Month: April 2024

 

Flowerbudnews

Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq has expressed support for the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing it as a huge project that will have a significant impact on the nation when completed.

Abdulrahman spoke today in Lagos during a visit by governors and the leadership of the National Assembly to President Tinubu, in commemoration of Eid-el- Fitri.

Led by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the delegation included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara State is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.

He commended the President’s efforts in stabilizing the economy and improving living conditions, highlighting the positive developments in the country, which include the stabilization of the exchange rate and decreasing food prices.

He attributed these improvements to the President’s initiatives and also lauded the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s funding for 8,800 primary healthcare centres.

“We commend your efforts because the ship is gradually turning. We have seen how the exchange rate of the naira against the dollar is coming down. The cost of food is coming down. The dry season harvest is commencing soon. Things are getting better, and there is light at the end of the tunnel,” the Governor said.

He urged President Tinubu to persevere in his efforts towards achieving economic stability.

The governor also expressed gratitude for the support provided by the Federal Government to states, particularly in distributing grains to alleviate food shortages.

”We are here to support you, and we also thank you for the support that you are giving to the sub-nationals. Trucks are wheeling up across the nation, distributing grains. I have received, and most of the states have.

”Because of what you are doing, those who are hoarding food items are releasing them, and that is why the prices of food are coming down,” he said.

Governor AbdulRazaq reiterated the governors’ commitment to supporting the President’s initiatives and pledged to continue complementing the efforts of the federal government in driving progress and prosperity across the nation.

 

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned the public against use of Dex Luxury Bar Soap, (No 6 mystic flower).

NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye said in a public alert obtained by Flowerbudnews that the sale and use of the product had been banned in Europe.

She disclosed that the banned product had potential to harm human reproductive system, could also cause harm to the health of the unborn child and may cause skin sensitization.

Prof. Adeyeye said that ”the product does not comply with the Cosmetic Products Regulation as it is said to contain Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA) which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system causing harm to the health of the unborn child and may cause skin sensitization.’:

”As a result, a ban on the marketing of the product has been placed by some regulatory and public authorities, in the EU,” the NAFDAC Boss stressed.

Product details

The details of the product are as follows;

Product Name: Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower)

Product Brand: DEX

Country of Manufacture: Turkey

Model: 11.11.22

Barcode: 8694965531

Category: Cosmetics

Product Photo

Prof Adeyeye said further:

Although these products are not in the NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the above-mentioned product.

The product’s authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Members of the public in possession of the product should discontinue the sale or use and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of adverse reactions, or substandard and falsified regulated products to the nearest NAFDAC office on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of the products to the nearest NAFDAC office,

or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng
(Flowerbudnews)

 

By Flowerbudnews

The Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has collected N66,920,181,586.30 as total revenue for the first quarter of 2024, which is N22,198,965,809.55 higher than N44,721,215,776.75 collected between January and March 2023, representing 49.6 percent increase.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the command, Comptroller Saidu Yusuf, in a press statement signed by the Command’s Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Customs Muhammad Yakubu, on 13 April 2024, described the increase in revenue collection as a laudable feat.

Comptroller Yusuf, while commending the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for initiating strategies to achieve faster cargo clearance, assured that PTML Command under his watch aims to surpass its record of three-hour cargo clearance for compliant traders.

“The launching of time release study (TRS), which is ongoing, and other deliberate efforts by the Comptroller General have contributed to expanding terminal space and promoting ease of doing business in PTML.

“The PTML command has the potential to achieve two-hour cargo clearance and surpass its existing three hours records if port users compliance level is improved,” he said.

Comptroller Yusuf, who described PTML as one of the safest and most secure environments for Roll On Roll Off (RoRo) and general cargoes, also advised importers and their agents to take advantage of the incentives available for compliant traders such as fast track, advance ruling and possible migration to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.

He reminded port users in PTML of the robust and time-conscious dispute resolution mechanism, which has contributed immensely to the revenue collection, trade facilitation, and anti-smuggling functions of the command.

While commending the various government and private sector stakeholders for their cooperation and support towards the realisation of the government’s goal for revenue collection and prevention of unlawful activities, Comptroller
Yusuf expressed optimism that the command will surpass its annual target for the year.

He described the importation of vehicles meant for Nigerian roads into neighbouring countries with the intent to smuggle them through unapproved roads into Nigeria as unpatriotic and an act of economic sabotage as the command has the capacity for seamless and efficient processing of such automobile cargoes.

For the second quarter and first half of the year, the CAC enjoined command officers to maximally deploy available technology and rededicate themselves to the job to achieve more.

He reminded port users that there is increased anti-smuggling vigilance to uncover concealment such as under declaration and smuggling of prohibited items. The CAC added that any discovered infraction will fully evoke the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, where there are spelt-out penalties.

Flowerbudnews

A leader of Yoruba Self Determination group, Professor Banji Akintoye and Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho have distanced themselves from a group of agitators that invaded the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan on Saturday.

The duo said they were not aware or in support of the agitators and their actions.

Akintoye said those involved were not fighting for Yoruba interests but against the Yorubas in their conducts.

He said available information indicated the group appointed an interim government for the Yoruba Nation and decided to take over the region from the Oyo State secretariat, which informed the deployment of men in military camouflage.

Prof Akintoye said: “I am not connected, I have no contact and I do not know anything about Onitiri and her group. I don’t know what they are doing.

” I learnt they are engaged in some sort of insanity in Ibadan but that is entirely they, and it has noting to do with me or people like Chief Sunday Igboho who are working with me.

“We are the authentic Yoruba Nation Movement. We are not connected. We are the people fighting for Youna Nation freedom and we will win the war peacefully and in an orderly manner.

“They are not struggling for the Yoruba Nation, they are struggling against the Yoruba Nation. I am not aware of the situation that happened in Ibadan until I was informed by Chief Sunday Igboho this morning. I am not part of it. They are not from us. They are followers of Onitiri. It is a lunatic fringe. We in this struggle won’t act in such a manner.”

Sunday Igboho said he will never be involved in such madness noting that anytime he wants to engage in any struggle, he will always make it public and carry other stakeholders along.

He said “I know nothing about it. I am not even aware of those behind it. If I am going to do anything, either for early or any struggle for Yoruba Nation, you know we will inform people ahead.

“We will announce our plans and all our leaders and other stakeholders will also be involved and we will collaborate to do so.

“So, anything they now do on their own, either they attack the government or military barrack or Police station, I know nothing about it and I am not part of it.”

 

By Biola Lawal

Flowerbudnews: Troops of the Armed Forces have successfully crushed an Insurgency attack on the Oyo state government secretariat at Agodi in Ibadan on Saturday.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu  disclosed this in a statement titled :*SITUATION REPORT ON INVASION OF OYO STATE SECRETARIAT AGODI*

The Army Spokesman said the attackers, who were adherrents of Yoruba Nation, adherents of the Yoruba Nation were dressed in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with dangerous weapons in buses and motorbikes.

The statement read:

This is to notify the general public that today Saturday 13 April 2024, sequel to the report of an attack on the State Secretariat Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State, troops promptly responded to the incident and had contact with adherents of the Yoruba Nation dressed in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with dangerous weapons in buses and motorbikes.

Upon encountering own troops, the Yoruba nation adherents engaged the troops in a shootout.Troops, utilizing superior firepower, successfully subdued the attackers, who subsequently retreated in disarray.

As a result of this engagement, nine members of the irredentist group were apprehended, while one Semi Automatic Pump Action rifle and ammunition were recovered.

Currently, troops are on the track of the fleeing adherents, and the situation is under control.

We assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the general area.

We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies.

The safety and security of the citizenry remain a priority, as we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region. (Flowerbudnews)

 

… Says police intelligence report hilarious

 

By Flowerbudnews

The Islamic Movement, also known as the Shiites, has denied allegations that it planned to kill police officers in Borno State to avenge the recent killings of its members in Kaduna State.

Professor I. H. Mshelgaru, in a statement he released on behalf of the Islamic Movement under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky(H) on Saturday in Abuja, described the intelligence message by the police as untrue and hilarious.

Mshelgaru stated that the Islamic group neither planned to attack any security officer nor individual to avenge the killings of its members by officers of the law enforcement agency.

He clarified that the group has no armed wing contrary to the report being circulated.

“Our attention has been drawn to a ‘Police wireless message’ emanating from the Borno State Police Command indicating that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has vowed to avenge the killings of its members by the police force in Kaduna.

“This so-called intelligence message Referenced CB.0900/BRS/VOL.12/60 released at 11:30 am on 9th April, 2024 was circulated to all police formations across the state, with additional instruction to snap and share among operation bases commanders for quick dissemination.

“The source of the message, according to the Command, warned that the armed wing of the movement is planning to attack police operatives at vulnerable locations, especially; hotels, beer parlours, black spots, residences and check-points, among others.

“The Islamic Movement led by Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky (H) expressed deep concern on coming across this devious claim and therefore wishes to refute this message as false.

“We want to categorically inform the general public that there is no any plan to avenge the killings of the seven of our innocent brothers killed in Kaduna and Zaria eight days ago, be it on the police or any other organisation or individual,” he said.

According to Mshelgaru, this shameful ‘intelligence’ surprisingly, came from the police headquarters in Maiduguri, almost 800 kilometers away from Kaduna where the last killings occurred.

His words: “History has recorded that for the more than 40 years of its existence, the Islamic Movement has never embarked on any vengeance or reprisal mission on either security forces or their sponsored hoodlums, despite the intense prolonged persecutions and heightened provocations.

“It is not willing to avenge, but even if it were to do so, it is illogic, unreasonable and incompatible to avenge a crime committed in Kaduna by people very well known to the movement on innocent police operatives in corners of Borno State.

“It is equally ridiculous for the Nigeria police to claim that the movement has an armed wing, when the whole world had witnessed the killing of thousands of brothers and sisters including the Zaria 2014 and 2015 massacres by the security without incurring even a single injury or casualty.

“We, here again, want the public note that this malicious claim is false, even the public fully knows that the movement does not have an armed wing and it is not armed.

“We call on the Nigeria police to withdraw this disgraceful message it called intelligence and advise it to further desist from all these forms of viciousness and instead concentrate its efforts on the true agents of insecurity in Borno State to flex its weaponry muscles on, so as to give Borno State residents respite and leave the Islamic Movement, as we are vowed to continue with our known struggle for social justice for all.

“By circulating this false and unintelligent intelligence at this time, the Nigeria police in its usual hypocrisy may be planning to commit crimes on the specified locations and blame it on the Islamic Movement as it did severally in the past.

“As such, the general public is further cautioned to this possible evil police intention and should note that in case of any security breach in these named places the police should be held responsible.

“Meanwhile, we still hold the Federal and State Governments responsible for the killing of our brothers on the streets of Kaduna and Zaria peacefully protesting for Palestine and we will continue to seek justice for those killed or injured by the police until we get it, no matter how long.

“The police should also note that the restraints of the Islamic Movement over the years should not be taken for granted; for even conscience tells that there is limit to irresponsibility and oppression.

“Sheikh Zakzaky has said it, time without number, that the day of retribution will come, and will certainly come and justice shall be served accordingly.

“All these your atrocities have not been, and will never be forgotten or forgiven.

“Your false alarms and provocations cannot force the movement to act unduly, or distract the conduct of its peaceful activities anywhere in the country.
A stitch in time saves nine!”

 

By Flowerbudnews
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Enugu Custodial Study Centre has convoked 23 graduates that completed various courses within four or five years duration.

The graduates included: five Masters, one Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) and 17 first degree graduates.

Presenting the convoking graduates in the virtual convocation ceremony held at the Enugu Custodial Centre on Saturday, Mrs Jennifer Nwonyi, State Coordinator of NOUN Nigerian Correctional Service, noted that the graduates had defiled all odds to attain the great height.

Nwonyi applauded the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof Femi Peters and entire management of NOUN for inestimable support to the Enugu Custodial Study Centre in giving sound education coupled with outstanding reformation that comes with it to inmates.

“I am overwhelmed with joy that God granted these students grace to successfully complete their studies and today are being convoked as bona fide graduates of NOUN.

“Thank God that these graduates overcame the psychological challenge of attending to rigours of years study while being held at the custodial centre.

“I say a big congratulations to our graduates and wish them all great advancement even as we have prepared them through academy to face and overcome future challenges when they leave the custodial centre,” she said.

Speaking, Mr Sunday Oyakhire, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) in-charge of Enugu Maximum Custodial Centre, appreciated the Controller-General (C-G) of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, for his personal interest and commitment to the educational reformation of inmates.

“We thank God Almighty for making today possible and the C-G of Corrections for providing all necessary support and a conducive environment for educational reforms of inmates.

“We also thank NOUN for providing facilitators and organisation for programmes in the centre as well as our staff attached to the centre for putting in high-level of diligence and hard work,” Oyakhire said.

In a remark, ASC Arinzechukwu Onovo, Desk Officer, NOUN Nigerian Correctional Service Enugu Centre, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue to search for knowledge as “it is the key to unlock many potentials”.

Onovo lauded the Service, NOUN and the officer-in-chief of the custodial centre for all the support, encouragement and direction in making the study centre a huge success.

“The number of graduates convoking today is greater in number to what we had last year and we are grateful to God, the C-G of Corrections, Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, the officer-in-charge of the custodial centre and the staff of the centre for their immense contribution towards success of this centre.

“We will continue to push and encourage more inmates to key into the free educational reformation and free-of-charge education for inmates provided by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Correctional Service in partnership with NOUN,” he said.

THE Naira on Friday experienced huge appreciation at the official market, trading at N1,142.38 to the dollar.

 

Data from the official trading platform of the FMDQ Exchange, a platform that oversees the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), revealed that the Naira gained N88.23.

 

This represents a 7.16 per cent gain when compared to the previous trading date on Monday, April 8, exchanging at N1,230.61 to a dollar before the Sallah holiday.

 

The total daily turnover increased to $281.34 million on Friday up from $125.55 million recorded on Monday.

 

Meanwhile, at the Investor’s and Exporter’s (I&E) window, the Naira traded between N1,265 and N1,100 against the dollar.

 

Economic experts have continued to praise both fiscal and monetary policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration responsible for the steady Naira appreciation.

 

The CBN, during its policy meetings held in February and March, implemented a total of 600 basis points in interest rate increases.

 

This helped tackle dollar scarcity, reduced volatility, and decreased reliance on parallel markets. (NAN)