Flowerbud News

Author: Salisu Sani-Idris

  • Expert advises FG on blockchain technology to boost economic growth

    Expert advises FG on blockchain technology to boost economic growth

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Mr Odunayo Ayeku, Chief Executive Officer, Kinka token, a Bitcoin company, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to further embrace blockchain technology to boost the nation’s economy.
    Ayeku gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of the dwindling economy.
    He said a couple of other things must be done to further boost the economy like: cutting cost, structural empowerment, adequate monitoring of government establishments and projects, good power supply and more.
    “At this stage of the nation’s development, the federal government must prioritise boosting our economy. Government needs to invest in capacity building to revive the economy.
    “The federal government should embrace blockchain technology, blockchain institutions should not be left out as well because with this, we can generate much money to clear our debt in the diaspora,” he said.
    Speaking on the need for government to educate Nigerians on cryptocurrencies, he said this would go a long way in curbing the ‘Japa syndrome’ ravaging the country.
    He said Nigerians continue to travel out in quest for better means of livelihood because they no longer find Nigeria attractive but crypto education could make many change their minds to stay.
    “Crypto education can indeed offer a potential path toward financial freedom in Nigeria and across the world.
    “Investing in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Kinkajou has provided substantial returns for many early adopters.
    “The advent of crypto has really contributed to job creation in Nigeria but our government is not looking into that aspect, and the crypto market in no doubt can help boost Nigeria’s economy.
    “However, it is essential to approach it with caution and understand the risks involved. To achieve financial freedom with crypto, there are a few steps to consider,” he said
    Ayeku advised Nigerian youths to explore the power of the internet legitimately by acquiring relevant skills for problem-solving, and creating digital businesses.
    According to him, as a developer and Chief Executive Officer of Kinkajou token, a digital currency, he has been able to fully maximise opportunities on the internet legitimately. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

  • Kano CP, Muhajjidina, seeks traditional, religious leaders’ support to end GBV

    Kano CP, Muhajjidina, seeks traditional, religious leaders’ support to end GBV

    By Ramatu Garba

    The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Usaini-Gumel, has called for the support of traditional and religious leaders to end the menace of Gender-based violence in the state.
    Usaini-Gumel made the call while addressing youths of the Arewa Peace Ambassadors Forum (APAF), a youth and students’ movement, in Kano at the 2023 Peace conference in commemoration of International Day for Peace.
    The conference with theme: “Gender-based Violence From Religious, Western and Cultural Perspectives” was organised by APAF.
    Gumel expressed concern that gender-based violence was deeply rooted in the fabric of African society and increasingly affects many more individuals across religious, traditional and cultural backgrounds.

    “In our quest for a more compassionate and just society, it is crucial to explore these issues through diverse lenses, including religious, traditional, and cultural perspectives.

    “Gender-Based Violence is deeply rooted in the fabric of our society and increasingly affecting many more individuals across religious, traditional and cultural backgrounds.

    ” It is a pervasive issue that undermines the very essence of our humanity and keeps threatening the well-being and dignity of individuals,” he said.
    According to him, traditional and religious leaders have a vital role to play in ensuring cultural, traditional beliefs and practices to sustain the incidence of domestic violence are jettisoned in their respective communities.
    ” By embracing the principles of respect, education, and empowerment, we can create a society where individuals of all genders can thrive.
    “We must continue to address crime prevention, raise awareness, and provide comprehensive support to survivors to ensure their empowerment” Usaini-Gumel said
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CP received an excellence award for outstanding performance in Policing Kano State.
    On his part, Sheikh Muhajjidina Sani-Kano, a Kano based Islamic cleric also got a special recognition award for Peace Icon due to his contributions to peace and humanitarian assistance.
    He appealed to women to always dress modestly based on basic Islamic code of dressing to avoid being molested.
    Sani-Kano also called on youths to always fear God and be ambassadors of peace.
    Also speaking, the National Coordinator of APAF, Alhaji Nura Ali-Abubakar, called on youths to go back to school and be advocate for world peace.
    “Education promotes knowledge,skills and attitude to help people prevent conflict,resolve conflict peacefully or creat condition of peace” he said

    Other award recipients are Amb. Surajo Dantata, Amb. Sunusi Musa and Abdul’aziz Umar-Ganduje among others.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • NAFDAC procures 40 detection devices to curb influx of bad medicine, says D-G

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has procured 40 detection devices to enable the agency track, trace, monitor and curb the influx of bad medicine in the country.

    The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    Adeyeye said that the agency heightened enforcement and ensure stringent financial management because it need tools to go after the people that are bringing bad medicine into the country.

    “Because of the money we are saving we need to purchase detection devices to put it on a tablet if it is a paracetamol it will show paracetamol but the new version of it will show paracetamol 85 per cent instead of 100 so it’s best qualitatively and quantitatively.

    “Each of the devices is about 57,000 dollars and we bought 40 because we know our problems in Nigeria. NAFDAC was out of the port for almost seven years.

    ” And we became the haven of bad medicines everybody will say take to Nigeria there is nobody there and we have five countries surrounding us. People just work in and work out.

    ” So those are the peculiarities we faced while we needed the tools that we need to use like this small detection devices. We procured them and trained our staff to know how to use it.”

    She revealed that this device allows for more accurate detection of drugs formulation.

    “Before they could only say ok it is paracetamol they will not know whether it is 65, 10 or 100 per cent. Now the new version can do both, however, it is costlier.

    ”Before I came 70 to 80 per cent of our laboratory equipment were not working. Companies were sending vehicles for us to come and inspect them before I came.

    ” Who will not know that there will be compromise, if a company you want to inspect send you vehicles to come and inspect you know what it means.

    ” So things have to be put in place. Whatever we are able to do with the little we had, we did that almost breaking our backs but we needed to do a holistic reorganisations and refocusing which took us from the 2018 to like 2019.

    ” We started using the Quality Management System at the same time we went on the WHO global beach marking that give us Maturity Level Three after four years. But meanwhile the little money we are saving we started buying vehicles.”

    She said that the agency enforcement became heightened and go to trade fairs where the enforcement team may carry 40 truck of medicine and cosmetics that were not registered.

    ” A lot of raid that they have done on trade fair is of goods worth billions of Naira. So we heighten it and we started destroying. They were destroyed before I came but the frequency may be not be high because it is money that we used.”

    She said that the activities of the agency was being monitored by the WHO, adding that they came in 2019 to examine the NAFDAC level of self-audit.

    “WHO came in 2019 and said we need to do better then and we said yes you are right we need to do better than in some areas. Bear in mind we started with 878 recommendations in 2018 and by 2019 June we have reduced it to 147.

    ” But the work has not finished even now the work has not finished. So we strengthen our pharmaco vigilance and post marketing surveillance.” (NAN)

  • NAFDAC advocates stiffer penalty for substandard medicine importation

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has emphasised the need for enactment of legislation that would ensure stiffer penalties for importers of bad medicine into the country.

    The Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    Adeyeye said that the agency would not spare any company and manufacturers that bring in bad medicine into the country.

    She disclosed that the agency had scale up its Pre Shipment Testing, adding that more than 100 shipment of bad medicine was stopped.

    The D-G explained that when you talk of 100 shipments it may be 10 or 100 containers per one, “but we have discovered that some of them don’t have anything.

    ” Some of them have very little. So these are things that we have been working on and despite that they still want to cut corners with us.

    ” So we started blacklisting them. Any company that made bad and substandard medicine, we blacklist them and we published some on national dailies.

    ” I was in India about six weeks ago and one of them said that his company had been blacklisted and I said so if your company is blacklisted you deserve it. As we speak we are going to blacklist some other companies.

    ” We will continue to blacklist companies, manufacturers and delist the product from our supply chain, delist the product from database. It is not just medicine coming from other countries it is also medicines within our own region.”

    She stated that NAFDAC, with WHO collaboration, conducted a survey and discovered that few companies were trying to cut corners, adding that the agency shut the lines down for months which was going for billions of Naira for them.

    ” It has to hurt them in the pocket in order to have deterrent. Unfortunately you go to court they will fine them N250,000 or go to jail for five years.

    ” So I am urging and praying that the time will come when our judiciary will know that medicine kills, bad food kills.

    ”Right now as we speak we have what is call the C34 bill that the House of Representatives repeal the old one and they are actually enacting a new one which essentially contain a stiffer penalty.

    ” When we see countries that are stringent like the United States that I am familiar with, you break the rule you pay the time. You break the rules if your company is 200 million dollars, they will just fine you 215 million dollars and that is the end of the company.

    “So, people’s feet are being put on the fire right from the beginning. I pray we will get to that point in Nigeria were the penalty will be stiffer so that people will think twice before they put medicine that will kill people.”

    She vowed that NAFDAC would not spare anybody that intend to kill people with bad medicines, adding that the agency was adopting many strategies and intelligent to tackle the menace.

    “Few months ago someone called me that the medicine that NAFDAC approved is making people to run mad.

    ” And I said how medicine that NAFDAC approved can make people mad and asked for the name. Immediately, we did a sweep operation on the company, we got samples from them, later we called Investigation and Enforcement Directorates to go and evacuate after we got the first lab results.

    “It is what we call the bitters and they gave to rats in the lab and the rats die within five minutes. This was not the product we approved they have laced it with marijuana. So, people change formulation after we have approved.

    “So part of what we do now is what is called Risk Based Sampling. If we know that your company is a violator your product will be on high risk if it is something that is going to be put in delicate parts like eyes or noise it will be on high risk.(NAN)

  • Sokoto Gov’t to partner local, foreign investors to exploit solid resources — Commissioner

    Sokoto Gov’t to partner local, foreign investors to exploit solid resources — Commissioner

    By Muhammad Nasir

    Alhaji Isa Tanbagarka, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, says the state government will collaborate with foreign and local investors to fully exploit the abundant solid minerals in the state.

    The partnership will also seek to enable the state to tap into the potential of mineral resources for its even socio-economic development.

    This was disclosed on Sunday in Sokoto by the commissioner when he received a team of experts from a consortium, ‘Solid Minerals Development Funds’, led by Exploration Manager, Sheikh Mukhtar.

    The visit was to seek the consent of the state government and also to partner with it in the exploration of the phosphate mineral resources around Dange-Shuni Local Government Area.

    Tanbagarka conveyed a sense of optimism that these efforts would translate into substantial and rapid development in improving the standard of living for the citizens in line with Gov. Ahmad Aliyu administration’s nine-point agenda.

    He also urged:”Traditional rulers must be fully involved in this quest in mining our God-given resource as they know the terrain better.”

    Tanbagarka expressed the state government’s commitment to harness and utilise the resources efficiently.

    He said:” We will do this proficiently to make solid minerals the next economic power house in the state and the country at large.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was attended by Aminu Abubakar-Gawo, Permanent Secretary of the ministry and Vikas Dhiman, Engineer in-charge of drilling and a Geologist, Lawal Abdulrahman. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Expert urges FG to create enabling environment for domestic medical tourism to thrive

    Expert urges FG to create enabling environment for domestic medical tourism to thrive

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Dr Usman Isah, Convener, All Africa Medical and Wellness Expo (AMWE), on Saturday urged the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for domestic medical tourism to thrive in the country.

    Isah, who made the call during a zoom media chat said that Nigeria continues to lose huge amount of money to medical tourism, which has  succeeded in boosting other nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

    He said it was high time the federal government began  to view medical tourism from the perspectives of profit-making and non-profit making angles.

    According to him, it is  also important to foster private sector participation in healthcare development to spur investments.

    He said Nigeria remains  a hub for medical tourists where world-class facilities in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and more beckon on visitors seeking top-notch healthcare.

    “Nigeria is doing a lot wrong in the drive to get medical tourism right. A strong policy on domestic tourism and incentive for quality patient management will go a long way for the sector.

    “We are not doing business in the health sector but our medical bills are always high. Many Nigerians cannot afford quality medical care and many countries have ensured absolute access to medical care.

    “We must get it right in Nigeria. We must upgrade the standard of care in our hospitals to be able to woo tourists to Nigeria.

    “Nigeria can only get it right in developing sustainable domestic medical tourism when investors are attracted to the nation. Investors are not coming because they have observed that Nigeria is looking at healthcare solely as a profit making venture,” he said.

    Isah described medical tourism as an aspect of the economy that could help drive healthcare development in Nigeria.

    According to him, if the private sector can see the medical sector as one with opportunities for investment, it will go a long way in enhancing development in healthcare as well as domestic tourism in Nigeria.

    He said to further educate Nigerians and government on the essence of developing a sustainable domestic medical tourism, he has organised the 2023 edition of AMWE, scheduled to hold on Oct. 4 and 5, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja.

    He noted that the theme for the programme will be “Developing Sustainable Domestic Medical Tourism for Nigeria’s Health Sector”.

    According to him, the expo will be a comprehensive roadmap toward the development of domestic medical tourism in Nigeria, catalysing the growth and excellence of the healthcare sector.

    He also urged stakeholders in the country’s health sector to take advantage of the immense opportunities that comes with AMWE 2023, set to drive growth and development within both sectors.

    “2023 AMWE is poised to make a lasting impact on the trajectory of healthcare and wellness in Nigeria and the broader African region.

    “The event is such that stakeholders, experts, and visionaries come together to shape the future of healthcare, medical tourism, and wellness in Nigeria and beyond.

    ‘”This vision extends to a healthcare system that shines as a beacon of excellence and a society where wellness is deeply ingrained,” he said.

    Isah emphasised Nigeria’s abundant blessings, particularly its wealth of highly skilled medical professionals.

    He said these professionals were invaluable assets to the nation, and their talents should not be at risk of the “Japa” syndrome—an exodus of talent seeking opportunities abroad. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • World Literacy Day: Lions Club donates educational materials to school in Lagos

    World Literacy Day: Lions Club donates educational materials to school in Lagos

    By Taiye Olayemi

    The Ikeja Dynamic Lions Club, an arm of Lions International District 404B2, Nigeria,  has donated school books, bags, story books and other stationery to pupils of Agidingbi Primary School in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Speaking during the gift presentation, Mr Sanyaolu Opeyemi, President of the club,  said that the gesture was extended to the school in commemoration of the 2023 World Literacy Day.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Literacy Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 8, to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

    Opeyemi said that the club was operating with its annual theme,  “Service With Love”, which also necessitated the act of gifting the pupils educational aid.

    He said over 500 story books, 200 school bags, 200 exercise books, 200 biros and 500 pencils with erasers were donated.

    He said uniforms were also sewn for some of the pupils who did not have.

    “This is our way of giving back to the society to commemorate the World Literacy Day, bearing in mind the theme for the year in the Lions Club, “Service with Love”.

    “We will come back to do more for the school; we have another big project on the way; we will spread the kind gesture to other schools around Ikeja Local Government Area.

    “We appreciate Belloxxi biscuit for their generosity shown toward the children,” he said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Oluwakemi Abimbola, Second Vice District Governor of the club,  described the donation as a significant and signature project, urging the pupils to make good use of all the materials donated.

    She called on the staff of the school to join the club as it is a voluntary and humanitarian society.

    Mr Lekan Owolabi, immediate past District Governor of the club, commended the current leadership for believing in the future of the pupils.

    Owolabi said this was an opportunity given to the children to realise their full potential.

    “With this, we are securing your future, it is better to nurture you properly so we will not take the fate of having our future in jeopardy because you are the future of tomorrow,” he said.

    In her response, Mrs Deji Alao, Head Teacher of the school, said, “I believe God is solidly behind us here, I thank Ikeja Dynamic Lions Club for the humanitarian job done so far.

    “We have been enjoying this gesture,  at least three times in a session, your charity work is really appreciated.

    “I pray that your own children will never be stranded in life.”

    Mr Popoola Ayodeji, representing Mr Shittu Babatunde, Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said, “This act of kindness will spur the children to also give back to their society when they are older. We appreciate you.” (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • Culture capable of promoting national security, economic growth – Don

    Culture capable of promoting national security, economic growth – Don

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Prof. Uche Waleke of the Finance Department, Nasarawa State University, on Friday urged Nigerians to embrace and uphold their culture to achieve national security and economic development.

    Waleke made the call during the investment forum segment of the 16th International Arts and Craft Expo (INAC) in Abuja.

    The professor spoke on the theme “Culture, Economic Development and National Security”.

    According to him, culture plays a  significant role in economic development and national security.

    “The nation has embraced a mono economy for too long hence its challenges of insecurity and minimal economic growth,” ‘Waleke said.

    He noted that when Nigeria begins to diversify its economy with a look into the culture industry, it will be better for it.

    According to him, creating a more prosperous, equitable and secure society entails  government rendering utmost support to the arts, crafts, fashion, music, movie sectors of the culture industry.

    “Mass production of Nigerian cultural products is capable of ensuring employment creation, income generation, export promotion ,creation of some sense of identity and belonging as well as attracting tourists.

    “This will also guarantee social cohesion.

    “Culture is critical to economic development, skills development should be encouraged as well as good sense of business ethics.

    “Also, to enhance the ease of doing business, efficient and non corrupt bureaucracy must be ensured, taxes be harmonised and the culture of paying bribes be dealt with,” he said.

    Waleke advised the Federal Government and Nigerians generally to cultivate the habit of savings,  as it  leads to investment,  growth and development.

    He said that the government must begin to involve local communities when developing cultural products.

    “This will help to ensure that the products are relevant and meaningful to the people who create and consume them.

    “Government must work on protecting intellectual property rights so that cultural producers are compensated for their work.

    “Government needs  to promote cultural diversity so that all cultures are represented and respected, as well as support small-scale producers so that they have the resources they need to produce high-quality cultural products.

    “Nigerian culture that values meritocracy, fair treatment, civility, harmony, rule of law and equality before the law and hard work  is going to produce a far more developed and secured society than a culture that values nepotism and caste system,” he said.

    Also speaking, Suleiman Mohammed, National President, Society of Nigerian Artistes, urged Nigerian universities to intensify efforts on conducting research on the nation’s  culture and ways of advancing the sector.

    He said this would go a long way in positioning the arts and culture industries.

    Picto Uzochukwu, a security expert, said that the issue of national security must be a collective effort of every Nigerian.

    He noted that culture had great potential for employment creation, urging Nigerians to tap into the preservation of historical sites as a means  of wealth creation for themselves. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

  • 19th AKWAABA: Exhibitors laud organisation of fair

    19th AKWAABA: Exhibitors laud organisation of fair

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Exhibitors at the just concluded 19th AKWAABA Africa Travel and Tourism Market have commended the organisation of the fair.

    The exhibitors who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews said the three-day fair had been impactful on their business as well as educating.

    NAN reports that the expo had no fewer that 2,500 delegates from across the globe in attendance.

    Aniekan Essienette, Group Marketing Manager, Ibom Air,  said the expo was a good melting point for practitioners in the hospitality, tourism and travel industries.

    She said it was a season of networking which would translate to growth in the airline’s business.

    She advised that for subsequent editions, the organisers could engage more keynote speakers to educate the industry players for further improvement in their businesses

    “We have been able to meet with tour operators and travel agents, we have heard their concerns and we have been able to expose them to new initiatives from us as well.

    “This is possible through AKWAABA, we are happy and we look forward to the next edition,” she said.

    Also, Oyindamola Fashogbon-Ibironke, Marketing Manager, Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, expressed excitement, saying  that she was able to reach out to her targeted  audience.

    Fashogbon-Ibironke said even as a first time visitor at the fair, she was educated on some businesses in the value chain of tourism, travels and hospitality.

    She,  however,  commended the organiser, Mr Ikechi Uko,  for a well organised fair, as she advised that the next edition be held on a weekend.

    According to her, this can  probably attract more visitors to the expo.

    Foluke Femi-Sanda, Senior Brand Manager, Gino Nigeria, commended the organiser of the fair and described it as an interesting and rewarding one, which gave her an opportunity to  mingle with international delegates.

    Femi-Sanda said the expo had been impactful on the company as revellers became familiar with most of its new products.

    Emmanuel Mensah, Manager, Sales and Marketing, Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort, said “I have been attending AKWAABA since 2010, this year’s edition is the best so far, it is most impactful, I am not disappointed at all.”

    NAN reports that African cuisines ranging from coffee, condiments and snacks, received huge attention from tourists at the fair.

    AGino Nigeria, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism and Ethiopia displayed cuisines across Africa. (NAN) (nannews.ng)