Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Tinubu approves creation of Civil Service Commission for FCT – Wike

    Tinubu approves creation of Civil Service Commission for FCT – Wike

    By Philip Yatai

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of Civil Service Commission for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to allow career progression for civil servants in the FCT Administration.

    The Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, disclosed while briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday.

    Wike said that in 2018, the National Assembly passed a Bill for the establishment of CSC for the FCT and was assented to by the then acting President Yemi Osibanjo.

    He said that the civil servants in the FCTA had lost hope because Directors in the Administration could not get to the apex of their careers because there was no CSC.

    He added that the law for the creation of the commission had been signed but nobody wanted to implement it for different reasons.

    He explained that while some were afraid of what others would say, others felt the development would reduce their power and influence.

    The minister said that he was not aware of the existence of the law until recently.

    “So, I wrote a Memo to Mr President. I say, you have a renewed hope agenda; civil servants in FCT are suffering; they have lost hope.

    “They are not committed to work. Why should I be working because at the end of the day, I can’t get to the apex of my career. As such, we must implement that 2018 law as passed by the National Assembly.

    “If there are challenges, of course there is no law that is perfect. You can only know the challenges when you start implementing.

    “So, let’s implement, whatever the challenges are, then we can begin to talk of how we can amend it

    “I can tell you authoritatively that Mr President has given the approval for the establishment of Civil Service Commission for the FCTA,” he said.

    Wike explained that with this development, civil servants will go beyond directors to become Permanent Secretaries, adding, “that is the essence of the renewed hope agenda.”

    He called on the civil servants to thank Tinubu for this remarkable consideration after waiting for several years.

    The minister said that he accepted to work with Tinubu because of his capacity and the political will to do things that other people were afraid to do.

    Wike pointed out that one of the problems of the country was leadership, urging that people should not be afraid of doing the right thing.

    “What is important is that the action is guided by law, conscience, and guided by the interest of Nigerians and not the interest of me, the FCT minister, or any other person,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • Information Minister urges NIPR to key into Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

    Information Minister urges NIPR to key into Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

    By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

    Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to key into President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda to move Nigeria forward.
    Idris gave the charge when the Council of NIPR led by its President paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday, in Abuja.
    The Minister said he was impressed by NIPR’s plans  to embark on multi-sectoral engagements on Public Relations in the area of maritime, energy, enterprise, and aviation, among others.
    Idris said: “The more we sectorize our profession, the better for us, and the people will now see that there is specialisation; It will also help to deepen knowledge.
    “Everything that will make it possible for NIPR to succeed, we will do under my watch here. I am committed to that.
    “But I count on you, the president and members of council of the NIPR to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, especially in the eight priority areas that he has lined up for our country.”
    Idris stressed the need for collaboration between NIPR and the Federal Ministry of Information to close perceived information gap between the government and its citizens.
    “We know that there is little hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy; we need a lot of PR approach to that. We can see some gaps, but when we collaborate with NIPR, we can close the gaps.
    “It has been said that 50 per cent of execution is in the communication. So, if we don’t communicate, there would be problems. Let us imbibe that to move our country forward,” he said.
    Speaking earlier, Dr Ike Neliaku, NIPR President and Chairman of Council, said the institute had lined up activities for the next two years that would take Nigeria to the next level.
    Neliaku said the institute was planning to initiate a programme called ‘Rebirth Nigeria,’ which would deal with ‘Citizen Education and Value Re-orientation’, ‘Operation Made in Nigeria’ and ‘Service Delivery Excellence.’
    “We are proposing that these initiatives will be coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and NIPR, which we will operate in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, NASIMA and Nollywood.
    “Others are Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy,” he said.
    Neliaku added that other activities included Directors’ Conference,  commencement of implementation of Citizens Summit and many others that would move the country forward.
    NAN

     

  • FG tasks Google on sanity of cyberspace HomeFG tasks Google on sanity of cyberspace

    FG tasks Google on sanity of cyberspace HomeFG tasks Google on sanity of cyberspace

    By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

    The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris has appeal to Google for a safe cyberspace to enhance peace and unity in the country.
    The Minister who made the call when a delegation from Google West Africa led by its Director, Mr Olumide Balogun paid him a visit on Thursday in Abuja.
    “It is very important to find a critical  balance between the negative and positive aspect of the cyberspace. I think the more role is on your side, because you are the one that have the switch button to switch on and off.
    “It is not in the interest of government to gag the press or deny people freedom of expression. I can tell you that the president is not interested in stifling any press flow of information, but once information becomes dangerous, it can now become a problem for us, tear us apart and create confusion for us as a country.
    “We know that information dissemination is critical to the survival of any country. I think it is important for us to have free press, a platform where people can express themselves freely.
    “I think that once people communicate or put out information, it reduces tension and the menace of fake news. That freedom comes with responsibility,” the Minister said.
    He said Google has an enormous responsibility to ensure that the freedom people have on the cyberspace does not also translate to an avenue for anarchy for Nigerians.
    “We want to stay united and in peace; and sometimes if you feel that the knife in the kitchen would be more negative and dangerous, you sometimes need to take it out and use what is available.
    “We don’t want to get to that level.  It is a twin problem, but how you as Google navigate that is important for us,” Idris said.
    Speaking earlier, Balogun said that Google in the last three years has trained over 3,500 journalists to use different tools for news verification, including digital tools to manage misinformation.
    “We have the Google News integration team that helps news organisations across the world, including Nigeria through what is called “Google Innovation Challenge” to innovate and introduce new innovations to news organizations.
    “One of the innovations that we funded, called ‘full fact’ is an AI technology that helps in fact-checking”.
    The Google team pledged to support the Ministry by training staff on online skills.
    NAN
  • FG plans 50% subsidy for wheat farmers – Minister

    FG plans 50% subsidy for wheat farmers – Minister

    By Aminu Garko

    Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, says the Federal Government is giving out 50 per cent subsidy to wheat farmers in the upcoming dry season farming to ensure massive production of the grain in the country.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kyari spoke to newsmen shortly after inspecting assorted seed wheat productions in Kano on Friday.
    ” We are fully committed towards massive wheat production in the upcoming dry seasons farming for local and foreign export actions,” he said.
    He explained that  President Tinubu’s renewed agenda was aimed at making sure that Nigeria secured food production, starting from next Month, with wheat farming taking toll in the dry season farming.
    The minister, who was in Kano and Jigawa to supervise the seeds production, expressed satisfaction that the local production was the vital component of the farming.
    “Jigawa State has shown a lot of interest in wheat farming by providing 40,000 hectares of land for wheat farming, closing on the 70,000 hectares set aside by the Federal Government to achieve this year,” he said.
    The minister explained that  the Federal Government was making efforts to have enough seeds that would cover the 70,000 hectares provided for wheat farming.
    “The breeder and foundation seeds were  checked before it became satisfied to phase out wheat importation before next year’s irrigation farming.
    “This is because importation of the wheat is taking a lot of Nigeria’s foreign reserve.
    Kyari noted that the Federal Government planned to secure the nation’s food production and be self-sufficient, adding that local production was one way that importation of seeds would completely be stopped.
    “In the next 4-5 years with the Programmes set out, Nigeria would completely stop importations of wheat seeds and be self-sufficient with the local production that would enhance food production and security.”
    The minister was at the National Wheat Council Ware Houses at Sharada, AA Albasu Grains Company and  Alyumna Seeds Production Company.
    NAN
  • APC ‘ll record overwhelming victory in Kogi guber poll- Bello

    APC ‘ll record overwhelming victory in Kogi guber poll- Bello

    By Thompson Yamput

    Gov. Yahaya Bello says the All Progressives Congress (APC) would record an overwhelming victory in the Nov. 11 governorship election, because of its wide acceptance across the state.

    Bello said this at the APC stakeholders’ meeting at the Glass House, Government House, Lokoja.

    He said that the party support base cut across ethnic groups in the state, as it was devoid of tribal or religious sentiment.

    The governor said that ethnic politics had no place in the state.

    “The APC is a party for all ethnic groups in the state, which explains why it will win overwhelmingly in the Nov. 11 governorship election in the state.

    “The victory won’t be on the basis of ethnic sentiment but on the strength of the APC and my administration’s achievements. We won 99 per cent of elective positions in the state in the last general election.

    “We must jettison ethnicity in Kogi. Those championing ethnic agenda do not mean well for our unity. In Kogi, we have every ethnic group in APC; let us not allow undeserving elements to drag us back.

    “We won all senatorial seats; we won all the House of Representatives and State Assembly seats, except one, presently, all opposition parties have joined the APC in the state,’’ he said.

    Bello added: “With about 1500 political appointees in the state, the APC structures are everywhere, we are united in the state with no ethnic colouration.

    “The Nov. 11 governorship election is like a boxing match between Mike Tyson and a malnourished boxer. We will win overwhelmingly, not on the basis of ethnic sentiments but on the strength of the APC.”

    He called on the party members to go back to the grassroots and campaign, in order to consolidate on the party’s winning strategies for the November election.

    Bello cautioned against thuggery and violence and urged party members to engage on issue based campaign as well as ensure peace.

    ‘’The late Prince Abubakar Audu won his election in 1992 and 1999, not on ethnic sentiments; Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who won on two occasions; as well as Capt. Idris Wada in 2012 and 2018, won not on the basis of ethnic sentiments.

    “I can assure you that in 2023 and moving forward, election will also be won in Kogi not on ethnic sentiment, but on popularity and acceptability of the people,” he said.

    NAN

  • Absence of judge stalls $150m suit against Google, GoDaddy.Com

    Absence of judge stalls $150m suit against Google, GoDaddy.Com

    By Taiye Agbaje

    The absence of Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, stalled the hearing of a 150 million dollars uit filed by a Nigerian, Mr Chianugo Peter, against Google and GoDaddy.com.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Peter is suing the duo over allegations bordering on the shutdown of his YouTube Audio domain name after eight years of promotional and marketing works.
    Justice Egwuatu, in the last adjourned date, had fixed the matter for today for mention after the report of service of originating processes on the defendants.
    Peter, through his lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong of Fred-Young & Evans LP, sued GoDaddy.Com LLC and Google LLC as 1st and 2nd defendants.
    The plaintiff, in the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/238/2023 and filed April 14, sought the court declaration that he registered the YouTube Audio business name, commenced trademark registration on the logo of the business name and secured the YouTubeAudio.com domain name from the GoDaddy in good faith to carry out genuine business to host his application thereon to attract users.
    He also sought a declaration that since GoDaddy and Google encouraged him to make use of the YouTubeAudio.com domain name for the past eight years, “they are estopped from claiming that the domain name infringes any of their trademarks or deny the plaintiff the use of the YouTubeAudio.com domain name.
    “A declaration of this honourable court that the plaintiff is entitled to compensation from the defendants for the loss of the YouTubeAudio.com brand and goodwill which has accrued on the brand and domain name for eight years of promotional and marketing works from 2nd July, 2015 to 7th December, 2022.”
    But the suit, which was on number 10 on the Wednesday’s cause list, could not proceed due to the judge’s official engagement.
    The matter was, however, adjourned until Nov 13 for mention.
    NAN recalls that the plaintiff lawyer, Ekpenyong, and counsel to Google, Mark Mordi, SAN, were in court in the last adjourned date.
    Peter is seeking an order directing the defendants to pay him the sum of $50 million for promotional and marketing works on the YouTube Audio business name and YouTube Audio.com domain name for eight years from July 2, 2015 to Dec. 7, 2022.
    “An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the sum of 100, 000, 000 dollars to the plaintiff for loss of anticipated profits associated with the brand equity and goodwill of YouTube Audio and YouTube Audio.com domain name.
    “An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the Plaintiff the sum of N50, 000, 000 (Fifty Million naira) to enable the plaintiff to carry out fresh registrations of its new name and secure an alternative domain name to host its application to attract users.
    “An order of this honourable court directing the defendants to pay the sum of N10, 00, 000 (Ten Million naira) paid to the plaintiff’s counsel for prosecution of this suit.”
    NAN
  • FG to partially commercialise dams under its 12 river basins – Minister

    FG to partially commercialise dams under its 12 river basins – Minister

    By Aminu Garko

    The Federal Government is set to partially commercialise  the dams under the nation’s 12 river basins to enable them to deliver  their mandates effectively.
    The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev,  disclosed this while speaking to newsmen shortly after inspecting Tiga dam in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State on Wednesday.
    The minister said the commercialisation of the basins would enable them to generate increased revenues for the Federal Government.
    He assured that the huge infrastructure available at the basins would guarantee a return on investments.
    He explained that the exercise would  ensure  sustainable operations and management of their infrastructure.
    ” The basins have huge infrastructure like water supply schemes, dams and irrigation that require good funding to be able to keep them running and to provide dividends for Nigerians.
    He said the aim of the visit was to assess the state of the dam and the challenges with a view of addressing them for optimal growth.
    The minister explained that the main purpose of constructing the dam was for irrigation, flood control and energy generation.
    The Federal Government is ever ready to partner commercial farmers to pave the way for massive production of assorted food crops in all-year farming system.
    ” We are ready to partner with commercial farmers, they come and register with us, and we will allow them to tap water from the dam for commercial farming which will help immensely in enhancing food production.”
    He said one of the major challenges the dam was currently facing was illegal tapping of the water from the dam by farmers.
    ” Farmers are tapping water illegally from the canals and this will have negative impact, hence we are working towards calling the attention of the farmers so that they will register with the government and the water would be supplied to them.
    “We will also update our data base for effective service delivery,” he said.
    Earlier, the Managing Director of the Hadejia Jamma’are River Basin, Ma’Amun Dau Aliyu, explained that more than 3 million farmers were benefiting from the Tiga Dam while hundreds of others were syphoning the water illegally.
    He said the basin had since commenced moves to mobilise all those operating illegally so that they would register.
    Aliyu hinted that the dam, built  50 years ago, was constructed on 1.4 billion cubic water capacity, and was done on some five million combined Kano/Jigawa population then, but still not being fully utilised.
    He said Tiga Dam had canals and small dams that linked up to Lake Chad through Kamadugu River Basin in Yobe State, adding that with the commercialisation of the dam, more economic inputs would be recorded.
    NAN
  • Gaza health ministry says women, children make up 60% of injured in Gaza Strip

    Gaza health ministry says women, children make up 60% of injured in Gaza Strip

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 11, 2023

    Around 60 per cent of people injured in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip are women and children, the Palestinian Health Ministry said Wednesday.

    “About 60 per cent of those wounded in the Gaza Strip are women and children,” the health ministry said in a statement.

    Earlier on Wednesday, the health ministry said that the death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israeli attacks had reached 1,055 and another 5,184 people had been injured.

    At the same time, media reported that the number of those killed among Israeli citizens as a result of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict had surpassed 1,200 people and nearly 3,000 had been wounded.

    The fate of the 150 people brought to the Gaza Strip as hostages by the Palestinian movement Hamas reportedly remains unknown.

    On Saturday, Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting Israel to declare a state of war the following day and launch retaliatory strikes.

    On Monday, Israel ordered a full blockade of the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million people, stopping supplies of water, food, and fuel. Both Israel and Palestine have so far reported hundreds of dead and thousands of injured as a result of the escalation.

    Sputnik/NAN

  • Bayelsa APC elders fault judgment disqualifying Sylva

    Bayelsa APC elders fault judgment disqualifying Sylva

    By Nathan Nwakamma

    The Elders Forum, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa has faulted the judgment of the Federal High Court disqualifying the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, ahead of the Nov. 11 election.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the elders posited that Justice Donatus Okorowo erred in law in his pronouncement that Sylva had taken the oaths of office as a governor twice and was no longer qualified to vie for the governorship ticket of his party.

    In the statement signed by Chief Michael Adomokeme, Chairman of the forum, he contended that Sylva had only taken one oath of office known to law, as the first one referred to by the judge had been nullified by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    “In 2007, Sylva’s first term election was annulled by the court, which also nullified the oath he took when he was sworn-in as the governor.

    “The annulment of the first poll and nullification of that oath by the court had rendered both the election and the oath of office non-existent.

    “The first oath never existed because in the eyes of the law you cannot build something on nothing.

    “Only the oath taken in 2008 is recognised by the law and stands as the only oath so far taken by our candidate,’’ he said

    Adomekeme noted that judges remained imperfect humans, capable of making mistakes in their pronouncements adding that such recognition is the reason why the hierarchy of courts existed in the judicial system.

    He expressed the optimism that the appellate court would do justice to this matter.

    “We commend the legal team of our party which swiftly appealed the judgment and applied for a stay of execution of the verdict, which we know is a miscarriage of justice.

    “We believe that the court would not allow the 2019 scenario to repeat itself where, against the will of the people, an unpopular candidate was foisted on our people.

    “Sylva is qualified to contest this election in the spirit and letters of the law because when a court invalidates a situation it remains invalidated, viewed as dead and will no longer have any effect or application in the future.

    “The people of Bayelsa must be allowed to vote for their preferred candidates without mischievously narrowing their chances,’’ he said.

    While describing the development as a temporary setback, Adomekeme advised the Peoples’ Democratic Party and its candidate, Gov. Douye Diri to stop “their wishful thinking of relying on the courts to remain in power and prepare for the election’’.

    “We know they are fretting and that is why they are mischievously shopping for help in courts.

    “This one has failed because it will not stand. Governor Douye Diri must go and face his defeat at the poll because the peoples will must stand,’’ he said.

    The chairman urged the APC members, residents of Bayelsa and other stakeholders not to be discouraged by the judgment stressing that it would be upturned by the court of appeal.

    NAN