Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Hotel explosion: Suspect has been on wanted list, says Rivers police

    Hotel explosion: Suspect has been on wanted list, says Rivers police

    Flowerbud News

    The suspect behind the June 25 dynamite explosion at the Rivers State-owned Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt was on police ‘Wanted List” before the incident.

    NAN reports that a dynamite explosion happened on June 25 near  Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt during a protest by some persons over the tenure of the local government chairmen in the state.

    SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the command, in a statement on Sunday said:” Preye Josiah has been on  our wanted list prior to the incident”.

    She said that the suspect, after detonating explosives and injuring himself in the blast, went to the hospital for treatment, where medical staff recognised him.

    “Josiah, 40, from Kabiama community of Sagbama Local Government Area, detonated the IED along the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway.

    “He was immediately arrested after the explosion and is receiving treatment for serious injuries,” she said.

    Iringe-Koko accused Josiah of involvement in multiple armed robberies in the state from 2012 and 2016, including high-profile bank heists led by one Daniel Gogo, alias Full Payment.

    “Previously evasive, Josiah has been identified as the dynamite detonating expert of the robbery gang and is a member of the Vikings Confraternity.

    “He has confessed to detonating the dynamite at the Port Harcourt–Aba Expressway,” she added.

    She said that police detectives were actively pursuing leads to identify Josiah’s accomplices and sponsors behind the explosion.

    In a related development, the police disclosed details regarding the Aug. 5 bombing of the Action Peoples Party (APP) secretariate in GRA Phase II, Port Harcourt.

    Iringe-Koko reported that two men planted and detonated the IED around 1 a.m. that day.

    “Investigation revealed that the suspects exited a car, walked to the building, ignited the device, and threw it at the secretariate before driving off.

    “Our Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) squad later identified a crater in front of the building where the device was placed, causing shockwaves and damaging the building,” she explained.

    She said that no casualties were reported, and samples of the IED residue have been collected for forensic analysis.

    Iringe-Koko stated that the command has intensified its efforts to apprehend those responsible for attack.

    NAN

  • Niger Gov’t emphasises on agricultural revolution to ensure food security

    Niger Gov’t emphasises on agricultural revolution to ensure food security

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    In an effort to ensure food security and sufficiency, a delegation from Niger, led by the Special Adviser on Social Investment Programme, Hauwa Bako, has visited Soilless Farm Labs in Ogun.

    The visit was to ensure the successful implementation of its agricultural policies in the state.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullberqy Usman, on his social media page,
    stated that a team of Commissioners and Special Advisers from the state government was in Ogun over the weekend.

    According to Usman, the visit was part of the strategies of the state to become one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs, exploring innovative practices such as soilless farming to achieve the planned goal.

    He maintained that during the visit, the team inspected the state-of-the-art facilities, met with training participants, and held productive discussions with partners involved in the Enterprise for Youth in Agriculture through Technology-enabled Vegetable Production (EYIA) Project.

    The team also paid a courtesy visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta.

    Speaking, Obasanjo applauded Gov. Umar Bago for his agricultural revolution policy to ensure.that food security was achieved in the country.

    He said, “Until Nigeria begins to feed itself, the challenges facing the country will continue.

    ” A nation that cannot feed itself is sitting on a timely bomb.”

    Obasanjo reiterated the crucial role of agricultural transformation for self- sufficiency in Nigeria.

    He, then, advised other state Governors to emulate Niger’s pioneering and leading role in agricultural development to ensure the country is able to feed its population, thereby exporting food to boost its GDP

    The former president also encouraged Niger Government to sustain its current investment in agriculture.

    The delegation included the Commissioners of Agriculture, Environment, Power and Energy, and MSMEs.

    Others were Special Advisers on Social Investment Programme, Environment and Climate Change as well as the Print Media.

     

  • Okun forum calls for removal of CP in Kogi

    Okun forum calls for removal of CP in Kogi

    Flowerbud News

    The Okun Society Forum of Kogi on Sunday called for removal of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bertrand Onuoha, over alleged compromise of security.

    The Director of Security and Intelligence of the group, retired Brig.-Gen. Benjamin Ipinyomi, made the call in Lagos State, while briefing newsmen on the  security situation in Kogi.

    Ipinyomi alleged that the  call for removal of the police boss in Kogi became necessary due to several killings, kidnappings, which are not investigated by the command.

    He alleged that the CP oppressed indigenes of the state, particularly  opposition groups.

    According to him, Onuoha allegedly placed the state on red alert on Friday,  in anticipation of perceived crisis after the Supreme Court Judgment, wondering on whose directive he requested for additional manpower.

    “Has the commissioner of police become the spokesperson of the Supreme Court? He  should explain to Nigerians the report of all the murder cases under his tenure in the police command in  Kogi.

    “What are the causes of the gross insecurity in the state? What measures has he put in place to curb insecurity in the state? What kinetic and non-kinetic strategies has  he put in place to curb insecurity?

    “What has he done about illegal mining in the state since assumption of duty, Why did he authorise  movement of three to four armored tanks to invade a residence at Ayingba, where innocent civilians were murdered? ” he queried.

    The retired General requested President Bola Tinubu to direct all arms of government to critically look into the affairs of Kogi  in terms of security and welfare of the people.

    He requested the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, to beam more light into the activities of Onuoha.

    Ipinyomi, therefore, requested the I-G to post a new police commissioner to Kogi, to improve  security in the state.

    In his response, the spokesperson of the  police command in Kogi,  SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said there was no truth in the allegations by the forum.

    Williams said the state remained peaceful and that joint security agencies, led by the command was policing the entire state.

    He said that Ipinyomi could not be  in Lagos State and know what was happening in Kogi,  urging him and others to play by the  rules for the development of the state.

    “The security of Kogi is not for the police and security agencies alone to handle, residents have their roles.

    “There is no insecurity in the state. The students kidnapped have been rescued, criminals are being arrested and prosecuted by the police,” he said.

    NAN

  • 2025 Budget: Shettima tasks agencies on adherence to extant laws

    2025 Budget: Shettima tasks agencies on adherence to extant laws

    Flowerbud News

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged heads of agencies to be guided by the extant provisions that established their organisations in preparing their 2025 budget.
    Shettima, represented by Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, made the call during a retreat for the Chief Executives of the Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) under the supervision of the State House on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat was part of preparations for the issuance of the call circular for the commencement of the 2025 budget exercise.

    He emphasised the importance of adhering to the set objectives initiated by the State House management, particularly in institutionalising e-governance to improve operations.

    Shettima commended Mr Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, for participating in the retreat.

    He also applauded Fagbemi’s insightful presentation titled, “Delineation of roles and functions between the management and the agency and its supervising entity: A prerequisite for good relationship and effective delivery of Mandate.”

    Shettima said the retreat was very important as it reminded senior civil servants, new appointees and Heads of Agencies about the imperatives of the Civil Service regulations.

    “These regulations can be quite tedious, and the Permanent Secretary, State House, was right when he said some of these issues will come back to his table.

    “I remember when I was in the Senate Public Accounts Committee, I have seen some faces here that we summoned to come and answer questions that arose from the Auditor-General’s report.

    “This underscores the importance of reminding ourselves of the procedural issues that have to complied with in governance and administration,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Olufunsho Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary, State House, explained that the retreat was designed to foster collaboration and create synergy in the operations of State House and agencies under its supervision.

    “In order for us to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it has become necessary for us to synergise within the State House and all the agencies under its control.

    “The retreat is structured to define who is responsible for what, how we can help each other achieve our mandates, and some of us are meeting each other for the first time.

    “It is necessary to define our roles and limits and avoid breaking financial, procurement, administrative thresholds,” he said.

    He highlighted the recent approval of the new minimum wage by the President.

    He warned that government would no longer tolerate massive recruitments into agencies without approval or waiver, as well as selective promotions.

    “We now have new public service rules that define when to promote, who is due for promotion, mode of promotion, procedure and conduct of promotion examinations and strict adherence to public service rules,” he said.

    He said the retreat, the first of its kind under this administration, also deliberated on the need for strict enforcement of government policies and sanctions for defaulting agencies.

    He added that the retreat apprised CEOs of government agencies on types of appointments into the public service, criteria and qualifications for these appointments.

    It also focused on procedures for procurement process, budget preparation and the monitoring and evaluation of government policies.

    The agencies whose establishing Acts place them under the supervision of the State House include, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) and Nigeria Agriculture and Land Development Agency (NALDA).

    Others are: the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the President (OCEAP) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), among others.

    NAN

  • NDC Course 32 participants visited 23 countries on study tour – Commandant

    NDC Course 32 participants visited 23 countries on study tour – Commandant

    Flowerbud News

    Olotu made this known on Sunday in Abuja, during the Interdenominational Church Service to commemorate the graduation of the participant having completed the 11-month course at the college.

    He thanked God for giving them the opportunity to see the day and for seeing them through ‘’yet another very rigorous but also very rewarding academic year’’.

    “And during the course of this program here in the college, we have had reasons to be everywhere, not just within Nigeria, around the world, flying our flag and also learning from other countries.

    “Every time we travel, God brought us back safely and there were no incidents recorded that will make us to feel sad.

    “For this reason, we give all the glory to God, because He alone has been our sustenance.

    “This year alone, we visited about 23 countries and we went to six states of this nation, while some went to as far as Fiji and some were in New Zealand and Guyana.

    “We all returned in one piece. It could have only been God.

    “It Is not just about the resources, but for God himself that stood up and followed us to all the places that we visited,’’ he said.

    The commandant said that the course was inaugurated on Oct. 6, 2023, with 111 participants including 19 foreign participants and ending with the same number of participants.

    He added that all the participants had met the requirements to successfully graduate from the college and be awarded the fellowship of the National Defence College.

    Olotu urged the graduating participants to go out there, be better and make a difference in their respective organisations.

    He also urged them to continue to hold on to God in their exercise of leadership with empathy and inspire hope in those that they lead.

    “Earlier the Reverend had preached his sermon and he talked about the needed men.

    “Yes, at a time like this in our nation and all over the world we have need for those calibre of men that he described.

    “And one of the reasons why we do what we do here is to actually build the character of those needed men so that they can do those things that were exemplified in the sermon.

    “The sermon also talked about the need for empathy, the need to inspire hope and every other aspects of leadership that we must bring to bear going forward in our organisations, in our nations, even in our homes.

    “However, even when we have the men that are needed and they have the wherewithal in terms of ability, it is still very important to act,’’ he said.

     

    In his sermon, the Chaplain (Protestant) of the college, Capt. Joseph Jacob, who titled his message, “The Need of the Moment” said there was a need to have the needed men.

    The needed men, according to him, are the ones that can deal with anything, manage resources, manage situations and turn situations to opportunity.

    Jacob said his message was exemplified in the lives of Jesus and Apostle Paul who inspired hope and also empathised with the people during their time.

    He said that those principles should be cardinal for the participants as they go back to their various formation and service in different countries.

    “As leaders, they must be able to inspire hope, empathise, and they must see the direction, and they must be able to lead people to follow the direction.

    “Those are the four principles that are very, very fundamental in addressing the needs in our nation, in our various services and across the globe,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • NDLEA nabs Vietnam-bound businessman with 88 wraps of cocaine in NAIA

    NDLEA nabs Vietnam-bound businessman with 88 wraps of cocaine in NAIA

    Flowerbud News

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),  has arrested  a Vietnam-bound businessman, Paul Mbadugha at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja after he tested positive to ingestion of cocaine.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said the 54-year-old suspect was intercepted at the boarding gate of the Abuja airport on Aug. 12 during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR 1432 to Hanoi, Vietnam via Doha.

    “After four days under excretion observation, Mbadugha egested a total of 88 wraps of the illicit drug with a gross weight of 1.710kg.

    “In his statement, he claimed he’s a Lagos based businessman and was given the cocaine pellets to swallow by a friend at Isolo area of the state for onward delivery in Vietnam for a fee of 2,000 dollars,”he said.

    In the same vein, NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos, intercepted a shipment of Loud.

    Babafemi described the drugs as a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 800g and was concealed in noodles going to Congo.

    “A follow up operation at the Alaba International market, Ojo area of Lagos led to the arrest of the sender of the consignment, Nnamani Sunday Sunny, who deals in GSM handsets,”he said.

    Meanwhile, a large consignment of Loud imported from Canada had  been recovered by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport.

    Babafemi said that a suspect, Desalu Temitope, who arrived on board an Air France flight with six boxes was arrested by anti-narcotic officers during a joint examination by security agencies at the arrival hall.

    “A total of 65.80kg of the psychoactive substance were recovered from four of the six suitcases.

    ” In his statement, Desalu said he and an accomplice currently at large were promised 10,000 dollars upon successful delivery of the shipment in Lagos,”he said.

    NAN

  • Ajaokuta key to developing Nigeria’s defence industries– Expert

    Ajaokuta key to developing Nigeria’s defence industries– Expert

    Flowerbud News

    Balogun, who is also the Secretary, Defense Industrial Association of Nigeria (DIAN), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said the new Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act that supports private sector delivery was a milestone in terms of era change in defence production in Nigeria.

    He, however, urged President Bola Tinubu to go further to ensure that involvement of local defence companies were supported with the development of steel industry.

    “Ajaokuta is a major driver, it’s a major instrument for defense development. Armoured tank, guard boot, light armoured vehicle, all form of APC, ammunition, weapons, are all steel.

    “So, this is why the Ajaokuta coming to stream is very, very inevitable, it’s very important.

    “So, the government must ensure that there is an interface, there is a collaboration between the private sector and the defence industry and the management of Ajaokuta steel industry.

    “We must be part of the entire development so that we can hold on to some of the equipment we can make use of.

    “We can make sure the raw materials that are coming out are part of what we use and we cannot export.

    “Who says we cannot export arms from Nigeria? Who say we cannot export weapons from Nigeria? These are things that are possible,” he said.

    Balogun also called for increased support from the government to meet the defence needs of the nation’s military and those of other security agencies in the country.

    He also advocated for the creation of free trade zone for the defence industries as well as incentives to be able to sustain private sector investments in the industry.

    “We need continuous support from the government in terms of funding, in terms of incentive, tax relief.

    “If perhaps all defence related industries can be given the status of free trade zone, this will go a long way.

    “So, I will advocate for a free trade zone status for the entire defence industry, for us to be able to have liberty to export and at the same time, do incentive to keep investing.

    “This is so that we can actually domicile most of those development and we will be able to go into further research and development to strengthen our capability,” he added.

    The expert also called on the government to prioritise the local industries in defence procurement by according them first right of refusal on any form of procurement.

    He also called for high protection for every military industrial complex across the country by armed personnel with a view to adequately control what they do.

    NAN

  • NDLEA recovers N6.2bn codeine consignment at Onne Port

    NDLEA recovers N6.2bn codeine consignment at Onne Port

    Flowerbud News

    The NDLEA spokesman, Mr Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that operatives recovered the drugs from five containers.

    Babafemi said  the operation was carried out by NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers.

    This, he said, was during a joint examination of the containers with men of the Nigeria Customs and other port stakeholders on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15.

    “The bottles of the opioids were packed in 5,337 cartons with a gross weight of 133,860kg and shipped in five containers from India,”he said.

    In another development, NDLEA operatives supported by men of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies as well as community youths on Aug. 14, raided the Ise forest reserve, Saalaja camp, Ise-Ekiti.

    Babafemi said that 21,800kg of cannabis sativa(Indian hemp) on 20 hectares of farm land were destroyed.

    “The following day, Aug. 15, NDLEA officers on patrol along Onitsha- Enugu road in Enugu State intercepted a Sienna bus marked SKA-24 AG.

    “A total 200.2kg of cannabis (Indian hemp) was recovered and the driver,”he said.

    The NDLEA also said that two people were arrested with 145,400 pills of tramadol on Aug. 12 at Gadar Tamburawa, area of Kano State.

    Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives in Ogun state on Aug. 13 also arrested seven people when a cannabis plantation on six hectares was raided at Alaka village.

    In Abuja, NDLEA officers on patrol along Kwali-Gwagwalada expressway on Aug. 13 intercepted a truck from which 30,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection were recovered.

    In the same vein, NDLEA said its operatives in Niger state on Aug. 15 arrested a man in Kontagora town with 28,500 pills of tramadol, concealed in a loudspeaker and their counterparts in Kogi  on Aug. 14.

    Babafemi said that the NDLEA operatives also nabbed a man with 40,000 pills of the same opioid heading to Kontagora.

    Another man, he said  was arrested by NDLEA officers at Paparanda, Lokoja with 1,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection.

    NAN

  • Some retirees receive N500 monthly pension – NUP

    Some retirees receive N500 monthly pension – NUP

    Flowerbud News

    The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), on Sunday, says some retirees are still receiving N500 as monthly pension in the country.
    Alhassan Musa, the Secretary of the union in Kaduna State, in an interviews withthe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the condition of the returnees as “pathetic”.
    He said that most of the affected retirees were in precarious conditions, adding that, “they sacrificed their lives and services for the nation.
    “The worst affected are pensioners in most of the Southern and oil producing states in spite of getting fat allocations from  the federation account.
    “The condition of pensioners in some Northern states and the FCT are far better up, as some of them received between N3,500 and N18,000 monthly pension”.
    Musa, who is also the NUP scribe in charge of the 19 Northern states and the North-West, however, said that only retirees in Kaduna State were earning N30,000 minimum pension monthly.
    The secretary recalled that the Kaduna state governmnet in 2020 implemented N30,000 minimum pension during the administration of Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i.
    He, therefore, advocated a 50 per cent upward review of the minimum pension, to improve the social and economic wellbeing of the retirees.
    This, he said, is necessary considering the socio-economic reliaties in the country.
    “The union proposed a 50 per cent increment even under the defunct N30,000 national minimum wage.
    “We are anticipating that the 50  per cent increament would be approved in line with the new N70,000 national minimum wage.
    *Even under the Federal Government, some pensioners are receiving N10,000 minimum pension.
    “We are hoping that the Federal Government will balance it up so that no pensioner will receive less than N70,000 as his/her monthly pension.
    “Let pensioners also enjoy the same benefits the workers are enjoying.
    “If a worker is receiving N70,000 minimum salary, so, let the pensioner enjoy the same,” adding that the monthly minimum pension should be at par with the new national minimum wage.
    Musa also urged Gov. Uba Sani to emulate El-Rufa’i by being the first governor to implement the  N70,000 minimum pension.
    He further said that workers who retired under the contributory pension system were facing formidable challenges.
    “Honestly, these people are facing a lot of challenges because some of them retired in the last 10 years, and yet to draw their benefits.
    “It is really pathetic, this is happening in Kaduna and other states.
    “Even under the federal government, those who retired under the contributory pension scheme are suffering as their accruals are yet to be remitted into their accounts.”
    According to Musa, once a worker retires, he is supposed to be placed on pension within three months, and receives his lump sum.
    While exonerating Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Commission (PENCOM) of faults in pension management, Musa attributed the situation to the inability of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to remit monthly contributions to individual worker accounts.
    “This is because they are not remitting the money as at when due as being expected of them”.
    NAN