Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

Flowerbud News, Niger, The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, has called on Niger residents to support the reform programmes of President Bola Tinubu.

Mohammed said that the programmes were aimed at repositioning the country for a brighter future and to make it take it rightful place in the comity of nations.

He said this at a programme tagged “Sensitising the Citizenry on Federal Government Intervention Programmes at the states and Local Government Levels”, in Minna on Thursday.

Idris, represented by Hajiya Asabe Garba, Head Federal Information Resource Center, Minna, said the event was to make residents appreciate Tinubu’s intervention programmes designed to ease impact of the policies.

“These policies include the removal of fuel subsidy, the president is not blind to its impact on the citizens, these policies are geared toward a better future for our country,” he said.

He listed some of the interventions to include the disbursement of about N2.9 billion interest free students loan to tertiary institutions and monthly upkeep for 27,667 students by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

Others are the consumer credit, the compressed natural gas initiative, digital creative enterprise programme, skill-up artisans programme and the national Youth talent export programme.

They also include the housing initiatives, nano business support, and the nigerian youth academy and micro and small business loans.

The minister said others were providing relief to 10,000 youths of the Niger Delta Region to help them attain desired skills and work experience through the NDDC Youth Empowerment Internship scheme.

He noted that the programmes were key to promoting economic growth, creating job opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for every Nigerian.
He said that the Federal government had strengthened national security for peace, boost agriculture to achieve food security and improve governance for service delivery.

Idris encouraged participants to engage actively in the discussion by sharing their perspectives and contribute meaningfully towards the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

In a presentation, Alhaji Yahaya Gbongbo, state Director of National Orientation Agency, said Nigerians should explore those interventions that are already benefiting the poor such as the students loan.

In his remarks, Mr Abu Nmodu, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Niger, said communication gap was responsible for spread of fake news regarding governments developmental policies and programmes.

Nmodu said that adequate and timely dissemination of information would tame the menace of fake news that poses a threat to national security and development.

By Mohammed Baba Busu

The Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has donated cash and food items worth N3.2 million to widows and vulnerable in Bida Emirate of Niger.

It would be recalled that CPS Idris provided the gesture to the beneficiaries under his Ahmed Idris Media Aide Foundation at wadata palace in Bida.

The items were distributed to the beneficiaries in commemoration of the 72nd birthday and 21st year anniversary of the 13th Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar

About 130 widows and vulnerable persons got N5,000 and a bag of either 5kg rice or millet each under the largesse.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, commended the donor for the invaluable gesture, describing Idris as a “true and proud son of kin Nupe”.

The Etsu Nupe said that the gesture came at a better time when majority of Nigerians were finding it hard to provide food on the for their respective families.

The First class traditional ruler urged other indigenes of Nupe kingdom to emulate the chief press secretary and extend their hands of support to the less privileged people in the society, so as to alleviate their sufferings.

He explained that the wealth bestowed on individuals by Almighty Allah is meant to be shared and not hoarded.

The Etsu Nupe therefore stressed the need for wealthy Nupes to always assist their less privileged brothers and sisters, to alleviate their suffering.

He also called on Nupes at home and in the Diaspora to be united for the development of the area.

“It is only when the people of the domain are united that we can forge ahead and foster the socioeconomic development of Nupe kingdom, Niger State and indeed Nigeria.

“We must all unite to bring speedy development to Kin Nupe and to as well attract good things to the area,” he said.

Abubakar described Idris’s appointment as the chief spokesman to the Kebbi State Governor, Mr Nasir Idris, outside his own state as a complete indication of his honesty and sincerity in the discharge of his professional conducts as a journalist.

“For the governor to single you out of many indigenous journalists in Kebbi state to appoint you as his press secretary, is an indication of the confidence he has on you.

“So my passionate request from you is that continue to be a good ambassador of Nupe kingdom in Kebbi state so that the entire Nupe nation will be proud of you at all times,” he charged.

The traditional ruler lauded the governor, the people of Kebbi state and the Gwandu Emirate council for the confidence they reposed on his son from the Nupe land and from Bida Emirate, noting that the appointment is a complete indication of the existing brotherliness between the two emirates.

Speaking earlier, Idris lauded the governor for the confidence reposed on him to serve as his spokesperson, assuring that he will not disappoint him.

The CPS, while congratulating the Etsu Nupe on behalf of his boss and people of the state on his 21 year anniversary on the throne of his forefathers and 72nd birthday, assured that he would not disappoint the Etsu Nupe.

The CPS recalled the powerful delegations Etsu Nupe sent to his boss to appreciate him for the appointment.

”Since I went to Kebbi State as a state correspondent of a national newspaper, I have established a good working relationship with the governor right from his days as a labour leader.

”Also, Your Royal Highness, my appointment as the Chief Press Secretary will not be complete without thanking you for the royal blessings I received from you in your palace.

”Which informed my reason of bringing down my appointment letter to you for your further royal blessing which you blessed.

”Let me assure you, Your Royal Highness, I will not disappoint you and the entire Nupe Kingdom and Bida Emirate council. Let me also use this opportunity to inform you that the Nupe community in Kebbi state are living in peace with their host.”

He explained that his foundation was aimed at improving the well-being of the less privileged, vulnerable and widows in kin Nupe for them to cushion the hardship in the country.

NAN

Flowerbud News

Flowerbud News

The former governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel has been voted Man of the Year in the 2024 Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX).

In a 13-day nationwide poll monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) Adaora Umeoji, founder Pink Breast Cancer Care Foundation emerged Woman of the Year and  Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor of the Year.

Emmanuel polled 1,460,388 votes to defeat, Chief Barth Nnaji, CEO, Geometric Power who got  861,976, while Otunba Michael Adenuga, Chairman, Globacom got 267,915 votes.

Sanwo-Olu polled 437,528 votes to  defeated Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno who got 298,344.

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia got 286,235 and Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun polled 86,195.

In the same vein, Dr Adaora Umeoji who got 819, 543 votes defeated Folorunso Alakija, GMD Rose of Sharon Group and Founder Flourish Africa Foundation (611,854); Sen. Aishatu Binani, Former Senator Adamawa Central (358,024) and Prof. Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor University of Calabar (306,814)

The Man and Woman of the Year awards are the most prestigious online media honours in the country, recognizing exceptional individuals who have made significant impacts.

The past four years’ winners include: Man of the Year:- 2023: Alhaji Abdul Rabiu- 2022: H.E. Peter Obi- 2021: Obi Cubana- 2020: Dr. Godwin Maduka

Woman of the Year:- 2023: Prof. Nnenna Oti- 2022: Dr. Betta Edu- 2021: H.E. Judith Amaechi- 2020: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

These individuals have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.

NAN reports that the three winners are among an esteemed group of 42 accomplished Nigerians who emerged winners of the coveted LEEX awards.

They will be presented with the awards at the upcoming 6th edition of the awards ceremony which honours exceptional leaders and change-makers in various fields.

The highly coveted award, endorsed by the African Union and the African Film Institute, will be presented at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Banquet Hall, Abuja in a grand ceremony on Nov. 2.

NAN

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has called on all Nigerians to remain prayerful for the sustenance of peace, unity and progress of the country.

Alhaji Abubakar made the call on Monday at his Wadata Palace, Bida, Niger in his message to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

He said that the celebration of Maulud Nabiyi was remarkable and reinvigorates the virtues of faith, sacrifice, obedience, love, tolerance, charity and peaceful co-existence.

The Royal father stressed that Nigerians’ collective faith in God and sustained prayers for peace, unity and progress of the country, remain the ultimate goal.

“As Muslims who are sincere in their faith, we are supposed to follow all that the Prophet of Islam preaches and teaches,”he said

Alhaji Abubakar urged Nigerians to continue to be tolerant and live in peace with one another, irrespective of religious, cultural and ethnic differences.

He said that peace and unity are veritable tools for national development, adding that Nigerians must strive to maintain them for the nation to move forward.

The traditional ruler said sustained prayers would enable the nation to overcome the devilish acts threatening its peaceful coexistence.

He said the two major religions in the country preached peace and unity, and as such, Nigerians should adhere and focus on how to go closer to God instead of fomenting trouble.

“Without peace and unity, socio-economic development will continue to elude the country.”

Etsu Nupe urged Muslim faithful to learn how to forgive, stressing that Allah Himself forgives.

He called on Muslims to be prayerful, saying that prayer was key to overcoming any situation in which they found themselves.

The royal father urged Muslims to shun acts capable of tarnishing the image of Islam.

Abubakar stated that, it was not just enough to be a Muslim, but you must also have the fear of Allah and behave in the most acceptable manner to your fellow human beings.

“Let us revive the teachings of the prophet by preaching peace wherever we find ourselves,” he said.

According to the traditional ruler, Maulud is not only for merry making, but also a time to emulate what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent by Almighty God to come and do.

He said that as Muslims who are sincere in their faith, we are supposed to follow all that the Prophet of Islam preaches and teaches.

NAN

Flowerbud News (Abuja) The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has demanded a retraction of election rigging allegation made against him by the chairperson of Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi.

Aziegbemi had in a statement on Sept. 14, accused the Federal Government of planning to rig the upcoming Edo Governorship Election, using Ribadu and the Department of State Service (DSS).

He claimed that Ribadu had released 2 million U.S Dollars to the APC governorship candidate in the election as part of the plot.

In reaction to the allegation, Ribadu’s lawyers, Charles Musa & Co, described the allegation as “totally false” and demanded immediate retraction.

“We write on behalf of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (our Client), in response to your press statement titled “Edo 2024: presidency’s move to interfere, manipulate guber poll using DSS, NSA uncovered.”

“The publication falsely alleges, inter alia, that, “$2 million was ordered to be released to the APC candidate by the NSA to buy votes and bribe security agencies,” the letter said.

The lawyers said the malicious and libelous statement had brought their client into public disdain and odium.

According to them, the portrayal of their client as a corruption enabler and his office as an appendage of a political party willing to cause chaos in Edo, is entirely false and damaging to his reputation.

“As a renowned career police officer and pioneer Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), our Client has consistently demonstrated integrity and a commitment to fighting corruption.

“It is inconceivable that he would be involved in such odious acts.

“Given the extensive damage your false and baseless allegations have caused our client, we demand a written apology to our Client  and a full retraction of the publication in its entirety.

“We also demand a publication of the retraction in a full-page advertorial in at least five nationwide newspapers; 10 reputable and well-read online news sites; seven national and international television stations, and 10 radio channels with national and international reach,” they said.

The lawyers also demanded payment of N10 billion as damages for reputational and other injuries.

“Take notice that if our demands are not met within seven days, we shall proceed with our Client’s further instructions, including taking legal action to enforce his rights,” they added.

NAN