Flowerbud News

Author: Wale Owoade

  • Miss Africa seeks more support for female farmers

    Miss Africa seeks more support for female farmers

    By Ibukun Emiola

    Miss Africa, Precious Okoye, has called on governments of African countries to increase their support for female farmers, who contribute to food production and preservation.

    Okoye made the call in Saki, Oyo State, during the implementation of her pet project on Agro-Industrialisation where she empowered more than 30 female farmers with 50kg bags of fertiliser.

    She said in recognition of the contribution of these women to farming, her pet project was to encourage local female farmers to keep up with agriculture.

    She explained that they contribute immensely to the growth of the economy by helping to produce and preserve food.

    “I am pleading with the government and private sector across Nigeria and Africa to support me on this project as I am looking at carrying out this project in six geo-political zones and in Africa.

    “It is to enable female farmers to be more productive, save them time and energy and also get the job done.

    “These women are going through so much and usually farm with their bare hands and we can make their lives better and also create more job opportunities for them.”

    She urged the government to support women farmers with fertilizers and machinery that can make their lives easier.

    “With these local farmers we can help our GDP and boost the economy for sustainability,” she said.

    In his remarks, the Royal Father who received Okoye, the Okere of Saki, King Khalid Oyebisi, congratulated the beauty queen for emerging as Miss Africa.

    “I think this is the first of its kind in Nigeria. I also want to commend her on her choice of pet project which is to assist female farmers.

    “As we all know, Saki is known for farming for both males and females and this will boost the number of females that will go into farming if this kind of project is done yearly.

    “We thank God for her life and her presence here will encourage other young girls to see her for the first time here, as Miss Africa in their domain.

    “It will inspire them and make them work hard and aspire to be one in the future,” Oyebisi said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Aderemilekun Ojo, commended Okoye, adding that God will bless her as they can do much with what was given to them.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Miss Africa, Precious Onyinye Okoye, is a 27-year-old Botany graduate from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • It’s not enough to be gifted, Christian clerics must be called – Bishop Aremu

    It’s not enough to be gifted, Christian clerics must be called – Bishop Aremu

     

    It’s not enough to be gifted, Christian clerics must be called – Bishop Aremu

     

    By Adewale Owoade

    The Presiding Bishop of Christ The Light Ministry, Ibadan, Bishop Solomon Aremu, has said that it required a calling and not the display of gifts to be a man of God.

    Aremu disclosed this while hosting the executive members of the Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ), Oyo State Chapter, at the headquarters of the church in Ologuneru area of Ibadan.

     

    The bishop bemoaned the situation whereby the true gospel had been taken over by prosperity teachings, thus affecting the nation negatively.

    He regretted that even the called ministers were derailing due to the love of money, women and the world.

    “We need to be saying the truth all the time and let all other colleagues, pastors founders and prophets know that there is a life beyond this one.

    “One day, we will sleep and wake up no more; whatsoever we have built will speak about us.

    “God did not send us to go and establish business centres but to go and call His people to His way.

    “At the end, there is going to be darkness, a thick darkness, but only those who have light will escape.

    ‘Our message should be to declare Christ as the way, the truth and the life – no one comes to the Father except through Him,” he said.

    Unfortunately, he said, the church had left teaching the truth.

    According to him, he does not care if people fail to come to his church in multitudes as long as he can train the few he can gather to know that there is heaven.


    “We should let all other people, especially preachers know that we should begin to preach about heaven now because everything that is happening now shows that the end is near,” he said.

    Aremu advised young Nigerians moving out of the country for greener pastures to think twice.

    “Where you are is the best, especially when you have God at this particular point in time,” he said.

    He admonished them to allow God in their lives in order to enjoy this life and the one beyond.

    On the issue of pastors becoming traditional rulers, the bishop said it was an issue of concern particularly within the Body of Christ.

    “Where a gospel preacher abandons his calling as an anointed soul winner to become a traditionalist by reason of becoming a king is a great concern.

    “However, if it is based on God’s instruction, God will definitely guide such a king to fulfill His purpose on the throne,” he said.

    He, thereafter, called on Nigerians to be patient and pray more for the nation to overcome many of its challenges.

    Earlier, the Chairman, NACJ, Oyo State, Lekan Shobowale, had described Aremu as a true man of God who had shown the right attitude and leadership traits in the last three decades.

  • NGO advocates more support for older persons

    NGO advocates more support for older persons

    NGO advocates more support for older persons

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    The President of Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), Dr Eze Ajoku, says older persons need more support from government to live meaningful lives.

     

    Ajoku said this at a hangout programme organised for the elderly by COSROPIN in Ibadan.

     

    He explained that the Rights and Privileges of Older Persons Bill, which received speedy passage by the 9th Assembly but was not assented to, would have created the necessary support for older persons.

     

    “We are hoping that when we re-present that bill, it will receive a speedy passage once again by the Senate, and this president will not hesitate in signing it.

     

    “We have continued to dialogue with the government to find ways of helping older persons; we are pushing for health insurance.

     

    “We are also pushing for some monthly incentives for older persons to be able to have some money to buy their drugs and their medications.

     

    “Our organisation nationally is working to look after older persons to make sure that they can increase their lives and end up well.

     

    “We want these people to be well and healthy for their families, for their communities and to be able to mentor the younger generation,” Ajoku said.

    In his remarks, the State Coordinator of COSROPIN, Mr Olayinka Ajomole, said that since loneliness is one of the major factors that affect elderly persons, the organisation opts for hang outs as a solution.

     

    “We’ve discovered over the years that as our people get older in age, they get socially isolated and their interaction with others reduces.

     

    “Medical science has shown that loneliness is a great killer, so the whole idea is to have hangouts regularly like this where you bring in older persons to socialise, play games, do exercises and interact among themselves.

     

    “That is the whole essence of the programme, that if we have regular programmes like this, it will improve their health because health is a total thing.

     

    “It includes your social and medical wellbeing, so their coming together in the whole essence is to improve their health through social interaction,” Ajomole said.

    The funding partner of the organisation, Voice Global, commended COSROPIN for the initiative.

     

    Its Programme Manager, Ishita Dutta, called for more focus on the needs of elderly persons in the country.

     

    “We are here at this elderly hangout event organised by COSROPIN, we are very proud of the activities the COSROPIN is organising.

     

    “We understood today that in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, this is the 10th state in Nigeria that they are able to organise this programme.

     

    “Considering that elderly persons are often left out of government’s development policies, we strongly believe in an initiative like the one that is being carried out by COSROPIN and we wish them all the success for the future,” Dutta said.

     

    One of the beneficiaries who is a retired soldier, Pa Abraham Odeyale, said that what they had learnt will go a long way in their lives.

     

    “I have benefited a lot from this programme and this that I’ve learnt this morning shall be perennial in the sense that it is quite unbeatable, particularly for elderly people, because they do not want us to die early.

     

    “All that we have learnt today is a great benefit for all, and I believe as I benefited from it so also my colleagues have, the Lord will uphold and sustain every one of us in Jesus name,” Odeyale prayed.

     

    The beneficiaries at the event played games, received medical care, talks from representatives of National Health Insurance Scheme, medical practitioners, and danced to exercise their bodies. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • NAFDAC arrests manufacturer of unregistered herbal medicine in Ibadan

     

    NAFDAC arrests manufacturer of unregistered herbal medicine in Ibadan

    By Olatunde Ajayi

    National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), on Friday, arrested the manufacturer of an unregistered herbal medicine in Ibadan.

    Director, South-West zone of NAFDAC, Mrs Roseline Ajayi, disclosed this while conducting newsmen round the premises of the factory, Oladem Company Limited, in Ibadan.

    Ajayi said that the manufacturer could not produce any evidence of registration of the product, christened: At-Taqwah Multipurpose Herbal Medicine, with NAFDAC before embarking on mass production.

    She said that following a tip-off, the agency swung into action immediately by sending surveillance officers to the location, which led to the arrest of the suspect.

    Ajayi said that the agency had placed the production of the herbal product on hold and sealed the premises due to its unhealthy state.

    “We have to follow the due process for registration of any of NAFDAC-regulated product of which herbal products happened to be one.

    “We have three stages to get a product registered with NAFDAC, which include documentation with payment, inspection and laboratory analysis.

    “Also, a sample of the product will be drawn to a laboratory to ascertain its chemical and microbiology components, if it meets specification before approval,” she said.

    Ajayi said that the suspect had yet to apply to NAFDAC for necessary administrative procedures before embarking on mass production of the drug.

    “He has not even applied because he knows that no inspection officer will certify a product produced in that kind of a premises.

    “The sanitary condition of the premises is poor and the premises is not satisfactory for production of anything for human consumption,” she said.

    The NAFDAC director stated that the agency had different penalties for different categories of violators.

    According to her, the suspect’s offence is criminal and he will be handed over to the enforcement directorate of the agency.

    She advised Nigerians to be careful about the herbal medicine they consumed, especially those with multi-purpose healing claims.

    The suspect, while answering questions from newsmen, claimed that the herbal product was multi-purpose and that that worked for fever, malaria, body pain and hypertension.

    Ajao said that he had started the production and distribution of the product to different parts of the country since the past five years.

    According to him, the product is made from tobacco leaves and other local materials.

    The suspect, who said that he had not gone for any training on herbal medicine production, added that he inherited the production process from his parents. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

  • Obasanjo’s Outburst: We Are Not Cowards, We Will Respond In Due Course, Says Olugbon.

    Obasanjo’s Outburst: We Are Not Cowards, We Will Respond In Due Course, Says Olugbon.

    Obasanjo’s Outburst: We Are Not Cowards, We Will Respond In Due Course, Says Olugbon.

    By Adewale Owoade

    The Deputy Chairman,
    Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs , King Francis Olushola Alao, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon has said that the Council will respond to the outburst of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, appropriately.

    King Olushola Alao stated this in a statement personally signed by him, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

    The outburst of former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo against traditional rulers in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Friday September 15 has generated anger and varied responses from true sons and daughters of Oduduwa in all sections of the society.

    He said: “First and foremost, I will like to emphasize that the inauguration ceremony was a huge success while the road and campus projects represent another milestone in the development strides of Governor Seyi Makinde who has been working hard to take Oyo State to the next level of development.

    “All the royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions.

    “I wish to state that the incident is an internal affair which will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    “Let me assure all Yoruba, and other well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the traditional institution, and who feel concerned about the incident that our silence since Friday is not an act of cowardice.

    “When we sit down with the Governor, and hold our next meeting, we will review and respond appropriately.

    “Our Governor respects us, and traditional rulers in Oyo State also hold him in high esteem.

    “I, therefore, sue for calm over this issue. We want everybody to apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos for which Yoruba are greatly respected. Ile Yoruba land shall remain peaceful. Our unity is sacrosanct. These ethos must reflect in our day-to-day activities.

    “Let it, however, be well noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regret in supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election, and will be willing to support them even in the future.

    “This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded. ”

  • NACJ Felicitates Oyo Speaker, Ogundoyin, Over Emergence As Chairman, Conference Of Speakers

    NACJ Felicitates Oyo Speaker, Ogundoyin, Over Emergence As Chairman, Conference Of Speakers

    NACJ Felicitates Oyo Speaker, Ogundoyin, Over Emergence As Chairman, Conference Of Speakers

    By Adewale Owoade

    The Nigeria Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ) Oyo State chapter have congratulated the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin on his election as Chairman, Conference of Speakers.

    NACJ, Oyo State chapter, said this through a press release made available to Journalists, and signed by it’s Acting Chairman, Lekan Shobowale.

    The association described the Speaker’s election as an honour well deserved, and that he has demonstrated a high sense of leadership quality since he assumed office as the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly in 2019.

    It stated further that Rt. Hon Ogundoyin have proven to be a leader and mentor for younger generation which has always proven that the younger generations can always do it better.

    “While praying to God to grant you the wisdom, Knowledge and understanding to excel in this your call to duty, the entire body of Christian Journalists in the Oyo State will continue to pray along, for you to succeed in this your noble assignment.

    “Once again, congratulations, Mr Speaker and we wish you greater heights as you steer the ship of the 10th house of Assembly of Oyo state.

  • Hon. Akintunde Eulogises Ogundoyin

     

    Hon. Akintunde Eulogises Ogundoyin

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    The lawmaker representing Lagelu State Constituency in Oyo State House Of Assembly of Assembly, Honourable Olajide Akintunde, has described the Speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin as an hard-nosed leader with practical exemplary qualities.

     

    Hon. Akintunde, who is a Second term state lawmaker, stated this is a statement made available to newsmen, following the emergence of Ogundoyin as the Chairman, Nigeria’s Conference of Speakers on Saturday.

     

    He stated further that Oyo Assembly under the leadership of Ogundoyin has given the sate house of assembly a remarkable record and unprecedented legislative achievements.

     

    AKT as he is popularly known, is the Chairman House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, who also doubles as the Chairman of PDP Caucus comprising the 28 lawmakers on the platform of the ruling party at the Assembly.

     

    He described Ogundoyin as a leader with practical example of excellence and face of Nigerian youthful leadership.

     

    According to the statement, AKT said the PDP Caucus is proud of Ogundoyin’s pragmatic leadership which has over the years culminated into series of landmark achievements in and outside the Speaker’s legislative purview.

     

    The lawmaker disclosed further that the entire PDP lawmakers in the 10th Assembly remain a strong political army behind the Speaker and would continue to provide him all necessary support to propel him for more success.

     

    While expressing appreciation to the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde over what the lawmaker described as deliberate push of young politicians in Oyo state for national leadership, AKT said it was an honour and privilege serving the state in the present dispensation.

     

    “I want to on behalf of the entire PDP Caucus of the 10th Assembly celebrate and congratulate our ‘speaking’ Speaker, Rt. Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin over his new feat as the Chairman, Nigeria Conference of Speakers.

     

    “I want to reassure our leader, the Rt. Honourable of  unwavering support of of all PDP lawmakers of the 10th Assembly as we remain resolute as a formidable army behind him.

     

    “Your win at the national stage is not just your win alone but a win for the Oyo state Assembly, government, and the people of Oyo state whose mandate we all hold in trust.” Akintunde stated.

  • Engr Agoro Charges Government On Encouraging Research, Rather Than Giving Palliative

    Engr Agoro Charges Government On Encouraging Research, Rather Than Giving Palliative

    Engr Agoro Charges Government On Encouraging Research, Rather Than Giving Palliative

    By Adewale Owoade

    The Vice – President, Nigeria Society of Engineers in charge of Collaboration and Linkages, Engineer Ademola Agoro, has said government should encourage people that want to research into any area of life, rather than sharing palliative.

    Engr Agoro stated this while speaking with National Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ), Oyo State Chapter in Ibadan.

    He stated further that giving foods and cash as palliatives will not go far in alleviating the suffering of people, as fallout of fuel subsidy removal.

    “The major problem we have in Nigeria is that we are not a manufacturing economy, everything we do in Nigeria we import , and the irony is that there is nothing you want in this world that is not resident in Nigeria.

    “But Nigerians most of us the Engineers, researchers, scientists were not doing any research, so when government is talking about palliative if you give people food or money today that is the end.

    “But if you encourage people that want to research into any area of life it covers for all citizens. You will put some standby money, there is a lot of money need to be going to research.

    “The problem in Nigeria is that most of this fund is being siphoned, even, if you looked at Tetfund and any others funds, is not that Nigeria does not have these funds but is the utilisation

    “We must make everything open, so that there would be some certain criteria, everything must be transparent, as long as the process is transparent people would come out of their shell.” Agoro said

    Speaking on empowerment, Agoro said government should empower people in the area of Artificial Intelligence, AI, as the new trends of technology will prepare people for future challenges

    Engr Agoro gave a clue on his plans to establish a vocational school for youths in his village, that will be offering programmes on Artificial Intelligence, AI, and that the training will be free, including accommodation.

  • Onigbinde Says CYE’s Mandate Is To Ensure Unity Of Yoruba Race

    Onigbinde Says CYE’s Mandate Is To Ensure Unity Of Yoruba Race

    Onigbinde Says CYE’s Mandate Is To Ensure Unity Of Yoruba Race

    By Adewale Owoade

    The President, Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE), Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde, has said that the group was formed to unite all the Yoruba Sons and Daughters all around the world for the interest of national development.

    Chief Onigbinde stated this during a press conference at Oduduwa House, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    He said that this clarification was necessary in reaction to some insinuations that emerged from various groups shortly after his appointment as the president of the newly launched social cultural organisation, recently in Ibadan.

    Onigbinde noted that the objectives of the CYE is to ensure that the Yorubas remains in good position, playing their roles as nation builders.

    He maintained that CYE as a social cultural group is not at loggerhead with any other yoruba group.

    In his words, Chief Onigbinde said, “The core mandate of CYE is to ensure that we are in best position to play our roles for the interest of our race and our country at large.

    “And for us to achieve this, we must be united, all hands must be on deck, we must forget all our differences, for now we don’t have a one voice as a race.

    “We must all come together, put our resources, knowledge and wisdom together, it is through this that we can have a one strong voice, it has to be collective efforts.

    “This organisation is open to all Yoruba sons and daughters both at home and abroad for ideas and support of any kind, we formed this organisation with the good intention of moving our country forward.

    “The interest of our race is paramount on our agenda and for us to achieve this, our unity is non negotiable.” He said.

    Some of the pro tem exco of the Council of Yoruba Elders, as unveiled by the former Super Eagles National Coach, Chief Onigbinde include, Dr Victor Taiwo, Secretary General; Hakeem Danmola, National Treasurer.

    Erelu Tijani, National Financial Secretary; Prince Lanre Ogundipe, Publicity Secretary; Elder Taiye Ayorinde, Chairman Mediation and Reconciliation committee; Prince Bowofade Aderemi, Legal Adviser; Retire AIG Bola Alonge, Security Adviser; Chief (Mrs) Simisade Kuku, Chairman Women Affairs.

    Princess Dorcas Amusan-Fagborun, Chairman Diaspora; Mr Muhammed Babatunde Aliyu, Chairman Public Awareness; Prof. Olukayode Ogundoro, Administrative Secretary; Others include states Chairmen, and committee chairmen.

    In his welcome address, the Secretary General of CYE, who also doubles as the President General of Oodua Redemption Alliance, Dr Victor Taiwo said ;

    “We cannot continue to be fooling ourselves, most of Yoruba groups that we all known have been polarised with either by politics or personal interest.”

    “We cannot continue to pretend as if we don’t know what is going on, Hausa people have a formidable group that champion their interest, which is Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

    “They speak with one voice irrespective of their political differences, Igbo people also have their own which is called Ohaneze Ndigbo, but here in Yorubaland our Afenifere group have been polarised.

    “We now have Afenifere Renewal Group, and so many other factions, even the Yoruba Council Of Elders (YCE) has also been factionalised, there is Pa Rueben Fasonrati group, and there is Pa Ayo Adebanjo group.

    “So we are no longer speaking with one voice and it is so sad, we cannot move forward with all these mess, we need a strong and formidable group that will be championing our interest at the national level too.

    “This is what gave birth to this Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE) that was officially launched on Thursday 31st August, 2023 at the House of Chiefs here in Ibadan, the event was a successful one.

    “We Yorubas are so brilliant, we are known for our brilliance, but it is so sad because when it comes to wisdom to speak with one voice we are lagging behind, politics has divided us.

    “Personal interest has divided us, we need to forget all these and come together for the betterment of our race and for the interest of our nation at large.”

    Chief Mrs Erelu Dosumu Abiola, the Yeye Oodua of the Source, who was appointed as the Vice president of the organisation, was then elevated to grand- patroness,the official mother of the Yoruba race, as announced by Chief Onigbinde.

    In attendance at the event were Prof. Kayode Ogundoro, Chief Olu Alege Olaseyi, Mogaji Ogunsola Anisere, Alhaja Bisola Quadri, Chief Dara Odunjo, Comrade Wale Alabi, Dr. Tope Taiwo, Mr Rahaman Adebayo, Mrs Bose Oni, among others.