Flowerbud News

Month: April 2024

  • Onu lived an immaculate life – ex-DG VON Okechukwu

    Onu lived an immaculate life – ex-DG VON Okechukwu

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    The former Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, says His Excellency, Dr Ogbonaya Onu, former governor of old Abia State, was an immaculate person; both in body, soul and his white apparels.

     

    It would be recalled that the late Onu served as the first civilian governor of old Abia state, before the creation of Ebonyi.

     

    Onu, who is a former minister in immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, passed away on Thursday morning after battling an undisclosed illness.

     

    Okechukwu, who is a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said this in a condolence message made available to newsmen on Thursday evening.

     

    According to him, Onu lived a successful and eventful life.

     

    He said: “His humility and diligence is uncommon.

     

    “He was a brilliant scholar with distinctions at primary, secondary and tertiary education.

     

    “He once told a story of how his Headmaster procured Mary Knoll Secondary School, Ogoja form for him due to his exceptional brilliance.”

     

    Okechukwu prayed that the Almighty God grant the fortitude to his lovely wife, immediate family and Uburu community to bear the irreparable lost.

     

    “They should take solace on the truism that God gives and takes.

     

    “For Dr Onu going by the lyrics of American composer, Irvin Berlin the Song ends and the melody lingers,” he added.

  • ANAMMCO urges govts to prioritise patronage of locally-made vehicles

    ANAMMCO urges govts to prioritise patronage of locally-made vehicles

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    ANAMMCO, a Nigerian Commercial Vehicle Company, has urged governments at all levels and corporate organisations to prioritise patronage of locally vehicles to create employment and boost nation’s economy.

    The General Manager of ANAMMCO, Ms Chinelo Igwe, made the call on Thursday during a press conference at the ongoing 35th Enugu International Trade Fair.

    The fair, which began on Friday, April 5, is themed: “Promoting made in Nigeria products for global competitiveness.”

    Igwe noted that patronage of locally made vehicles would boost production and massive employment that would further reduce crime especially for youths.

    She noted that ANAMMCO is partner with Dongfeng to produce light duty, medium duty and heavy duty trucks built ragged to withstand Nigerian roads and convey tonnes of goods within the length and breath of the country.

    The general manager said that ANAMMCO gives three years service warranty to its trucks, adding that through a synerge with GUO Motors the company had opened service workshops in the 36 states of the country and had readily available parts of all the trucks.

    “Our trucks are made with Nigerian roads, fuel supply and economy in mind as our trucks are highly durable and rugged; with simple engines for lower fuel consumption as well as highly affordable by all.

    “The trucks are 100 per cent manufactured in the country with locally sourced materials and seasoned professional plant workers and time tasted technicians give sound after sales servicing and repairs.

    “These trucks are our own. We want massive patronage for all our trucks that would make our plant facility perform optimally and employ additional thousands of youths,” she said.

    Speaking, the Director General of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Mr Uche Uba, said that ANAMMCO had been known for producing vehicles that are durable and outstanding quality for ages.

    Mbah also said that ANAMMCO vehicles remained a clear testament of a Nigeria vehicle company that offers high international standard at home.

    “These trucks displayed are the best both in terms management, pocket price and serviceability,” he said.

  • Eid-el Fitr: Makinde urges Nigerians to prioritise harmony over discord.

    Eid-el Fitr: Makinde urges Nigerians to prioritise harmony over discord.

    Eid-el Fitr:  Makinde urges Nigerians to prioritise harmony over discord.

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has urged all Nigerians to focus on things that unite the nation, rather than those that cause discords in the country.

     

    Makinde stated this while addressing journalists at his Ikolaba private residence, shortly after Muslim faithful led by the Deputy Governor of the State, Barrister Bayo Lawal visited on his way from Eid prayer.

     

    He gave one of the lessons of Ramadan as discipline, saying Muslims for 30 days disciplined their bodies.

     

    Makinde emphasised further the importance of unity during the Ramadan festive season, adding that it should reflect in the day-to-day activities of Nigerians.

     

    “It is a new Oyo state that is evolving and everybody is coming onboard, so those whose stock in trade is to look at things that divide us, should look for something else to do.

     

    “I use this opportunity to say please, focus on thing that would unite us.

     

    “And for the upcoming local government election, our people should come out, is less than three weeks away,” Makinde said.

     

    Earlier in his remarks, the deputy governor gave kudos to Gov Makinde for his leadership style which he said was uncommon.

     

    “Whoever that is granted the opportunity to pass through the rite of fasting for 30 days, must be happy and give glory to almighty Allah.

    “At the end of Ramadan, we must go to yidi, to give thanks to Almighty Allah, and we have done that, but we have to also to give honour to whom honour is due.

    “You deserve our appreciation.

    “I make bold to say that since you came onboard as the executive governor of the state, you have started a course of leadership that is uncommon in the history of Oyo state.

    “In terms of religious harmony which your leadership has engendered in the state, in a way that the Muslims, Christians and even the traditional worshippers, cannot point a finger of bias at your excellence,” Lawal stated.

     

    Prayers were held for the governor, Oyo state and the nation in general.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that both State and Federal lawmakers, political leaders as well as state executive council members were part of the team that visited the governor. (NAN)

  • Sallah: Group urges Muslims not to loss hope in the face of rising inflation, other challenges

    Sallah: Group urges Muslims not to loss hope in the face of rising inflation, other challenges

     

    Flowerbudnews

    The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, has urged Muslims not to loss hope in the face of the economic challenges, among others being experienced by the teeming masses.

    The National Amir of the Muslim group, Mr Kamil Olalekan, gave the advice in a congratulatory message on the occasion of EId-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan fast.

    He stressed that all hands must be on deck to fast-track the restoration of sanity in critical sectors of national life.

    He charged adherents of Islam on steadfastness in devotion in the face of challenges and adversities.

    Describing Ramadan as a month-long spiritual regeneration, he called for reflection on the significance of the season regarded as the month of mercy and blessings, by upholding its kernel at the personal and corporate levels at all times.

    He observed the high level of piety exhibited by Muslims during the holy month, stressing that “Nigeria will be a better place if the leaders and the led could replicate such piety in their public and private lives at all the times.”

    He charged Muslims, in particular, to always follow the injunctions of Allah and the approval of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in all situations to enable them provide the requisite illumination for the society to thrive.

    While lauding the upscale in spiritual activities and virtues that characterised the Ramadan season, Olalekan contended that “activities such as regular recitation of the Holy Qur’an, supererogatory prayers, renewed brotherhood, and care for the less privileged in the society remain vital components of Islamic practice during the remaining eleven months of the Muslim calendar.”

    He recalled the recent passage of one of the stakeholders of the association, Prof. Muhammad Yaqub, on completion of Umrah in Makkah and commiserated with the family, friends and colleagues on the irreparable loss.

    “We must admit that the death of one of us, Professor Muhammad Yaqub was painful, yet, we have to take solace in the fact that he died as a Muslim at a privileged location(Makkah),” he said.

    Olalekan prayed Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the don, accept his return and gift him with jannatul firdaus and grant the family left behind the fortitude to bear the great loss.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • Eld-el-Fitr: GOC urges Nigerians to live peaceful lives, devoid of trouble-making, terrorism

    Eld-el-Fitr: GOC urges Nigerians to live peaceful lives, devoid of trouble-making, terrorism

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, has urged Nigerians to live peaceful lives, which is devoid of trouble-making, terrorism and insurgency.

     

    Dada made the call in his Eid-el-Fitr message to Nigerians shortly after observing the sallah prayers with thousands of Muslim faithful in the Eid Prayer Ground at Abakpa Military Cantonment, Enugu, on Wednesday.

    He noted that a peaceful and accommodating life was a divine induction by Almighty Allah as exemplified by the teachings of the Holy month of Ramadan.

     

    The GOC said that peace, accommodation and inclusion were necessary for a progressive and success-focused nation, adding that Nigerians should strive to make the nation the best in the world.

     

    “I want every Nigerian to use the teachings of the Holy month of Ramadan to turn a new leaf and refrain from all manners of evil, trouble-making, terrorism and insurgency; so that we see ourselves as one under Almighty Allah (God).

    “I want to facilitate with Nigerians in this season of love, peace, blessings and forgiveness of Almighty Allah.

     

    “As the Almighty Allah has forgiven us our shortcomings this season; we should extend such forgiveness to others that may have hurt us and build a peaceful and prosperous nation devoid of bitterness,” he said.

     

    The GOC also appreciated the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for their support to the Division.

    Dada commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices to protect the countries territory boundaries and their internal security duties that had kept the country as one.

     

    “I want to use this avenue to thank the hard working officers and men of the Division for their sacrifice and commitment to rid the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) of renegade and terrorist groups as well as armed criminals.

     

    “I believe with the hit turn on them, soon peace, which is known in Igbo language as “Udo”, will return permanent in our AOR,” he said.

     

    Earlier, the Chief Imam of 82 Division, Lt.-Col. Husein Eleje, urged Muslim faithful to put to practice all they had learnt through teachings and holy observance during the month of Ramadan.

    Eleje said that the lessons learnt in Ramadan should guide one to maintain a good relationship with Almighty Allah and his fellow men within his neighbourhood or community.

     

    He said: “We should learn to forgive, accommodate others and show love to those who can never pay us back and this is what the Almighty Allah demands from us.

     

    “For the celebration, no one around us should be left out; there is need to spread the love of this great seasoning of blessing and forgiveness to everyone around us especially to the needy and less privileged.”

  • Eid-il-fitri: Peller congratulates Muslims, says good deeds must continue after Ramadan

    Eid-il-fitri: Peller congratulates Muslims, says good deeds must continue after Ramadan

    Eid-il-fitri: Peller congratulates Muslims, says good deeds must continue after Ramadan

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    A former member of the House of Representatives, Honourable Shina Peller, has congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan fast and Eid-el-fitri celebration.

    Hon. Peller stated this in a congratulatory message made available to the Journalists through a press statement, on Wednesday.

    Peller,vWhile describing the last one month as a soul/purifying one, the Ayedero of Yorubaland urged all to keep standing for uprightness and goodness, showing love to fellow beings, particularly the needy, and helping them in any possible way.

    The Oke Ogun-born businessman cum politician, who has been in Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj since the beginning of the last 10 days of Ramadan, also urged all to desist from wrongdoing, selfishness, wickedness, backbiting and all acts of evil.

    The statement read:

    “I congratulate fellow Muslim brothers and sisters on the successful completion of Ramadan fast and on the occasion of the 2024 Eid-ul-Fitri being celebrated globally at the moment.

    “As Muslims, the last one month has been soul-purifying for most of us, as we devoted most of our time to praying, seeking God’s forgiveness, helping the needy, embracing and upholding good deeds at every slight opportunity.

    “However, every good deed of us during the holy month of Ramadan should be further strengthened even now that Ramadan is over. You must continue to stand for uprightness and goodness against wrongdoing and any act of selfishness, callousness, wickedness, backbiting, evil and others.

    “Importantly, the show of love and act of generosity exhibited to fellow beings, particularly the less privileged and the needy, during the month of Ramadan should be sustained. Continue to be helpful to whom it may concern in whatever way you can, and you shall continue to soar higher inexplicably in whatever you do.

    “Once again, I extend my best wishes and greetings to you all on this occasion of Eid-up-Fitri and pray that we witness many more on earth. Amen! Barika De Salah.”

     

  • JUST IN: Ex-Kogi Rep’s member dies in Abuja after Eid prayer

    JUST IN: Ex-Kogi Rep’s member dies in Abuja after Eid prayer

    The Honourable Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former House of Representatives member and the son of Ibrahim Idris, the former governor of Kogi State, died today, Wednesday, in Abuja.

     

    He represented Ankpa, Olamaboro, and Omala federal constituencies in the National Assembly’s lower chamber.

     

    He reportedly slumped following Eid prayer at his Abuja home.

    He will be buried according to Islamic law at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja today.

     

    More details to follow

  • Umahi  Cautions Atiku Against Misleading Nigerians on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway 

    Umahi  Cautions Atiku Against Misleading Nigerians on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway 

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews)  The Minister of  Works, Dave Umahi has cautioned former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar against misleading Nigerians on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal road project being constructed by the Tinubu administration.

    The Works Minister was reacting to a critical statement credited to the former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on the 700 km coastal road projects.

    Umahi spoke during his visit to the on-going rehabilitation of Enugu – Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 4 (Aba – Port Harcourt) handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC), Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Hon Minister of Works), disclosed in a statement.d

    The Minister described the analysis Atiku made on the coastal road project figures and the economic importance of the all-important coastal highway project as a gross misrepresentation of facts, and figures and a ploy to mislead Nigerians by darkening counsel without knowledge.

    “He doesn’t understand figures.d I am going to run figures for him to understand, and he will understand how prudent the administration of President Tinubu has been.

    ”He will understand how prudency is taking the centre stage in this administration. The President has once queried me on the cost of on-going projects nationwide.

    ”I had to analyse every basic rate of construction materials to arrive at our unit rates. I showed it to Mr. President. He still thinks I should bring down the cost of projects.

    “At the same time, the contractors are crying that I am oppressing them so much by reviewing the costs of their projects downwards. They lamented that what they were getting before, they are no longer getting it now.

    ”They cried out. But when I run the figures, Nigerians will see what this present administration is doing. So, I’m not here to run the figures now. I will do that in a press conference on my visit to Lagos from 10th April 2024 to 12th April 2024.”

    On the economic importance of the coastal highway, he stated, “I will tell you the economic benefits of the project and how the coastal road is tying the entire country together.

    ”It’s not tying just South-South and South- West. It is tying the North and South together. We are starting a project from Badagry to Sokoto, and we have a spur on this coastal route to that route and the African Trans Sahara Road that is passing from Enugu to Abakaliki to Ogoja to Cameroon which has a spur to the North”.

    ”Former Vice President Akitu Abubakar, may not know that the third section of the project is starting in Calabar by July 2024,” the Minister stated.

    Umahi commended the pace and quality of work on the projects he visited but harped on the need for the contractors to heed the project delivery timeline.

    On the progress of work at the East West Road section III, he said, “The reinforcement is very good, the concrete is very good, the speed is not very good, so they have to increase their speed. If RCC doesn’t increase their pace, I will take out a portion of this road and give it to another contractor.

    ”We will not want contractors to stay on a job like this 15 km dualization for two years or more.”

    He said despite the skyrocketed cost of materials in the construction industry caused by the dynamics of commodity price inflation and supply chain disruptions, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has remained unmatched in prudence, cost effectiveness, speedy and quality delivery of road projects.

    The Minister also visited the construction of a 23-span flyover bridge project at Eke-Obinagu Junction (NNPC Depot), along Enugu Abakaliki Road, Enugu State handled by Reinforced Global Resources Ltd, the rehabilitation work at the collapsed bridge site at the New Artisan Bridge near NNPC mega fillings station Enugu Capital City, Enugu State handled by CCECC, the rehabilitation of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway Section 3, Enugu- Lokpanta handled by CGC.

    Other projects visited were the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway section 2 (Umuahia Tower-Aba Township Rail/ Road) in Abia State, handled by the Arab Contractors and the reconstruction of the dualized 15km section of the East-West road section III: (Eleme Junction- Onne Port in Rivers State being executed on reinforced concrete pavement like the coastal road) handled by RCC.

    He said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to a diversified and sustainable economic future of Nigeria, and this he is doing in the works sector through aggressive infrastructure development that would provide access to trade, tourism, industrialization and safety, especially along the local economic corridors. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Presidency Knocks Atiku, Says his Criticism of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is Hollow, Divisive

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Presidency has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubskar against ”false allusions, describing his criticism of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as hollow and divisive.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said in a statement on Tuesday that by his criticism of the project, Atiku ”has allowed himself to be led into a blind alley again by his poorly informed aides”

    Onanuga said further that Atiku’s criticism was a mere ”desperation to always want to hug the headlines as a self-appointed opposition leader”.

    The Special Adviser wrote:

    In his desperation to always want to hug the headlines as a self-appointed opposition leader, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has allowed himself to be led into a blind alley again by his poorly informed aides.

    In a press statement signed on his behalf by media assistant, Paul Ibe, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Candidate in the last election made false allusions, in his futile attempt, to denigrate and find faults in the audacious and transformational Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway project, which was recently inaugurated as one of the signature projects of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

    To Atiku’s chagrin and utter disappointment, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway has been rightly praised for the huge economic impact it will create and how it will be a game-changer in improving the quality of life of Nigerians, especially the economy of the nine coastal states it will pass through. Importantly, the road will boost agricultural and tourism economy on a grand scale.

    Seeking to be a kill-joy, Atiku Abubakar engaged in red-herring by raising ill-thought-out allegations that only exposed his inadequacies and those of his team in getting the basic facts on an issue he badly seeks to nail the government.

    We have decided, however, to respond to Atiku’s misrepresentation of facts in matters of the coastal road if only to set the record straight so that unsuspecting Nigerians are not misled and misinformed

    .lWe owe it a sacred duty to ensure Atiku and his handlers do not continue to spread disinformation as they wallow in their politics of hatred.

    Contrary to the claims in Atiku’s endorsed press statement, at no time did the administrations of former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan award contracts for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway to any company at any varied and revised amount. So the question of costs comparison does not arise.

    The contract that was awarded was that of Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail. The rail was designed as part of the standard guage national rail network.

    The contract was awarded on August 4, 2021 by the Federal Executive Council presided over by former Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN at the cost of $11.17billion. The contract was to be completed in six years. The project didn’t take off.

    The Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail project has always been on the card. It was another testament of the failure of the previous PDP-led government that it could not get it off the ground in 16 years it held sway.

    The Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway and Lagos-Calabar Coastal rail are two distinct projects. It is unfortunate that the former Vice President is confused about the two projects.

    President Tinubu should be praised for having the courage to embark on this transformative project and not vilified as Atiku Abubakar unsuccessfully sought to do.

    We know there is nothing so sacred for Atiku Abubakar in the pursuit of his undying ambition to be President of Nigeria even in his advanced age.

    We, however, don’t expect a former Vice President of Nigeria to continue to fan ill-will and engage in divisive politics in his twilight.

    Atiku queried the decision to start the Coastal road from Lagos and not Calabar, oblivious of the huge impact such will make on export-import flow around the industrial zones.

    We are at a loss as to what the former VP hopes to achieve with his assertion. Is it not a received wisdom that a thousand miles journey begins with a step? Whether the project begins from Lagos or Calabar, Warri or Sapele, what should gladden the heart of any patriotic Nigerian is that this important project that has been in the pipeline for several decades has finally taken off.

    President Tinubu as a leader and nationalist will continue to drive and propel national progress through infrastructural development across the country.

    We enjoin former Vice President Atiku to act his status as a presumed statesman and desist from engaging in fruitless exercise that does not add any value to nation-building.

    As to the other poorly researched issue raised by Atiku and his team on the Lekki Concession Company, we urge them to return to the Library for real facts rather than rushing to cast aspersions on President Tinubu and his government. (Flowerbudnews,)