Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Edo gets 412 slots for 2024 Hajj

    Edo gets 412 slots for 2024 Hajj

    By Usman Aliyu

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has allocated 412 slots to Edo for the 2024 Hajj.

    Sheik Ibrahim Oyarekhua, Chairman, Edo Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen on Wednesday in Benin.

    “In 2023, 432 slots were allocated to the state in the recently concluded exercise, and with the allocation for 2024, the slot has reduced by 20,” he said.

    Oyarekhua said that the slots might be increased when the state exhausts the slots given to it on or before the deadline.

    “NAHCON has announced N4.5 million as deposit for the 2024 Hajj  before the actual full payment is announced on or before the Ramadan fast in 2024,” he said.

    He said that intending pilgrims in the state had commenced depositing money, adding that while some have made part payment, others have paid the full amount announced by NAHCON.

    The chairman described the response from intending pilgrims in the state so far as very encouraging.

    “Intending pilgrims can make payment through bank transfer or pay cash to the board or any of the designated banks.

    “Thereafter, the board will issue prospective pilgrim receipt on the exact amount paid, whether full or part payment,” he explained.

    He urged Muslims faithful who have the intention to perform the 2024 Hajj to start making deposits to enable them beat the deadline of Feb. 28, given by NAHCON.

    Oyarekhua encouraged intending pilgrims to make early payment as everything about the Hajj operation, would end 50 days before the commencement of Hajj to allow for a hitch free exercise.

    NAN

  • Another 4.9 magnitude earthquake hits western Afghanistan

    Another 4.9 magnitude earthquake hits western Afghanistan

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 9, 2023

    Another 4.9 magnitude earthquake jolted western Afghanistan on Monday as the government’s death toll from Saturday’s quake reached more than 2,000.

    The new tremors were confirmed by the U.S. Geological Survey and residents in the area.

    “It was quite intense,” a doctor in the area described Monday’s quake to dpa. “People took shelter in parks, open spaces, and gardens.”

    According to the health worker, the deadly earthquake from Saturday has negatively affected people’s mental health. “Most of the patients are those who have mental shocks,” he added.

    The 6.3 magnitude quake at the weekend completely destroyed at least 13 villages in Herat province’s Zindah Jan district.

    Local residents from other areas as well as rescue teams were still trying to remove bodies from under the rubble.

    In many provinces, people are collecting donations for the victims.

    Turkey, Iran and Pakistan have promised to provide urgent humanitarian assistance relief.

    There are conflicting reports about the exact number of casualties.

    The government announced 2,053 deaths and more than 1,200 wounded so far.

    UN Coordination Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it has recorded 1,023 deaths and 1,663 injured people adding that more than 11,000 people have been affected by the tragedy. (www.nannews.ng)

    dpa/NAN

  • Israeli airstrikes kill 558 people in Gaza

    Israeli airstrikes kill 558 people in Gaza

     

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 9, 2023

    Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 558 people on the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave says.

    More than 65 extra people have been counted as dead, upping the total, while more than 2,800 have been injured.

    Israel launched the counterattack after a major assault by the Palestinian organisation Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.

    About 700 people have been killed in Israel and around 2,400 others injured in the worst civilian bloodshed in Israeli history.

    More than 100 Israelis have also been taken hostage into the Gaza Strip and Hamas says four hostages were killed by the Israeli air raids.

    Hamas is classified as a terrorist organisation by the EU, the U.S. and Israel.

    dpa/NAN

  • Over 123,000 people in Gaza displaced by Israel’s retaliatory strikes – UN

    Over 123,000 people in Gaza displaced by Israel’s retaliatory strikes – UN

    By Flowerbud News

    Oct. 9, 2023

    The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Monday reported that over 123,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been internally displaced in the wake of Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes on the coastal enclave.

    The agency said that the people had fled out of fear of their safety or because their homes had been destroyed.

    The Israeli army launched airstrikes after an unprecedented multi-pronged attack by the Hamas rulers of Gaza on Saturday.

    According to OCHA, Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing has said that 159 housing units have been destroyed and 1,210 severely damaged in the Israeli campaign.

    According to OCHA, the Israeli airstrikes also caused damage to water and sanitation infrastructure for more than 400,000 people, as well as several health facilities.

    dpa/NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 67-year-old for ingesting cocaine to fund new marriage

    NDLEA arrests 67-year-old for ingesting cocaine to fund new marriage

     

    By Ibironke Ariyo

    The NDLEA arrested a 67-year-old drug trafficker, Clement Chukwuemeka at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Oct. 3 for ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine.

    Chukwuemeka told NDLEA operatives that he engaged in the crime to raise enough money to marry a new wife and start life afresh after wasting 30 years of his life in Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand.

    Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi stated on Sunday in Abuja that Chukwuemeka was arrested during an inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa.

    He was taken in for body scan which revealed multiple pellets in his stomach, he stated.

    “While under observation, he excreted 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.195kg in four excretions.

    “In his statement, he claimed to have spent 30 years in Brazil, Ethiopia and Thailand, while he was married, but lost his wife and had no child.

    “He added that that was why he decided to go into drug trafficking to raise enough money to marry a new wife and start life afresh,’’ Babafemi stated.

    He added that on the same Oct. 3, NDLEA operatives intercepted a 45-year-old woman, Bilkisu Bello, at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while preparing to board a flight to Saudi Arabia.

    Bilikisu told the operatives that pellets of cocaine given to her to swallow before her flight were kept in a house in Farawa area of Kano, Babafemi stated.

    “When she led NDLEA officers to the house, 52 wraps of the illicit substance with a total weight of 767grams were recovered,’’ he added.

    NDLEA operatives, supported by troops of the Nigerian Army, Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun personnel stormed James Town, Ogunmakin in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun, also on Oct. 3.

    They located and destroyed 10.38 tonnes of Indian hemp covering more than 4.152 hectares in the town, Babafemi stated.

    “On their return trip from the operation, the team intercepted a truck carrying a 40ft container loaded with logs of wood.

    “A search of the container led to the recovery of two bags of Indian hemp, weighing 20kg.

    “Six suspects in the truck, Ahmed Yusuf, Olaniyi Babatunde, Adedeji Babatunde, Richard John, Osolale Olamilekan and Abdulazeez Saied, were arrested,’’ he added.

    Babfemi stated also that on Oct. 1, NDLEA operatives raided Obi Camp in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo.

    Thirty sacks of skunk, weighing 300kgs and concealed in charcoal, were evacuated from an old dilapidated mud house in the camp, he stated.

    NDLEA also identified and destroyed two Indian hemp farms measuring 1.2 hectares at Igbanke Forest in Orhiomwon Local Government Area of Edo on Oct. 6.

    Babafemi stated that four suspects, Tersoo Zaria (28), Ifeanyi Osai (53), Moses David (19), and Daniel Gabriel (20), were arrested in connection with the farms.

    He added that a suspect, Auwal Bindow was arrested on Oct. 6 on Bauchi-Gombe Road with 50,000 capsules of tramadol.

    Babafemi stated also that NDLEA operatives nabbed one Anuoluwapo Iyanu (32) on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Oct. 4 with 52 blocks of compressed Indian hemp shaped like pawpaw.

    The hemp weighed 30kg, he also stated.

    NAN

  • Okocha advises Osimhen on Napoli’s Tik Tok saga

    Okocha advises Osimhen on Napoli’s Tik Tok saga

    By Olanrewaju Akojede

    Former Super Eagles captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, has weighed-in on the controversy surrounding the Super Eagles and Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen, over the Tik Tok saga in Italy.

    Okocha offered the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at a forum of Veteran Clubs World Championship (VCWC) presentation in Lagos on Friday.

    NAN reports that two controversial TikTok videos were recently posted on social media platforms by Napoli FC purportedly mocking the Nigerian striker over his penalty miss against Bologna.

    Although it seems the clouds are settling over the matter with Napoli FC deleting the posts and offering some explanations on the controversial post, Okocha rose in defense of Osimhen advising him to weigh his options.

    He also commended Osimhen for the strength he had shown by not letting the controversy to affect him and continuing with his business and productivity.

    “The future is for Osimhen to decide, but I don’t think that his decision to leave Napoli FC should be based on the Tik Tok post alone; he should weigh his options.

    “Osimhen should know what is best for him, whether to continue in Napoli or elsewhere seek a new challenge. I don’t think he should narrow his decision to a Tik Tok post,” he said.

    Okocha further stated that as an accomplished footballer, nothing bothered him on what people thought he did not achieve during his active football career.

    “I don’t I have any regrets about my career. I have surpassed everyone’s target, I never knew that I would get to the height which I got to; but I don’t want to be carried away or sound greedy.

    “Yea, I would have achieved some other things, but some things are not meant to be. If I look at my general contributions to football, I have no regret at all,” he said.

    On Nigeria’s participation at the 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire, Okocha said Nigeria had what was required to be champions once again.

    “Nigeria is not short of talents and we can never be short of talents. We have what it takes to do well at the 2024 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire.

    “We also have what it takes to do well in any competition; so it is the same with the Nations Cup.

    “I will love to see the Super Eagles do well, I believe that we have the right players and tools,” he said.

    NAN

  • NDLEA debunks police’s claim over inquiry on arrest and detention of Mohbad

    NDLEA debunks police’s claim over inquiry on arrest and detention of Mohbad

    By Ibironke Ariyo

    NDLEA on Saturday debunked the claim by the police that it had not responded to an enquiry sent to it on deceased singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.

    Police in Lagos State had told a news conference on Friday that the NDLEA had yet to confirm social media posts that it arrested and detained Mohbad on Feb. 24, 2022.

    The media posts also claimed that Mohbad was given a substance to drink while in NDLEA detention.

    Dismissing police claim in Abuja, Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi stated that the anti-drug agency responded to police enquiry since Sept. 28.

    He stated that “to show the seriousness the NDLEA attached to the police enquiry, its formal response dated Thursday, Sept. 28 was sent to Lagos by air; delivered and received by the police same day.

    “The summary of our response was that we also heard the unsubstantiated allegation on social media that the NDLEA arrested and detained Mohbad on Feb. 24, 2022 and he was given a substance to drink.

    “In response to the allegation, we state categorically that Mohbad was neither arrested nor ever detained in the custody of the NDLEA on the said date or any other date before or after.

    “The foregoing being the case, the issue of giving him any substance to drink does not arise.’’

    Babafemi attached an acknowledged copy of NDLEA’s response to his press statement, showing that the police received it in Lagos on Sept 28.

    Mohbad (27) died in controversial circumstances on Sept.12 and was buried on Sept. 13, but his corpse was exhumed on Sept 21 for autopsy.

    Many fans and celebrities in some states took to the streets in protests following the singer’s death.

    They demanded that justice be done as they suspected that there was more to Mohbad’s death than met the eye.

    Police have since arrested Mohbad’s music promoter, Balogun Eletu, aka ‘Sam Larry’ and Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley; over multiple face-offs they had with Mohbad before the deceased parted ways with Marlian Records.

    Marlian Records is owned by musician, songwriter and music promoter, Naira Marley.

    Also in police detention over Mohbad’s death is his close associate, Owodunni Ibrahim popularly known as “Primeboy’’.

    NAN

  • Mr Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment

    Mr Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment

    By Joan Nwagwu

    The Federal Government has assured the International Labour Organisation(ILO) that it would  work closely with the body to enhance the welfare and well-being of workers.

    Mr Simon Lalong, Minister of Labour and Employment gave the assurance when the ILO Country Director to Nigeria visited the Minister in his office on Friday in Abuja.

    Lalong said that closer collaboration would as well promote the dignity of Labour in line with all Conventions as it is signatory to.

    He therefore, commended the support and collaboration of the ILO over the years.

    According to him, this is particularly in the areas of capacity-building and partnerships that have made the work environment for Nigerians productive and engaging.

    “Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry of Labour and Employment is very much ready to take the relationship with the ILO to a higher level,” he said.

    He however, assured the ILO Country Director that Nigeria would continue to work on the implementation of all the protocols it has ratified.

    Lalong added that this is as a way of building confidence within the country and on the international level.

    Earlier, Ms Vanessa Phala the ILO Country Director to Nigeria said the visit was to congratulate the minister and the Minister of State on their appointments.

    “We want to assure you of our readiness of the Organisation for more collaboration with the Federal Government.

    She said the ILO would stay steadfast in ensuring that Nigeria attained the National Employment Policy, effectively deal with the matters of child and forced labour, as well as other issues.

    The Country Director also commended Nigeria for being up to date in its reporting system which is noteworthy.

    Phala urged the minister to pursue the priorities of job creation, enterprise development, social protection and the establishment of the National Labour Advisory Council.

    He added that this would enhance dialogue and minimise industrial disputes through proactive measures.

    NAN

  • The Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu

    The Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu

    By Ibrahim G. Ahmad

    The Federal Government has expressed concern over the recent abduction of 25 students of the Federal University Gusau.
    The Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, passed the message  during a two-day official working visit to commiserate with the state government and the university community.
    The minister’s visit was also to allocate 40 houses to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
    She promised collaborative efforts with the state government to rescue the students and others still in captivity.
    Edu said President Bola Tinubu had already given marching orders to security agencies to ensure safe rescue of the remaining people under captivity.
    She said her visit to Zamfara was long overdue considering the magnitude of humanitarian crisis that made the state to be a flash point of the ministry.
    In addition to sympathy visit, the ministry was in the state to revalidate social data of the vulnerable communities and to hand over 40 houses to IDPs
    While addressing the university community, the minister gave the president’s assurance that those students would be back and continue with their studies.
    Edu maintained that security and education were the top priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and that what made him to introduce students loan and other scholarships was to encourage more enrollment into university and other tertiary institutions.
    The minister equally handed over the 40 units of houses to Gov. Dauda Lawan for onward distribution to IDPs in the state, as part of FG’s efforts to address humanitarian issues.
     Gov. Lawan thanked the minister for the visit and the determination of the ministry to collaborate with the state in tackling humanitarian crisis affecting citizens.
    The governor described city constructed under the Renewed Hope Programme as a critical intervention in addressing humanitarian challenges of the state.
    He called on the minister to consider construction of two additional cities in Zamfara North and West senatorial districts.
    The Vice Chancellor of the FUGUS, Prof. Muazu Abubakar, said the university management was doing all within its ability to encourage students not to be distracted by the ugly incident.
    He thanked the minister for the visit and appealed for more security intervention to the university.
    NAN