Category: General News

By Flowerbudnews
The Government of Denmark has expressed its eagerness to expand the European nation’s business interests in Enugu State, expressing enthusiasm at partnering with the state in key sectors of the economy and other areas of mutual benefits.

Denmark, which is a member of the European Union, stated this when its government delegation and Danish businesses led by the Consul General of the Royal Danish Embassy in Nigeria, Jette Djerrrum, met with Gov. Peter Mbah, at Government House, Enugu, on Monday.

Djerrum, who also doubles as the Head of Trade of the Danish Embassy in Nigeria, said their interest was inspired by shared values with Enugu State Government such as transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, as well as Governor Mbah’s speech at the 34th anniversary celebration of the reunification of the East and West Germany held in Lagos in 2024.

She stressed that contrary to negative generalisation, Enugu State was an example that many good things were happening in Nigeria.

“People Google all the bad stories, but we want them to know the good stories too; to say this (Enugu State) is also Nigeria, and this is where good people build trust and work with transparency, accountability, and traceability.

“I am here to understand what is important for Enugu. They (Denmark and Enugu State) have similarities. Transparency, accountability and transformation are important values for Enugu. They are also important values for Denmark. Inclusion, diversity and equality at all levels for everybody also.

“What we hear as music from the governor is the focus on children, the focus on our young people. The Smart School initiative, which is really impressive. The agriculture value chain. The waste and the waste to energy transformation.

“All the logistics initiatives that are going on. The international airport, the cargo space and the healthcare projects that are also being driven by the Governor. We are really impressed.

“We now need to be fast because things really move fast here in Enugu. We are here to figure out how we can help to improve on them more.

“We have Danish companies here. We have the group that is supplying the first tractors. We have a new tractor assembly centre. So, how do we get more Danish companies to come here, establish themselves and work together with Enugu citizens? That’s why we’re here,” she said.

According to her, we come from a country of waste to power, wind and solar energy. We know you cannot do it in a day, but we would like to know how to support the process, and then capacity building.

“The low hanging fruits will be in agriculture because that is what we do. That will also include logistics and so forth,” she added.

Responding, Gov. Mbah restated his government’s commitment to not only create a business-friendly environment, but to also de-risk investment, encourage investors through offtakes, noting that the visit by the Danish delegation was a major boost for his administration’s effort to grow the state’s economy sevenfold to the tune of $30 billion in the next six years.

According to the governor, we have already signed an agreement with the Danish Company, ODK Group, and that agreement is going to see us procure tractors from them. What is also interesting is that they are also willing to have their assembly plant here. But we feel that this is just an entry point.

“We also have over 300,000 hectares secured as landbank for agriculture. So, just as Denmark, agriculture is also our lifeblood. 40 per cent of our economy is predicated on agriculture.

“We equally have an initiative that we are implementing now called Farm Estate, which is across the 260 electoral wards in Enugu. So, each ward is going to have a massive expanse of land that is going to be access-controlled.

“We also plan to create value on those products. So, we are setting up Special Agro-Processing Zones that will come up soon. This is going to be a one-stop shop for manufacturers where you will have everything you need to have for manufacturing like water, access roads, electricity, even the houses and the warehouses. You just plug and play.

“In livestock, we are investing hugely and we are also looking for partnership in that regard.

“We have secured about $20 million for investment in livestock. We are working on a massive ranch; we expect that ranch to take over 20,000 cows,” he added.

Mbah also highlighted opportunities in various other sectors such as tourism, health, logistics, and aviation.

RAMALLAH, (Xinhua)/Flowerbudnews:   — The Palestinian presidency on Monday accused Israel of “ethnic cleansing” in the West Bank.

“The Israeli aggressive policies in the West Bank have led to the killing of 29 citizens, with hundreds wounded and arrested, in addition to the destruction of entire residential blocks in the Jenin and Tulkarm camps, the displacement of thousands, and the massive destruction of infrastructure,” Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, said in a press statement released by the official news agency WAFA.

Abu Rudeineh called on the U.S. administration to intervene immediately “to stop the ongoing Israeli aggression against Palestinian people and land, which will lead to an explosion of the situation.”

Since January 21, the Israeli military has been conducting a large-scale campaign named “Iron Wall” in the West Bank’s Jenin and Tulkarm to dismantle what they called “terrorist groups” and to maintain military control in the occupied territory.

On Sunday, the Israeli military said it had expanded the campaign into the northern occupied West Bank.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Jarrar, mayor of Jenin, told Xinhua that 15,000 citizens were displaced from the Jenin camp due to the ongoing Israeli military operation.

He described the Israeli attack on the city of Jenin and its camp as the “most dangerous” in the city’s history.

For his part, Tulkarm Governor Abdullah Kamil told Xinhua that 48 percent of the residents of Tulkarm camp were displaced due to the operation.

Also on Monday, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry said that 70 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army in the West Bank since January 2025.

By Majeed Ishola

Nigeria has achieved a monumental economic landscape through the nation’s electronic payment transactions, having reached an unprecedented N1.07 quadrillion in 2024, marking a 79% increase from the N600 trillion recorded in 2023.

The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) made the observation in a statement issued by its Chairman, Hon Ahmed Sajoh and Secretary, Afolabi Josiah.

The statement read, “This remarkable feat underscores Nigeria’s emergence as a digitally driven economy, reflecting significant growth and the increasing adoption of electronic payment systems by our citizens.

“The surge in e-transactions not only highlights the robustness of our financial infrastructure but also signals a positive trajectory for the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The Forum commended the strategic initiatives implemented by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of Governor Yemi Cardoso and the visionary guidance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Their efforts have been instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to the rapid adoption of cashless transactions, thereby enhancing economic efficiency and transparency,” the Forum said.

TSF further opined that with the rapid expansion of e-commerce, regulators must remain vigilant, adding that the digital economy presents both opportunities and challenges, including risks related to cybersecurity and fraud.

It therefore urges regulatory bodies to double up their efforts in educating Nigerians about the benefits and potential pitfalls of electronic transactions. “Public awareness campaigns and robust security measures are essential to safeguard users and maintain trust in the system.

“The success of the cashless policy also indicates significant improvements in our cybersecurity framework, leading to more seamless and secure transactions. The increase in active bank accounts to 311.6 million in 2024 further demonstrates the growing trust and reliance on our financial institutions.

“Above all, we attribute this success to the resilience and adaptability of Nigerians. Despite various challenges, our citizens have embraced the cashless economy, driving its growth and contributing to the nation’s economic development.

The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote economic advancement and the well-being of all Nigerians.

By Dan

The Vice Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Sen. Bassey Otu, has noted that Nigeria is undergoing very serious restructuring economically and, in particular, in its fiscal responsibility.

Otu also said: “Nigeria as a nation, is turning the corner, and it’s very important that the South-South region aligns right to the center to ensure that the restructuring is correct.”

Otu, also the Governor of Cross River State, said this while interacting with journalists at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, on Friday upon his return from a national assignment.

The governor who emphasised that times are tough, said there was the need for the country to “bite the bitter pill to be an independent nation.”

He said, “The leadership is working tirelessly to ensure the South-South is properly aligned with the center, pushing beyond politics to achieve genuine restructuring.”

According to the governor, the region is set to chart a new course, driven by unity and a shared vision.
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“The BRACED Commission has been activated. It serves as what I call the ‘brain unit’ of the South-South, with well-structured master plans to drive development,” he said.

Governor Otu urged journalists to look forward to the next South-South Governors’ Forum meeting in Calabar, promising that leaders would unveil a strategic roadmap for the region’s future.

On the recent National Leadership Awards conferred on his Chief of Staff and Commissioners, Otu expressed gratitude to God for the grace to advance Cross River’s development. He affirmed that the state’s commitment to progress is unwavering.

“In Cross River, there is no room for complacency. Any recognition our officials receive is well-deserved,” he said.

He also urged the awardees to see the honor as both a challenge and a call to higher service.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command says it has rescued a young woman from a suspected armed robber and ritualist. The command has also began a manhunt for the suspect.

This was made known in a statement shared by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

According to the statement, the incident happened at a hotel in the Wuse district of Abuja, where 25-year-old Promise Eze from Ebonyi State was found tied to a small chair, her mouth covered with plaster.

She was found unconscious and in distress when officers got to the scene of the alleged crime on January 31, 2025, following a distress call from hotel staff. The victim was rushed to Wuse District Hospital, where she regained consciousness.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim had checked into the hotel on January 30 with a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State. However, she later disclosed that they had met online, where the suspect used the alias Michael Prince and claimed to be an oil company employee from Delta State.

The statement said, “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully rescued a young woman from the clutches of a suspected armed robber and ritualist, launching an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspect.

“On January 31, 2025, at approximately 11:30 AM, the Command received a distress call from a hotel in the Wuse area of the FCT, reporting suspicious activity in one of their rooms.

“Responding swiftly, police operatives arrived at the scene and discovered a 25-year-old woman, Promise Eze, from Ebonyi State, tied to a small chair with her mouth covered in plaster. She was found unconscious and in distress. Officers acted immediately, freeing her from captivity and rushing her to Wuse District Hospital, where she was resuscitated.

“Preliminary investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of deception and violence. The victim had checked into the hotel a day earlier, on January 30, 2025, at about 7:00 AM, in the company of a man who identified himself as Emmanuel Okoro from Lagos State.

“However, during police questioning, the victim disclosed that she had met the suspect online, where he introduced himself under the alias Michael Prince, claiming to be an oil company employee based in Delta State. Initially, he invited her to Delta, but after she declined, they agreed to meet in Abuja.

“Tragically, what was meant to be an innocent meeting turned into a harrowing ordeal. The suspect allegedly brandished a dagger, using it to threaten and subdue the victim before restraining her by tying her hands and legs and taping her mouth shut inside the bathroom. He then fled the scene, stealing her two mobile phones.

“Alarmingly, before escaping, the victim overheard him speaking to suspected accomplices over the phone, informing them that he was on his way to regroup before returning to the hotel to “finish the job.”

“Recognising the gravity of this heinous act, the FCT Police Command has launched a full-scale manhunt for the suspect and is working tirelessly to ensure his immediate arrest. The Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Olatunji Disu, psc, strongly condemns this act of violence and urges residents—especially young women—to exercise caution when meeting individuals they do not know personally.

“The CP reassures the public that the FCT Police Command remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. He also calls on anyone with relevant information that could lead to the suspect’s arrest to immediately contact the police through the following:Emergency Lines: 08032003913. Complaint Response Unit: 08107314192”