Flowerbud News

Year: 2026

  • Enugu North by-election: Health Commissioner hails electorates for defiling rain, delay

    Enugu North by-election: Health Commissioner hails electorates for defiling rain, delay

    Enugu North by-election: Health Commissioner hails electorates for defiling rain, delay

     

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, has hailed voters especially female electorate in Nsukka council area for defiling rain and other challenges in the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election.

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is currently conducting a by-election in Enugu North Senatorial District, which covers six council areas: Igbo-Etiti, Igbo Eze North, Igbo Eze South, Nsukka, Udenu, and Uzo-Uwani.

     

    Ugwu told newsmen on Saturday after casting his vote in Polling Unit 004 (in Amugwu Village Hall) Obukpa ward, Nsukka council area that female voters displayed resilience to see that they performed their civic responsibility.

     

     

    “I must commend the zeal of most female electorate, who defiled the rain and other temporary challenges to cast their vote and stayed back to protect their votes,” he said.

     

    The commissioner said that the election was “very peaceful” in his ward as well as other parts of Nsukka council area polling units he received report about.

     

    On security, Ugwu said that personnel of security agencies on election duties performed professionally in their duties.

     

     

    He said that the turn out was impressive, adding that although few voters arrived early but towards 11a.m. most voting centres was crowded with voters hungry to perform their civic responsibility.

     

    He, however, advised INEC to strengthen its manpower training, technology and logistics capacities.

     

    “INEC’s Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices cause some hitch initially in the morning but as the day progressed and the weather got clearer, it picked up and many voters did cast their votes.

     

    “The initial delay in connectivity of the BVAS, delayed some voters that wanted to cast their votes early but the people waited patiently especially female voters,” he added.

     

     

    Meanwhile, voting for the by-election had been concluded in most polling units for the senatorial district.

     

    The by-election followed the demise of Sen. Okechukwu Ezea, representing Enugu North Senatorial District, who passed-on in November 2025.

     

    Five political parties including the APC, PDP, NDC, LP, and Boot Party are participating in the exercise.

  • Untitled post 90812

    Kwara 2027:10 APC Aspirants Alert Presidency to Alleged Plot to Enlist Monarchs for Danladi-Salihu

    By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

     

    Ten governorship aspirants and members of the Elders Caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara have alleged a plot to enlist traditional rulers in the state to support the emergence of Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.

     

    The aspirants claimed that some individuals were mobilising traditional rulers to visit President Bola Tinubu to purportedly thank him for endorsing Danladi-Salihu as the APC governorship candidate.

     

    The group also dismissed speculations that it had adopted the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, as its preferred candidate, insisting that he did not participate in any nomination process.

     

    The concerns were raised during a meeting with the national leadership of the APC held in Abuja on June 17 and June 18.

     

    The aspirants at the meeting were Dr Bashir Bolarinwa, Sen. Salihu Mustapha, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Alhaji Tajudeen Audu, Dr Toyin Alabi, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Bio, Dr Muyideen Salako, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), Amb. Abdulfatai Seriki and Capt. Ahmad Mahmud.

     

    Speaking on behalf of the group, Chairman of the Kwara APC Elders Caucus, Chief James Ayeni, said no governorship primary election had been conducted in the state to produce Danladi-Salihu as the party’s candidate.

     

    He also maintained that the APC had not adopted any consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Kwara.

    “To the best of our knowledge, the party has not published the endorsement of any candidate in Kwara State.

     

    “We therefore caution the planners of this alleged move not to drag our revered traditional rulers into intra-party affairs.

    “Traditional rulers are fathers to all and should remain insulated from partisan political activities,” he said.

     

    Ayeni described the reported attempt to involve monarchs in APC’s internal affairs as unprecedented and inappropriate.

    According to him, traditional rulers in the state have never been involved in the nomination or emergence of candidates of any political party.

     

    He noted that even during previous governorship nomination processes in the state, monarchs were not enlisted to support any aspirant.

     

    The APC elder further said there was no record of traditional rulers being mobilised to visit the Presidency to appreciate appointments given to prominent indigenes of the state since 2019.

     

    He urged the monarchs not to allow themselves to be drawn into partisan politics or the internal affairs of any political party.

     

    “We appeal to our respected traditional rulers not to permit anyone, regardless of status, to drag the traditional institution into partisan political activities,” Ayeni said.

  • NANS National Leadership Names Amb. Okereafor As Director Cooperate, Private Sectors Engagement

    NANS National Leadership Names Amb. Okereafor As Director Cooperate, Private Sectors Engagement

    NANS National Leadership Names Amb. Okereafor As Director Cooperate, Private Sectors Engagement

     

    The National Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has once again found Comrade Amb. Bestman Okereafor worthy of another National assignment to oversee the Directorate of Corporate and Private Sectors Engagement in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

     

    The appointment, which was made known at the weekend, is coming after Okereafor meritoriously served as chairman of Screening and Verification Sub-Committee for the 2026 NANS National Elective Convention.

     

    The Directorate shall serve as a bridge between NANS and the organised private sectors, multinational corporations, financial institutions, development foundations, technology companies, manufacturing industries, and other corporate organisations.

     

    The Directorate also shall coordinate strategic partnerships aimed at attracting investments, scholarships, internship opportunities, entrepreneurship support programmes, innovation grants, career development initiatives, and corporate social responsibility interventions beneficial to Nigerian students.

     

    Reacting, Comrade Bestman Okereafor, a former National PRO of NANS, appreciated the National leadership of NANS led by Comrade Akinteye Babatunde for the trust and confidence reposed on him to head the very important yet critical National directorate.

     

     

    Okereafor lamented reduction of quantity of manufactured goods, especially packaged household consumer goods that have continued to drop in measures in terms of centilitres, grams and tonnes.

     

    “Basic and internationally accepted standards for quantity in tea beverages, soft drinks and others have been tampered with in a subtle way, notwithstanding the gradual higher cost of goods, especially manufactured goods, the quantities of some of the goods have been tampered with by further subtle reduction in quantity within a stretch of time.

     

    “The inhumane treatment of workers by some foreign companies is also very alarming most of their workers have no insurance and health coverage , chemical exposures thereby leading to food poisoning as a result of toxic fumes among others.

     

    “NANS will ensure justice is done henceforth with massive engagements, because most of these products are mostly consumed by our constituents.

     

    “We will also consider partnering with Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to investigate the current drop in standard quantity of some manufactured household consumer goods in the country,” he said.

     

    He also assured that financial institutions that had been stylishly extorting Nigerian Students would be exposed while having partnerships with those beneficial to Nigerian Students.

  • FG appoints Enugu Health Commissioner Prof. Ugwu as member Presidential Task Force on Ebola Prevention

    FG appoints Enugu Health Commissioner Prof. Ugwu as member Presidential Task Force on Ebola Prevention

    FG appoints Enugu Health Commissioner Prof. Ugwu as member Presidential Task Force on Ebola Prevention

     

    The Federal Government has appointed the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, as member Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness and Prevention.

     

    This is contained in an official communication issued by the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, recently.

     

     

    Gbajabiamila, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Ebola Virus Disease Preparedness, noted that Prof. Ugwu’s clinical and first hand experience in battling the 2014 Ebola outbreak would be highly needed by the nation.

     

    “Prof Ugwu, you will be part of the national task force comprising committees on border management, immigration control and disease surveillance, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) providing overall technical leadership and coordination.”

     

    Responding to the appointment, Prof. Ugwu accepted to serve in the task force and had already been inaugurated at Presidential Villa by the Chief of Staff to the President.

     

     

    Ugwu’s appointment is in line with the priority the administration of Gov Peter Mbah places on healthcare with emphasis in excellence.

     

    The appointment highlights Enugu’s status as high risk of possible importation of the disease in view of her international airport especially as travellers from neighboring African countries and beyond come to Enugu directly through the airport.

  • Breaking: President Tinubu extends Customs CG tenure again

    Breaking: President Tinubu extends Customs CG tenure again

     

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again extended the tenure of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

    The Eagle Online recalls that President Tinubu had extended the tenure of Adeniyi, which was due to end on August 31, 2025.

    In a statement late on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said Tinubu has granted a final six-month tenure extension to Adeniyi.

    As Comptroller General of Customs, Adeniyi’s first tenure extension ought to have expired on August 1, 2026.

    The six-month extension, which will expire in February 2027, is to enable him to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window and ensure an orderly succession in the service.

    During the transition period, Adeniyi, working with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Board, will ensure the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs and the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained 60 years of age or have served 35 years.

    Adeniyi joined the Customs Service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 80s.

    He rose through the ranks, becoming Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller General in 2020, Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023, before his appointment by President Tinubu in June 2023 as the Comptroller General.

  • Court to hear suit filed by 70 disengaged workers against Premium Pension

    Court to hear suit filed by 70 disengaged workers against Premium Pension

     

    The National Industrial Court in Abuja has fixed Oct. 21 for hearing of a suit filed by 70 disengaged staff of Premium Pension Limited (PPL) against the company.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected ex-workers are challenging their disengagement and the alleged failure of the company to pay their gratuity and other entitlement.

    Justice Rakiya Haastrup fixed the date after lawyer to Premium Pension, Johnson Usman, SAN, applied for time to enable him reply to the claimants’ response to the company’s counter-claim.

    Justice Haastrup had, on June 17, granted application by claimants’ lawyer, M. O. Akinsanya, for leave to file their response to the defendant’s counter-claim out of time and to deem the response as being properly filed.

    Shortly after the judge granted the claimants’ application, Usman said “with the grant of the application, the claimants’ defence to our counter-claim has been regularised.”

    According to the lawyer, we need time to reply to their defence to our counter-claim.

    The claimants, in the suit, contended that their disengagement was illegal and unjust as it was allegedly done by PPL for no reason, with malice and bad faith.

    They added that their disengagement without being paid all they are entitled to, despite their repeated demand, had placed them in a situation of hardship.

    The suit was filed by some of the affected staff, including Ibrahim Usman Raji, Emmanuel Folorunsho, Mustapha Saidu Sulaiman, Muhammed Baba Ibrahim – (suing in representative capacity on behalf of themselves and 60 others, whose employment were wrongly terminated).

    Premium Pension Limited is listed as the sole defendant.

    The claimants are praying the court for eight declaratory reliefs and nine monetary clams.

    Raji and others want the court to, among others, declare that contracts of employment existed between the claimants and the defendant from the time the claimants were respectively offered appointments by the defendant and until their disengagement.

    The claimants also want a declaration that the abrupt termination of their contract of employment was wrongful, illegal and unlawful for the refusal of the defendant to give adequate notice or payment of salary in lieu of notice and for no reason whatsoever.

    They want the court to issue an order mandating PPL to pay them their gross emoluments in respect of “a lump sum payment equivalent to three months” as contained in their respective letters of disengagement.

    The court is equally urged to order the defendant to pay all claimants their respective gratuity as communicated to all staff previously upon approval of the board of the defendant.

    The claimants are also seeking and order mandating the defendant to pay all of them “their entitlements in full without any deduction of purported liabilities.”

    They stated, in a statement of facts, that they were all disengaged and served with their respective letters of disengagement from Aug. 4, 2025.

    They said although all the letters of disengagement were backdated to July 29, 2025 and stated to be effective from the Aug. 1, 2025.

    Raji and others also stated that they had all resumed work in the month of August 2025 before they were served with their respective letters of disengagement and by so doing, they were all entitled to the payment of education subsidy which is paid annually in the month of August.

    They added that the defendant deliberately backdated the letters of disengagement to the July 29, 2025 so as to deny them their earned benefits and requisite notice or payment in lieu.

    The claimants further stated that the defendant had also refused to pay to them their profit share, performance and productivity bonus in spite of several demands.

    The claimants stated that the defendant’s action had caused them and the other affected employees and their dependents severe hardship, financial loss, and emotional distress.

    In its defence, Premier Pension faulted the competence of the suit and urged the court to dismiss it.

    It stated that the claimants were disengaged as a result of restructuring/reorganisation.

    The company stated that the affected ex-workers were paid their three month’s salary in lieu of notice and so they are not entitled to three months’ notice.

    The company claimed not to have violated any international best practices on labour, employment and industrial relations.

    It stated that being a private company, and the employment of the claimant being one that does not enjoy statutory flavour, it can disengage them at any time for any reason whether good or bad or for no reason at all provided it complied with its handbook by giving the claimants or its employees a notice or payment of three months’ salaries in lieu.

    Premium Pension further stated that the claimants were disengaged in line with Premium Pension Limited Human Resources Policy Manual and Employee Handbook.

  • 2014 Nyanya bomb blast: Court sentences 37-year old culprit to death by hanging

    2014 Nyanya bomb blast: Court sentences 37-year old culprit to death by hanging

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging over his involvement in the 2014 Nyanya Motor Park bomb explosions that killed no fewer than 70 persons while several others sustained varying degree of injuries.

    Justice James Omotsoho, in a judgment delivered in the just-concluded Abuja mass trial of suspected terrorists, also handed down a life imprisonment for Garba in another count of the five-count charge.

    Justice Omotosho convicted the defendant after he pleaded guilty to the five counts preferred against him by the Federal Government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the judgement was delivered on Tuesday in the charge number: FHC/KNJ/CR/985/2026, filed by the office of the Attorney-General of three Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.

    The judge sentenced Garba to a 35-year jail term each in counts one and two, a life imprisonment in count three, a death sentence in counts four and five.

    “May God have mercy on you,” the judge said.

    NAN observes that in count three which attracted a life imprisonment, Garba of Jambutu Park, Jimeta Local Government Area of Adamawa, and others now at large, were alleged to have, sometime in 2014 while at the Nyanya Motor Park, FCT Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court, committed the offence.

    They were said to have knowingly conspired among themselves “to commit acts of terrorism by planning and coordinating the bombing of Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja through the use of explosives devices, which bombing resulted in the death of over 70 persons and injured several others.”

    The offence is punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under same Section of the Act.

    In count four which also attracted capital punishment, the terrorist, who stated in his confessional statement that he used to sell tea and bread, with others now at large, were said to have, sometime in 2014 while at the Nyanya Motor Park, FCT Abuja, committed the offence.

    They were said to have “knowingly and intentionally caused the detonation of explosives devices at Nyanya Motor Park with intent to cause death and serious bodily harm to members of the public, which act resulted in over 70 (Seventy) persons’ death and injuries to several others.”

    The offence is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

    Also in count five which attracted death penalty, the convict and others now at large were said to have, sometime in 2014 while at the Nyanya Motor Park, FCT Abuja, “participated in an act of terrorism which caused the death of over 70 (Seventy) persons by detonating explosives.”

    According to the charge, you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.

    Justice Omotosho also handed down various prison terms to some other terrorists who pleaded guilty to the separate terrorism charges filed against them.

    Ali Mohammed, in charge number: FHC/KNJ/CR/1020/2026, was committed to a 25-year jail term in count one and 15-year imprisonment in count two.

    Isa Saleh was sentenced to a 20-year imprisonment in a one-count charge marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/973/2026.

    Tujan Mohammed, in a charge marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/954/2026, also bagged a 20-year jail term in the one count preferred against him by the Federal Government.

    For Salisu Bala, the judge convicted and sentenced him to a 20-year imprisonment in count two but discharged and acquitted him in counts one and three in the charge marked: FHC/KNJ/CR/963/2026.

    NAN reports that the trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger, was moved to the the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja.

    The AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the Federal Government’s team of lawyer for the prosecution, said the government was determined to stamp out terrorism and its related activities from the country.

    According to the minister, we will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody.

  • Kwairanga urges youth to key into long-term investment culture

    Kwairanga urges youth to key into long-term investment culture

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Dr Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), has called on young Nigerians to embrace long-term investment culture and innovation as key drivers of national development.

    Kwairanga made the call on Thursday at the 2026 Investment Society Colloquium held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he served as Father of the Day.

    He said Nigeria’s development challenges were not due to a lack of potential, but the inability to convert that potential into productive investment and sustainable enterprise.

    According to him, many Nigerians still lack the culture of long-term savings and investment.

    He said they preferred short-term financial gains and speculative schemes over structured capital market opportunities.

    “We have too often neglected the very important habits of long-term savings, investment and entrepreneurship,” he said.

    The NGX chairman said the colloquium theme, ‘Unlocking a New Era: The Future of Nigerian Financial Markets, Renewable Energy and Infrastructure Development,’ was timely.

    He noted that capital, energy and infrastructure remained the backbone of any thriving economy.

    He emphasised that financial markets played a critical role in mobilising savings and financing national development.

    According to him, government budgets alone cannot meet Nigeria’s rising infrastructure needs.

    “The bridge between potential and progress is capital. This is why financial markets matter.

    “A well-functioning capital market is not just a platform for trading securities; it is a mechanism for national development,” he said.

    Kwairanga also highlighted Nigeria’s huge infrastructure financing gap, estimated in trillions of dollars, describing it as a challenge and a major investment opportunity.

    He urged stronger public-private partnerships, improved project preparation and innovative financing structures to attract long-term capital into infrastructure projects.

    On energy, he said the sector remained central to economic competitiveness, adding that Nigeria must take advantage of the global shift toward renewable energy.

    Kwairanga said that renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro offered opportunities for expanding access to power while promoting sustainability.

    He, however, warned that renewable energy development required stable policies, strong governance and investor confidence.

    “At Nigerian Exchange Group, we remain committed to strengthening market infrastructure, deepening investor participation and supporting sustainable capital formation,” he said.

    Kwairanga urged students to develop financial literacy and intellectual curiosity, noting that they represent the next generation of Nigeria’s economic leaders.

    He encouraged them to see themselves as active participants in shaping Nigeria’s future rather than passive observers. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Osun-Osogbo Festival: Osun Govt. assures tourists of adequate security

    Osun-Osogbo Festival: Osun Govt. assures tourists of adequate security

     

    By Joshua Oladipo

    Osogbo:  The Osun Government has assured tourists and stakeholders attending the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival of adequate security.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Abiodun Ojo, gave the assurance on Friday in Osogbo during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held as part of preparations for the annual cultural event.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was themed, “Preserving Heritage, Inspiring the Future: The Role of Culture in Shaping the Future.”

    Ojo said the centuries-old pact between the Laroye dynasty and the Osun river goddess had continued to drive the growth and development of the Osun Sacred Grove and the ancient city of Osogbo.

    According to him, the festival remains one of the most significant cultural celebrations in Yorubaland and requires the collective support of all stakeholders for its sustainability.

    “The festival is critical to Yorubaland and cannot be sustained by government alone. It requires the support and collaboration of stakeholders from all sectors.

    “I commend the marketing consultant to the festival, Our Heritage Branding and Advertising Limited, as well as other partners, for their commitment to promoting the annual event,” he said.

    The commissioner also assured tourists, investors and development partners that Osun remains peaceful and hospitable, noting that visitors have consistently enjoyed memorable experiences during previous editions.

    He expressed optimism that the 2026 edition would surpass previous outings, adding that preparations were already at an advanced stage.

    “We are entering another cycle of the Osun-Osogbo Festival and we are hopeful that this year’s edition will be the best ever.

    “The festival will take place barely seven days before the governorship election in the state, and we need the prayers and support of all stakeholders for a successful outing,” he said.

    Ojo reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting the globally acclaimed festival and preserving its rich cultural heritage for future generations.

    Earlier, the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, commended Gov. Ademola Adeleke for his continued support toward the success of the annual festival.

    He noted that the government had continued to add value to the Osun Sacred Grove and its environs through various developmental initiatives, describing the grove as a major cultural and tourism asset that requires sustained attention and preservation.

    Also speaking, the Marketing Consultant to the Osun-Osogbo Festival and Managing Director of Our Heritage Branding and Advertising Limited, Mr Ola Oluwasanmi, described the stakeholders’ meeting as a reawakening of the collective responsibility required to sustain and promote the festival.

    Oluwasanmi said the engagement was aimed at mobilising support from government agencies, traditional institutions, private organisations, community groups and development partners ahead of the festival.

    He added that the Osun-Osogbo Festival had grown beyond a local celebration to become a globally recognised cultural event that attracts thousands of visitors annually.

    According to him, the festival requires deliberate efforts in branding, promotion and stakeholder collaboration to maintain its status as one of Africa’s foremost cultural tourism events.

    “The essence of this meeting is to bring all stakeholders together and remind ourselves of our shared responsibility in preserving and promoting this heritage.

    “The festival belongs to all of us. Its success depends on the commitment and contributions of every stakeholder, including government, the private sector, traditional institutions and residents of Osogbo,” he said.

    Oluwasanmi expressed confidence that the level of preparation and collaboration already underway would further enhance the cultural, social and economic value of the festival.

    NAN reports that the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, recognised by UNESCO, is scheduled to hold on Aug. 8.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

    JO