Flowerbud News

Year: 2026

  • APC convention dispute: Court orders substituted service of processes on Yilwatda, others

    APC convention dispute: Court orders substituted service of processes on Yilwatda, others

     

    The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered a substituted service of court documents on Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, and others in a suit filed by an aggrieved aspirant, Fubara Dagogo, challenging his exclusion from the party’s national convention election.

    (From Left: Barrister Ogochukwu Onyema and aggrieved APC aspirant in the last national convention, Amb. Fubara Dagogo, on Monday to the Federal High Court in Abuja)

     

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who gave the order, adjourned the matter until April 24 for the hearing of all pending applications, including the preliminary objection filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dagogo had, in the suit, prayed the court to nullify the outcome of any party’s national congress for the position of National Vice Chairman, South South, without his physical participation.

    He urged the judge to determine whether there could be a legitimate zonal congress for South South APC with his alleged unlawful exclusion after he was duly cleared and paid for his expression of interest (EoI) and nomination forms.

    The plaintiff, through his lawyer, Chief Ogochukwu Onyema, named APC and Prof. Yilwatda as 1st amd 2nd defendants.

    Dagogo also listed Hon Victor Giadom, party’s National Vice Chairman, South South, and Sulaiman Muitamma, APC’s National Organising Secretary, as 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

    In the originating summons, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/591/2026 dated March 22 and filed March 23 by his lawyer, Dagogo sought six reliefs.

    He wants the court to declare that by virtue of APC’s Payment Acknowledgment Receipt No. 26827 dated March 13 and issued to him, he is entitled to be issued with the requisite EoI and Nomination Forms as an aspirant for the position of National Vice Chairman, South —South Nigeria.

    He is equally praying the court to award a general damages of N100 million against the 3rd and 4th defendants for the discomfitures, embarrassments and mental torture, they occasioned to him with their ill conduct.

    But the APC, in a preliminary objection filed by its lawyer, Kayode Okunade, urged the court to strike out or dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.

    Okunade also prayed the court for an order striking out the originating summons filed by Dagogo as incompetent.

    The lawyer, in his eight-ground argument, said the subject matter of the suit borders on the internal affairs of a political party, which is non-justiciable and outside the jurisdiction of the court.

    He said Dagogo’s complaint, relating to non-issuance of nomination form despite payment, concerns the conduct of party congresses and pre-primary processes, which are within the exclusive domestic jurisdiction of the party.

    Okunade argued that the applicant lacks the locus standi to institute the action, having not been duly recognised as a valid aspirant under the APC Constitution and Guidelines.

    He said the suit is premature, the applicant having failed to exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the party’s constitution.

    The lawyer, who said the suit constitutes an abuse of court process, aimed at inviting the court to interfere in the discretionary powers of a political party, argued that Dagogo had not disclosed any reasonable cause of action against the respondents.

    When the matter was called on Monday, Onyema informed the court of their inability to serve 2nd to 4th defendants which necessitated the motion ex-parte for substituted service.

    After moving the motion, Justice Abdulmalik granted the reliefs for substituted service of all processes, including the originating summons, on Yilwatda, Giadom and Muitamma.

    The judge also ordered that hearing notices be issued and served on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively to ensure all parties are before the court on the next adjourned date.

  • Indian Envoy Meets Indians Evacuated from Iran

    Indian Envoy Meets Indians Evacuated from Iran

     

    Abhay Kumar, Ambassador of India to Azerbaijan, met Indian citizens who were safely evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan.

    He inquired about their well-being and expressed satisfaction with their safe arrival in Baku.

    The Indian students shared their experiences and conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to the Embassy for facilitating their evacuation. So far, over 215 Indians staying in Iran have been evacuated through Azerbaijan.

    Ambassador Abhay Kumar reaffirmed the Embassy’s commitment to provide all possible assistance to all the Indian nationals transiting through Azerbaijan.

    (Source: Embassy of India in Azerbaijan)

  • Gaza Death Toll from Israeli War Hits 72,300 – Health Ministry

    Gaza Death Toll from Israeli War Hits 72,300 – Health Ministry

    – At least 704 people killed, over 1,900 injured by Israeli fire since ceasefire, ministry says

    Amer Fouad Solyman

    GAZA CITY, Palestine / ISTANBUL

    The Palestinian death toll in Gaza from Israel’s deadly war since October 2023 has reached 72,280 people, with 172,014 others wounded, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

    In a statement, the ministry said that two people were killed and a third was injured by Israeli fire in the past 24 hours.

    According to the ministry, at least 704 people have been killed and 1,914 others injured by Israeli fire since a ceasefire deal took effect on Oct. 10, 2025.

    The ministry explained that local authorities managed to recover 756 bodies from the rubble since the ceasefire.

    The Israeli war has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza and caused widespread destruction affecting 90% of civilian infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated by the United Nations at about $70 billion.

    *Writing by Lina Altawell

  • Remi Oseni Foundation launches subsidised food scheme for vulnerable residents.

    Remi Oseni Foundation launches subsidised food scheme for vulnerable residents.

       

    Remi Oseni Foundation launches subsidised food scheme for vulnerable residents.

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    Residents of Ibadan and surrounding communities are set to benefit from a new intervention aimed at easing the burden of rising food prices, following the commencement of the Remi Oseni Asoludero Market Scheme.

     

    The initiative, recently launched by the Remi Oseni Foundation, is designed to provide subsidised food items to vulnerable members of the community, including widows, widowers, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, artisans, traders and other indigent individuals.

    According to the organisers, the scheme seeks to cushion the effects of economic hardship by ensuring that essential food items are accessible and affordable, regardless of beneficiaries’ tribe, religion, gender or political affiliation.

     

    The foundation noted that special consideration would be given to senior citizens aged 70 years and above, as well as persons with disabilities, who will receive priority attention and dedicated assistance during registration and purchase.

     

    Registration for the April cycle of the programme is scheduled to commence on March 30 and end on April 7, 2026, excluding weekends and public holidays.

    The organisers explained that registration is a one-time process, after which beneficiaries will not be required to register again.

     

    Subsequent registration exercises, they added, will take place at the beginning of each month for one week, while the purchase of food items will continue throughout the remaining weeks.

    To complete registration, prospective beneficiaries are required to present their National Identification Number (NIN), after which registration slips will be issued.

    The exercise will take place at the foundation’s office located on the ground floor of Aderemi Oseni House, Carpenter Bus Stop, Ologuneru, Ibadan, where participants will also make their purchases.

     

    As part of measures to ensure fairness and wider reach, the foundation stated that each registered individual would only be allowed to purchase food items once every 30 days, with a maximum limit of 5kg or 5 litres per item.

    Payment for items, it stressed, will be strictly through Point of Sale (POS) machines or bank transfers, with cash payments not permitted under any circumstance. The foundation, however, clarified that it would not be held responsible for unsuccessful transactions.

     

    The organisers also assured that adequate security arrangements would be put in place to maintain orderliness, urging participants to remain patient and cooperative throughout the process.

     

    Describing the scheme as a long-term intervention, the foundation reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the initiative as part of efforts to promote community welfare, economic relief and inclusive growth.

     

    It added that purchased items are non-refundable, non-returnable and non-transferable.

     

    Eligible residents have been encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity and follow the foundation’s communication channels for regular updates.

  • “74 Years of Courage and Conviction: Repete Salutes President Tinubu’s Transformational Legacy”

    “74 Years of Courage and Conviction: Repete Salutes President Tinubu’s Transformational Legacy”

    As Nigeria celebrates the 74th birthday of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the nation pauses to honour a statesman whose life has been defined by courage, resilience, vision, and an relentless commitment to national progress.

    At 74, President Tinubu stands tall as a symbol of democratic strength and reform-driven leadership. From his pro-democracy struggles to his bold economic and structural reforms as President, he has demonstrated uncommon determination in repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth. His administration’s decisive steps toward economic revitalization, infrastructural development, fiscal reforms, and renewed hope for citizens reflect a leader focused not merely on politics—but on legacy.

    Joining millions of Nigerians in celebrating this milestone is Hon. Khalil Mustapha Adegboyega (Repete), Hopeful Candidate for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, whose admiration for President Tinubu’s leadership is both profound and inspiring.

    In his tribute, Repete remarked:

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not just a leader; he is a builder of men, a nurturer of institutions, and a reformer whose courage continues to shape Nigeria’s future. At 74, he remains a beacon of visionary leadership and progressive governance. His bold decisions today are laying the foundation for a stronger tomorrow.”

    Hon. Khalil Mustapha Adegboyega (Repete) noted that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is a testament to purposeful leadership—one that prioritizes long-term national stability over short-term applause. According to him, true leadership requires sacrifice, foresight, and faith in the people—qualities he believes President Tinubu embodies.

    Repete further emphasized that Ibadan North and indeed Oyo State draw inspiration from the President’s resilience and reform-driven governance. He reaffirmed his commitment to aligning with progressive ideals that foster youth empowerment, economic inclusion, educational advancement, and community development.

    “As we celebrate Mr. President at 74, we celebrate courage over comfort, vision over fear, and service over self. His journey inspires leaders like us to remain steadfast, people-focused, and future-oriented,” Repete added.

    President Tinubu’s political journey has consistently reflected strategic leadership and institution-building. His legacy of empowering emerging leaders across Nigeria continues to influence a new generation of progressive politicians committed to responsible governance.

    For Hon. Khalil Mustapha Adegboyega (Repete), this birthday celebration is not merely ceremonial—it is symbolic. It represents the continuity of progressive leadership, the strengthening of democratic ideals, and the call for dedicated service to the people of Ibadan North.

    As Nigerians unite in prayers and goodwill for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74, Repete extends heartfelt wishes for renewed strength, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in the service of the nation.

    Happy 74th Birthday, Mr. President—Nigeria celebrates your courage, honours your sacrifice, and looks forward to the greater heights ahead.

    Signed:
    Hon. Khalil Mustapha Adegboyega (Repete)
    Hopeful Candidate, Ibadan North Federal Constituency

  • 3 Simple Daily Changes Could Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack And Stroke

    3 Simple Daily Changes Could Lower Your Risk of Heart Attack And Stroke

     

    By David Nield
    Many different factors play into your risk of a heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, and a lot of them involve lifestyle choices most people can do something about – including three small upgrades in sleep, diet, and physical activity highlighted in a new study.

    Led by a team from the University of Sydney, the researchers behind the study wanted to look at how these three factors, in combination, affect cardiovascular health, after previous research had linked them to better heart health individually.

    Based on an analysis of 53,242 participants with an average age of 63, the data showed that adding 11 more minutes of sleep, an extra 4.5 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and an additional quarter cup of vegetables each day was associated with a 10 percent reduction over eight years in the risk of major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, stroke and heart failure.

    While the study can’t prove cause and effect, the data indicated a positive correlation between these three behaviors and lower overall risk – more evidence that a healthier life can start with some relatively minor changes.

    “We show that combining small changes in a few areas of our lives can have a surprisingly large positive impact on our cardiovascular health,” says nutritional scientist Nicholas Koemel, from the University of Sydney.

    “This is very encouraging news because making a few small, combined changes is likely more achievable and sustainable for most people when compared with attempting major changes in a single behavior.”

    Data for the study were gathered through the use of wearable devices (for sleep and activity) and questionnaires (for diet). The researchers accounted for numerous other influential risk factors, including age, sex, and smoking and drinking habits.

    The researchers charted lifestyle differences in sleep, physical activity, and nutrition (SPAN) against the risk of major cardiovascular events. (Koemel et al., Eur. J. Prev. Cardiol., 2026)

    If you want something bigger to aim for, the optimal combination of behaviors was 8-9 hours of sleep a night, 42 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, and a modest diet quality score.

    That combination was linked to a 57 percent reduction in major cardiovascular events over the eight years of patient follow-up, compared to the least optimal health profile in the study.

    Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity is something along the lines of a brisk walk, going up a flight of stairs, or carrying the shopping.

    Diet quality, meanwhile, was ranked based on a higher intake of fruit, vegetables, fish, and whole grains, and lower amounts of processed meats and sugary beverages.

    But our health is complex, and the three factors (sleep, exercise, and diet) also affect one another: Better exercise can mean better sleep, for example. So the new analysis gives researchers some useful fresh insight into how these healthier behaviors work together to affect disease risk.

    “We plan to build on these findings to develop new digital tools that support people in making positive lifestyle changes and establish sustained healthy habits,” says epidemiologist and senior author Emmanuel Stamatakis, from the University of Sydney.

    “This will involve working closely with community members to make sure the tools are easy to use and can address the barriers we all face in making tweaks to our day-to-day routines.”

    Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide, and experts are continuing to uncover more about the contributors and risk factors involved.

    There’s an urgent need to better understand how major cardiovascular events are triggered and how we might be able to predict them with greater accuracy in the future.

    We’re at the stage now where many of the warning signs can be spotted early, and these latest findings add to our knowledge of how to minimize heart health risk in practical ways. Bundling some of these risk factors together reveals that smaller, more achievable changes can be helpful, too.

    “Making even modest shifts in our daily routines is likely to have cardiovascular benefits as well as create opportunities for further changes in the long run,” says Koemel.

    “I would encourage people not to overlook the importance of making a small change or two to your daily routine, no matter how small they may seem.”

    The research has been published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

  • Millions protest U.S. immigration policies, war with Iran in 3rd wave of “No Kings” nationwide rallies

    Millions protest U.S. immigration policies, war with Iran in 3rd wave of “No Kings” nationwide rallies

     

    SACRAMENTO/NEW YORK, United States: (Xinhua) /Flowerbudnews:  — Millions of Americans took to the streets Saturday in the third wave of “No Kings” rallies across the United States, protesting policies of the U.S. administration, ranging from military action in Iran to controversial immigration enforcement.

    Over 3,100 demonstrations were planned nationwide and staged in major U.S. cities such as Washington D.C., New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. U.S. media reports projected the protests involved some 900,000 people, making it the largest single-day protest event on record.

    “No Kings” organizers said that the previous two rounds of peaceful rallies drew more than 5 million people in June and 7 million in October 2025.

    On Saturday, the flagship rally was held at the Minnesota state Capitol in Saint Paul, where nearly 100,000 people participated despite chilly weather, organizers said. The State Patrol confirmed at least 50,000 participants.

    The protests were mainly against the U.S. military action in Iran, the January deaths of two U.S. citizens involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis, and what the organizers described as the excessive power of the Donald Trump administration, according to organizers.

    Organizing groups included Indivisible, MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.

    The Indivisible non-profit’s co-executive director, Leah Greenberg, said Friday on the broadcast program Democracy Now! that Minnesota represented “the occupation of an American city, the unleashing of a reign of terror and racial profiling, that was pushed back by organized, nonviolent, disciplined people power.”

    U.S. independent Senator Bernie Sanders, a politician from Vermont state and headline speaker at the Saint Paul flagship event, sharply criticized U.S. policies, noting Americans were lied to about the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, “and we are being lied to today about the war in Iran. This war must end immediately.”

    Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also addressed the crowd. Referring to the January ICE shootings and resulting fatalities, he said: “We demand justice for Renee Good and Alex Pretti. We will never forget what they did here.”

    Rock musician Bruce Springsteen performed his protest song “Streets of Minneapolis” at the rally, and hailed Minnesotans’ resistance to the administration’s immigration policies, noting, “Their bravery, their sacrifice, and their names will not be forgotten. Thanks, Minnesota, No Kings! No War!”

    Protesters held up a massive sign on the Capitol steps reading, “We had whistles, they had guns. The revolution starts in Minneapolis.”

    In New York City, protests took place across all five boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. In Manhattan, tens of thousands of protesters marched along Seventh Avenue on Saturday afternoon, stretching more than 10 blocks, chanting slogans and carrying signs reading “No ICE,” “NO Kings,” and “No Wars.”

    Actor Robert De Niro, one of the organizers, said that no U.S. president before Trump had posed “such an existential threat to our freedoms and security.”

    “The United States is starting a war that is unjust and unnecessary,” Carolyn Rill, a demonstrator, told Xinhua, referring to the ongoing U.S. war on Iran. “They are also taking away money from important services of the U.S. federal government, hurting people’s rights.”

    Janet, a New Yorker in her fifties, said: “I don’t like what’s happening with immigration and border control. I don’t like how they’re treating immigrants in this country. Nobody deserves to be treated like that.”

    “And we don’t want to be at war in the Middle East at all,” she added.

    In Washington, D.C., crowds gathered outside the Lincoln Memorial and marched into the National Mall, holding signs reading “Regime change begins at home,” “Defend Our Constitution.” Demonstrators rang bells, played drums and chanted “No kings.”

    On Saturday, protests took place across multiple cities in the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing thousands of demonstrators who denounced Washington’s immigration policies and military actions abroad.

    Earlier in the day, thousands gathered at Ocean Beach in San Francisco to form a massive human banner protesting the U.S. administration.

    In Sacramento, California, demonstrators gathered at the state Capitol around noon against a backdrop of surging fuel costs statewide since the United States launched military operations against Iran on Feb. 28. Gas prices in Los Angeles County now average close to 6 U.S. dollars per gallon according to the American Automobile Association, an increase of more than 1.26 dollars in a single month.

    A march in neighboring West Sacramento retraced a historic farmworker route, with organizers framing the protests as opposition to both federal immigration enforcement and the economic impact of the U.S. war with Iran on working families.

    In Arizona, a state that voted Republican in the 2024 presidential election, organizers confirmed more than 70 protests were scheduled statewide. Ahead of the demonstrations, Mesa Valley Indivisible organizer Meagan O’Connor told the Phoenix New Times:

    “While Arizonans are struggling to pay rent and put food on the table, this administration is pouring billions into ICE raids and billionaire tax cuts. That is not a government that works for us.”

     

  • FCID Annex vows to ensure fairness in investigative matters in South-East, South-South

    FCID Annex vows to ensure fairness in investigative matters in South-East, South-South

    FCID Annex vows to ensure fairness in investigative matters in South-East, South-South

    The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu, says it will always uphold and ensure principles of fairness in investigative matters in South-East and South-South regions.

     

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Force CID Annex, Enugu, CSP Chijindu Arum, gave the assurance in a statement on Sunday in Enugu announcing activities for the annex’s 2026 National Police Day Celebration.

    Arum said that the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) FCID Annex, Enugu, AIG Chukwudi Ariekpere, had totally aligned with the Inspector General Police trust-focussed and confidence-building policing initiatives.

     

    “The AIG Ariekpere reiterates the immense benefits derived from the existing cordial relationship with members of the public and the need to sustain it.

    “The AIG assures all and sundry that justice and fairness will remain the watchword in the handing of all matters referred to the Annex,” he said.

    The spokesman said that the AIG FCID Annex urged the general public to participate in the forthcoming National Police Day 2026 celebration in the Annex; with the theme: “Community Partnership: Building Trust.”

     

    He said that in line with the theme, AIG Ariekpere had outlined series of activities to strengthen police-community relations and promote public safety during the celebration.

    “There will be an Environmental Sanitation and Cleaning Exercise within the Annex and its surroundings on Monday, March 30, 2026.

    “There will be walkathon for mental alertness, peace and Community Safety on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

    “There will be Community Engagement and sensitization on public safety within the domain of the FCID Annex Enugu on Wednesday, April 1, 2026

    “The AIG FCID Annex, Enugu, lectures on Human Rights, Professionalism and Discipline on Thursday, April 2, 2026,” he said.

    The Spokesman said that the grand finale of the celebration would be held at Eagle Square, Abuja, with a ceremonial parade and tactical display on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

     

  • FRSC confirms 1 died, 8 injured including journalists in accident in Enugu-Onitsha Expressway 

    FRSC confirms 1 died, 8 injured including journalists in accident in Enugu-Onitsha Expressway 

    FRSC confirms 1 died, 8 injured including journalists in accident in Enugu-Onitsha Expressway

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the dead of one person, while eight others sustained injuries in a multiple vehicle crash at the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, gave the confirmation to newsmen in Enugu on Sunday.

    Agbakoba said that the accident happened about 10:30 a.m. on March 28.

    He said that nine persons, which included: six males and three females, were involved in the unfortunate multiple accident.

    The sector Commander noted that the multiple accident involved three vehicles – a commercial Mercedes truck, a commercial Toyota Sienna car and a commercial Toyota Hiace bus.

    According to him, the possible causes of the crash are wrongly over taking and speed violation.

    “The FRSC personnel, who rushed for rescue of the victims of the accident, took the injured to Tex Hospital, 9th Mile Corner.

    “While the remains of the deceased was deposited at Colliery Hospital Morgue, Enugu by the Zebra 32 Team.

    “We have also cleared obstructions and ensured free flow of traffic,” he added.

    Meanwhile, four journalists injured in the multiple accident included crew members from the African Independent Television (AIT) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

    The journalists are NTA reporter, Mr Chimaroke Ugwu, alongside his cameraman, Mr Jerry Ugwuanyi; as well as AIT reporter, Mr Kelechi Ekeledo, and his cameraman, Mr Ifeanyi Ogbodo.

    Reacting to the incident on Sunday, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu Council, Mr Obinna Ogbuka, sympathised with NUJ members who sustained various degrees of injury and thanked God for saving their lives.

    Ogbuka, who expressed dissatisfaction over repeated loss of lives at Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, called for speedy completion of the ongoing reconstruction work on the road to reduce such unfortunate accidents.