Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Army begins 2019 Annual Shooting Exercise

    The Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State says it will begin its 2019 Annual Range Classification from Aug. 20 to Aug. 28 and advised residents to keep-off the range area.

    This is contained in a statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Depot Nigerian Army, Maj. Sydney Nbaneme and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria on Saturday.

    It said: “The Depot Nigerian Army Annual Range Classification is scheduled to take place at the Depot NA range Dogarawa from Thursday, 20 August to Wednesday 28 August 2019.

    “The exercise which is directed at assessing troops’ proficiency in weapon handling will include firing of ammunitions using small arms.

    “The authority has put in place safety measures and precautions to ensure safe and hitch-free exercise.

    “However, residents of the affected communities are advised to stay away from the range general area within the period of the exercise.”

    The statement also enjoined residents of the area not to panic seeing movement of troops and hearing the sound of small arms.

    It assured them that it was a routine exercise for the troops of the Depot Nigerian Army.

  • ICPC ex-chair takes over Salaries and Wages Commission

    Mr Ekpo Nta, the former Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), has taken over the leadership of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

    The Chief Press Secretary of the Commission, Mr Emma Njoku made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    According to Njoku, the Chairman of the Commission, Chief Richard Egbule handed over to Nta, who is also the Commissioner for Compensation at the NSIWC, after the completion of his statutory 10 years tenure.

    Egbule, while handing over to Ekpo Nta, described his tenure as historic, being the first to complete two terms and the first Chairman as the pioneer staff of the Commission from inception in 1992.

    He called on staff of the Commission to get acquainted with the Act establishing the Commission.

    This, according to him, will enable them know the enormous contributions and importance of the Commission to the development of the Civil Service and overall welfare of Public Service.

    Nta, in his response, commended Egbule for his achievements in streamlining the nation’s salary administration.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Egbule started his working career as an Administrative Officer on grade level 08 in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and rose to the post of Chief Management Consultant in the same office in 1992.

    He became a pioneer staff of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission in 1992 and worked to structure and builds the Commission with the best professional practice.

    In 2006, he was appointed the Secretary to the Commission and on Aug. 17, 2009, former President Umaru Yar’Adua made him the Executive Chairman of the Commission.

    He attained 10 years as the Executive Chairman on Aug. 17.

  • Islamic cleric advocates death penalty for corrupt practices, kidnapping

    By Usman Aliyu
    An Ibadan-based Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abubakar Umar-Erubu, has advocated death penalty for anyone found culpable of corrupt practices and kidnapping in the country.

    Umar-Erubu made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ilorin.

    The cleric said that the call became imperative due to the rising cases of corruption and kidnapping in the country.

    Umar-Erubu also prescribed the death sentence for anyone constituting a security threat to the country.

    “Government should also  regulate the sewing and sales of uniforms of  officers,” he said.

    The cleric further urged the legislative arm at every level of government to enact a law compelling successive administrations to complete capital projects inherited by previous governments.

    This, he said, was to check wastage of resources and project abandonment.

    He also advised government to encourage and train illegal producers of arms to boost local manufacturing of weapons through regulated procedures rather than criminalising the practice.

    NAN

  • Omo -Agege condems attack on Ekweremadu in Germany

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has condemned the  violent attack on former Deputy  President of the Senate in the eighth senate ,Sen.Ike Ekweremadu, by some members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    The event took place in Nuremberg, Germany.

    Omo -Agege made condemnation in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media  and Publicity, Mr Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said the dastardly act  was not only an exportation of irrationality, but also an international affront against the image of the  Igbos and Nigeria in general.

    He  expressed shock over the undeserved assault and called on law enforcement agencies in Germany to investigate and bring to book the perpetrators of  the attack.

    He said: “Sen. Ekweremadu honoured the invitation of patriotic Igbos in Germany who wanted him to deliver a keynote address at the event  organised to commemorate the new yam festival.

    “But some aggressively discourteous elements hijacked the effort to perpetrate a disgraceful assault that seeks to deepen the portrayal of members of the IPOB as enemies of democratic norms and values.

    “What they did is not only a violent assault against the good image of the Igbo race across the world.

    “It is also an aggressive attack against the traditional norms  of a people  known to be hardworking and respectful of meaningful contributions by leaders such as sen. Ekweremadu.

    “Such disappointing physical abuse also grossly disregards Ekweremadu’s democratic antecedents and his long-standing commitment to the cause of his people.

    “Such criminal attack along with other anti-social attempt, to accuse, condemn and lynch anyone remains utterly condemnable and illegal.”

    Omo -Agege said it was  notwithstanding whether the attack took place on Nigerian or foreign soil, it was the “easiest invitation to anomie.” (NAN).

  • 10, 000 traders benefit from FG’s tradermoni scheme in Bayelsa –official

    By Christian Ogbonna
    No fewer than 10,000 traders in various markets in Bayelsa have benefited from the Federal Government’s tradermoni free interest loan empowerment scheme, an official has said.

    Mr Taiwo Tunmobi, the officer in charge of Strategy and Operations in the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), on Thursday said this in Yenagoa at the end of the exercise.

    Tunmobi said that over 20,000 traders had earlier registered for the programme but 10,000 were considered in the first batch of beneficiaries.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Federal Government delegation went to major markets in the state capital, including Tombia-Etegwe roundabout, Okaka market and others, disbursing N10,000 to the 10,000 persons shortlisted for the scheme.

    He urged beneficiaries to make good use of the money and ensure that they pay back at the stipulated time to enable government to do more for them.

    According to the GEEP officer, two options were given to the beneficiaries to repay the loan after two weeks –either to make daily payment of N85.00 or N430.00 weekly payment to the tradermoni account of the Federal Government in any bank of their choice.

    “Those who finish the repayment of their first loan on time stand the opportunity to receive higher amount of N15,000 and so on.

    “The Federal Government has a very big plan for the empowerment of small scale enterprises.

    “The programme is for the Federal Government to empower traders, artisans and it makes it easier for young entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

    “Of course, our targets are micro business SMEs; these are people who typically have zero access to credit.

    “As the government helps them to grow their businesses, their families will benefit and the economy will also benefit”, Tunmobi added.

    Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the gesture.

    The chairman of Tombia-Etegwe roundabout market, Mrs Felicia Okwodejo, thanked the government and the organisers of the programme for making her a beneficiary.

    She urged beneficiaries to ensure that they pay back the money as and when due.

    NAN

  • Buhari to Akintola Williams at 100: Nigeria will always be proud of you

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with renowned chartered accountant, iconic leader and legendary teacher, Chief Akintola Williams, who turns a centenarian on Aug. 9.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday, Buhari congratulated the elder statesman for many honours and pride brought to Nigeria and Africa.

    He commended Chief Williams for his pioneering and pace setting roles, laying the foundation for many institutions in the country, which included Nigerian Stock Exchange and Institute of Chartered Accountants.

    According to him, these institutions have long turned into strong pillars of the Nigerian economy.

    As first chartered accountant in Africa, the President believed Williams’s prudent utilisation of time from his youth, and a proclivity for looking beyond circumstances, separated him early for global recognition.

    He said this had turned him into an institution that many would continue to study and draw inspiration from.

    Buhari extolled the centenarian’s adventurous spirit of seeking and taking up challenges like music, arts and promotion of culture.

    He added that this underscored his willingness to always serve the country and move it to greater heights through knowledge, wisdom and counsels to leaders.

    The President joined family, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating with Williams, and for achieving the feat of inspiring the largest professional services firm in Nigeria with Deloitte & Touche.

    He prayed that the almighty God would grant Chief Williams health and strength to continue serving God, the country and humanity.

    NAN

  • Saving life, my hobby, says award winning cleric

    Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, who has been honoured with the US International Religious Freedom Award for risking his life to save some Christians in Jos crisis, says saving life remains his hobby

    He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makkah on the sideline of the 2019 Hajj Pre-Arafat meeting with Stakeholders on Friday.

    The event was organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to acquaint the public on its preparedness to ensure successful 2019 Hajj.

    ” It has always been my cardinal principle to save a life, no matter who is involved, Christian or Muslim. Life to me is so precious to be wasted,” he said.

    The Imam of Yelwa central mosque, who hails from Akyomi village, Bauchi state with 18 children and three wives, however, called on Nigerians to eschew violence and tolerate one another, irrespective of religious and ethnic differences.

    The cleric, who is also a farmer, however, called on Nigerians to intensify prayer for God’s intervention in the various challenges confronting the country.

    Abdullahi thanked Buhari for honouring him with the membership of the Ulama team and prayed to God to give him much wisdom to pilot the affairs of the nation to the yearning and aspiration of Nigerians.

    The acting chairman, NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, who commended the cleric for the show of love, said President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered that Abdullahi be included in the membership of the National Ulama committee.

    NAN reports that the international award-winning religious leader is among 80 others charged with the responsibility of enlightening Nigerians pilgrims in Muna.

    NAN

  • Heatwave caused nearly 400 more deaths in Netherlands – stats agency

    Almost 400 people more died in the Netherlands during Europe’s recent record-breaking heatwave than in a regular summer week, Dutch national statistics agency, CBS, said on Friday.

    In total, 2,964 people died in the Netherlands during the week that started on July 22, the CBS said, which was around 15 per cent more than during an average week in the summertime.

    Temperature records tumbled across Europe during late July’s heatwave, and for the first time since records began, topped 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the Netherlands on July 25.

    The death toll in the Netherlands during that week was comparable to the rate during two heatwaves in 2006, which were among the longest ever in the country, the researchers said.

    About 300 of the additional fatalities were among people aged 80 years and older.

    Most of the deaths occurred in the east of the Netherlands, where temperatures were higher and the heatwave lasted longer than in other parts of the country.

    The Netherlands has a population of around 17 million.

    The heatwave was the second to hit Europe in a month, and climate specialists warn such bursts of heat may become more common as the planet warms up due to greenhouse gas emissions.

    Reuters

     

  • Arafat: 80 Islamic scholars enlighten Nigerian pilgrims on hajj ethics

    By Dada Ahmed
    No fewer than 80 Ulamas (clerics) will preach to Nigerian pligrims on hajj ethics as they joined over 1.8 million other pilgrims from across the world in Muna on Friday.

    The pilgrims would be in Muna for three days to under go series of hajj rites culminating in Arafat on Aug.10.

    The Coordinator of the National Ulama team, Imam Ahmed Sahad, disclosed this on Friday in Makkah during the 2019 Hajj Pre-Arafat meeting with stakeholders.

    The occasion was organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to brief the public on the journey so far in the course of the 2019 pilgrimage.

    According to him, the team has carried out series of  programmes to enlighten the pilgrims, to ensure they keep in tune with the principles of Islam.

    In his opening remarks, the acting Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, listed Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar among the clerics.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the membership of Abubakar into the team in appreciation of his gesture.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 84-year-old Imam of Yelwa central mosque hid about 300 victims of a Jos crisis thereby saving them from being killed.

    Muhammad urged members of the team to enlighten the pilgrims on the ethics of hajj to ensure an acceptable pilgrimage.

    “Hajj is multi institutional and needs the support of other stakeholders in the society to succeed.

    ” I urge you to work as a team, to give the pilgrims teaching that will not confuse them, no scholarly debate, don’t involve the pilgrims beyond their comprehension.

    “This is to make sure the pilgrims get value for their money,” he said.

    The acting chairman, who said that the commission had concluded arrangement for a successful Hajj this year, called on the stakeholders to join hands with it to accomplish the task.

    He also called on the pilgrims to tolerate one another in Arafat and imbibe the preaching of the clerics to have a satisfactory pilgrimage.

    ” There may not be enough space for every pilgrim, therefore, it becomes important that pilgrims must tolerate one another in ensuring they attain acceptable Hajj,” he said.

    The Head medical team in the commission, Dr Ibrahim Kana, advised pilgrims to take adequate water to avoid dehydration and other related challenges.

    In his address of welcome, the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, retired Justice Issa Dodo, lauded NAHCON and its staff “for a good job” in Hajj activities and called on them to enhance the tempo.

    A member of the National Ulama team, Khadijah Gambo, stressed the need for NAHCON to ensure that pilgrims were enlightened, on the ethics of hajj, three months before pilgrimage to avoid “embarrassing situation.”

    The Commissioner in charge of operations in the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Saleh, said the number of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year, increased by 15 per cent.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many Islamic scholars and top members of staff attended the occasion.

    NAN