since 2017, maternal mortality has risen from 19 to 21 deaths per 100,000 live births. The U.S. has by far the highest levels of maternal mortality among developed countries, with levels nearly twice as high as its closest counterpart, Portugal.
Rising levels in the U.S. reflect worsening inequalities as maternal deaths accelerate faster for women of color.
Political violence against women, or attacks perpetrated against women as part of a political agenda, have also significantly increased in the U.S. since 2017. Taking on leadership roles has become more dangerous, as women politicians are the frequent targets of violence and harassment. Comparable data at the country level is only available for physical forms of political violence, which doesn’t account for the rapidly escalating threats of online violence and harassment facing women, especially by extremist groups.
Recent data from the Pew Research Center revealed that while roughly equal shares of men and women in the U.S. have experienced online violence, women report more harassment based on their gender: 47 percent compared to 18 percent for men.
In addition, women also report higher rates of sexual harassment at 16 percent compared to 5 percent for men, and stalking at 13 percent compared to 9 percent for men. All forms of political violence seek to silence women’s voices and marginalize women away from positions of power, undermining democratic strength and integrity.
Despite these areas of concern, other aspects of women’s status in the U.S. are showing improvement.
The share of women with access to their own bank account has risen from 93 to 97 percent since 2017, and women’s representation in Congress has jumped from 20 to 28 percent.
Overall, however, areas of decline have outweighed areas of improvement, highlighting the urgent need to address challenges facing women, especially concerning women’s health and safety.
The WPS Index shows that countries where women are doing well tend to be more prosperous, peaceful, democratic and better prepared to respond to the impacts of climate change—prioritizing women’s well-being in the U.S. advances the well-being of everyone in society.
With the 2024 election quickly approaching, it is more important than ever to elect leaders at all levels who will prioritize investments in women.
By Flowerbudnews
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): President Bola Tinubu has approved the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund to facilitate effective infrastructure development across the pivotal areas of agriculture, transportation, ports, aviation, energy, healthcare, and education in Nigeria.
The Fund will invest in critical national projects that will, among other things, promote growth; enhance local value-addition, create employment opportunities, and stimulate technological innovation and exports, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) disclosed in a statement.
According to Ngelale,
The objectives of the Fund are to:
(1) Establish an innovative infrastructure investment vehicle to attract and consolidate capital, serving as a dynamic driver for economic advancement.
(2) Execute strategic and meticulously chosen national infrastructure projects across several key sectors, including road, rail, agriculture (irrigation, storage, logistics & cold chain), ports, and aviation, among others.
(3) Efficiently utilize and aggregate accessible low-interest loans such as concessionary loans and Eurobonds, supplemented by the procurement of other favourable financing options, in addition to budgetary allocations.
(4) Guarantee Nigeria secures the most advantageous arrangements for financing, construction, and subsequently, operation and maintenance of the identified projects, ensuring optimal long-term outcomes for the nation.
The Fund will identify appropriate approaches in its investment strategy, such as direct project financing through budgetary allocations and SPVs; co-financing (public-private partnerships) with key institutions, multilateral development institutions, as well as equity investments.
On agricultural infrastructure and food security, the emphasis is on the development of robust agricultural infrastructure networks. This encompasses the establishment of national food storage facilities, integrated irrigation systems, ranching for animal husbandry, and the enhancement of agricultural logistics and distribution.
On ports revitalization, the strategic thrust revolves around the rejuvenation of port facilities and associated infrastructure to streamline operations and enhance the ease of doing business. By modernizing port facilities and implementing advanced monitoring systems, the goal is to optimize efficiency, attract investments, and bolster Nigeria’s position as a regional trade hub.
On aviation enhancement, the focus is on the revitalization and modernization of major airports nationwide. Through targeted investments and infrastructure upgrades, major airports will undergo comprehensive refurbishment, including improvement in terminal facilities, runway expansions, and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies to enhance safety and operational efficiency.
On road infrastructure, some of the strategic projects to receive attention include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the Sokoto-Badagry Road, among other key road projects across the nation. This is to enhance connectivity, facilitate transport efficiency, and stimulate economic growth across regions.
On rail infrastructure, Lagos-Kano and Eastern rail lines are among the projects to be prioritized by the Fund. The aim is to ensure the modernization of transportation networks, fostering interconnectivity between key urban centres, and facilitating the movement of goods and people with greater speed and reliability.
President Tinubu has also approved that the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) be absorbed into the new Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF), which will successfully eliminate identified bureaucratic inefficiencies, enhance domestic and external counterpart funding opportunities, and expedite project delivery timelines for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
As the major infrastructural enabler of his global push for foreign direct investment across sectors, the President has further directed that the projects funded under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund (RHIDF) reflect an equitable national spread, such that every Nigerian is impacted by the initiatives of his administration in the most qualitative fashion possible (Flowerbudnews)