Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • 69 arrested for violating environmental law in Nasarawa

    69 arrested for violating environmental law in Nasarawa

    By Oboh Linus

    No fewer than 69 people were arrested for allegedly violating environmental law during this month’s sanitation exercise in Nasarawa State.

    Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Yakubu Kwanta, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen during the exercise in Lafia.

    Kwanta said that those arrested were majorly motorists as well as tricycle and motorcycle riders, saying that they cut across all local government areas of the state.

    He said that the state had adopted a new strategy to ensure effective monitoring of the exercise by constituting a special inspection team.

    The commissioner said that members of the team, who were usually in mufti, would observe the sanitation teams sent to various places to monitor the exercise.

    Kwanta, who was represented by the Chief Environmental Officer of the ministry, Abubakar Mohammed, said that the special inspection team had become necessary to fish out those who might be sabotaging the exercise.

    He warned the various sanitation teams against sabotaging the efforts of the state government to keep the state clean, adding that anybody found culpable of insubordination would be dealt with in according with the civil service rule.

    Kwanta, however, said that the exercise recorded 80 per cent compliance in the state.

    “We have sent a special inspection team to various places to observe the activities of the sanitation teams, and they will just appear like ordinary people to monitor their activities and bring feedback.

    “That is the strategy we have adopted this time around, and from all indications, there’s a great improvement in Lafia. I can assure you that we have 80 per cent compliance,” he said.

    NAN

  • 2 suffocate to death inside diesel reservoir in Kano

    2 suffocate to death inside diesel reservoir in Kano

    By Bosede Olufunmi

    The Kano State Fire Service has confirmed the death of two people who suffocated while clearing a diesel reservoir on Saturday night in Kano.

    This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen on Sunday in Kano by the Public Relations Officer of the fire service, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi.

    He said that the incident occurred along Katsina road by Baban Gwari roundabout in Fagge Local Government Area.

    Abdullahi gave the names of the deceased as Philip Osando, 40, and Philip Emmanuel, 35.

    “We received an emergency call from one police Insp Abubakar Surajo at about 08:20 p.m on Saturday, and we sent our rescue team to the scene at about 08:27p.m.”

    Abdullahi said the deceased were informed at their place of work to get ready to receive diesel, and they entered the diesel reservoir to clear the tank, but couldn’t come out.

    He said that the victims were retrieved by fire service personnel and handed over to the police.

    Abdullahi added that the two were conveyed to hospital where doctors confirmed them dead.

    “Safety is for everyone, think before you do anything to avoid any unforeseen circumstances”, he warned.

    NAN

  • 10 Nigeria Navy warships conclude military exercise in Gulf of Guinea

    10 Nigeria Navy warships conclude military exercise in Gulf of Guinea

    By Desmond Ejibas

    No fewer than 10 Nigerian Navy warships have returned to base after a military exercise to checkmate criminals in the nation’s waters and the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

    The warships are Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Sagbama, NNS Nwamba, NNS Ibeno, NNS Dorina, NNS Gongola, NNS Ikene, NNS Badagry, NNS Oji, NNS Ose and NNS Okpoku.

    Addressing newsmen after the warships berthed in Onne, Rivers, the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command (CNC), Rear Adm. Umar Chugali said the exercise code-named “Exercise Sea Guardian” was a huge success.

    He said troops participated in anti-crude oil theft operation, vessel seizure, fleet manoeuvres, man overboard and gunnex.

    “Other activities include communications and emergency drills such as firefighting, steering gear breakdown, machinery failure, abandon and man, and cheer ship.

    “The exercise was used to exercise and demonstrate the capacity and capability of our ships at sea, to secure Nigeria’s maritime space and the Gulf of Guinea.

    “The four-days exercise was used to highlight our readiness in tackling all forms of maritime crimes within Nigeria’s maritime environment and GoG,” he added.

    Chugali said aside the warships, two attack helicopters and a detachment of the Navy’s Special Boat Service, equivalent to United States Navy Seals, participated in the exercise.

    Rear Adm. Olusola Oluwagbire, Flag Officer Commanding ENC, said the exercise was carried out by troops from both eastern and central naval commands located in Calabar and Yenagoa, respectively.

    He said the exercise was part of actionable steps taken by the Nigeria Navy to end crude oil theft, sea robbery and sea piracy, among others, in Nigeria’s waters.

    “We are using this exercise to test our capability and readiness to safeguard our waters and the GoG from criminals.

    “We are doing our best to present the best foot (personnel) in our deployments – both in terms of personnel and assets,” Oluwagbire said.

    On his part, the Commanding Officer, NNS Sagbama, Cdr. Stephen Ebute said the exercise had improved the expertise of troops in onshore and offshore operations.

    According to him, it was a platform for the troops, including commanding officers of the various warships, to enhance their training objectives and operational realities.

    “This will enable us to expertly tackle emergencies in our ships as well as curtailing the various threats in our maritime domain,” he added.

    NAN

  • Army varsity confers award of degrees on 417 graduates at maiden convocation

    Army varsity confers award of degrees on 417 graduates at maiden convocation

    By Sumaila Ogbaje

    The Nigerian Army University, Biu, conferred first degrees in diverse disciplines on 417 graduates at its maiden convocation on Saturday in Biu, Borno.

    Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, stated on Saturday in Abuja that the tertiary institution began its modest journey on Oct. 30, 2018.

    The institution, he added, matriculated its first set of students on Feb. 18, 2019.

    The varsity began with five faculties – Arts, Management and Social Sciences, Computing, Environmental Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and Natural and Applied Sciences.

    Nwachukwu stated that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, felicitated with the graduates and urged them to be good ambassadors of the institution and to exploit the opportunities that abound in the country.

    Lagbaja is the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of its Governing Council.

    He said at the convocation that the Nigerian Army adopted the strategic option of non-kinetic approach to its counter-insurgency operations by establishing the university.

    He said the army also sought to achieve social inclusion, gender balance and expand diversity through education.

    He said the growth of the institution in the heart of the Northeast that had been bedevilled by insurgency, was a testament to the successes the Nigerian military had achieved in the counter-insurgency efforts.

    “The graduands are a testament to our bravery, courage, and determination to groom youths that would become solution providers and self-reliant in addressing some of the challenges of our nation,’’ he said.

    In his address, the varsity’s Chancellor, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom in Delta, His Royal Majesty, retired Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, said siting the university in Biu would continue to bring development to the community.

    Mujakperuo enjoined the graduands to strive to be entrepreneurial in their post-graduation endeavours, rather than seeking white collar jobs.

    He commended the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kyari Mohammed, the management, staff and students of the university, for their individual and collective roles in moving the institution in the right direction.

    Rendering the summary of honorary awardees and graduating students by class of degree, Prof. Mohammed affirmed the award of Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa on Mujakperuo.

    He also affirmed the award of Doctor of Letters to the former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    He said 20 of the students got First Class degrees, while 207 bagged Second Class Upper Division and 186 fell in the Second Class Lower Division. Four of the graduands got Third Class degrees.

    “Highlights of the maiden convocation were the presentation of eponymous awards to students who graduated in flying colours.

    “Ibrahim Dorcas Kutawalang of the Department of Political Science emerged the overall best graduating student with cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.84.

    “The graduate received the Pro-Chancellor’s and Vice-Chancellor’s Prizes, amongst other prized awards,” Nwachukwu stated.

    NAN

  • Kogi: Ohinoyi’s death, personal, painful loss – Ododo

    Kogi: Ohinoyi’s death, personal, painful loss – Ododo

    By Thompson Yamput

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in Kogi, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has described the death of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim, as a personal and painful loss to him.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the royal father died in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 95 in an undisclosed hospital in Abuja, where he had been receiving treatment for an old-age related ailment.

    Ododo, in a condolence message issued in Lokoja on Sunday, said he was greatly touched by the passing of the paramount ruler.

    “The late Ohinoyi was a father who loved all his children, did everything to unite his community and promoted peaceful coexistence among his people.

    “The death of our paramount ruler is a personal and painful loss to me. My prayer is that Allah should grant his soul a peaceful eternal rest,” he said.

    Ododo said that the Ohinoyi left a big shoe which would be difficult to fill, considering the wealth of wisdom and leadership qualities that had gone with him.

    While stating that the Ohinoyi would be greatly missed, the APC enjoined the people of Ebiraland to continue to live in peace with one another, as they grappled with the irreparable loss of the traditional ruler with fortitude.

    NAN

  • CNG vehicles: FG inaugurates Lagos P-CNGi Pilot Conversion Centres

    CNG vehicles: FG inaugurates Lagos P-CNGi Pilot Conversion Centres

    By Yusuf Yunus

    The Federal Government has inaugurated a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles pilot conversion centre in Lagos State, through the Presidential CNG Initiative (P-CNGi).

    Mr Micheal Oluwagbemi, Chief Executive Officer of P-CNGi, while speaking at inauguration of the FEMADAC Station on Saturday,  described the step as significant development.

    Oluwagbemi said the CNG centre would bring more environmentally sustainable and economically viable future for Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility is situated at KM 42, Lekki-Epe

    NAN recalls that the P-CNGi Steering Committee has announced that seven CNG conversion centres have been established in the country.

    He said the  initiative had also on Friday handed over converted buses to State House in Abuja.

    Oluwagbemi said the event was immense significance for Nigerians and the global movement towards responsible energy choices.

    “Today, as we officially open the Lagos Conversion Centre, we go beyond the inauguration of a facility; we extend a hand to a greener, more sustainable, and affordable future.

    “We are not just changing how we fuel our vehicles; we are changing lives, one job at a time.

    “The commissioning of the first of Lagos P-CNGi Pilot Conversion Centres is historic, as it is the first of many such facilities planned under the P-CNGi initiative,”Oluwagbemi said.

    The engineer said that the initiative with the theme: “Energy Revolution: Powering Tomorrow, Today,” represented Nigeria’s commitment to transitioning to cleaner and more affordable energy solutions.

    The P-CNGi chief executive officer said that CEO said that the conversion centre was not only a symbol of Nigeria’s dedication to environmental responsibility, but also a beacon of hope for its citizens.

    He said that the initiative would create jobs and greener opportunities.

    “More than 1,000 of such centres are planned nationwide in the next few years, with 55,000 conversions planned under the Palliative Program that have kicked off, designed to reduce the cost of transportation, especially mass transit for poor Nigerians.

    “This works by collaborating with private sector is to expand the conversion centre network of Nigeria from seven to at least 70, while creating over 2,000 jobs converting vehicles from PMS to CNG Bifuel that runs cheaper, cleaner and better.

    “By embracing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) technology, the initiative addresses the twin challenges of sustainability and fiscal responsibility, which have become integral in the modern world.

    “This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to easing the impact of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians by reducing energy costs,”Oluwagbemi said.

    According to him, the conversion of vehicles to CNG is not just a transition to cleaner energy, it is a promise to generate employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.

    The CEO said that the inauguration aligned with the overarching goal of P-CNGi to foster innovation in the energy sector, ultimately benefitting the people of Nigeria.

    He added: “In a world where environmental consciousness and responsible energy choices are paramount, P-CNGi’s efforts underscore Nigeria’s commitment to leading this global movement.

    “The initiatives programme director aptly noted, “Challenges will emerge, but with our unwavering commitment, innovative spirit, and collaborative efforts, we are poised to overcome them.”

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests Hong Kong, France-bound businessmen for ingesting cocaine, heroin

    NDLEA arrests Hong Kong, France-bound businessmen for ingesting cocaine, heroin

    By Ibironke Ariyo

    NDLEA operatives arrested one Chimamkpa Emenike (38) on Oct. 20 and one Agbo Chidike (41) on Oct. 21 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for ingesting hard drugs.

    Emenike was jetting out to France with his ingested heroin while Chidike was on his way to Hong Kong with cocaine in his belly when they were arrested.

    Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja that Emenike was arrested at the boarding gate of the airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris.

    He added that Chidike was taken into custody on Oct. 21 while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Hong Kong via Addis Ababa.

    “After days in custody, Emenike excreted 72 wraps of heroin weighing 1.171kg, while Chidike discharged 49 pellets of cocaine weighing 998.53gm.

    “In his statement, Chidike claimed he is a businessman dealing in spare parts at the Alaba International market in Ojo area of Lagos.

    “Chidike was to be paid N3.5 million which he intended to use to import goods from Hong Kong,’’ Babafemi stated.

    He added that NDLEA operatives intercepted a Qatar Airways passenger, Agbo Tochukwu, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on Wednesday, Oct. 25 while on his way to Oman.

    The suspect had 58 parcels of skunk weighing 29.10kg on him while undergoing processes of boarding his flight.

    “In his statement, Tochukwu claimed he migrated to Oman on May 6 and had been working as hotel attendant there before venturing into drug trafficking,’’ Babfemi stated.

    NAN

     

  • Verdict: Sen. Marafa urges opposition to bury hatchet, support Tinubu

    Verdict: Sen. Marafa urges opposition to bury hatchet, support Tinubu

    By Salisu Sani-Idris

    Sen. Kabiru Marafa, on Sunday urged opposition political parties to bury the hacthet and support President Bola Tinubu’s administration to move the country forward.

    Marafa gave the advice in an interview with the State House Correspondents shortly after he paid a solidarity visit to Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said that governing a complex country like Nigeria required all hands on deck to succeed.

    Marafa said,  ” My prayer and wish for the opposition is to forget their differences and join hands with President Bola Tinubu to move the country forward, especially given the problems we have across the nation.

    ” So, we need all hands on deck now. It is over. They have done what they are supposed to have done.

    “The constitution gives them inherent rights to challenge the victory. But with the verdict of the apex court, the battle is over.

    ” Like the president said, he is going to concentrate on his job without giving anybody any opportunity to distract him.

    “So, on their part, I wish they would join hands with Mr. President to move the country forward.”

    The former lawmaker recalled that when he lost his re-election bid, he congratulated the person who defeated him.

    He added, “And i promised that the best thing that I can give the people of Zamfara Central is to cooperate with whoever they choose to be their Senator to move the zone forward.

    ” Because they elected me twice and I won convincingly in the two elections. So, if now somebody says I lost, I think I should accept the fact that in any game, there are winners and there are losers.

    ” Yesterday, I was the winner and today, I lost. I should accept it and move forward, tomorrow is another day. So, I expect also at national level for our elders to do the same.”

    Marafa said that the opposition political parties had exhausted their rights, urging, “So, it is over. Let us now move to building Nigeria. Let us now look at the plight of the masses.

    ” You know things are very difficult and hard, which is occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy which is a must. I was the Chairman of the Senate Committee of the Petroleum Downstream.

    ” So, I know what is happening in the area. Also, the rate of the dollar is adding to the difficulties in the country. ”

    NAN

  • Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Igwe,

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Igwe,

    By Hilary Akalugwu

    The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), says it admitted only 30 per cent of prospective candidates who applied for admission for the 2023/2024 academic session.

    The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Igwe, made the disclosure on Saturday in Nsukka during the university’s 49th matriculation ceremony in which 10,000 students took the matriculation vow.

    Igwe told the admitted students to count themselves lucky for gaining admission into the institution which has remained competitive over the years.

    “This is due to the institution’s good reputation and academic records.

    “You should be proud of gaining admission into this university of your dreams as only 30 per cent of candidates who applied were admitted,” he said.

    The vice chancellor noted that UNN remains one of the biggest and most respected universities in the country.

    “Our philosophy is to seek, teach and preach the truth while restoring the dignity of man,” he said.

    ‘This is why we place high premium on character and learning, awarding degrees, diplomas and certificates to those found worthy in character and learning,” he said.

    He warned the students to avoid any form of secret cultism as the university has zero tolerance to the menace.

    “Any student found to be involved in secret cult activities will be expelled and handed over to the police for prosecution.

    “Students are expected to belong to organisations and associations recognised by the institution’s department of students affairs.

    “You should also avoid the use of illicit drugs or engaging in cybercrimes while avoiding groups that would lead you into such temptations,” he said.

    Igwe reminded them that the journey towards attaining first class degrees on graduation has started and could be achieved through hardwork and dedication to studies.

    “You will determine the kind of grade to make on graduation as the way you make your bed is the way you lie on it,” he said.

    Some students interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) thanked God for making it possible for them to gain admission into the institution.

    They expressed appreciation to their parents for investing in their education and promised to make them proud by graduating with flying colours.

    NAN