Flowerbud News

Month: April 2024

  • FG Moves to Kick-Start Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (DICE)

    FG Moves to Kick-Start Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (DICE)

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Federal Government has commissioned a technical Committee to Kick-Start Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (DICE) Programme to further boost the nation’s economy.

    The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima hailed the development , describing it as ”the dawn of a new era in Nigeria”.

    The iDICE Programme is a collaboratively effort between the government and international partners, including the Bank of Industry (@bankofindustry), African Development Bank (@AfDB_Group), French Development Agency (@AFD_France) and Islamic Development Bank (@isdb_group).

    It is aimed at nurturing and empowering enterprises in the digital and creative sectors. (Flowerbudnews)

  • SAfER: Oyo Government begins third phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to Farmers.

    SAfER: Oyo Government begins third phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to Farmers.

    SAfER: Oyo Government begins third phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to Farmers.

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    The Oyo State Government has begun the third phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers in the state.

    The event which took place in Ajaawa, Ogo Oluwa Local Government of the state, on Wednesday, started with the distribution of two bags of 50kg feeds and two bottles of disinfectant to 1,000 pig farmers.

    Speaking while flagging off the event, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the phase will also witness the free vaccination of at least 120,000 cattle with anthrax vaccine and CBPP vaccine, while another 250,000 cattle, goat and sheep will also be vaccinated by the state government.

    Olaleye, who also doubles as the chairman, SAfER Food Security Sub-Committee, added that 1,000 sheep and goat farmers across the state will equally receive two bags of 50kg wheat offal each.

    The effort, he noted, is in continuation of measures introduced by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative to cushion the effect of economic hardship on residents of the state.

    He also recalled that thousands of poultry and fishery farmers in the state had benefited in the first and second phases of the inputs distribution exercise.

    He lauded the state governor for sustaining agricultural activities in the state through the SAfER initiative, adding that the initiative, which targets crop, poultry, fishery and livestock farmers, is aimed at supporting small and medium scale so as to relieve them of the current economic hardship.

    “We are flagging off the third phase of SAfER interventions for the food security sub-sector with the distribution of feeds and disinfectants to pig farmers across Oyo State.

    “Here, 1,000 pig farmers will benefit from the distribution we are doing at the moment. They will get two bags of 50kg of PKC each with two bottles of disinfectant.

    “120,000 cattle will also be vaccinated with anthrax vaccine and CBPP Vaccine, 250,000 cattle across the state will also benefit from free vaccination of anthrax vaccine. We are going to give out two bags of 50kg wheat offal feeds each to 1,000 sheep and goat farmers as well.

    “This is just the beginning of the exercise and it will go across all the local government areas we have in the state.

    “It is part of the SAfER initiative introduced by Governor Makinde. In the next few days, we will proceed to the stage of giving seed, cassava cottons, herbicides and knapsack sprayers to crop farmers across the state.

    “The programme is aimed at reducing the cost of food in Oyo State and I want to assure you that by the next harvest season, you will see that prices of goods and food would have gone down,” Olaleye said

    The commissioner added that the initiative, apart from relieving farmers of the present economic hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal, will also improve feed quality and quantity for livestock production so as to grow the economy.

    The commissioner added that as part of efforts to support farmers in the state, the governor recently pronounced a N600 million subsidy on land clearing, which will see farmers pay only N15,000 per hectare instead of N30,000 being charged earlier.

    He noted that the governor had equally waived tax payment on farm produce transport within the state, urging farmers to show fidelity to the government by reflecting the support they received from the government in the pricing of food stuff in the coming months.

    “I would like to urge the farmers to be faithful with the government and to also support our people. If they are getting free things from the government, they should also ensure they reduce the prices of goods in a corresponding manner as well.

    “Don’t forget that the government has given out 400kg of maize to 2,600 poultry farmers and we have given out to 1,000 fish farmers as well.

    “The governor has said that for the next six months, no farmer should pay tax on farm produce in the state. And he has promised to support farmers with 50 per cent payment on the tractor used on their farmlands.

    “We have also given out a N1bn loan to farmers and the government is ready to do more for the farmers in the state,,” he stated

    In their separate goodwill messages, the Member representing Ogo Oluwa State Constituency, Honourable Abideen Adeoye and the chairman, Ogo Oluwa Local Government, Mr. Oluwaseun Ojo, expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for taking the SAfER initiative to the grassroots.

    Earlier in her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs Christianah Abioye, commended the state government for the continuous exercise and support to the farmers to improve their businesses.

    She urged the beneficiaries to complement the effort of the state government by making good use of the interventions.

     

    Also in his remarks, the chairman, Piggery Farmers Association, Mr Tope Oye-Alamu, expressed gratitude to the state government for the inclusion of pig farmers as beneficiaries of the state government initiative, noting that his sector had never benefited from such effort before.

    Also speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Mary Adebayo, a pig farmer in Ogo Oluwa Local Government, appreciated the gesture of the state government.

  • Ilesa varsity staff dead after truck falls over her car

    Ilesa varsity staff dead after truck falls over her car

    A female staff of Ilesa University in Osun State, Ogunmokun Fanimo was on Wednesday killed after a truck fell over her while driving home.

     

    The incident which occurred in Ilesa town along Osu road left many shop owners enveloped in sympathy as efforts by passers-by to rescue the woman proved abortive.

    A source in the University confided in Vanguard that the woman left school around 4pm and drove out of the school in her wine-coloured Toyota Camry registered with Lagos LSD 584GD.

    was gathered that truck loaded with cashew was heading towards Osu lost control and fell over the car which was heading towards Ilesa metropolis from the school area.

     

    As at the time of filing this report around 8pm, the truck was lifted off the car and the woman was found dead inside her vehicle after being trapped beneath for almost four hours.

     

    Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Osun command, Kehinde Adeleke confirmed that the woman, a staff of library unit of Ilesa University was found dead after the truck was lifted off the car

  • Tariff increase will affect only customers on 20 hour power supply – NERC

    Tariff increase will affect only customers on 20 hour power supply – NERC

    Flowerbudnews

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said the increase in tariff will only affect customers enjoying 20 hour power supply across the country, NAN reports.

    The commission said that other customers in Bands B, C and D are not affected by the increase

    Mr Musliu Oseni, Vice Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said this at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to him, the commission has approved the increase in electricity tariff paid by Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225KWh adding that the increase will not affect customers on bands B and C.

    Oseni said that the increase only affects about 15 per cent electricity consumers that have been proven to enjoy 20 hours power supply daily.

    He said that other electricity customers not affected by the rate review would not be neglected as they would still continue to get service.

    The vice chairman said that the commission had also downgraded some customers on the Band A to Band B due to the non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity provided by the electricity distribution company.

    “We currently have over 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17 per cent of the feeder now qualifies as Band A.

    Reported by News Agency of Nigeria

  • Revenue leakage: CISLAC seeks urgent action to address tax expenditure, debt management challenges

    Revenue leakage: CISLAC seeks urgent action to address tax expenditure, debt management challenges

    Flowerbudnews

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called for urgent action to address the challenges of tax expenditure and debt management in order to checkmate revenue leakages in Nigeria.

    The Executive Director of CISLAC, Mr Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, made the call on Wednesday at a media presentation titled: “”Addressing Nigeria’s Fiscal Challenges: A Comprehensive Approach,” in Lagos.

    The statement was made available in Abuja by Abdallah Sambo, an official of the CSO.

    Rafsanjani said that Nigeria is currently confronting a severe fiscal crisis marked by a consistent decline in Federal Government’s revenue over the past half-decade.

    “Central to this concern is the government’s overreliance on unsustainable debts which is perpetuated by unrealistic/over bloated budgets, weak revenue mobilization efforts, misplaced spending priorities and a lack of transparency and accountability in public finance management.

    “This alarming trend is evidenced by substantial shortfalls in revenue, with deficits ranging from 31% to as high as 50% in the years spanning 2018 to 2023.

    “Concurrently, Nigeria’s overall debt burden has skyrocketed, reaching a staggering N97.34 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2023 from N87.9 trillion ($114.3 billion) as of June 2023,” he said.

    He said while Nigeria’s debt profile continues to grow, and it allocates most of its budget revenue to debt servicing at the expense of investing in more critical social sectors and infrastructural development, there has been a wide consensus around the reasonability/sincerity of purpose behind external borrowings.

    He recalled that in November 2023, the government signed a $2.8 billion supplementary budget that included funding for new bulletproof cars for the President and First Lady, a Presidential Yacht, and renovations of the President’s residential quarters amid a nation-wide cost-of-living crisis.

    According to him, this coincided with a presidential request to the Senate for the approval of an external loan facility of $7.86 billion and 100 million euros, among others.
    .
    CISLAC boss lamented over the lack of accountability mechanism in utilisation of loans for the purpose for which they were granted/taken.

    “The 2020 annual audit report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation revealed there was no document to show the movement and spending of the $3.4 billion COVID-19 emergency financing package loaned to Nigeria in April 2020 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

    “Compounding Nigeria’s fiscal woes are significant revenue losses attributed to tax expenditures, encompassing incentives, exemptions, credits, and waivers.

    “According to the 2021 Tax Expenditure Statement (TES), revenue foregone due to tax expenditures accounted for approximately 4% of GDP, equating to N6.8 trillion.

    “This substantial leakage of revenue underscores the urgency of addressing tax expenditure and debt management issues with utmost priority,” he said.

    Rafsanjani said that there must be sincere demonstrations in the government’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing fiscal challenges, encompassing tax expenditure, debt management, revenue mobilisation, and the prioritisation of spending.

    “By harnessing the collective expertise and insights of all relevant stakeholders, we are confident that we will navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s fiscal landscape and chart a course towards sustainable economic growth and development with transparency, accountability, and fiscal prudence as guiding principles,” he concluded

  • Rivers State Govt. inaugurates Task Force on Food Safety 

    Rivers State Govt. inaugurates Task Force on Food Safety 

    By Flowerbudnews

    Port Harcourt (Flowerbudnews): The Rivers State Government has inaugurated Task Force on Food Safety to protect the public against potential health risks associated with food consumption.

    Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, which took place at the Ministry of Agriculture, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr. Victor Kii, said the essence of the task force was to develop and implement strategies that would ensure the highest standards of food safety across the State through collaboration with stakeholders, farmers, producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers.

    The Commissioner for Agriculture inaugurated the task force on behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, at the ceremony in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Engr. Kii said the Ministry of Agriculture, working together with committee members of the task force, can identify potential risks, address any existing gaps in the system, and develop effective measures to prevent food borne illnesses.

    He outlined the terms of reference for the task force, which includes but not limited to enhancing public awareness and education on food safety best practices, collecting all relevant data on livestock trade, animal health, slaughtering conditions, storage and transport in order to develop a database of all practitioners in the sector.

    It is mandated to assign veterinarians to all abattoirs/slaughter houses who shall conduct ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections.

    In addition, the task force will ensure that processed meat (hides and skin, offal’s, bones, etc), do not enter the sales-chain from any extraneous source while also monitoring the markets and frozen food companies of all livestocks and all agro-produce.

    Engr. Kii also said the ministry would strengthen its inspection and regulatory mechanisms to ensure compliance with food safety standards at every stage of the food supply chain.

    He said that membership of the task force was drawn from the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Environment and Justice as well as security agencies for the success of the task force.

    He thanked the Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his visionary leadership and for being proactive in establishing the Rivers State Task Force on Food Safety.

    Engr. Kii also said, the fact that there was food shortage in the country was not the reason for unwholesome practices in ignoring food safety measures.

    “There is no better time to have inaugurated this task force than now,” Engr Kii said.

    Those inaugurated include the Hon Commissioner for Agriculture as chairman; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture as Secretary; while Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, are to serve as members.

    Other members are: Head, Livestock/Veterinary Services Department, Ministry of Agriculture; Head, Forestry Department, Ministry of Agriculture; Head, Department, Ministry of Agriculture; Head, Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture; Representative of The Nigeria Police Force; Representative of Department of State Security Service (DSS); Representative of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice or Representative.

    The rest are: Representatives of National Butchers Association; Poultry Association of Nigeria; Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association; Fish Farmers Association; Cattle Breeders Association; and Chairman or Representative of Markets Association in the State. (Flowerbudnews)

  • I’ve no criminal record, detained Miyetti Allah president tells court

    I’ve no criminal record, detained Miyetti Allah president tells court

     

    Flowerbudnews
    The detained President, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Bello Bodejo, has told a Federal High Court, Abuja that he had no criminal record.

    Bodejo, who was arrested on the alleged raising up an armed militia in detriment of the nation’s unity, told Justice Inyang Ekwo in a motion for bail filed by his lawyer, Ahmed Raji, SAN.

    In the motion with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/141/2024 date and filed March 28, he sought an order admitting him to bail on liberal terms pending the hearing and determination of the case against him.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bodejo, who was arrested on Jan. 23 in Malia, Nasarawa State and kept in the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), was arraigned before Justice Ekwo on March 22.

    He was arraigned on three-count charge bordering on terrorism.

    Giving nine grounds why he should be granted bail, the detained Miyetti Allah president said the offences with which he was charged were bailable ones.

    “The defendant/applicant has no criminal record whatsoever,” he said.

    According to him, his reputation attest not only to his reliability and credibility and also to the fact that he will not jump bail if this application Is granted.

    He said he had “suffered from grave ill-health; an exceptional circumstance for the grant of bail.”

    Bodejo argued that by Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

    Besides, he said the charge preferred against him did not disclose a prima facie case against him.

    He told the court that he would not interfere with the investigation or further investigation of the allegation(s) against him.

    The defendant, who pledged to always be punctual in attending his trial, said he was ready to provide responsible sureties as may be required by the court.

    But in a counter affidavit deposed to by Noma Wando, a litigation clerk in the Department of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, he urged the court to dismiss Bodejo’s bail plea.

    He said Bodejo was standing trial for terrorism-related offences bothering on establishment of an ethnic militia in Nasarawa State, management and participation in activities connected with acts prejudicial to national security and public safety.

    The official alleged that Bodejo also provided material support, assistance and transportation for activities connected with such acts contrary to Sections 29, 2(3)(g}(xii) and 12(a) and Section 2(3)(g)(xii), and 13 (2)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

    He said after his arraignment, the court ordered that he should be remanded in DIA, ordered an accelerated hearing and fixed trial for May 27 to May 30.

    Wando disagreed that Bodejo was suffering from any life-threatening health condition that cannot be managed at the DIA Medical Centre, Abuja.

    He said that as a matter of fact the DIA is a next door neighbour to State House Medical Centre, Abuja “which boasts of the best of doctors and specialists and consultants.”

    He said it can also cater for Bodejo’s medical need if need be, “despite the fact that he is not suffering from any life-threatening health condition that cannot be managed” at the DIA Medical Centre.

    He said contrary to Bodejo’s averments, he was diagnosed with only high blood pressure which had since been managed effectively and efficiently by the centre.

    Abubakar averred that the detained Miyetti Allah president would not suffer any injustice if the bail was not granted.

    He said this was so because “the Federal Government’s holding centres and custodial centres have always ensured that the medical needs of persons in custody are met and they have always undertaken to ensure that whenever the occasion arises special medical treatment is available to their inmates.”

    Upon resumed hearing on Wednesday, counsel, who appeared for Bodejo, Dr Sulaiman Usman, SAN, told the court that they had a bail application which was slated for hearing.

    Usman, however, said that they were not ready to proceed with the motion due to the fact that the prosecution had just served on them their counter affidavit the previous day.

    The senior lawyer said they would need more time to respond to the new issues raised in the counter affidavit.

    The prosecution lawyer, Y. A Imana, did not opposed Usman’s plea for an adjournment.

    Usman equally made an oral application seeking an order for Bodejo to be granted access to his lawyers, which he said was required by law.

    He said the defendant ought to be afforded adequate time and facility to defend himself.

    But Imana disagreed with Usman’s submission that Bodejo was not given access to his lawyers.

    She said she was unaware of the allegation.

    The lawyer said besides that the prosecution had ensured that the last order of the court directing that Bodejo should be given access to his doctor was complied with, the defendant’s lawyer confirmed to her that he visited him (defendant) in custody.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

  • Enugu CP decorates 8 newly-promoted officers, urges high sense of responsibility

    Enugu CP decorates 8 newly-promoted officers, urges high sense of responsibility

     

    Flowerbudnews
    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, has decorated eight newly-promoted police officers to their new ranks of Superintendents of Police (SP) from the ranks of Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP).

    Addressing the officers during the decoration on Wednesday in Enugu, Uzuegbu noted that promotion engenders the motivation to work harder.


    The commissioner charged them to see their promotion as an opportunity to take higher responsibility and exhibit higher levels of wisdom in the discharge of their duties.

    He said: “I congratulate you on your promotion. But you must know that the higher the rank, the greater the responsibilities and wisdom required to function at that rank.

    “Therefore, you must be more careful, show higher levels of wisdom, and always act in line with the existing laws and ethical codes of the Nigeria Police Force.”


    The Deputy Commissioners of Police in-charge of the Department of Operations and the State CID, DCP Olasoji Akinbayo and DCP Adebowale Lawal respectively, took turns to congratulate the newly-decorated.

    They charged the newly-decorated officers to be more responsible and live up to the responsibilities of their new ranks.

    “You have to be alive to your duties and live up to desired expectations,” they said.


    Responding on behalf of the newly-decorated officers, SP Patrick Anike, thanked the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police for finding them worthy of the promotion.

    Anike, who is a Divisional Crime Officer in 9th Mile Police Division,
    appreciated the commissioner for his support and words of encouragement.

    “I will assure you that we will redouble our efforts and be responsible and responsive to the demands of our new ranks,” he said.


    Those newly-decorated to the new rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) included: Rita Iroegbu, Officer-in Charge of the Command’s Communications Unit; and Bethel Chinyere, Administrative Officer in Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD)/Bomb Squad Base 3 Enugu.

    Others are: Alele Ann, Divisional Traffic Officer in Awkunanaw Police Division; Ohakwe Ikechukwu, second-in-command in SWAT Tactical Squad of the Command; and Julius Musa, Administrative Officer Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 21 Enugu.

    The rest are: Hanis Micah, Divisional Crime Officer in Amechi-Idodo Division; and Ojo Odion serving in the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Base 10 Enugu.


    The event was witnessed by the spouses, friends, and close associates of the newly-promoted officers.

  • Kidnapped UNICAL Students Still Languishing in Captivity

     

    By Danladi Ahmed

    Calabar (Flowerbudnews): The three students of the University of Calabar  (UNICAL), abducted by kidnappers since last Saturday are still Languishing in Captivity.

    Flowerbudnews reports that the students were kidnapped Saturday at about 7PM At the University of Calabar hostel close to water ways.

    Flowerbudnews learnt that the kidnapped students included, Damilola Dickson, a final year student of the department of Genetics and Biotechnology.

    Reliable sources told Flowerbudnews that Damilola is an only child and had just five months to graduate.

    Other students kidnapped along with Damilola were, Ugwu Chukwuemeka: A 300 level student of genetics and biotechnology and Ojang precious Ebejin : 200of the Department medicine and surgery

    ‘The University security are working hard With other sisters security in the state to ensure the safe return of the students,” another informed Flowerbudnews.

    Grieving  students pleaded for the release of their abducted colleagues in a message made available to Flowerbudnews.

    The students wrote:

    ”We plead with tears in our eyes to the University Of Calabar security team, the commissioner of police and the state government of Cross river state to bring them back to safety.”

    #freedami #freestar #freeprecious
    #nomorekidnapping #freeanonlychild #freenigerianstudents #unical (Flowerbudnews)