Flowerbud News

Year: 2026

  • Heirs Insurance, United Capital partner on self-care, wealth for women

    Heirs Insurance, United Capital partner on self-care, wealth for women

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Heirs Insurance Group, in partnership with United Capital Plc, has unveiled an initiative to promote self-care and financial empowerment among Nigerian women.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Heirs Insurance Group on Monday in Lagos.

    The organisations hosted a “Yoga and Money Meet Up,” on April 11, a wellness and financial literacy event designed to equip women with tools for personal wellbeing and wealth creation.

    The event featured guided yoga and stress management sessions, alongside expert-led discussions on insurance, investment and asset protection.

    According to the organisers, the initiative reflects their commitment to making financial wellness more relevant and accessible to women.

    Mrs Ifesinachi Okoli-Okpagu, Chief Marketing Officer of Heirs Insurance Group, said the programme underscored the link between wellness and financial security.

    “Self-care is not just about indulgence; it involves making deliberate choices that protect one’s physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

    “For many women balancing careers, businesses and family, this initiative addresses the need to safeguard assets while managing life’s responsibilities,” she said.

    Okoli-Okpagu also introduced the firm’s HerMotor insurance plan, designed for female motorists.

    She said the product offers comprehensive coverage against accidents, fire and theft, as well as 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.

    According to her, the plan, delivered in partnership with AA Rescue, also includes a reward programme with access to discounts on wellness services.

    Also, Dr Odiri Oginni, Managing Director of United Capital Asset Management, said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing women’s empowerment.

    “Financial independence and personal wellness are interconnected.

    “By creating platforms that address both, we are enabling women to confidently pursue and achieve their goals,” she said.

    Oginni added that the company’s Wealth for Women Fund was developed to provide accessible investment opportunities and long-term financial security.

    The organisations said the initiative aligns with their broader goal of promoting financial education and protection among women.

    Heirs Insurance Group is a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, while United Capital Plc provides financial and investment services across Africa.

  • Bago, Ododo, Natasha, Dogara, Agabi, Osigwe, others celebrate senior lawyer at 50

    Bago, Ododo, Natasha, Dogara, Agabi, Osigwe, others celebrate senior lawyer at 50

     

    Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger State and his Kogi State counterpart, Gov. Usman Ododo, among others, on Sunday evening, celebrated a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Johnson Usman, at 50.

    The event, which was held in Abuja, had in attendance eminent Nigerians in all walks of life, including traditional rulers.

    Bago, in his goodwill message, described Usman as “a sound and intelligent lawyer.”

     

    (From left: Sen. David Jimkuta, Johnson Usman, SAN; Jibrin Okutepa, SAN and Afam Osigwe, the President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), at the event to mark the 50th birthday celebration of Usman on Sunday in Abuja.)

    According to him, today, we are here to celebrate my “twin” brother, J.J. Usman.

    “On behalf of the people and government of Niger State, we want to celebrate with J.J. Usman.

    “He has been not just a friend but a brother.

    “We have more than 80 people here from Niger State, representing people and government of Niger State here today.

    “There is one thing; if you have it, you have it, and if you don’t have it, you don’t have it. For J.J. Usman, he is a brother, a friend, who is knowledgeable in his profession.

    “I met him like three years ago but our relationship has been like 30 years ago because he is a, wonderful person,” Bago said.

    He prayed God to bless the lawyer’s new, age.

    (From left: The father in-law, Dr Gabriel Audu, Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger State and the celebrant, Johnson Usman, SAN, at his 50th birthday celebration on Sunday in Abuja.)

     

    Gov. Ododo also hailed Usman’s professional excellence within a space of time.

    The governor, who was represented by the Attorney-General of Kogi State, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, described the celebrator as his friend.

    “I bring you greetings from His Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, who is a friend to you,” he said.

    Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District in the Senate, also congratulated Usman on his 50th birthday.

    “We are gathered here to celebrate J.J Usaman, SAN, who is my lawyer.

    “Beyond being my lawyer, he is a very good friend and he is a very nice person.

    “Today is the first day I will be sitting with his beautiful wife.

    “You have a woman that brings you peace.

    ” And the performance that has endeared me to you shows that you have a good wife.

    “May your children be greater than you have become,” she said.

    Mr Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker, House of Representatives, said Usman is a brilliant lawyer, who is also not corrupt in his dealings.

    “Just to say something that will underpin the quality of the man we are celebrating today.

    “When it comes to looking for legal representation, he is the first point of call.

    ” And if you are looking for someone who has not soiled his hands, there are very few of them; Barrister J.J. Usman is one of them.

    “We know the sky is your limit. You have not seen the beginning yet,” he said.

    Mr Adewole Adebayo, the Social Democraric Party (SDP)’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, praised Usman’s knowledge of the law.

    “It is a great day to be here. We all know him from different pointo of view.

    “I know him as a very good lawyer who loves justice and rule of law.

    “He is a fantanstic lawyer and a good person,” Adebayo said.

    The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, also congratulated the celebrant and prayed for him.

    Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, described Usman as “a lawyer who is passionate for justice.”

    “All I need to say is that whatever you are doing that makes people of all walks of life to be here today, continue to do it,” he said.

    The President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, SAN, equally described Usman as “a wonderful and amazing person.”

    “The kind of work you do, I wonder how you strike the balance between your family and the work.

    “I pray that the blessings of God will continue to be with you,” he said.

    A retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Ejembi Eko, described Usman as “a good lawyer and advocate who markets himself very well.”

    “I ask God to give him long life,” he said.

    Usman, in his response, thanked God for for given him the grace to mark the 50th birthday.

    He said he was overwhelmed by the turnout of people at the event.

    At the event, Usman’s wife, children, and members of his family including in-laws greased the occasion.

  • OTCETS Movement congratulates Sen. Anosike as New APC Chairman in Anambra

    OTCETS Movement congratulates Sen. Anosike as New APC Chairman in Anambra

    OTCETS Movement congratulates Sen. Anosike as New APC Chairman in Anambra

    A Pro-Tinubu group, the Only Tinubu Can End This Saga (OTCETS) Movement, has congratulated distinguished Sen. Obi Anosike for emerging as the New Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State.

    In a statement released on Monday in Enugu, the National Youth Leader of OTCETS Movement, Amb. Chimbo Obieze, described Anosike’s emergence as “a timely and strategic development” for the party.

    Obieze expressed confidence in his leadership capacity to reposition the APC for greater unity and electoral success in the state.

     

     

    According to him, the foremost Pro-Tinubu Movement, OTCETS Movement, extends warm congratulations to distinguished Sen. Obi Anosike on his emergence as the new State Chairman of the APC in Anambra State.

    Obieze emphasised that Anosike’s leadership aligns with the broader vision of strengthening the APC across Nigeria.

    He noted that the movement remains committed to supporting initiatives and leaders who would advance the party’s ideals and consolidate its democratic gains.

     

    “This is a new chapter for the APC in Anambra State. Sen. Anosike’s experience and political insight will be instrumental in uniting party stakeholders and moving the party forward,” he said.

    He further called on party members and supporters to rally behind the new chairman, stressing the importance of unity, loyalty, and collective effort in achieving the party’s goals in upcoming political engagements.

    Obieze noted that the appointment of Anosike is seen by political observers as a significant step in repositioning the APC in Anambra State’s political landscape.

     

    It would be recalled that the Only Tinubu Can End This Saga (OTCETS) Movement is a grassroots-driven political advocacy support group dedicated to promoting good governance, unity, and the sustained democratic development of Nigeria.

    The movement operates through a well-defined leadership structure designed to ensure effective coordination, national reach, and the impactful realisation of its objectives.

  • Experts call for more involvement of women in agribusiness trade, export

    Experts call for more involvement of women in agribusiness trade, export

    Experts call for more involvement of women in agribusiness trade, export

     

    Experts in agriculture, trade and export enterprises have called for more involvement and participation of Nigerian women in agribusiness trade and export to enhance women socioeconomic earnings and contribution to the nation’s economy.

     

    They made the call on Monday at the launch and inauguration of Women in Agribusiness, Trade and Export (WATEX), as part of activities marking the celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).

     

    Speaking, the Chairman, World Trade Organisation Nigeria, Prof. Ngozi Egbuna, advocated that women should be put in the frontline of agribusiness trade and export, and be encouraged as “they have the capacity of multiplying whatever is kept in their custody”.

     

    Egbuna noted that youths population is rapidly increasing but unfortunately there is still import dependence, and rural unemployment persistence due to lack of focus on agriculture, agribusiness trade and the export-ability of local agricultural produce.

     

     

    According to her, this problem cannot be properly addressed with old economic models.

     

    She, therefore, advocated for active involvement of women in agribusiness trade and export, replacing survival mechanism with striving enterprise spirit, subsistence with innovation, and raw material dependence to produce value-addition.

     

    Corroborating, Mrs. Stella Iwuagwu, grand patron of WATEX, advised that efforts should be made to ensure that what women are producing locally meets international standard for export.

     

    Iwuagwu, a social entrepreneur and farmer, called on government, multinational companies and agencies/bodies to cooperate with women to ensure that there would be market for their products at the international level.

     

     

    In the same vein, the Founder of WATEX and CEO of DGC Export Limited, Dr. Queen Onyinye Okpa, emphasised that one of the major intentions of the organiser is to empower women to participate actively in agricultural production, value addition and export.

     

    Okpa reiterated that veritable efforts should be made to capture the teens (youths) to develop genuine interests in agribusiness trade and exports.

     

    “The organisation aims at creating more business opportunities in agribusiness,’ she added.

     

    Contributing, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Chinyere Ogugua Agagbo (lyom Adaejiejemba) appreciated the organiser of the event and challenged women to come to the front burners in every sphere of business development especially in agribusiness trade and export.

     

     

    Agagbo, who is a women leader and health expert, noted that there would be action plans and strategies to promote WATEX members across age spectrum to be actively engaged in agribusiness and export.

     

    She called for stronger partnership between government and the private sector in agribusiness value chains and export.

     

    Other dignitaries that graced the occasion and made useful contributions included: the executive members of Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), and Nigeria Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA).

     

    Others that spoke included: GIZ, United Nations Officers, World Trade Centre (WTC) Officials, and Afreximbank officials.

     

    They all stressed the need for women to come together to chart a new course of action on advancing the future of Nigerian women in business especially in agribusiness and exportation.

     

    One of the highlights of the events is the inauguration of WATEX National Executive members by one of the organization’s Grand Patrons, Dr Benedine Eloka, amidst jubilation.

     

    Those inaugurated included the Founder of WATEX, Dr. Queen Onyinye Okpa; National President, Hon. Dr Uche Ezeh; National Vice President, Hon. Dr. Hajarat Ibrahim; National Vice President 2, Ijeoma Ezenwa; and National Secretary, Barr. Chinenye Imoisi among others.

  • Troops intercept medical supplies, foil terrorist attacks, rescue abductees

    Troops intercept medical supplies, foil terrorist attacks, rescue abductees

     

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    Abuja:   The Nigerian Army says troops recorded major operational gains, including interception of suspected logistics supplies, foiling terrorist attacks and rescued kidnapped victims across theatres in the last 24 hours.

    Operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, revealed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) intercepted a truck conveying large quantities of medical supplies suspected to be meant for terrorist elements in the North-East.

    The report said the interception occurred at a checkpoint in Nguru, Yobe, where the driver initially presented a waybill for beverages and household items.

    According to the report, a detailed search revealed hundreds of cartons of drugs, including antibiotics, injections, bandages and other medical items.

    The report said the driver and three occupants were apprehended, adding that the suspect later confessed the consignment was bound for the Republic of Chad through Geidam.

    “In a related development, troops arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorist in Ngamdu, Borno, who confessed he was sent from Jilli to procure food items for insurgents.

    “The suspect disclosed that terrorists were currently converging around Gubio and Magumeri areas.

    “Troops also arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in Monguno, who were allegedly facilitating movement of a terrorist’s family members.

    “Items recovered from them included mobile phones, cash and other personal effects, while a woman and her three children linked to a terrorist kingpin were later apprehended,” the report said.

    It also revealed that troops foiled an attempted infiltration by terrorists in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno.

    The report added that troops engaged the insurgents during an ambush, forcing them to flee and abandoning weapons and other items, adding that follow-up operations led to rescue of three kidnapped victims from a terrorist enclave.

    “In Bama Local Government Area, troops destroyed a terrorist camp during clearance operations, forcing insurgents to withdraw under pressure.

    “Similarly, troops of Operation Safe Haven recovered weapons from suspects during stop-and-search operations in Plateau.

    “They also arrested a suspected gunrunner and rescued additional kidnapped victims in Bauchi following exploitation of earlier airstrikes.

    “In the Federal Capital Territory, troops conducting anti-illegal mining operations raided a site in Gwagwalada, recovering mining equipment, while suspects fled,” it added.

    In the Southern part of the country, the report said troops of Operation Delta Safe responded to a communal clash in Delta, restoring normalcy after one person was killed.

    It said troops also intensified anti-illegal bunkering operations in Rivers, destroying illegal refining sites and recovering large volumes of stolen crude oil and refined products.

    Military authorities reiterated their commitment to sustaining offensive operations, disrupting logistics networks and ensuring security across the country. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Britain will not join blockading Strait of Hormuz: report

     

    LONDON:  (Xinhua)/Flowerbudnews : — Britain will not be involved in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, British media reported on Sunday.

    The reports came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Navy would begin blocking ships trying to enter or leave the Strait, after peace talks with Iran failed to reach an agreement.

    “We continue to support freedom of navigation and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is urgently needed to support the global economy and the cost of living back home,” Sky News quoted a government spokesperson as saying.

    “We are urgently working with France and other partners to put together a wide coalition to protect freedom of navigation,” the spokesperson added.

    Speaking to Fox News, Trump said “numerous countries are going to be helping us” with the Strait, adding Britain and other nations were sending minesweepers.

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said urged the United States and Iran to “find a way through” in a phone call on Sunday.

    Discussing the U.S.-Iran talks over the weekend, the two leaders agreed that a continuation of the ceasefire is vital, and all parties should avoid any further escalation, according to a Downing Street readout.

     

     

  • Defections: Tinubu Might Have All The Governors But Not Masses – Buba Galadima Daughter 

    Defections: Tinubu Might Have All The Governors But Not Masses – Buba Galadima Daughter 

     

    By Doris Ieoma Israel

    Zainab Buba Galadima, a former Technical Assistant to Vice President Kashim Shettima, has raised concerns about the level of public support enjoyed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying there may be a gap between political backing and acceptance among ordinary Nigerians.

    Naija News reports that she shared her views during an appearance on Mic On Podcast, where she spoke about how political leaders relate with citizens, especially in northern Nigeria.

    (President Bola Tinubu, Zainab Buba Galadima)

    Galadima stated that while the president may have the backing of many state governors, that does not mean he has won over the general population.

    She said that those around him could be giving him a wrong impression about his level of acceptance among the people.

    She also criticised what she described as a pattern of addressing serious national issues with temporary relief efforts.

    According to her explanation, there is a growing feeling among citizens that giving out food items is being treated as a solution to different kinds of problems, including security, education, and welfare challenges.

    Galadima explained that her remarks are based on how many ordinary people view government actions.

    She added that leaders need to understand the real needs and expectations of the population rather than rely on surface-level responses.

    She said, “He might have all the governors, but he doesn’t have the masses. And maybe people around him are lying to him that he does. They think giving people rice is the solution to every problem we have. They shoot you, they give you rice. They kill you, they give you rice. They want you to go to school, they give you rice. Everything is about rice. Addressing the needs of the people requires more than surface responses. Leaders must understand what citizens are truly going through.”

  • NAF obliterates ISWAP logistics base in Jilli —

    NAF obliterates ISWAP logistics base in Jilli —

     

    By Hamza Suleiman

    Maiduguri:   The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has neutralised scores of terrorists and destroyed their operational assets in Jilli, Gubio Local Government Area of Borno.

    Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Maiduguri.

     Uba said that the airstrike had successfully hit a major Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics hub.

    The media information officer stated that the operation was conducted on Saturday, following a sustained Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission over the Bindul–Jilli axis.

    According to him, Bindul-Jilli is a major terrorist movement corridor and convergence point for insurgents and their collaborators.

    “On 11 April 2026, multiple reports were received of ISWAP gun trucks and motorcycles moving along the axis. Consequently, ISR coverage was intensified.

    “During the surveillance mission, a contingent of motorcycles was observed moving in the direction of Jilli, followed shortly by additional vehicles, all converging on the same location,” he said.

    Uba said that the movements were corroborated by credible human intelligence sources, confirming that the converging elements were terrorists, collaborators and logistics handlers.

    The media information officer said that after rigorous target validation, the Air Component executed a series of precision strikes on the enclave, achieving high accuracy.

    “Post-strike assessment confirmed that the target area was struck with high accuracy, destroying the identified terrorist logistics enclave.

    “Scores of terrorists were neutralised in the strike, with their vehicles and technicals destroyed, while surviving elements were observed fleeing in multiple directions,” he said.

    Uba added that intelligence indicated the neutralised elements were in the final stages of receiving logistics supplies for coordinated attacks on troop locations within the Gubio axis before the strike disrupted their plans.

    The media information officer recalled that the Bindul–Jilli corridor had been linked to previous attacks, including a January Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incident along the Gubio–Damasak road which claimed the lives of eight soldiers, as well as coordinated attacks in Ngamdu and Benisheik on April 9.

    He further disclosed that on April 12, troops arrested a suspected ISWAP logistics courier identified as “Turja Bulu” in Ngamdu.

    “Upon preliminary investigation, he confessed to taking part in the attack on the 29 Brigade location at Benisheik and was dispatched from Jilli to deliver food items to another group of terrorists hibernating within the Magumeri–Gubio general area,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it conducted follow-up mop-up airstrikes on fleeing insurgents and regrouping elements within the Jilli axis to consolidate gains from the initial operation.

    In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said that the action underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-driven joint operations.

    “The mission was conducted as part of a coordinated air-ground integration operation with the Nigerian Army, following an earlier successful engagement that effectively decimated terrorist positions in the area.

    “The follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain,” Ejodame said.

    He added that the sustained strikes were part of ongoing efforts to deny terrorists freedom of movement, prevent attacks on security forces and protect civilian populations.

    Also, the Yobe Government further clarified reports alleging that residents of the Geidam council area were directly targeted in the airstrike.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Brig.-Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd), the government said the operation was conducted on a known Boko Haram stronghold in Jilli, Gubio council area of Borno.

    He said that some residents of Geidam, which borders the area, had visited the Jilli weekly market and were affected by the strike.

    “They have been evacuated to Geidam Specialist Hospital and are responding to treatment,” Abdulsalam said.

    He reiterated that Jilli remained an insurgent-controlled enclave with no legitimate civilian presence, describing it as a “no man’s land” used for logistics, coordination and staging of attacks.

    Abdulsalam also restated that the use of motorcycles remains prohibited across the North-east operational theatre due to their continued use by terrorist elements.

    He, however, assured residents of sustained operations to dismantle terrorist enclaves and restore lasting peace in the region. (NAN)

  • Why U.S.-Iran talks failed to reach an agreemen

    Why U.S.-Iran talks failed to reach an agreemen

     

    – “We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” said Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo, ahead of the talk.

     

    BEIJING:  (Xinhua)/Flowerbudnews — After 21 hours of marathon-like negotiations, the United States and Iran failed to reach an agreement in the latest round of talks, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Sunday in Islamabad, Pakistan.

    Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency also reported that negotiations in Islamabad concluded without any outcome, as “excessive demands” by the United States hindered the development of a common framework and agreement.

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    The third round of face-to-face U.S.-Iran talks concluded within a two-week conditional truce window, more than a month after the start of joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran. The historic talks in Islamabad has drawn global attention amid ongoing turbulence.

    However, the talks failed to produce any breakthrough. Confirming his constant communication with U.S. President Donald Trump and others in the administration, Vance said the U.S. side had presented its “final and best offer” after continuous communication, adding that a number of substantive discussions were conducted in “good faith,” but the proposal had yet to secure any endorsement.

    Meanwhile, according to an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the talks were conducted in an atmosphere of mistrust, and agreement shouldn’t be expected to be reached within a single session.

    “We only accept an end of the war with guarantees that we won’t be attacked again,” said Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of the Iranian diplomatic mission in Cairo, ahead of the talk.

    KEY STICKING POINTS

    The U.S. vice president said the key question between the two sides is whether Iran is willing to demonstrate sustained intent to refrain from pursuing nuclear capabilities, not only in the immediate term but in the years ahead.

    Vance said Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities have been “destroyed,” shifting the focus of negotiations to securing a long-term commitment from Tehran not to develop nuclear weapons.

    “The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon,” Vance said. “That is the core goal of the president of the United States and that’s what we’ve been trying to achieve through these negotiations.”

    The Iranian side later confirmed that the two sides reached an understanding on several issues, but their views diverged on two or three critical ones.

    Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on X that discussions with the United States over the past 24 hours included the Strait of Hormuz, the nuclear issue, war reparations, the lifting of sanctions, and the complete end to the war against Iran.

    WHAT’S NEXT?

    Trump said on Saturday that it “makes no difference” to him whether both sides reach a deal.

    However, the failure to secure a deal has cast fresh doubt over the ceasefire’s durability, with disputes over its scope, including whether it extends to Lebanon. Uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz is adding to regional tensions.

    Despite the breakdown in talks, Pakistan reiterated its readiness to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.

    Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Sunday that Islamabad would continue to play a constructive role in promoting engagement between Iran and the United States.

    “We hope that the two sides continue with the positive spirit to achieve durable peace and prosperity for the entire region and beyond.”