Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • AUPCTRE wins again, court orders enforcement of award for Anambra employee

    The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) records victory again, as court orders enforcement of parts of the Industrial Arbitration Panel award to its members in Anambra.

    This was contained in a statement signed by AUPCTRE’s Secretary General Raphael Imade, on Sunday, in Abuja.

    The National Industrial Court (NIC) in Enugu, presided over by Justice O. O Arowosegbe, had on June 3, struck out a case filed by the union on behalf of its members in Anambra, for being incompetent, saying it could not grant an order already granted by the IAP, but could only enforce the same.

    AUPCTRE had filed a case against the state government at the IAP in Abuja, in 2005 over non payment of 48 months salaries and eight years leave allowance for employees of the Anambra State Water Corporation; and denying workers of the state’s Environmental Protection Agency 25 months salaries and eight years leave allowance.

    In 2012, the IAP awarded in favour of AUPCTRE and the workers among other claims, their total outstanding arrears of salaries and leave allowances.

    The IAP further ordered that the Anambra State Government should promote and increase the workers’ salaries across board and also ensure payment of workers gratuities and pension.

    It said, in spite of the IAP award in favour of the workers, the Anambra State Government blatantly refused to make the necessary payments to AUPCTRE and workers as ordered.

    The IAP had held that the conduct of Anambra government in refusing to pay its workers salaries for such a long time was the worst form of unfair labour practice in Nigeria.

    AUPCTRE said in the statement that the unpleasant situation led the union to file an application at the NIC for the enforcement of the IAP award wherein the first bank account of the Anambra State Government was garnished in year 2014 for the payment of the judgment debts and cost.

    Garnishment refers to a legal process that instructs a third party to deduct payments directly from a debtor’s wage or bank account, it is used in recovering debts such as unpaid taxes, monetary fines, child support payments and defaulted student loans.

    After the said enforcement by garnishee in 2014, the government still refused to pay the workers’ salaries and leave allowances; and also did not promote and increase the workers’ salaries or pay pensions and gratuities as ordered in the award by IAP, it said.

    AUPCTRE said this action by Anambra government forced it to file an application to NIC in 2018 to enforce part of the IAP award of promotion and salary increase across board and for payment of the retired workers’ pension and gratuities.

    It was this application that led to the judgment of NIC, Enugu Judicial Division on June 3, wherein the Court held that it could not grant an order already granted by the IAP, but could enforce part of the award that was yet to be enforced.

    The court further held that its enforcement jurisdiction could only be properly invoked through garnishee proceedings and application for committal until the IAP award was carried out.

    It further ordered for an application to put the personal property of the judgment debtor on sale until it was able to defray the judgment sum.

    According to AUPCTRE, the court said that it does not agree that the yet to be enforced part of the IAP award cannot be enforced by garnishee proceedings.

    It said the workers’ pensions, gratuities, promotion and salary increase can be calculated and arrived at by simple arithmetic where the judgment debtors refused to carry out the award.

  • Zoo keeper impregnates female orangutan, says it was consensual

    A zoo keeper at Surabaya, Indonesia has been arrested for impregnating a female orangutan, he was charged with sexual assault on a number of animals, reports the Kalimantan Press this morning.

    In a shocking discovery, a 38-year-old zoo keeper at Indonesia;s Surabaya zoo was caught by hidden camera put in place by zoo’s security officials while in full action, sexually assaulting the animals including the orangutan.

    The cameras were installed after doubts emerged about the man’s devious actions towards the zoo animals.

    “Some animals seemed sexually aroused when it was time to feed them” explains Akhiroel Yahya, employee of the zoo for 14 years.

    “But what made us most suspicious was when we discovered Marylin, our oldest orangutan, was pregnant. She has never been in contact with any other orangutans because of her aggressive nature, so it didn’t make any sense” he acknowledges, visibly troubled by the news.

    The zoo officials admit it took them sometime before being able to explain what had actually happened.

    “At first, we clearly did not comprehend what had happened,” admits the zoo’s director, Abdoel Hakim. “Marilyn has been secluded for the past 10 years, it was a total mystery,” he acknowledges.

    “It is only when we placed several hidden cameras that we learned the horrible truth” he admits, visibly angered by the whole situation.

    When confronted by local authorities, the offender denied any wrong doing on his part.

    “He said everything he had done was consensual,” explains police chief Abubakar Jaar. “He said he loved each and everyone of the animals and was very sorry he had impregnated the orangutan,” he told local reporters.

    “He says he did not know orangutans could get pregnant from humans,” he added.

    Some specialists claim a rare genetic predisposition could explain how a man could have impregnated the female orangutan.

    “Contrary to popular belief, the orangutan species is much closer to the human species than chimpanzees. We share practically the same DNA code, with only minute differences, which could explain the orangutan falling pregnant from this man” explains Paleobiologist Bachtiar Pado Panghulu, of the University of Jakarta.

    “Particularly in Indonesia, the genetic profile of some of the population is extremely close to the orangutan species, leading us to believe they’re might have been a common ancestor to both species only a few hundred thousand years ago,” he admits.

    Surabaya zoo, Indonesia’s largest zoo, repeatedly made headlines in 2012 because of its scandalous treatment of its animals after a former employee of the zoo claimed that over 50 animals had died at the zoo during the three months since he had been hired. /Flowerbudnews

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  • Presidency explains spending on $1bn security fund, dismisses PDP’s claims

    The Presidency has dismissed Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) allegation that the one billion dollars drawn from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was spent by the Muhammadu Buhari administration on the 2019 general elections.

    The Peoples Democratic Party in a statement on Sunday asked Buhari to explain to Nigerians what his administration had done with one billion dollars drawn from the ECA in 2017 and meant to address the nation’s security challenges.

    The amount was approved by the National Economic Council in December,  2017, to be used to purchase weapons to fight insurgency across the country.

    However, Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, said “this unverifiable allegation’’ clearly indicated that the PDP was suffering from socio emotional distress.

    He said  PDP ”thinks that all governments in the world run on the basis of freewheeling looting as they did their own.

    ”Here is what happened to that 1,000 million dollars.

    ”It’s on record that the Buhari administration paid about 490 million dollars for a dozen Super Tucano fighter aircraft in a direct, government-to-government (no Contractors or Commission Agents) transaction with government of the United States.

    ”Various other military procurements have been made. Balance of expenditure stands at about 880 million dollars or so.

    ”The PDP spent Defence procurement funds on their failed 2015 political campaigns as proven in court.

    ”That is not to say every succeeding government, more so one led by a Buhari will do the same.”

    The presidential aide added that, barring considerations of national security, the details of the stage of implementation, the procurements made and the suppliers will be obtained and made available on Monday. (NAN)

  • NAHCON urges pilgrims to be security conscious

    Nigerian pilgrims to the 2019 Hajj have been advised to be security conscious as their movement from Madinah to Makkah entered second day on Friday.

    The Head of Civic Orientation, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Alhaji Bala Umar, gave the advice while sensitising the pilgrims in Madinah.

    He stressed the need for the pilgrims to always interact with the officers of the commision detailed to take care of their welfare, to ensure they had hitch-free Hajj.

    “The sensitisation programme will be a continuous exercise to ensure that every pilgrim achieve acceptable Hajj,” he said.

    Bala expressed satisfaction on the orderly and peaceful conduct of the pilgrims and urged them to sustain the tempo.

    He, however, told the pilgrims to always seek clarification from Hajj officers on grey areas in order to accomplish their reason of being in Saudi Arabia.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no Nigerian pilgrim has been caught breaching the security of Saudi Arabian authorities since the first batch arrived Madinah on July 10.

    Meanwhile, Nigerian pilgrims have continued in their prayers at the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah in an orderly manner, under the watchful eyes of Saudi Arabian security personnel.

    Sources from NAHCON showed that Flynas XY 5453 departed Sokoto to Madinah early morning on Friday with 428 Sokoto pilgrims.

    The commission said that the number comprised 284 males and 144 females, adding that a total of 12,131 pilgrims had so far arrived Madinah in 25 flights, since the inaugural flight in Katsina on July 10.

    NAN

  • Wizkid’s manager, babymama, says account was hacked, denies domestic violence post

    Jada Pollock, Wizkid’s manager and third babymama, has denied a viral post on social media accusing the singer of domestic violence, claiming that her Instagram account was hacked.

    She wrote on her Instagram @_jada.p: “My account was hacked in the late hours of Monday morning and my Instagram account was compromised.

    “I can guarantee that the statement written was not by my hand. I can only apologise for any confusion this may have caused.

    “I have now recovered my account.”
    img src=”https://newsroom.nan.ng/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jada.jpg” alt=”” width=”400? height=”499? class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-1431418? />
    Jada Pollock (Source: IG)

    The post announcing her split from Wizkid had earlier surfaced on Pollock Instagram page, alleging that the ‘Fever’ crooner hit her multiple times during the relationship.

    It read in parts: “From today, Ayo and I will no longer work together. I have been in an abusive relationship with him for years, covering up for him time and time again and I am tired.

    “Wiz continuously puts his hands on me, leaves me with bruises that I cover up from the world, including my friends and family.

    “It often feels like we are at war in the same house. I have done all I can to keep this all together but from today, I let go.”

    However, in less than 48 hours, Pollock refuted the post that had alleged domestic violence and split from the Star boy.

    Pollock, also known as Jada Styles, is a showbiz icon and head of a consulting business firm she co-founded with African football star, Didier Drogba.

    She is responsible for the branding of many prominent international football players.

    Her relationship with Wizkid began on professional terms before the arrival of their child, causing rifts between the first mothers of his children.

    NAN

  • Lalong dissolves tertiary institutions governing councils, reappoints Jackden PRTVC GM

    Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has dissolved the governing councils of tertiary institutions in the state.
    Mr Richard Tokma, Acting Secretary to Plateau Government, said in a statement that the dissolution was in furtherance to the dissolution of chief executives and members of boards, commissions and parastatals announced on May 28.
    “Further to the press statement on the dissolution of chief executives and members of boards, commissions and parastatals, government wishes to announce that the dissolution extends to governing councils of higher institutions of learning.
    “The affected institutions include: Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi; College of Health Technology, Pankshin; College of Health Technology, Zawan; and College of Agriculture,  Garkawa.
    “Others are College of Nursing, Vom and College of Arts, Science and Technology, Kurgwi,” it said.
    The statement advised the chairmen and members of the governing councils to handover government property in their possession to the chief executives of the respective institutions.
    The statement appreciated them for their immense contributions to the development of the institutions and wished them well in their future endeavours.
    Meanwhile, the governor has approved the reappointment of Jeftha Jackden as the General Manager of Plateau Radio/Television Corporation (PRTVC).
    It would be recalled that Jackden’s position as GM was among those dissolved by the state government on May 28, 2019.
    According to the statement, Jackden’s reappointment takes effect from May 29, 2019.
    NAN

  • Apex court sentences Australian dad to life for killing 3 daughters, wife, grandmother

    An Australian Supreme Court on Friday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Anthony Harvey, who admitted to killing his three young daughters, twin, two-year-old and three-year-old with their mother and grandmother to life imprisonment.

    The people were found dead inside their home in suburban Perth in Sept. 2018, after Harvey, walked into a police station in the Pilbara region and reported the himself.

    Supreme Court Justice, Stephen Hall, held that Harvey’s crimes were exceptionally horrific and sentenced him to life in prison.

    Hall said, Harvey was the first person in Western Australia that will never be released from jail, a provision that was introduced to the state’s homicide laws in 2008.

    “There is no other case that is truly comparable,’’ the judge said,  as the women were unsuspecting, while the children were asleep before they were horribly murdered.

    However, Harvey had written in a journal about embracing his “darkness and animal instincts and eliminating’’ his family.

    “I am no psycho. I feel too much, I always have, I will regret what I do’’ he wrote, according to Australian news agency AAP.

    Hall said the journal entries were “not a mere record of dark fantasies’’ and added that Harvey had planned the murder for days.

    dpa/NAN

  • Man in court for allegedly impersonating army officer

    The police on Friday, arraigned a 39-year-old fake soldier, Mohammed Ibrahim, in a Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court,  Abuja for allegedly impersonating an army officer

    The police charged Ibrahim, whose address was not given with two counts of impersonation and carrying used token.

    The Prosecutor Counsel, A.S.  Oyeyemi, told the court that Col. K.U Sidi, of the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment FCT Abuja, reported the matter at the FCT Police Command, on June 3.

    Oyeyemi, said that in December 2018 at Mpape Area of Abuja, the complainant  caught the defendant with complete army uniform, claiming to serving member of the Nigerian Army, in Bama, Borno.

    He alleged that during investigation it was discovered that the defendant was not a serving member of the Nigerian Army.

    The prosecutor said that when the defendant was arrested and during police investigation he confessed to the crime.

    He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 132 and 133 of the Panel Code.

    After the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Lateef Abolaji,  admitted the defendant to bail pursuant to the provisions of sections 158 and 162 of the ACJA and section 35 (1) and 36 (5) of CFRN 1999 (As amended) in the sum of N100, 000 and one surety in like sum.

    He also ordered that surety must be a resident of FCT with a traceable and verifiable home and work addresses, and he should also deposit his or her National Identity card (s) or slip, International Passport, Voter’s Card or Driving License.

    The Magistrate adjourned the case until Oct. 3, for hearing.

    NAN

  • Bill Gates loses ‘second richest man’ seat to LVMH’s Bernard Arnault

    Bill Gates has been unseated as the second richest man in the world, losing the position to Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the latest ranking by Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index, Arnault is in second place with Jeff Bezos still retaining first place.

    Arnault and his family are the majority owners of Christian Dior and LVMH, parent of such brands as Louis Vuitton, Celine, Fendi, Moët, Hennessy, Dom Pérignon, and others.

    As LVMH’s share price has soared in 2019, so has Arnault’s worth. It now stands at about $107.6 billion, more than $200 million ahead of Gates, Bloomberg estimates.

    The report also states that Gates would had been ranked the richest person, even ahead of Bezos if not for his philanthropic giveaways which gave Arnault more room to climb.

    The French entrepreneur entered the luxury industry in 1984, when he bought Boussac, a textile empire in the midst of bankruptcy that owned Dior.

    The famed label by then had deteriorated by licensing its name out to companies producing sub-par products.

    Arnault set about reviving it, turning it into a vertically integrated company that did its own production, distribution, and marketing.

    He went on to buy up other brands, such as Céline, and in 1988 engineered the deal that made him the majority shareholder of LVMH.

    Forbes currently ranks Dior as the world’s largest fashion brand based on sales, profits, assets, and market value.

    Meanwhile, LVMH on the whole keeps attracting customers around the world, with China being the latest highly profitable frontier. (NAN)