Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Female Nigerian pilgrim dies in Saudi Arabia- Official

    An elderly female Nigerian pilgrim from Sokoto State has died in Madinah, Saudi Arabia few days to the commencement of 2019 Hajj rites.

    Dr Hamidu Liman, Head of Medical team, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Madinah on Tuesday.

    Liman, who did not identify the deceased, said she had an ailment before embarking on the trip, but later referred to Al Ansar hospital, Madinah, where she died, four days ago.

    According to Liman, the deceased was buried in Madinah after her family was contacted.

    “The deceased developed an illness from Nigeria, we attended to her but when her condition did not improve, we referred her for special attention at Al Ansar hospital, Madinah.

    “We lost her in the hospital four days ago.

    “I would advise intending pilgrims to ascertain their health status before embarking on pilgrimage because it involves lots of energy-sapping activities.

    “They are urged to do physical exercise before embarking on pilgrimage, to ensure they are physically fit for the exercise,” he said.

    Liman said that three other pilgrims had fracture; one with pathological fracture while two others accidentally fell on the floor due to slippery tiles and were treated.

    He identified major health challenges confronting Nigerian pilgrims to include fatigue, headache, hypertension and asthma.

    He said the commission had established four health centres in various locations in Madinah to handle pilgrims’ minor ailments.

    The head of the medical team said pilgrims with special medical cases were referred to tertiary hospital for further medical attention in agreement with Saudi Government to treat such cases free of charge.

    According to him, there are ambulances and adequate drugs for pilgrims’ basic ailment.

    Liman said that Quest time hotel, the venue of one of the health centres, treated 2,500 pilgrims, being the highest number so far.

    He urged pilgrims to rest and minimise shopping with a view to copping with the rigour associated with Hajj rites.

    Meanwhile, NAHCON said it had so far transported 27,466 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia as at Tuesday in 56 flights, adding that the latest flight of Max Air VM3005 departed Bauchi for Madinah with 550 Bauchi State pilgrims.

    NAN

  • Ganduje releases N2bn tuition fees for foreign students

    Kano State Government has settled over N2 billion outstanding fees of its students in El-Razi University in Sudan,

    The debt was incurred by the administration of ex-governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje made the disclosure when he received the Chairman Board of Trustees of the University, Prof. Ibrahim Ghandour on Tuesday in Kano.

    “My government inherited students from the previous administration with a lot of money to be paid.

    “And through good mediation between the University and Kano State, we were able to settle this amount so that our students will complete their studies,” he stated.

    Ganduje who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna disclosed that his administration had paid almost 80% of all the fees of its students in India, Egypg and Cyprus, which were also inherited from the previous administration.

    The governor added that the administration recently paid over N300 million to Cyprus University to enable students sponsored by the state to complete their programmes.?

    He berated individuals politicizing the issue of education in the state, saying such attitude would not in any way benefit the state or the country.

    “What it entails is not the issue of politicizing any aspect of education,  whoever has to be a critic, has to be positive in his criticisms as nobody is perfect. Now that we are patient enough, we have paid the money,” he added.?

    While appreciating the cordial relationship between Sudan and Nigeria, Ganduje assured the management of El-Razi University that Kano state students would continue to be found worthy in learning and character.

    On the Doctorate Degree awarded to him by the University, the governor said the honour was to all the people of Kano state.

    Earlier,  Ghandour said they were in Kano to express their appreciation over the mutual relationship that exists between the two over the years.

    ” We are purposely here to present the University request to offer His Excellency a Doctorate Degree.

    “El-Razi University is now 23 years old, graduated batches from Medicine,  Pharmacy, but this is the best Doctorate Degree offered to any personality either nationally personality ” he explained.

    He said the award would be presented on Aug. 26, 2019.(NAN)

  • Hajj: 19,081 Nigerian pilgrims in Madinah – NAHCON

    The number of pilgrims from Nigeria to Madinah, for the 2019 Hajj, has reached 19,081 in 39 flights, according to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Madinah on Wednesday.

    NAHCON’s Command and Control Centre said that MaxAir NGL1049 had departed Ilorin for Jeddah at 05:40 a m, comprising 369 Kwara pilgrims with 187 males and 182 females.

    The centre also disclosed that Kano pilgrims, made up of 121 males and 64 females, left Nigeria for Madinah.

    Meanwhile, Nigerian pilgrims have been conducting their religious obligations toward the fulfillment of Hajj requirement in Makkah peacefully.

    Officers of NAHCON and their counterparts from the states have been doing their best in enlightening pilgrims of what is expected of them to attain acceptable Hajj.

    Other officers were seen attending to accommodation and health needs of pilgrims and ensuring that pilgrims are served with good food among others.

    However, in spite of the advice from NAHCON officers to the pilgrims to concentrate on the religious aspect of their journey to the holy land, some of them have embarked on shopping.

    They claimed that the materials were meant to serve as gifts for their families and friends at home.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in Madinah reports that the least article available for purchase as gift is 5 riyad, equivalent to N500.

    Many pilgrims, however, told NAN that they had engaged in serious prayer for peace in Nigeria, besides doing so for their families and friends.

    Some said they made friends among fellow Muslims from other parts of the world.

    According to them, Islam is a religion of peace, which enjoins its adherents to show love to others, irrespective of religious, tribe and colour. (NAN)

  • Kebbi Govt dissolves 21 LG Councils

    The Kebbi Government on Wednesday dissolved the 21 local government councils’ chairmen following the expiration of their tenure on July 24.

    Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Atiku Bagudu, made this known in a statement in Birnin Kebbi.

    “The Kebbi State Government has directed all chairmen of local government councils to hand over the affairs of the local governments to the Secretary of Local Government of their area,” Dakingari said.

    He said the action followed the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen and councilors on July 24.

    “An official circular from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Umar, indicated that the chairmen and councilors were elected for two- year tenure.

    ”They were also sworn into office on the 24th of July, 2017,” he said.

    Dakingari said the state government appreciated the outgoing chairmen and councilors for their selfless contribution to the development of the grassroots.

    “The governor wished the outgoing chairmen and councilor Allah’s guidance in their future endeavour,” Dakingari said. (NAN)

  • Travel agent docked over alleged N2.7m visa fraud

    The Police in Lagos on Wednesday arraigned a Travel Agent, Oluwasegun Gbeleye, 34, before a Surulere Chief  Magistrates’ Court over alleged N2.7 million Australian visa fraud.

    Gbeleye, whose address was not provided, appeared before the court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, fraud and stealing.

    He however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, granted him bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Adelaja ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She however, adjourned the case till Aug. 12 for mention.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, alleged that the defendant defrauded Mr Prince Nnadozie, sometime in March 2018 at Randle General Hospital, Lagos.

    Osayande said that the defendant fraudulently obtained N2.7 million from Nnadozie, with a promise to secure five Australian visas and work permit for him, but failed to do so.

    She alleged that the defendant made his client five fake Australian visas and converted the money to his personal use.

    The prosecutor said that when Nnadozie knew that he had been swindled and asked for his money back, the defendant insisted that he was still working on the visas.

    Osayande told the court that the defendant perpetrated the crime with the aid of  Rosemary Chichi, still at large.

    The offences contravene Sections 287, 314, 365 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing. (NAN)

  • FG, Siemens’ deal will revolutionise power sector – KEDCO MD

    The Managing Director of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Dr Jamilu Gwamna, has said that the power deal signed between the federal government and German-based company, Siemens would revolutionise the power sector in Nigeria.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday in Kano, Gwamma commended the federal government for signing the electricity road map agreement noting that it would resuscitate the power sector.

    The statement signed by Malam Ibrahim Shawai the Head of Corporate communications of KEDCO, the MD said the agreement upon implementation would open up opportunities for the nation.

    “Going by the terms of the agreement, if the deal is successful, millions of jobs will be created automatically and the manufacturing sector will come back to life.

    “The power sector has been neglected for too long.

    “Several attempts made by previous administrations had failed and huge money allocated for the sector was embezzled, with no power to commensurate with what was spent.”

    Gwamna said the German-based company, Siemens, was known for quality and professionalism in view of the impact made in the power sector in Egypt.

    “With 7000MW by 2021 and 11000MW by 2023, we may not solve all the problems in the sector but it will bring about a positive change that will do the magic in the manufacturing sector, rural development and industrialization,’’ he said.

    He added that with improved power capacity, a lot of agro-industries would emerge and every other sector would witness the impact.

    The MD noted that cost of doing business would reduce to the barest minimum.

    He, therefore, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure strict monitoring of the deal to avoid hijacking and going the way of other failed power agreements signed in the past.

    Gwamma appealed to the other arms of government to support the move and work towards the success of the project.

    Buhari on Monday witnessed the signing of the Electricity Road Map Agreement which was a fall out of a meeting the President had held with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel on August 31, 2018. ( NAN)

  • Kogi governor offsets N10m. medical bill of kidney transplant patient

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has come to the rescue of Mrs Omolara Oluyole, a civil servant in the state who needs to undergo kidney transplant to survive, by offsetting her medical bill of N10 million.

    Oluyole is a deputy director at Comprehensive Health Centre, Nagazi, in Adavi Local Government Area of the State.

    Oluyole was diagnosed of a chronic kidney disease at Zenith Medical and Kidney Center, Abuja, on January 18, and is in dire need of kidney transplant to survive.

    A statement issued in Lokoja on Monday by Mr Abdulkareem Suleiman, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Multilateral, Donor Agencies and Special Projects, in Lokoja on Monday, indicated that the governor’s attention was drawn to the life-threatening situation of Oluyole.

    Suleiman, who doubles as the Focal Person for Kogi Social Investment Programme (SIP), said the governor paid the N10 million medical bill on Friday to the Zenith Medical and Kidney Center, in Abuja, where the operation would take place.

    “The governor, who is a passionate leader with original humanist principles, donated the sum of N10m for her kidney transplant, in spite of the paucity of funds and the economic situation of the state.

    “Mrs Stella Omolara Oluyole is one out of many Kogi citizens that have similar critical health problems that our amiable governor has sponsored,” he said.

    NAN

  • Egyptian court sentences 11 to life imprisonment for joining Islamic State

    An Egyptian criminal court on Monday sentenced 11 defendants to life in prison on charges of joining the Islamic State extremist group in Syria and Iraq.

    The Giza Criminal Court also sentenced two other defendants to 15 years in prison and another to three years in the same case.

    All verdicts can be appealed.

    The charges against the defendants include receiving training to carry out hostile acts in the country, plotting attacks on police and military forces and seeking to forcibly topple the government.

    Egypt has been battling an Islamist insurgency in northern Sinai since the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time autocrat Hosny Mubarak.

    The attacks have intensified after the military in 2013 deposed Mohammed Morsi, the first democratically elected but divisive Islamist president of Egypt.

    After his ouster, Morsi was detained and tried in several cases.

    He died in mid-June at the age of 67 after suddenly collapsing inside a courtroom in Cairo. (dpa/NAN)

  • JUST IN: NEMA substation on fire, one dead as Shi’ites clash with police in Abuja

    Some members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, popularly known as Shi’ites, have again clashed with operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in a protest, leading to the death of one suspected Shiite protester in Abuja.

    Our correspondent reports that the protest turned violent when suspect ted members of the Shiites set ablaze the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA’s emergency substation, situated around Federal Secretariat, Abuja.