Category: General News

By Flowerbudnews

The Executive Director of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Advocacy Network (LEAD Network) Africa, an NGO, Chief Chukwuma Okenwa, says ‘Gov. Peter Mbah’s governance is truly and highly transformational’.

Okenwa said this on Tuesday in Enugu while reacting to the recent scorecard presented by Gov. Mbah on his governance in a Town Hall Meeting, which was themed: ‘Governance Issues: The Journey So Far”.

The LEAD Network boss said that what the governor had done in the past 18 months is commendable in terms of infrastructure and should be emulated by leaders who intend to serve their people in all sincerity.

He said that after delivering water to Enugu residents within six months in office, the governor is doing over 1,000 projects running simultaneously and turning the state into a huge construction site.

This, he said, remained unprecedented in the history of achievements of previous governors in the state.

According to him, each of the 260 political wards in the state, notwithstanding how remote the area is, have at least two projects or more being completed or running in them currently.

Okenwa noted that Mbah had given attention to over 16 years abandoned monumental and international projects such as the International conference Centre (ICC Enugu), Hotel Presidential and International Ultra-Modern Hospital among others.

“We are witnesses to massive road construction and reconstruction within Enugu metropolis and solar-powered street-lights everywhere to boost commerce, nightlife and security.

“Our ‘Mr Projects Governor’ has also constructed lots of rural link roads as well as directed each chairman of council areas to construct at least 10 kilometres of rural roads and install solar-powered street-lights in them.

“We are ‘eye-marking’ brand new smart basic schools and type-2 Primary healthcare centres in each of the 260 political wards in the state.

“We are seeing the three new commercial vehicles terminals in Enugu and Nsukka coming on stream, modern bus stop stands as well as the Enugu Air and aero-space hub projects coming up.

“Opened up the electricity market in Enugu State, opened up the basic health, nursing and midwifery schools and created more transparency in the land use system and work of the ministry of lands,” he said.

Okenwa said that Mbah remained the only governor that had kept his word in providing top notch and modern security systems through using hi-tech technology.

“Within 18-months, the state bought 100 brand new vehicles for its Distress Responses Squad (DRS); installed hi-tech cameras and searchlights in bus stops, junctions of densely populated areas and along major highways, while inaugurating a security Command and Control Centre.

“This is to show that Mbah is preparing Enugu State as a place people world over can come, do business, live and spend time on leisure with security full guarantee, while they contribute their quota to the development of the state.

“This is why he is currently building a new smart city in Enugu for such high worth and high net personalities within the country, Africa and the world, who will use Enugu as a base and home,” he said.

The LEAD Network boss said that what baffles the entire residents remained that Enugu State is not a high federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) earner; but “Gov. Mbah is practically pushing all these projects at the same time”.

Okenwa urged residents and people of the state to keep supporting Mbah’s programmes and projects, adding: “All these initiatives and projects will reposition the state as a human capital development, health, commercial, tourism and financial hub”.

“We can see that gradually the vision of Gov. Mbah building the Enugu State economy from $4 million to $30 million within eight years is possible and achievable as the people support his sincere and visionary governance,” he said.

By Biola Lawal
Oshogbo (FLOWERBUDNEWS): Work has intensified on the ultra-modern Okefia flyover bridge being constructed by the Governor Ademola Adeleke Administration with workers now working day and night to ensure completion on schedule.

A FLOWERBUDNEWS editorial team that visited the construction site on Monday reports that artisans were seen working briskly during the day and later in the night.

Major earth works were ongoing while substantial portions of the bridge’s retaining walls were receiving finishing touches.

Engr. Alebiosu Johnson, who spoke to FLOWERBUDNEWS while supervising excavation work in the night at the Okefia site, said that major concentration was now on completing the retaining walls and escavation for reinforcement for base.

”After, there will be casting to ensure maximum strength,” Engr. Alebiosu said, adding that strengthening of the base reinforcement would ensure easy ascending and descending of vehicular traffic on the bridge.

Engr. Alebiosu noted that the construction of the Flyover bridge at Okefia by the Governor Ademola Adeleke Administration, would guarantee free flow of traffic, help motorists save time and boost economic activities in the area drastically.

He noted that the disbursement of funds for the construction of the bridge had enriched many people who were working with the contractor as bricklayers, Iron Benders, Carpenters and several professional engineers.

Engr. Alebiosu said that the workers were happy as they go home on daily basis with reasonable money to meet the economic needs of their families through working on the construction site.

He particularly stressed that the construction work had brought economic prosperity to building materials sellers in the area from whom the contractor had been procuring materials for the construction work.

Those who benefitted heavily included nails and plank sellers, nearby vendors of food, beverages and water, Engr. Ajebiosu stated .

Alebiosu, who hails from Iddo Osun described Governor Adeleke as ”a Governor who make good things happen,” noting that the Governor is a blessing to Osun state.

FLOWERBUDNEWS notes that withing two years, Gov. Adeleke Government has become renowned for many completed and ongoing landmark road projects designed to enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the state. (FLOWERBUDNEWS).

About Flowerbudnews

Established by Hon.  Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), FLOWERBUDNEWS is a consortium of active veteran journalists, experienced Multimedia broadcast experts and image makers. We are drawn from both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry with a common  determination to enhance the practice of responsible journalism.

Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.

Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars. He was an outstanding NAN Defence and War Correspondent for many years.

The retired NAN Acting Boss holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency.

He is a Co-Author of the book; ECOMOG, A BOLD ATTEMPT AT REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING! Edited Mrs Magaret Voght.  The book remains the most. factual, detailed and authentic book on the ECOWAS sponsored ECOMOG Military operation.

THE Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of one person and the rescue of four others, in an accident that happened on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, made the confirmation in a statement on Monday in Lagos,

Bakare-Oki said he promptly led LASTMA officials to the scene of the tragic collision involving a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC) at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge.

The LASTMA boss said he spearheaded the rescue operations with the support of concerned bystanders, adding that four victims were extricated from the wreckage, three of whom were rescued alive.

“The accident, which occurred earlier today, claimed one life, an individual, trapped inside the J5 Ford bus laden with pepper and other perishable goods, who succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash and it left a total of five individuals affected.

“Preliminary findings suggest that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while traveling at high speed, resulting in a collision with the Mercedes truck.

“Emergency response teams, including the LASEMA Response Unit (LRU), the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Police Force, and LASAMBUS, collaborated with LASTMA to manage the situation.

“All survivors were swiftly transported to the General Hospital on Lagos Island for immediate medical attention,” he said.

The LASTMA boss noted that in a coordinated effort to restore normalcy, LASTMA’s rescue team efficiently cleared the accident site, removing the vehicles and spilled perishable goods to ensure the free flow of traffic along the bridge.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and reiterated the critical importance of road safety, particularly during the festive season.

Bakare-Oki urged drivers, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid excessive speeding and ensure that their vehicles, most notably the braking systems, are in perfect working condition before embarking on any journey.

“LASTMA remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding all road users and will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to prevent avoidable accidents on Lagos roads,” he said

Supreme Court, on Monday, awarded a N5 million fine against Mr Ambrose Owuru, a former presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, for filing a suit described as “frivolous and vexatious” against President Bola Tinubu.

The five-member panel of justices, in a judgment read by Justice Uwani Aba-Aji, also ordered the court registry not to accept any frivolous suit from Owuru henceforth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Owuru, a British-trained lawyer, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982.

He was the presidential candidate of the defunct Hope Democratic Party (HDP) in the 2019 presidential poll.

In the suit marked: SC/CV/667/2023, Owuru had prayed the apex court to sack President Tinubu on two major grounds of alleged non-qualification to hold office and usurpation of the same office against the law of the country.

The lawyer, who filed the suit directly at the Supreme Court, sued former President Muhammadu Buhari, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tinubu as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

The plaintiff insisted that he won the 2019 presidential poll but that his tenure was allegedly usurped by Buhari for eight years.

He claimed that his suit at the Supreme Court which would have kicked Buhari out of office was technically jettisoned by the apex court due to mix-up in the hearing dates.

When the case was called on Monday, Owuru stood to argue his own case wearing his wig and gown.

He was, however, ordered out of the Bar and directed to remove his wig and gown before he could be allowed to argue his case.

Upon complying with the orders, Owuru was asked why he came before the court again, having had his suits dismissed three times.

Although he tried unsuccessfully to convince the Apex Court to grant him adequate audience, his explanations were rejected as unconvincing.

Following his recalcitrant, the court threatened to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

Justice Aba-Aji, in the ruling, held that Owuru’s conduct was unbecoming of a lawyer of over 40 years, as he claimed to be.

The apex court lambasted him for taking the court for a ride, wasting its precious time with baseless suit and grossly abusing the court processes.

Before the suit was thrown out, Bode Olanipekun, SAN, who appeared for President Tinubu, had drawn the attention of the court to several cases of Owuru that were dismissed on account of frivolity.

The senior lawyer said that the direction of the instant suit could not be understood because of the poor way and manner it was couched by the applicant.

Olanipekun also said that it was difficult for him to apologise to the court on behalf of Owuru because the conduct of the applicant had become something unbearable in the practice of law profession.

The judge consequently dismissed the suit and awarded N5 million against him and in favour of Tinubu

In his response, a professor of law, Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, who was also in court, assured that the conduct of the former presidential candidate would be referred to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

NAN reports that the Court of Appeal had previously imposed a fine of N40 million on Owuru, to be paid to Tinubu, INEC and others, for filing a suit against them.(NAN)

THE Federal Government, through the Debt Management Office (DMO) has offered two FGN bonds valued at N120 billion for subscription through auction.

According to a statement by the DMO on Monday in Abuja, the first offer is an April 2029 FGN bond valued at N60 billion, at an interest rate of 19.30 per cent per annum (five-year re-opening).

The second offer is a February 2031 FGN bond, valued at N60 billion at an interest rate of 18.50 per cent per annum (seven-year re-opening).

“Auction date Dec. 16, and settlement date is Dec. 18.

“The bonds are offered at N1, 000 per unit subject to a minimum subscription of N50 million and in multiples of N1, 000 thereafter.

“Interest is payable semi-annually, while the bullet repayment is on the maturity date,” the DMO said.

It said that for re-openings of previously issued bonds, successful bidders would pay a price corresponding to the yield-to-maturity that clears the volume being auctioned plus any accrued interest.

According to the DMO, FGN bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the Federal Government, and are charged upon the general assets of Nigeria.

“They qualify as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act.

“They qualify as government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax for tax exemption for pension funds amongst other investors.

“All FGN bonds qualify as liquid assets for liquidity ratio calculation for banks,” it said

It said that they are listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange.(NAN)

By Perpetua Onuegbu
Abuja:  An NGO, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), has commended the Federal Government’s efforts at harmonising tax collection system, saying the current system is punitive and oppressive.

Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwankwo, said this on Monday in Abuja at the presentation of a report on Nigeria’s human rights situation for 2024.

Nwankwo said that the multiple taxation and the outsourcing of tax collection to private consultants had worsened the challenges facing small businesses.

“There is the politics of it, but ours is not to look at the politics of it but at how it impacts on the citizens, such that you do not have low income earners being taxed unduly.

“So a tax system must address a situation where taxation appears punitive. The concern is also quite clear that nobody should pay tax in two different jurisdictions.

“However, today you have a situation where a person pays tax in one state for a business and pays in another state where an agency of government comes across the business again.

“So the effort to harmonise taxation is what is key for us and it is a step in the right direction.

“Nigeria’s taxation system is killing initiative. It is killing businesses and investments. There’s no way this country can develop with the nature of taxation at this time,” he said.

On the report of human rights abuses in the country, the executive director described the findings as a troubling reflection of systemic weaknesses in governance and law enforcement.

He said that PLAC was issuing its human rights report for 2024 in commemoration of the Human Rights Day celebrated on Dec. 10.

According to him, the report highlights issues, such as delays in prosecuting offenders, lack of transparency in investigations and an entrenched culture of impunity.

“Victims of human rights abuses face serious hurdles in accessing justice.These actions undermine Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and international commitments,” he said.

Nwankwo, therefore, called for holistic reforms, including the establishment of independent oversight units to monitor law enforcement agencies and ensure accountability.

He also urged the government to prioritise the protection of vulnerable groups, including women, children and internally-displaced persons by implementing robust social safety nets and supporting survivors of abuse and exploitation.

On the Independent National Electoral Commission’s capability to conduct the 2027 general elections, Nwankwo said that many Nigerians had lost confidence in INEC and called for the constitution of a new body.

“A credible election requires a new commission, free from the controversies that plagued the 2023 elections,” he said.

He urged President Bola Tinubu to study the recommendations from previous elections and ensure a credible electoral process in the future.

Also speaking, the Senior Programme Officer of PLAC, Akwu Ogbadu, said that Nigeria should take a cue from the just-concluded Ghanaian general elections by strengthening its institutions.

He described Ghana’s electoral process as transparent and efficient such that votes could be recounted if there was controversy over any result.

He said that Nigeria must learn from the country’s electoral process “so that we too can have credible elections that citizens will be proud of in the future.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PLAC is a non-governmental organisation committed to strengthening democracy, good governance and citizens’ participation in Nigeria.(NAN)