Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • FG begins nationwide distribution of CNG conversion kits

    FG begins nationwide distribution of CNG conversion kits

    Flowerbud News (Abuja), The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion kits nationwide, to fasttrack the change of petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to use of CNG.

    Mr Micheal Oluwagbemi, Programm Director, Presidential CNG Initiative (PCNGi) disclosed this during an inspection tour and distribution of the kits to six CNG conversion centres in Abuja

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six conversion centres inspected by the team are, NIPCO Oil and Gas Station Airport Road, Kia Motors at Utako, Mijo Gas Auto in Jahi, ABG CNG, Kubwa, Bovas Filling station, Wuse Zone 5 and C&L Mart Energy Solutions Ltd at Lokogoma,

    Oluwagbemi said CNG initiative by President Bola Tinubu would provide cheaper and cleaner vehicle fueling alternative for Nigerians.

    “The President has assured that we are making one million conversion kits available for free for the commercial sector or at reasonable discounts for the private vehicles.

    “This is to enable transportation fare to be moderated across the country over the next couple of years.

     “Of course, it is.technically and logistically tasking to get the kits across to Nigerians because the kits must be installed in these vehicles and they have to be done in a way that is safe and reliable as well,“ he said.

    The coordinator said the federal government had signed up with over 75 conversion partners officially in eight states including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Kogi, FCT, and Kaduna.

    “These eight states are the ones where the conversion incentive program has kicked off. In the next six to eight weeks, we’ll be having additional nine states.

    The states to be included are,  Kwara, Ekiti. Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Kano, and Niger.

    “These states will be joining the category of states where we have activated the program,” he said.

    Oluwagbemi said they were working with governors and private sector to ensure the conversion kits were made available to beneficiaries.

    “Of course, these kits are not manufactured in Nigeria at the moment. We are also enabling local manufacturers with capacity to ensure that we get them done locally.

     We need to make sure that we move the nation’s economy in the right direction; Away from our addiction to petrol and diesel which truly is making the nation’s economy, bankrupt,”  he said.

    For her part, the Coordinator of Business Development and Strategy of the initiative, Mrs Omolara Obileye said the programme would reduce the dependence on fuel.

    She reiterated that while the commercial transporters would have 100 per cent conversion-free, private cars are expected to pay a fraction of the cost of the conversion,

    “However, the cost depends on the vehicle size because there are different types of vehicles, and there is a need to understand exactly what we need to configure in the system.

    “We have over 12 conversion centres in the FCT; we will continue to increase the number and update the public,” she said

    Representatives of the management of the conversion centres, respectively commended the Federal government for the initiative and assured that it would go a long way in ameliorating sufferings if Nigerians.

    NAN

  • Maiduguri flood: NCoS declares 281 inmates missing

    Maiduguri flood: NCoS declares 281 inmates missing

    Flowerbud News

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has declared 281 inmates missing after evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO,  Mr Abubakar Umar on Sunday in Abuja.

    The NCoS also said that seven other inmates had been recaptured.

    Umar said that the service was in custody of the details of the missing inmates, including their biometrics.

    “The flood brought down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the medium security custodial centre Maiduguri (MSCC) as well as the staff quarters in the City.

    “Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.

    “However, it is important to note that the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics, which is being made available to the public.

    “The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.

    “Presently, a total of seven (7) inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.

    “While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety”he said.

    NAN

  • Maiduguri Flood: Atiku donates N100m to Borno Government

    Maiduguri Flood: Atiku donates N100m to Borno Government

    Flowerbud News

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has donated N100 million to the Borno Government for victims of the Alau Dam flood disaster.

    Atiku announced the donation on Sunday during a sympathy visit to Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno in Maiduguri.

    Atiku prayed for the souls of those who lost their lives and speedy recovery for the injured as well as those who lost their properties.

    The former vice president also urged for more support from organisations and philanthropists to the government and people of Borno to facilitate the recovery process.

    He also urged for an investigation of the cause of the incident for adequate measures to prevent future occurrences.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yobe and Gombe states delegations who visited also announced N100m donations each.

    NAN

  • NDLEA intercepts 2.4m tramadol pills in Gombe State

    NDLEA intercepts 2.4m tramadol pills in Gombe State

    Flowerbud News

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted no fewer than 2.4 million tramadol pills in Gombe State.

    NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy Femi Babafemi announced this on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said  the NDLEA operatives acting on credible intelligence on Sept. 14, arrested three suspects.

    He said that the suspects were arrested on Bauchi-Gombe road while travelling in a truck marked GME 552 ZU.

    “A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of 2,490,000 pills of tramadol concealed with bags of salt,” he said.

    In another development, a suspect, Idris Adamu, 23, was arrested with 41.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) at Kachia town, Kaduna State on Sept. 10.

    “Other two suspects,  Godiya Jikuk, 36, and Yusuf Umaru, 65, were arrested at Isinbode -Ekiti, with a total of 73.6 kilogramme cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) on Sept. 11.

    “In Bauchi State, no fewer than 208,920 pills of tramadol and Diazepam were seized from a suspect, Chinedu Asadu, 35 on Sept. 13.

    “Also, 104 kilogrammes of cannabis were recovered from two suspects — Abba Abdullahi and Mustapha Yahaya on Lagos-Ibadan expressway — on Sept. 10 by operatives in Lagos State,” Babafemi said.

    Babafemi also said that not less than 350,000 bottles of Codeine-based syrup were discovered by NDLEA operatives in two containers shipped from India.

    This, he said, was during a joint examination of the containers with men of Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies at the Tincan Port in Lagos on Sept. 10.

    “The containers were part of those targeted by NDLEA for 100 per cent examination,” he said.

    NAN

  • Nigerians continue to lament the high cost of cooking gas

    Nigerians continue to lament the high cost of cooking gas

    Flowerbud News

    Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, stressed the urgent need for the government to address the high cost of cooking gas.

    This according to them would help alleviate some of the challenges being faced by Nigerians.

    NAN reports that 1kg of cooking gas is being sold for between N1,300 and N1,400 depending on the location and refilling a 12.5kg cylinder now costs between N16,000 to N17,000 as against N12, 500 to N13,000 in June and July.

    It will be recalled that in June and July, cooking gas dropped to as low as N1,050 per kg, however, the price increased in the subsequent months

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) latest cooking gas report for July showed that the average retail price for refilling a 5kg Cooking Gas cylinder decreased by 14.23 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N6,966.03 recorded in June 2024 to N5,974.55 in July 2024.

    Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg Cylinder Cooking Gas decreased by 9.37 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N15,736.27 in June 2024 to N14,261.57 in July 2024.

    Mrs Funke Bamidele, a businesswoman and mother of three, said the increasing cost of cooking gas was one of the many challenges facing Nigerians as it was the main source of cooking in many homes.

    “When we thought the price of cooking gas had reduced a few months ago, we woke up to another increase.

    “Many families use cooking gas in their homes, and if the price keeps increasing, it will pose a serious challenge to families as we are barely managing to survive the harsh economic situation.

    “Fuel is expensive, Kerosene is expensive, diesel is expensive, gas is expensive. How does the government want Nigerians to survive?

    “The government should try to ease these burdens Nigerians are facing. We keep hearing promises from them but we are not seeing any concrete change.”

    Mrs Nancy Lelo, a retiree, appealed to the government to find a lasting solution to the high price of cooking gas.

    “I still remember when 12.5kg used to be N7, 000. Now, it is more than double the price.

    “The government needs to make life easy for Nigerians. If only the price of cooking gas can come down it will offer some succour to Nigerians.

    Mrs Nafisa Bello, a civil servant, said she used cooking gas and had been using a charcoal stove as an alternative because of the high cost of gas.

    “We just have to find a way to cope on our own because the government is not helping matters. Fuel, gas, and kerosene are all expensive. Even charcoal is not cheap again.

    “Government should please try for us. The suffering is too much. The government says we should move to cleaner energy sources, but they are not making it affordable for the average Nigerian,” she said.

    Mr Christian Chibuzor, An environmentalist, said it was a good thing the government was trying to promote the use of cooking gas. However, they needed to make it affordable for all Nigerians to purchase.

    “Using cooking gas will help lower carbon emissions compared to traditional firewood, charcoal, or kerosene, which will help mitigate climate change.

    “Cooking gas use will also reduce deforestation which would preserve forests and biodiversity and improve air quality, thereby, reducing respiratory diseases.

    “But if the price remains high, the transition to cooking gas will be difficult to achieve, especially in rural areas. Therefore, the government must demonstrate commitment to reducing the price.

    “ If the government distributes gas cylinders to people and those people    cannot afford to buy the gas, we will be back to square one,” he said.

    Dr Ayo Anthony, an Economist attributed the increasing price of cooking gas to two variables- shortage of supply and the exchange rate.

    Anthony said the demand for cooking gas elasticity was very high because it was an essential commodity.

    Anthony, however, said to address these causes, the Federal Government had to boost the country’s source of foreign exchange, which was a monetary issue.

    “When we boost the source of our foreign earnings, the supply of cooking gas will be more than the demand.

    NAN

  • Katsina PDP suspends party’s ex-National Secretary, Tsauri

    Katsina PDP suspends party’s ex-National Secretary, Tsauri

    Flowerbud News

    The Tsauri ‘A’ Ward Executive Committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced the suspension of the former National Secretary of party, Sen. Umar Tsauri.

    The position of the committee was announced in a suspension letter signed by the Ward Chairman, Alhaji Danjume Abubakar.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a copy of the letter, which was addressed to Tsauri, was issued to journalists in Katsina on Sunday.

    According to the ward executive committee, the decision was taken at the committee’s sitting of Sept. 14, pending the outcome of the disciplinary committee set-up to investigate him on a series of allegations.

    Tsuari was accused of anti-party activities, unguarded utterances against the national leadership of the party, actions and associations capable of embarrassing and bringing the party to disrepute.

    According to the them, the suspension is in line with provision of article 59 (1) of the PDP constitution which empowers ward party executives to take disciplinary action against erring members.

    The committee further said: “We urge all members of our great party to remain committed to the principles of party’s discipline and loyalty.

    “We must work together to build a strong and united party capable of winning elections and serving the interest of our people.”

    Reacting to the suspension, the spokesman of the party in the state, Alhaji Lawal Audi-Yar’adua acknowledged the receipt of the suspension letter from the senator’s ward.

    He disclosed that the party had set-up a committee to investigate the allegations levelled against the senator, saying that no matter the status of any member, the party would abide by the provisions of the constitution in dealing with its members.

    Responding to his suspension, Tsauri said that the ward and state chapter of the party lack constitutional powers to suspend him as a former National Secretary, without following due process.

    According to him, “I was not issued with any suspension letter, I only saw it going round on social media written to the party Chairman, Kurfi Local Government.

    He explained that the party has its rules and regulations, “and before action is taken against any member, certain processes have to be followed.”

    NAN recalls that PDP in Katsina State is devided into two factions, with one led by Tsauri and Dr Mustapha Inuwa, the former Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Director.

    While the other faction is being led by Sen. Lado Danmarke, the PDP gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections.

    NAN

  • Eid-Maulud: FG declares Monday 16 public holiday

    Eid-Maulud: FG declares Monday 16 public holiday

    Flowerbud News

    The Federal Government has declared Sept. 16 public holiday to mark Eid-Maulud, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
    This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani on Friday in Abuja.
    Ajani stated that the Minister of
    Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslim Ummah  both at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion.
    Tunji-Ojo urged the Muslim Ummah, and by extension, Nigerians, to imbibe the spirit of patience, sacrifice and resilience.
    While congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, the minister implored them to use the opportunity of the period to pray for enduring peace and a more prosperous nation.
    NAN
  • Magnitude of destruction from flood cannot yet be quantified -Zulum

    Magnitude of destruction from flood cannot yet be quantified -Zulum

    Flowerbud News

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has said that the magnitude of the destruction from this devastating flood caused by Alau Dam in Maiduguri cannot yet be quantified

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zulum made this known on Friday in a statewide broadcast on the flood .

    “The magnitude of the destruction from this devastating flood cannot yet be  quantified until the water has receded and on-the-spot assessments have been conducted.

    “We shall constitute a multi-stakeholder committee to undertake a sector-by-sector assessment of the losses to guide the recovery and rebuilding process.

    “However, recovery from such a disaster cannot be the government’s responsibility alone. It requires the collective effort of all stakeholders.

    “Today, I am appealing to everyone – community leaders, business owners, non-governmental organisations (national and international), and our esteemed wealthy individuals, to come together in support of our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

    “Unity has always been our strength in Borno. In times like this, we must harness that strength and show empathy and compassion to each other.

    “We are working closely with various federal government agencies, civil society organisations, and  the Nigerian military to ensure that relief efforts are streamlined and effective.

    “I invite and encourage other stakeholders to collaborate with our agencies to identify the best ways of providing assistance.

    “Together, we can create a robust response plan that would address not only immediate needs but also long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts,” Zulum said.

    While appreciating the resilience of the people of Borno in the face of disasters, the governor expressed his sympathy to everyone affected directly and indirectly.

    He also lauded all those that stepped up to provide humanitarian support,  particularly Federal Government, the military and United Nations organisations.

    The governor also urged the media as partners to continue to help in  raising awareness about the ongoing needs of our communities.

    “Your role (media) in disseminating information about how individuals can help and where supports and interventions can be directed is invaluable”, he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that financial support has started pouring in with Aliko Dangote who visited Zulum announcing the donation of N1billion from the Presidential Committee on flood,  and another N1b from the Dangote Foundation.

    Former Governor of Borno, Sen. Ali Sheriff and the Rep. Mukhtar Betara (APC-Borno) donated N100m each, while Gov. Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa donated N50m.

    NAN reports that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says more than 30 people have died and over 400,000 displaced due to the flood in Maiduguri.

    On Tuesday, thousands of residents fled their homes as flood ravaged swathes of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri.

    The Borno government has opened up internally displaced persons (IDP) camps for victims across the state.

    NAN

  • Niger Govt Signs $684m agric contract with China

    Niger Govt Signs $684m agric contract with China

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger has signed a $684 million contract agreement with China Overseas Engineering Group Company Limited (COVEC) and China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) for the state government.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo, on his verified Facebook page, stated that the agreement was to develop 50,000 hectares of land for a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in the state.

    Ebbo noted that the governor took as a giant step in revolutionizing agricultural value chain in Nigeria, especially in Niger, hence he sent a delegation led by the Secretary to the State Government, after completing all the processes to finalise the deal in China,

    According to him, the long-term investment will revolutionise the agricultural sector and guarantee food security.

    It will also create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic opportunities and growth as well as focus on promoting commodities and essential crops in Niger, with high potential to boost export revenues.

    He explained that the Niger State SAPZ programmes would promote increased productivity, job creation and value addition.

    According to him, it will further enhance efficient storage practices, market access, and increased private sector investment in select agricultural value chain commodities.

    Ebbo stressed that the multi-million dollar Niger State-SAPZ programme would be designed to enhance complementarity with existing or completed agricultural projects already commended by the current administration of Gov. Bago, including those in the roads, power, transport, water, and agriculture sectors.

    The special adviser emphasised that
    Niger was among the first few states to sign up for the agricultural initiative provided by the African Development Bank to positively catalyse agricultural development in Africa into an internationally competitive sector.

    This will contribute immensely to sustainable development.

    He added that they were also working with both government and the private sector to turn the rural landscape into economic zones of prosperity by harnessing the power of commercial agriculture and food production.

    .