Flowerbud News

Month: April 2024

  • Breaking: NAFDAC Directs Drug Manufacturers, Importers to Affiliate With Sectoral Association to Promote Transparency 

    Breaking: NAFDAC Directs Drug Manufacturers, Importers to Affiliate With Sectoral Association to Promote Transparency 

     

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has directed all Pharmaceutical manufacturers and Importers in Nigeria to Affiliate with a Sectoral Association to Promote Adherence to Regulations and Transparency.

    NAFDAC gave the directive in a statement to the stakeholders, personally signed by the Director General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye and titled; Declaration of Sectoral Association Membership Among Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Importers in Nigeria.

    ”We kindly request all stakeholders involved in importation and /or local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products in Nigeria to declare their affiliation with any sectoral association they belong to and provide supporting evidence,” Prof Adeyeye said.

    The NAFDAC Boss stated that the instruction became imperative as part of the Agency’s ”endeavour
    to promote adherence to regulations and transparency in the pharmaceutical sector,”

    Prof. Adeyeye clarified that stakeholders already affiliated with any Association in the sector should declare such affiliation with all necessary supporting evidence to NAFDAC’s  pharma.group@nafdac.gov.ng not later than May 31st 2024.

    ”For those that do not belong to any association, they can join any association of their choice or form an association duly registered by Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria and revert with the supporting evidence,” Prof Adeyeye stated.

    While encouraging compliance by the stakeholders, Prof Adeyeye said, ”we would deeply appreciate your cooperation in this matter as we collectively strive to maintain industry norms and regulatory compliance.” (Flowerbudnews)

  • *Russian consortium in talks with minister to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel

    *Russian consortium in talks with minister to resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has engaged a consortium led by the original developers of Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), Tyamzhpromexport (TPE), to revive the steel plant.

    The Minister met with the consortium on Thursday in Abuja. The consortium is made up of teams from Russia’s TPE/Rostec, Novostal, and Nigeria’s Proforce.

    Prince Audu said following the meeting, he intends to visit Moscow on a formal invitation from TPE and other consortium partners to engage in further discussions to secure funding to the tune of at least $2 billion, which is required for the revival of the entire steel plant.

    Mr. Sergei Egorov, General Director of TPE and leader of the Consortium commended the Minister for the steps he has taken so far in putting together the Consortium for the resuscitation of the steel plant, which has been moribund for years.

    Egorov and his team of technical experts, who had earlier gone on a tour of the steel complex a few days earlier, noted that the plant was still in a state of possible resuscitation, indicating their interest in putting together a business case for the government. (Flowerbudnews)

  • EU opens investigations into three American tech giants

    EU opens investigations into three American tech giants

     

    Xinhua

    The probe, conducted under the European Union’s (EU) Digital Markets Act (DMA), focuses on alleged breaches by three American tech giants — Alphabet, Apple and Meta.

    BRUSSELS, March 25 (Xinhua) — The European Commission revealed on Monday the opening of non-compliance investigations targeting three American tech giants – Alphabet, Apple and Meta.

    The probe, conducted under the European Union (EU)’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), focuses on alleged breaches by these companies.

    “Today we open first investigations under the DMA. We are concerned Alphabet, Apple and Meta are not meeting their obligations,” said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice president of the European Commission in charge of competition policy.

    These three tech giants are among the so-called “gatekeepers,” a group of companies providing 22 core platform services. They were designated as such in September 2023 and had six months to comply with the DMA.

    Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is under scrutiny for purported breaches concerning steering practices within its Google Play application store and self-preferencing on Google Search. Likewise, Apple’s policies regarding steering within the App Store and implementing choice screens for the Safari browser are under investigation.

    The design of the web browser choice screen could be preventing users from freely choosing services within the Apple ecosystem, said the European Commission in a statement.

    Meta’s “pay or consent model,” offering a binary choice regarding user consent, is also under examination. The Commission worries that this model lacks a genuine alternative for users who do not consent, potentially enabling the “gatekeepers” to accumulate personal data.

    The EU is also looking into other possible issues but has yet to open further cases. Facts are being gathered about how Amazon may prioritize its brand products, and about how Apple’s new fee structure might be undermining the company’s obligations under the DMA.

    While investigations into Amazon and Apple’s new fee structure are pending, leading experts have been quick to react to these announcements.

    Daniel Friedlander, senior vice president of the Computer and Communications Industry Association Europe, criticized the European Commission’s decision to launch investigations shortly after the DMA came into force on March 7.

    “Launching the first preliminary investigations under the DMA just days after the compliance deadline throws a wrench into the idea of companies and the European Commission working together to implement the DMA successfully,” said Friedlander.

    He stressed that the timing of these announcements “makes it look like the Commission could be jumping the gun,” cautioning the action risks validating industry concerns that the DMA compliance process could become politicized.

    Google announced “significant changes” in early March to its European operations, including alterations to search results, search engine choice screens, and transparency and data sharing practices.

    Rory O’Donoghue, a spokesperson for Google, highlighted in an email to Xinhua that the company would comply with the DMA, and underscored that “there would be impacts for users and businesses in Europe” due to this compliance.

    He added that Google will “defend” its approach in the coming months while engaging with the European Commission.

    “We have been in discussions with gatekeepers for months to help them adapt, and we can already see changes happening on the market. But we are not convinced that the solutions by Alphabet, Apple and Meta respect their obligations for a fairer and more open digital space for European citizens and businesses,” said Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market.

    The commission should conclude its investigation within the next 12 months. If found guilty, the tech giants could face fines of up to 10 percent of global turnover

     

  • China, U.S. reach five-point consensus at Beijing meeting

    China, U.S. reach five-point consensus at Beijing meeting

     

    Xinhua

    BEIJING,  (Xinhua) /Flowerbudnews: — Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday in Beijing, with the two sides reaching a five-point consensus based on a comprehensive exchange of views.

    First, both sides agreed to continue to work hard to stabilize and develop China-U.S. relations in accordance with the guidance of the two heads of state. The two sides affirmed the positive progress made in dialogue and cooperation between China and the United States in various fields since the meeting in San Francisco, and agreed to speed up the implementation of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in San Francisco.

    Second, both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts at all levels. They will continue to allow the restored and newly established consultation mechanisms to play their role in the fields of diplomacy, economy, finance and commerce, continue to carry out exchanges between the two militaries, and further promote China-U.S. cooperation on drug control, climate change and artificial intelligence.

    Third, the two sides announced that they would hold the first meeting of the China-U.S. intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence, continue to advance consultations on the principles guiding China-U.S. relations, hold a new round of China-U.S. consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs and China-U.S. maritime affairs, and continue consular consultations. The anti-drug working group of the two countries will hold a senior officials meeting. The United States welcomes China’s special envoy for climate change Liu Zhenmin to visit the United States.

    Fourth, the two sides will take measures to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, welcome students from each other’s countries and work together for the success of the 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit to be held in Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, in May.

    Fifth, the two sides will maintain consultations on international and regional hotspot issues and strengthen communication between the special envoys of the two sides. Xinhua/ Flowerbudnews)

  • Kogi governorship poll dispute: Tribunal adjourns for adoption of final written addresses

    Kogi governorship poll dispute: Tribunal adjourns for adoption of final written addresses

     

     

    Flowerbudnews

    The Kogi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has adjourned the petition filed by Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its governorship candidate, Murtala Ajaka until May 13 for adoption of final written addresses.

    Ajaka is challenging the election victory of Gov. Usman Ododo of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, fixed the date after the APC, the 3rd respondent, closed its case on Thursday in defence of Gov. Ododo’s victory.

    It would be recalled that the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and Ododo had, earlier, closed their defence in the petition jointly filed by SDP and Ajaka (the petitioners).

    The petitioners are challenging Ododo’s victory in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi.

    In the petition, INEC, Ododo and APC are listed as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

    SDP and Ajaka, through their lawyers led by Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, closed their case on April 5 after calling 25 witnesses against their initial plan of calling 400 witnesses.

    Also, INEC, on April 16, closed its case in defence of Ododo’s victory at the poll.

    The commission’s counsel, Uchenna Njoku, who held the brief of Kanu Agabi, SAN, said after tendering the electoral documents against the SDP’s petition, they did not intend to call any witness having assessed the case of the petitioners.

    The tribunal had, earlier, adjourned the petitions of Action Alliance (AA) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) against the INEC’s declaration of Ododo as validly elected governor of Kogi in the governorship poll, for adoption of final written addresses.

    It would be recalled that SDP, AA, PRP and Action Peoples Party (APP) filed separate petitions against Ododo’s victory.

    However, the tribunal, on Feb. 20, struck out APP’s petition following its withdrawal by counsel for the party, Daniel Edeachi.

    The APP had filed the petition on Dec. 1, 2023, before the tribunal.

    However, in its motion on notice dated and filed on Feb. 15, the party gave eight-ground of argument for the withdrawal.

    APP said though it filed the petition to challenge Ododo’s victory, the party said upon the re-evaluation of the grounds and facts of the petition, it was not reasonably convinced about the sustainability of the grounds of the petition as constituted before the tribunal.

    According to the party, the withdrawal of the petition is based on the perceived unsustainability of the grounds of the petition and to avoid overburdening the tribunal with numerous petitions.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • Nwoye mourns Sen. Eze, says demise ‘devastating’ to APC Enugu family

    Nwoye mourns Sen. Eze, says demise ‘devastating’ to APC Enugu family

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    Dr. Ben Nwoye, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, says the demise of Sen. Ayogu Eze, is “devastating” to the members of the national ruling party.

    Nwoye in a reaction on Friday in Enugu said that “I am utterly shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the sudden passing of our dear leader.

    “The sad news has left me and other members of our great party within the state speechless,” he said.


    Nwoye noted that the death is one too many personally to him and to the APC family where the late politician played his last politics on earth.

    He said that Sen. Eze until his demise remained a close friend and a big brother to him and many APC party members in Enugu State and beyond.

    According to him, how can one begin to rationalise this? This is one death too many.

    “We are still trying to come out from the shock of the death of Mrs. Maria Aniobi, the last representative of Enugu at the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and now, Ayogu who replaced her is gone.


    “Enugu APC has lost an astute leader. He was our Governorship Candidate in the 2019 General Election.

    “Sen. Eze is the best Governor we never had from Enugu North Senatorial District,” he said.

    The APC leader said that Sen. Eze
    was a beacon of strength, wisdom, and compassion, and “his loss leaves a void that cannot be filled in Enugu State APC.”

    Nwoye prayed for the repose of his soul and for the Almighty God to give the family and everyone related to the late Senator the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.


    It would be recalled that Sen. Eze passed on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in an Abuja hospital after a protracted illness.

  • Reno Omokri Counsels Obi Against Misinformation 

    Reno Omokri Counsels Obi Against Misinformation 

     

     

     

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Flowerbudnews: Social Commentator, Reno Omokri has criticised Former Governor Peter Obi, accusing him of spreading false information to Nigerians.

    Omokri Wrote on his X handle:

    Dear Peter Obi,

    This is either dishonesty or ignorance. You should get proper information before you undermine Nigeria in favour of Tanzania. I have been to Tanzania multiple times, and I am familiar with their power industry.

    What happened was not that Tanzania shut down her dams because they had more than enough electricity to power their entire nation.

    The fact is that due to heavy rains, their hydroelectric dams were producing very high voltage that could damage their national power grid, because demand to the cities they supply to is low, and they had nowhere to shed the power to. Therefore, to protect their infrastructure, they had to shut down these dams temporarily.

    Tanzania’s electricity supply is known in East Africa for increasing during the rainy season and drastically reducing during the dry season.

    The same thing had happened in Nigeria in the past. The technical name for this process is Load Shedding.

    Please fact-check me. Tanzania still faces acute power shortages nationwide. Just two months ago, their government complained about power shortages, and they had to ration power.

    Please stop spreading fake news to Nigerians.

    Peter, I understand that you are desperate to be President in 2027, but please, do not undermine Nigeria’s national interest because of your desperation for power. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Envoy canvasses creation of visa free policy for Africans to boost tourism

    Envoy canvasses creation of visa free policy for Africans to boost tourism

    By Taiye Olayemi

    The Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Christophe Bazivamo, has called on African leaders to unanimously create a visa free policy to guarantee seamless travels and boost tourism within the region.
    Bazivamo made the call during the 48th Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), held on Thursday in Lagos.
    According to him, Rwanda has implemented a visa free policy and has been able to boost its economy through this.
    He said due to the nation’s visa free tourism policy, Rwanda’s MICE industry (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) recorded a significant growth of 48 per cent in two years, from 2022 to 2023.
    “Africa is full of breathtaking natural tourism sites but in spite of such vast assets, the economy is not as vibrant as it should be.
    “We need a visa free Africa to facilitate investment, trade and tourism within the region
    “In Rwanda, our visa free tourism policy has boosted our economy. As Africans, we should not be bothered about security issues, we have the population and the resources to unlock our economic potential.
    “MICE industry in Rwanda has risen by 48 per cent in the last 2 years due to our visa free tourism policy. This can be replicated across the region,” he said.
    Also, Mr Ikechi Uko, a tourism development expert, said it was high time Africans took advantage of their huge population to grow their economy by opening the borders within the region.
    According to Uko, trade will be impossible without travels and the major factor to facilitate seamless travels is to have open skies across Africa.
    Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), said: “By promoting travel within the continent, we pave the way for deeper cultural exchanges, stronger business collaborations, and increased investment flows.
    “Let us envision a future where Nigeria can work hand in hand with other countries to create a seamless and interconnected travel experience.
    “The potential benefits are immense. Increased tourism will not only lead to job creation and economic growth but will also foster a sense of unity and understanding among us as a nation.
    “It is through travel and tourism that we can truly appreciate and celebrate our common heritage.” (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • SAfER: 2,537 farmers benefit as Oyo distributes inputs

    SAfER: 2,537 farmers benefit as Oyo distributes inputs

        

    SAfER: 2,537 farmers benefit as Oyo distributes inputs

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    The Oyo State Government has commenced the fourth phase of the distribution of agricultural inputs to 2,537 farmers across the state.

     

    Cassava stems, hybrid maize seedlings, herbicides and knap-sack sprayers were some of the inputs distributed.

     

    Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, inaugurated the exercise in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government.

     

    He said inputs were simultaneously distributed at Igboora, Ibarapa Central Local Government and Ayete in Ibarapa North Local Government.

     

    Olaleye, who doubles as the Chairman, SAfER Food Security Sub-Committee, said the exercise was to ensure that Oyo State has abundant food supply for its people.

    “Today, we are commencing the fourth phase of Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), food security sub-sector.

     

    “We are distributing cassava stems, special maize seeds that can germinate faster, we are also giving out knap-sack sprayers to farmers across Oyo State.

     

    “In addition to that, we are also giving them herbicides to protect their crops against invasion of insects and all that.

     

    “So, in this fourth phase, not less than 2,537 farmers will benefit.

     

    “In the next ten days as well, subsidy on the use of tractors will commence, so if you cultivate five acres, the government will pay for two and a half acres.

     

    “If you cultivate ten hectares, the government will pay for five acres for you.

     

    “So, the whole essence is to ensure that Oyo State has abundant and sufficient food supply to bring down the prices of foodstuffs,” Olaleye stated.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Rafiu Saheed, thanked the state government for the farm inputs support, saying the materials will have significant effect on their farms and produce.

     

    He, therefore, urged other beneficiaries not to sell the farm inputs but make judicious use of them to complement the efforts of government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)