Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • 312 promoted police officers decorated in Niger

    312 promoted police officers decorated in Niger

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    AIG Ogundele Joshua-Ayodeji, outgoing Commissioner of Police in Niger has decorated three hundred and twelve newly promoted police officers in the command.

    NAN reports that 2 ACPs, 6 CSPs, 4 SPs, and 300 DSPs were decorated, sequel to the recent promotions released by the Police Service Commission.

    Addressing the officers in Minna on Saturday, Joshua-Ayodeji urged them to reciprocate the gesture by being more dedicated to their duties.

    The CP said that their promotion called for more diligence and professionalism, adding, “to whom much is given, much is expected.

    “Your new ranks should spur you to do more in the service of the nation, more commitment and hard work to make the Nigeria Police Force better” he said.

    Joshua-Ayodeji also cautioned them against corruption and urged them to operate within the stipulated laws governing the force.

    He said, “You must intensify efforts in tackling the security challenges in Niger. With this promotion, you have been challenged to address insecurity in the state and the country at large.

    “You should be forthright, honest and dedicated to your service in protecting the lives and property of law abiding citizens of this country and bring purposeful leadership to the force.”

    The CP also urged the officers and men of the command to rally round one another and strive towards fighting crimes.

    He lauded their, courage and dedication, which he said all the promoted officers had exhibited in the discharge of their responsibilities.

    “We believe that promotion is an incentive to encourage other officers to do more in terms of service to their fatherland.

    “Those promoted have worked very hard in their respective fields and in their respective positions,” he said.

    Joshua-Ayodeji, who congratulated the officers, added that the promotion was for all personnel of the command, saying,” the beneficiaries were promoted while others will also move up on the nominal roll.

    He added, “The higher the rank, the higher the responsibilities will be,” urging them to live up to expectations and redouble their efforts to justify the promotion.”

    ACP Aliyu Akande, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues  appreciated the commission, the I-G and the CP for his mentoring, leadership and guidance in the line of duty.

    Akande said that the promotion would spur them to do more in discharging their responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians.

    NAN

  • Supreme court ruling: Tinubu ‘ll now focus on Nigeria’s challenges- Adeleke

    Supreme court ruling: Tinubu ‘ll now focus on Nigeria’s challenges- Adeleke

    By Emmanuel Mogbede

    Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun says it is time for President Bola Tinubu to focus on tackling Nigeria’s numerous challenges, following the affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court.

    Adeleke said this in a statement by Malam Olawale Rasheed, his spokesperson in Abuja.

    He congratulated Tinubu for the affirmation saying it was time to come together for Nigeria.

    “The governor made the congratulatory remarks in the presence of the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folasade Ojo-Tinubu who was at Ede to attend the 8th Day Fidau prayer of the father of Osun State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Wahab Ayofe,” he said.

    He lauded the main opposition candidate in the election for deepening the country’s electoral jurisprudence by testing their complaints at the law court.

    “Our judicial system has once again proven itself in tackling disputes that arise from our elections.

    “On behalf of the good people of Osun, I congratulate President Tinubu on his judicial victory at the apex court.

    “It is my hope that your presidency will bring progress, unity, and prosperity to our nation, and I want to restate my commitment to partner you in offering good governance for our people,” he said.

    NAN

  • Kano Assembly approves Yusuf’s N4bn loan request

    Kano Assembly approves Yusuf’s N4bn loan request

    By Muhammad Nur Tijani

    Kano State House of Assembly has approved Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s request to access a loan of N4 billion from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), for the completion of Tiga and Challawa Hydro-electric power project.

    The approval followed the adoption of a motion by Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini (NNPP- Dala) at plenary.

    Presenting the motion, Hussaini said that the loan has a single-digit interest and therefore not harmful to the economy of the state.

    He said that the project when completed would help in revving ailing industries in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tiga Independent Power Plant project was initiated by the administration of the former Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, to generate 35MW, using Challawa and Tiga dams.

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje who came into power in 2015 continued with the project.

    NAN reports that Kabir-Yusuf had sent a letter of request to the house seeking for its approval which was read by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore at plenary.

    The governor said the soft would be used for the completion of the project aimed at boosting the economy of the state through reviving industries, irrigation farming and powering street lights around the city.

    NAN

  • KNSG sets aside N6bn to settle 5,500 retired civil servants — Gov.Yusuf

    KNSG sets aside N6bn to settle 5,500 retired civil servants — Gov.Yusuf

    By Aminu Garko

    Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State said about N6 billion had been set aside to pay gratuities to about 5,500 retired civil servants in the state.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on Saturday in Kano.
    NAN recalls that the governor, on assumption of office, since expressed displeasure over backlog of unpaid gratuities by the immediate past administration, amounting to over N40 billion.
    The governor promised to clear the backlog within two years in offive.
     Yusuf said the decision was reached at the weekly Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.
    According to him, the beneficiaries of the gratuities would be retirees of lower grade level from N1million downwards, stressing that the money to be paid was not borrowed from anywhere.
    The governor said he had utmost concern about the plight of retired civil servants who finished serving their state but the immediate past government refused to pay their entitlements.
    ” We have the lists of the beneficiaries and the  money at hand by next week we will commence the payment without delay.
    “I always sleep and wake up with the issue of gratuities of retired civil servants in my mind. I always think on how to settle and clear this backlog.
    “I frequently summon meeting with Accountant General, Chairman Pension Trust fund and others to assist me on the way forward.
    “It is in the course of this meeting we decided to start paying those of low grade level, whose amounts have not exceeded N1 million or little above N1 million down to like N150,000, or N250,000.
    “I asked them to compile the list and we have got the names of over 5,500 of them.
    “By next week, they will receive their gratuities in sha Allah. The total amount as we calculated is about N6 billion and it has since been approved by the State  Executive Council.
    ” Let me also tell you that we have the money at hand. We have not borrowed a dime to pay this gratuity,” he said.
     Yusuf restated commitment to serving Kano people, calling on the populace to give maximum cooperation to his administration for the overall development of the state.
    ” We are in the system to bring about positive change through good democratic governance that would meet the expectations of our people irrespective of political party affiliations,” he said.
    NAN
  • Drug war: NDLEA to deploy personnel to 774 LGAs in 2024 – Marwa

    Drug war: NDLEA to deploy personnel to 774 LGAs in 2024 – Marwa

    By Ibironke Ariyo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it will deploy personnel to 774 Local Government Areas in 2024 to strengthen the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking especially in local communities.

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

    The NDLEA Chairman, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), said this while responding to request for partnership and deployment of more NDLEA officers in all parts of Katsina by Gov. Dikko Radda.

    Marwa stated that the request was based on taming the problem of drug abuse and insecurity in the state.

    Marwa said “with the agency’s staff strength expected to rise to 15,000 by the end of the year, the next “development is to deploy in the LGAs.

    “We currently have zonal commands, state commands, and area commands. We want to go to the LGAs for the offensive action and the advocacy work.

    “We would need more support to succeed. I appreciate the work of the Katsina governor as the challenges are numerous in governing the state.

    “But if insecurity is a problem and is fueled by drugs, I believe we have to collectively take it out of the security equation,’’ he said.

    Marwa commended Gov. Radda for his efforts to surmount the various challenges faced and enhance the socio-economic development of the state.

    He appealed to the Katsina Government to have a state drug control committee of which the NDLEA would be the secretary and the chairperson would be the First Lady of the state.

    He said that the first ladies were in the strategic position, because they were the mothers and have the best interest of the government at heart.

    Speaking earlier, Gov. Radda said he was at the agency as part of his government’s efforts to solve the problem of insecurity facing the state.

    Radda said that it was no longer news that the problem of insecurity had been ongoing for years and insecurity was one of the major issues confronting Katsina state.

    According to him, we receive unpleasant news almost on a daily basis on what has been the issues disturbing the state for a long time.

    “We have taken some needful steps, we set up a Katsina community watch corps with locals to complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies but that is not enough.

    “We decided to reach out to the NDLEA under the leadership of the chairman to combine our efforts and synergise to mitigate the effect of insecurity in the state.

    “It was necessary to get to the root of the problem, and the root of the problem is drug abuse by the teeming youths in the state.

    “We know that these inhumane acts cannot be committed without the influence of drugs,” he said.

    Radda said that he hoped the partnership would go a long way in alleviating the issues of the state and improving the economy.

    “Once insecurity is reduced, economic activities will be conducted better,” he said.

    NAN

  • Bago congratulates Tinubu on Supreme Court’s victory

    Bago congratulates Tinubu on Supreme Court’s victory

    By Mohammed Baba Busu

    Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, has felicitated President Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the Supreme Court upheld his election victory.

    The governor, in a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, issued in Minna on Thursday said truth and justice had prevailed.

    He said that with the verdict of the Supreme Court, “the coast is finally cleared and arguments laid to rest.”

    Bago, who expressed confidence in the ability of the administration of Tinubu to deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians called on all and sundry to give the administration the needed support and prayers.

    The election of Tinubu was challenged by some of his opponents at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) where he emerged victorious.

    Unsatisfied by the verdict, the opponents appealed the ruling, which had been upheld by the Supreme Court on Thursday, laying to rest every litigation about the 2023 presidential election.

    NAN

  • Diaspora organisation celebrates Nigerian-Canadian, Uzoma Asagwara as health minister

    Diaspora organisation celebrates Nigerian-Canadian, Uzoma Asagwara as health minister

    By Cecilia Ologunagba

    Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Americas South Savannah has celebrated the achievements of the Nigerian-Canadian, Uzoma Asagwara as the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier of Canada’s Manitoba Province.

    NIDO Americas South Savannah Vice President Dr Tomi Ademokun, in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, congratulated Asagwara on her new position.

    Asagwara is the first Nigerian woman appointed as minister of health in Canada’s Manitoba Province and at the young age of 39.

    “NIDOA South Savannah looks forward to witnessing Uzoma Asagwara’s continued success and contributions in her new position.

    “We celebrate her achievements and wish her the very best as she embarks on this new and important chapter in her illustrious career.’’

    Ademokun said her appointment was a reflection of the strength that lies in multiculturalism and the enriching contributions that immigrants make to their new communities.

    “We commend the government of Canada’s Manitoba Province for recognising the immense potential in Uzoma Asagwara and for entrusting her with the vital responsibility of overseeing the health and well-being of its citizens.

    “We are confident that she will bring her dedication, compassion, and expertise to her new role, striving to create a healthier and more equitable society,’’ she said.

    According to her, this momentous achievement not only celebrates the remarkable journey of an outstanding individual but also marks a significant milestone for the Nigerian and Canadian communities alike.

    “Uzoma Asagwara’s appointment is a testament to her unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and tireless commitment to public service.

    “Her passion for healthcare and social well-being has been an inspiration to many, and her journey from Nigeria to Canada serves as a beacon of hope for individuals striving to make a positive impact in their adopted homeland.

    “As the first Nigerian woman to hold such a prestigious position in Canada’s Manitoba Province, Uzoma Asagwara embodies the values of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity that both nations cherish.’’

    Born in Winnipeg, Canada, when her parents from the Igbo ethnic group of Abia, South-Eastern Nigeria, migrated there in the late 1970s, Asagwara was earlier elected to represent the Canadian Union Station in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 2019.

    By winning a seat in the Manitoba Assembly and also becoming the first black queer legislator, she succeeded in breaking a 150-year jinx to achieve such a feat.

    Asagwara’s duties as the new health minister, will intersect with bioeconomy in different ways and she will be expected to drive innovation and health advancements within the biosciences.

    NAN reports that the Nigerian-Canadian psychiatric nurse, whose career spans over a decade in the country’s health sector, has also played basketball actively in Canada.

    In 2008, she bagged a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing and also completed a joint programme between the University of Winnipeg and the University in Brandon, both in Manitoba.

    NAN

  • Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to admit PDP’s new evidence- Justice Okoro

    Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to admit PDP’s new evidence- Justice Okoro

    by Ebere Agozie

    The Supreme Court on Thursday held that it lacked jurisdiction to admit fresh evidence in the appeal of the judgment of the presidential election petition tribunal.

    The suit marked SC/ /2023 CA/PEPC/05/2023 was filed Atiku and the PDP as the Appellants while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Tinubu Bola Ahmed and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the Respondents.

    The Appellants in the Notice of Appeal said they were “dissatisfied with the decision more particularly stated in paragraph 2 herein, contained in the consolidated judgment of the Court of Appeal (sitting as the Presidential Election Petition Court), coram:- Haruna Simon Tsammani, JCA, Stephen Jonah Adah, JCA, Misitura Omodere Bolaji-Yusuff, JCA, Boloukuroma Moses Ugo, JCA, and Abba Bello Mohammed, JCA delivered 6th September 2023 in Petition No. CA/PEPC/05/2023 between Abubakar Atiku & Anor vs Independent National Electoral Commission &  others.

    Particularly contained from pages 487 to 752 of the consolidated judgment (as well as the concurring contributions and rulings thereto) doth hereby appeal to the Supreme Court upon the grounds set out in paragraph 3 and will at the hearing of the appeal seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4.”

    The Presidential Election Petition Court had dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and Atiku challenging the election of President Bola Tinubu.

    The tribunal also dismissed the petition of Peter Obi of the Labour Party, challenging Tinubu’s election, describing it as “unmeritorious”.

    NAN

     

  • Supreme Court dismisses Atiku’s plea to file fresh evidence against Tinubu

    Supreme Court dismisses Atiku’s plea to file fresh evidence against Tinubu

    By Ebere Agozie

    The Supreme Court has dismissed the motion by former Vice President and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, seeking leave of the court to file fresh evidence in his appeal against the victory of President Bola Tinubu, in the February 25, presidential election.
    Ruling on the motion, Justice John Okoro, held that a clinical look at the issues formulated by all the parties is the argument of whether the court as presently constituted has the power to grant the motion.
    Okoro held that out of the seven issues distilled by Atiku for determination, none related or covered forgery, which the appellant is seeking to bring in.
    “The Constitution does not permit that, and this court has no jurisdiction to grant the filing of fresh evidence that was not pleaded at the PEPC”.
    The Supreme Court noted that Atiku did not even deem it fit to file for an amendment of his pleadings and for extension of time, since the 180 days allowed by the Constitution had elapsed since September 17, 2023.
    Atiku, had in the motion dated Oct. 5,  pleaded the apex court to grant him leave to bring in additional evidence by way of depositions on oath from the Chicago State University for use in his appeal to wit: the certified discovery deposition made by Caleb Westberg on behalf of Chicago State University on October 3, 2023, disclaiming the certificate presented by the 2nd respondent, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
    The 32-page deposition was released to the former Vice President on the orders of Judge Nancy Maldonado of the District Court of Illinois, Eastern Division, Illinois, United States of America.
    NAN