Flowerbud News

Year: 2026

  • LATE IMAM ABUBAKAR WAS A COURAGEOUS SERVANT OF GOD: PRESIDENT TINUBU

    LATE IMAM ABUBAKAR WAS A COURAGEOUS SERVANT OF GOD: PRESIDENT TINUBU

     

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow at the passing of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who passed away at 92.

    The late Imam Abubakar shot into national and international prominence for hiding over 200 Christians in 2018, during the communal strife which ravaged Plateau State, a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President
    (Information & Strategy) recalled.

    President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life.

    “At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience,” President Tinubu remarked.

    “Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace rather than rejection. His heroic feat underlines the essence of true faith, resonating louder than sermons in a salient message to the world at large. Imam Abubakar is a worthy example of a better human we should all aspire to be,” the President said.

    “His act of uncommon bravery did not go unnoticed, as he received local and international honours that celebrated his commitment to coexistence among people with diverse orientations.

    ” I urge religious and community leaders to imbibe and preach the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful togetherness as expounded in the life of Imam Abubakar.
    “May the Almighty grant Imam Abubakar eternal rest and reward him for his good deeds and courage,” the President said.

    Bayo Onanuga
    Special Adviser to the Presiden

  • Tarzan calls on public to observe safety on waterways by wearing life jackets

    Tarzan calls on public to observe safety on waterways by wearing life jackets

    The Managing Director of Tarzan Jetties, Tarzan Marine Enterprises Limited and President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) Engineer Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (Tarzan) has called on commuters on the waterways to always adhere to the safety instructions of boat operators while in the boat, most especially on the issue of wearing life jackets. He said the safety protocols which the boat operators are warned to strictly adhere to are for the safety of commuters being transported on water from one jetty to the other.

    Tarzan, who is also a Board of Trustee (BoT) member of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria said one of the biggest dangers to passengers face daily while on the boats is the refusal of some passenger to wear life jacket: “We face this problem daily. Some passengers, despite the appeal by the boat driver, would simply refuse to wear a life jacket.

    It is important for them to know that accidents can happen in water transportation, just like any other means of transportation. The chances of survival on water are very high when the passenger is on life jacket than when he or she is not wearing life jacket.

    “Most the fatal cases of accident on water that claimed so many lives have a lot to do with the passengers not wearing life jackets. We spend huge amount of money to buy these jackets for passengers’ safety. We are therefore appealing to them to always help us to improve safety on our waterways by always wearing them.”

    Tarzan also encourages his members and other boat operators to always enforce the wearing of life jackets by passengers while they are on duty.”

  • Killings: Idoma lawyers call on US, Israel to extend military intervention to Benue communities

    Killings: Idoma lawyers call on US, Israel to extend military intervention to Benue communities

     

    Legal practitioners, under the auspices of Association of Idoma Lawyers (Owa Ka’Okepo Ki’Idoma), have called on the United States of America and the State of Israel to extend their military intervention to communities in Benue South Senatorial District due to the incessant killings by terrorists.

    The lawyers made the call in a statement jointly signed by their Leader, Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, and President, Dr Joshua Musa, SAN, on Friday and made available to newsmen in Abuja

    The group said it condemned in strongest term, the barbaric attack on the peaceful people of Akpa-Otobi Community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State by persons suspected to be Fulani herders leading to the untimely death of about four persons.

    It would be recalled that four persons were alleged to have been killed by suspected armed herdsmen in Akpa-Otobi Community, including Mr Igbabe Ochi, a former House of Assembly candidate for the Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency during the 2019 general election.

    The attack was said to have occurred at about 1.30 a.m. on Tuesday, following a failed kidnap attempt in the community on Sunday night.

    Reacting, the lawyers said the incessant violent attacks by armed herdsmen on innocent persons in various communities in Otukpo, Ohimini, Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas of Benue State should be of utmost concern to the state and federal authorities.

    According to them, security agencies must rise up to the occasion in the same renewed momentum they have taken the fight to these heartless terrorists in other parts of the country.

    “The criminal determination by these terrorists to displace the people from their ancestral homes is wicked, dehumanizing and unacceptable.

    “Crops and economic trees worth hundreds of millions of naira are being destroyed by armed terrorists and the innocent people are watching helplessly as they lack the capacity to confront the violent criminals.

    “The constitutional rights of our people to their property in the farmlands under serial attacks are being destroyed unabated as if the constitution does not apply to Idoma Land any longer.

    “The right to own property is a constitutional right guaranteed by Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    “The economic and socio-cultural lives of the people have been diminished to nothing and their right to life is not respected by the armed herdsmen and, sadly, not protected by the state,” the said.

    According to the legal practitioners, this is most unfortunate.

    The group said the laws of all civilised nations protect lives and property of their citizens and strictly punish criminals who violate such laws.

    “Nigeria having portrayed itself as a civilised nation must, as a matter of urgency, stand firmly and enforce the constitution and other penal laws including security policies to defend Idoma land and its peaceful and law-abiding people.

    “The brutal and senseless attacks must stop.

    “Our people have been pushed to the wall and if help does not come from any quarter, they will be compelled to resort to self defence with sticks and stones,” they said.

    The lawyers stated that the losses incurred by the people living and farming in Benue South Senatorial District (Zone C) is monumental.

    They, therefore, called on the relevant agencies of the Federal Government to embark on assessment of the losses and adequately compensate the victims to assuage the untold hardship being suffered by them.

    “We are aware that the military intervention by the United States of America has brought relief to several communities in the Northwest and Northeast regions of Nigeria.

    “We are also aware that the State of Israel has volunteered to intervene in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria to stem the tides of the menace.

    “Be it known to all including the international community that the scourge of mindless killings by the terrorists started in Agatu where tens of thousands of innocent citizens have lost their lives without adequate media coverage.

    “Till date, no community in Nigeria has suffered what the Idoma people in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State have been subjected to by the terrorists.

    “They have encountered all forms of criminal activities ranging from killings, rape, arson, poisoning of streams to deny them access to potable water and destruction of aquatic lives to physical destruction of crops and economic trees.

    “These inhuman and dastardly acts of the terrorists in Agatu have always been under reported.

    “We are calling on the United States of America and the State of Israel to extend their military intervention to Benue South Senatorial District to secure our land, protect lives and property and help to guarantee the dignity of the human person.

    “This has become inevitable as we cannot explain the obvious neglect from government at federal and state levels.

    “WE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE as guaranteed by Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Our lives matter,” they concluded.

  • ENOUGH OF THE RIVERS STATE CRISIS: NIGERIANS ARE TIRED OF THE DRAMA — IT IS TIME TO GOVERN, NOT GRANDSTAND

    ENOUGH OF THE RIVERS STATE CRISIS: NIGERIANS ARE TIRED OF THE DRAMA — IT IS TIME TO GOVERN, NOT GRANDSTAND

     

    By Sylvester Udemezue

    1. First, and without equivocation, there should be NO further attempts to impeach anyone. Such a course of action, in the present circumstances, is both unnecessary and ill-conceived. It would deepen divisions, inflame passions, and distract further from the urgent task of governance, without delivering any tangible benefit to the people of Rivers State.

    2. At the same time, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy must resist the temptation of triumphalism, bravado, or symbolic victory laps. This is not the season for chest-thumping or political theatre. It is the season for quiet, focused, and results-driven governance, anchored on the delivery of the promises made to the people of Rivers State.

    Frankly, many Nigerians are already exhausted by the seemingly endless political crisis in Rivers State. At this point, one is compelled to ask, without malice, but with genuine concern:
    *Is Rivers State the only state in Nigeria?*

    🚶‍♀️ Yesterday, it was Rivers State crisis.
    🚶‍♀️Today, it is Rivers State crisis.
    🚶‍♀️Tomorrow, Rivers State crisis.
    🚶‍♀️The next day, still Rivers State crisis.

    *Enough is enough!*

    The unrelenting cycle of political conflict has become draining, not only for the good people of Rivers State, but for Nigerians across the federation. At a time when the nation is grappling with escalating insecurity, economic hardship, worsening unemployment crisis, rising living costs, education deficits, and healthcare challenges, it is neither reasonable nor sustainable for the political quarrels of one state to repeatedly dominate national attention. Nigeria has too many urgent problems for this level of avoidable distraction.

    1. Let Mr. Nyesom Wike focus fully on his responsibilities and achievements in Abuja, where he presently serves the nation and where his energy, experience, and political capital are now best deployed. And he’s doing well at it.

    2. Let Governor Fubara, in turn, concentrate wholly on governing Rivers State: on infrastructure development, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, healthcare delivery, education, youth empowerment and reorientation, innovativeness, advancement of science and technology, and economic growth. That, ultimately, is what the people voted for, not endless political brinkmanship.

    All parties to this dispute should, by now, recognise that national patience has worn thin. *I would not be surprised if even President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself is no longer pleased that the crisis has dragged on for so long without a decisive and dignified resolution.*

    This intervention is not animated by hostility, nor by partisanship. It is made in the broader interest of Rivers State and the Nigerian nation.
    Even those of us who, from the very beginning, have carefully analysed the crisis (its general contours, constitutional dimensions, and legal implications) are frankly tired of revisiting it. The issues have been thoroughly ventilated, exhaustively debated, and endlessly dissected. Very little new is being said; only the same conflicts are being recycled. It is time to draw a line.

    Governor Fubara, Chief Wike, and all their supporters and political allies should spare the public further turmoil.

    1. Rivers State deserves peace, stability, and purposeful leadership, not perpetual political tension.

    2. Nigerians deserve relief from avoidable political drama.

    3. And democracy functions best when leaders choose restraint, responsibility, and service over perpetual conflict.

    This moment does not call for victory laps or political battles. It calls for pragmatic governance, emotional intelligence, maturity, and true statesmanship. History will not remember who won the quarrel. It will remember who chose peace, and who delivered results.
    Long live Nigeria!
    Long live Nigeria!
    Respectfully,
    Sylvester Udemezue (Udems)
    08021365545. lawmentorng@gmail.com
    (15 January 2026)

  • NAFDAC, NCTC Strengthens Collaboration to Combat Dangers to Public Health and National Security

    NAFDAC, NCTC Strengthens Collaboration to Combat Dangers to Public Health and National Security

     

     

    By Biola Lawal
    Abuja (FLOWERBUDNEWS): The National Agency Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has moved to deepen collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) to combat dangers to public health and national security.

    As a major step to enhance the partnership, NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye on Wednesday visited the NCTC National Coordinator, Major General Adamu Garba Laka during which a consultative Meeting was held successfully.

    A post on the official NAFDAC X handle described the meeting as ”a key step in strengthening inter-agency collaboration on national security and public health priorities.”

    Flowerbudnews recall that NAFDAC under Prof. Adeyeye, had, in the past few years, achieved increased collaboration with relevant government agencies to combat drug abuse which had been established as one of the factors fuelling insecurity in the country.

    Abuse of Tramadol and Codeine across the country was frontally confronted and combated by NAFDAC since 2017 and became highly mitigated when Prof. Adeyeye achieved the major success of returning NAFDAC Operatives to the Nation’s ports. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • Customs honours 2 officers at Western Marine command

    L-R, Assistant Comptroller of customs, Charles Oputa, the Customs Areas Controller (CAC) Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, CAC Tincan Island Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, CAC, Apapa Customs command, Emmanuel Oshoba and the CAC Port and Terminal Multi Service Ltd. (PTML) Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, during a working visit to the Western Marine command in Lagos on Wednesday

     

    Customs honours 2 officers at Western Marine command
    Lagos, January 14, 2026, The Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, has honoured two officers for outstanding performance during 2025.
    Superintendent of Customs Moris Okauru received the Excellent Award, while Deputy Assistant Comptroller Okechukwu Okere was honoured with the Discipline Award.
    Ntadi and other customs Comptroller in Lagos presented the awards on Wednesday at the command’s premises in Lagos.
    Ntadi urged officers to give their best to the service, saying dedication would attract recognition and appropriate rewards.
    He commended Customs management for recognising the Western Marine Command as Best Performing Command, alongside the Excellent Award in 2025.
    the Customs Areas Controller (CAC) Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi,
    Ntadi praised officers who stayed away from their families for months, pledging enhanced motivation to enable greater commitment to duty.
    Speaking, Apapa Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, thanked Ntadi for the opportunity to address officers of the command.
    Superintendent of Customs, Moris Okauru receiving Most Excellence officer Award, Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi and Customs Area Controller Apapa Command , Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba presenting award to Okauru in Lagos on Wednesday
    Oshoba stressed discipline, saying officers should embrace self-discipline rather than wait to be corrected by others.
    “I urge you to see posting as a transition, not punishment,” Oshoba said, encouraging officers to adapt positively to redeployments.
    He advised officers to use the World Customs Organisation Click platform for continuous training and improved professional relevance.
    “The Click platform offers international-standard training anytime, ensuring officers remain relevant to the service and Nigeria,” he said.
    Oshoba noted that Customs operations follow international standards, warning that officers who neglect knowledge development would stagnate professionally.
    He urged officers to add value to themselves and the service, while cultivating healthy working relationships across all ranks.
    Oshoba further encouraged officers to consult experienced colleagues to deepen their understanding of Customs operations.
    Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Okechukwu Okere, receiving the Most Discipline Officer Award, the Custom Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi and the Customs Area Controller Port and Terminal Multiple Services Ltd., Comptroller Joe Anani presenting the award to Okere in Lagos on Wednesday
    Also speaking, PTML Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joe Anani, urged officers to dress well and improve their operational knowledge.
    Anani stressed collaboration, saying it would enhance trade facilitation and strengthen efforts to suppress smuggling nationwide.
    Similarly, Tin Can Island Port Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, urged officers to give their best for the service’s continuous progress.
    Onyeka said long-standing professional relationships had helped their advancement, encouraging officers to be good ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • NEW CHAPTER IN INTERNAL AUDIT AS AGBO HANDS OVER TO AKPANWAN

    NEW CHAPTER IN INTERNAL AUDIT AS AGBO HANDS OVER TO AKPANWAN

     

     

    The Internal Audit Department of the University of Calabar has witnessed a new chapter in leadership as the outgoing Director, Mr. Nicolas Ito Agbo, formally hands over to the newly appointed Acting Director, Barr. Ndueso Akpanwan.

    The official handover ceremony took place at the office of the outgoing Director, marking a smooth and well-coordinated transition in the Directorate’s leadership.

    Mr. Agbo, a recipient of the Institution’s Meritorious Service Award, who has dedicated over ten years of service as Director, expressed gratitude to God for the strength and grace that enabled him to make a remarkable impact in the Audit system of the University.

    He noted that his tenure was marked by diligence and commitment, adding that, any recognition accorded to him was a result of collective efforts and divine guidance.

    Speaking further, Mr. Agbo commended the staff of the unit for their cooperation and support, stating that, their teamwork created an enabling environment for a successful administration.

    While congratulating the newly appointed Acting Director, he described Barr. Akpanwan as one of the best hands in the department, acknowledging his wealth of experience and expressing confidence in his ability to deliver excellent service.

    He advised the new Acting Director to continually seek the presence and guidance of God while administering the Directorate.

    This is even as he stressed that a Godly leadership rooted in truth and integrity is key to sustainable success.

    Mr. Agbo further emphasized the importance of leading with the fear of God and urged his successor to apply his experience and knowledge towards adding more value to the university’s audit system.

    He expressed optimism that the new Acting Director would surpass existing achievements and take the Internal Audit Department of the university to greater heights.

    In his response, Barr. Ndueso Akpanwan applauded the outgoing Director for his outstanding performance, describing his leadership style as a worthy guideline.

    He said he learnt hugely from his teachings and appealed for continued guidance and advice to help him achieve excellence in his new role.

    #Public Relations Unit, University of Calabar

  • Customs WMC intercepts, hands over 601kg cannabis worth N157m to NDLEA

    From L-R
    The Public Relations Officer of the Western Marine Command, Ibrahim Dauda, the 3rd left, Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, the Head of Enforcement of the command, Assistant Comptroller Charles Oputa and the Superintendent of Customs Moris Okauru during the media briefing in Lagos on Wednesday

     

    Customs WMC intercepts, hands over 601kg cannabis worth N157m to NDLEA
    Lagos,January 14, Wednesday, 2026, The Customs Area Controller, (CAC), Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, said its command intercepted 601kg of Cannabis Indica valued at N157.8 million in Lagos.
    Ntadi made the disclosure during the handing over of the intercepted cannabis at the Headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday.
    He said the significant seizures were made by the team in the course of their ongoing efforts to safeguard our borders, protect our economy, and uphold the rule of law.
    “The Western Marine Command has recorded yet another major operational feat in its sustained efforts toward safeguarding the nation’s maritime domain against illicit activities.
    “In a recent anti-smuggling operation, dedicated officers of the command successfully intercepted and seized 20 sacks of cannabis indica with a total Duty Paid Value of N157,830,000.
    “The 20 sacks contained a total of 1, 205 loaves of cannabis indica suspected to have unlawfully smuggled into the country through the waterways,” Ntadi said.
    He reiterated the command’s effort in trade facilitation and enhancing ports logistics.
    Ntadi mentioned that the command recorded 21,414 containers escorted through the waterways between April and December 2025 from the main ports to various bonded terminals.
    The Western Marine Customs boss, described the containers escorted operations as efforts to enhance compliance, transparency and efficient movement of cargos to decongest the ports.
    He noted that the the operational achievements reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Western Marine Command to its statutory responsibilities of revenue protection, border security, and trade facilitation.
    Ntadi emphasised the command’s efforts to remain resolute in the fight against snuggling and other criminal activities that threaten national security and economic stability.
    He attributed the command’s success to the exceptional motivation from the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi, adding that the CGC had purchased seven additional new boats to enhance their operations.
    The Western Marine boss promised to name one of the boats after an officer who won the 2025 NCS Best Parade officers to motivate others.
     In terms of motivation, Ntadi commended CGC for enhancing their intelligence gathering and improving collaboration with other security agencies like the Nigerian Navy, NDLEA, Marine Police and the Immigration Service.
    He expressed the command’s commitment to upholding the laws of the land, continued fight against smuggling, protecting the citizens, and ensuring that justice was served.
    The Receiving the intercepted cannabis Indica, the Assistant Commander of Narcotic, Gambo Ali, Marine Police Command and the Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Charles Oputa, the head of Operation of the command, Superintendent of Customs, Moris Okauru and the command PRO Ibrahim Dauda, during handing over of 20 sacks of Cannabis indica weigh 601kg Valued at N157 million to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA in Lagos.
    While handing over the intercepted cannabis indica to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Charles Oputa, said the interception took place around waterslide in Lagos.
    Oputa said the interception was achieved by efforts of the officers during their routine patrol operations, adding that officers were working harder in ensuring Nigeria waters were free from illicit drugs and unwanted substances.

    A picture of 20 sacks cannabis Indica weigh 601kg intercepted by Western Marine command in Lagos on Wednesday
    Receiving the intercepted cannabis indica, the Assistant Commander of Narcotic, Gambo Ali, Marine Police Command, commended the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service for the robust synergy between them.
    Ali said there were no suspects in connection with the seizure adding that the agency would commence investigation on the seizure and would feed back the media appropriately.
  • World Bank’s 4.4% growth projection for Nigeria’s economy, more realistic than previous forecasts-TMSG

    World Bank’s 4.4% growth projection for Nigeria’s economy, more realistic than previous forecasts-TMSG

     

    By Danladi Ahmed

    The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described the World Bank’s 4.4% economic growth forecast for Nigeria this year as more realistic than its previous off-mark projections.

    This, according to the group, is because the Bank underestimated the capacity of the Bola Tinubu administration in the past two years.

    In a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG argued that the World Bank’s decision to upgrade its 2026 and 2027 economic growth projections is a subtle vote of confidence in the administration’s economic reforms.

    It said: “After seeing the Nigerian economy grow by 4.2% in 2025, more than its 3.7% projection, it was gratifying that the World Bank opted against underestimating the President Bola Tinubu administration in its 2026 and 2027 forecast.

    “This time the Bank has decided to upgrade its earlier projection of 3.7% and 3.8% to 4.4% for the two years six months after.

    “We recall when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank projected a 3% and 3.6% economic growth respectively for Nigeria in 2025 based on a global oil slump, one of the country’s foremost think tanks, the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) argued that Nigeria would do better because it was no longer predominantly oil-reliant.

    “And that was exactly what happened, and it felt good seeing the World Bank raise its projections for 2026 and 2027 by 0.6 and 0.7% respectively on the grounds of what IMPI had pointed out when it faulted the earlier growth forecast.

    “This is the first time in two years that the Bank would project a 4% growth for Nigeria and this time, it did not predicate its position on oil.

    “For the World Bank, the growth would be driven by ‘continued expansion in services and a rebound in agricultural output, with a modest acceleration in non-oil industry.’

    “Expectedly, the Bank credited the ongoing economic reforms for the 4.2% growth recorded in 2025 and added that the reforms, including the new tax laws as well as ‘continued prudent monetary policy’, would bolster the economy in 2026 and 2027.

    “This, for us, is a major endorsement of the efficacy of President Tinubu’s economic policies especially as the World Bank is convinced that Nigeria would record its fastest growth in a decade this year.

    “We dare say that the Tinubu administration would again do better than the World Bank projections like it did in the past two years.”

    TMSG urged Nigerians to keep faith and continue trusting President Bola Tinubu’s capacity to grow the economy for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    End