Category: General News

By Flowerbud News

News Investigators/ Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.

Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 annually, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960.

The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades, and cultural events.

This year’s celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Bassirou Faye hosting Vice-President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.

Nkwocha explained that Shettima’s attendance at the event was in honour of an invitation extended to President Tinubu by Senegalese President Faye, based on the mutual relationship between both countries.

He added that the Vice-President is expected to return to Nigeria on Friday after the one-day event.

NAN

 

 

 

 

 

By Iyiola Olalere

OSOGBO (FLOWERBUDNEWS): Governor Ademola Adeleke has called on Osun citizens and residents at home and abroad to embrace developmental politics as a platform for unity and partnership for state development.

He made the appeal recently while receiving members of Osun Leaders of Thoughts and other prominent state opinion leaders who visited him in celebration of 2025 Eid-El-Fitr, a statement by Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor, disclosed.

The Governor who recalled his non-partisan approach to governance since assumption of office in November 2022, said his agenda is about all round, comprehensive development of Osun state without minding partisan affiliations.

Describing his embrace of developmental politics as a passion for public service, Governor Adeleke noted that political power should be used to positively touch the lives of the people, adding, “impacting on our people and state are my focus and preoccupation.

“From 2022 to date, I govern with the interest of our people at heart. I retained contractors inherited from my predecessor. I did not abandon projects inherited from past governments. I already completed many of them.

“I don’t look at your political affiliations; I think of your capacity to do the job. When projects are to be sited, I care less about what party beneficiaries are aligned with. I was just told that our administration has tarred the road that passes through the house of the APC National Secretary, here in Osogbo.

“Our administration targets development of infrastructure, of our people, of sons and daughters of Osun state. That is what I called politics- bringing positive changes to residents and citizens”, the Governor was quoted as saying.

The State Governor appealed to the leaders of thought and citizens who visited him from Sunday to Monday at the Government House to preach developmental politics and advocate against politics of hatred and retrogression.

“I urge you to reach out to our people at home and abroad. We must support any administration that is making a difference in the lives of our people and state. That is the only way we can take our state to greater heights.

“Our administration has fulfilled its electoral promises. We have performed exceptionally well just two years plus four or so months into our tenure. We have proved our loyalty to our oath of office to serve only the best interest of our people.

“We have earned the trust and loyalty of the population. Our government has shown that it is possible to deliver good things in life as quickly as possible. We therefore solicit for continued support of our people to complete all the great projects and programmes we are working on.

“On behalf of Our government, I assure you and our people at home that I won’t be distracted in service delivery and good governance. I will continue to deliver on my mandate so that when I return to the people next year, I will get their nod again”, the Governor told the various delegations.

 

 

By Sylvester Udemezue

A major reason I have hardly said anything since the state of emergency was declared on Rivers State on 18 March 2025, is because I feel time has come for one to take these discussions to the next level.

Stay tuned for my book, “Road To State Of Emergency In The State of Rivers: Actors, Factors And Lessons”, coming soon. Meanwhile, below is a summary of my initial legal opinion on the ugly brouhaha:

1. Considering the state of affairs (as they appeared) as of 18 March 2025, the overall interest of indigenes and residents of Rivers State who had already been enveloped by fear and trepidation, the duty of Mr President Tinubu to maintain order and security in Rivers State, and the purpose and purport of the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution, it appears to me that the State of Emergency declared on Rivers State on 18/03/2025, was constitutionally justifiable; all the ingredients to reasonably justify a State of Emergency (SoE) in line with the provisions of Section 305 of the Constitution appeared present as of 18/March/2025. In my opinion, the President did not need to wait until there was actual breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.

I respectfully submit that imminent danger of total breakdown of law and order as we saw, based on the actions of the principal actors, had provided the needed constitutional justification. Hence, I agree with the following statement by the Hon Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN: “…when do you think he (President Tinubu) should have come in? Is it when everything has been destroyed? I don’t think so…If the President had waited a day longer, only God knows what would have followed….. The law envisages that you intervene when there is imminent danger to the security of lives and property. People were killing themselves. Those who live there are living in fear”.

2. Was the tension in Rivers State (after the Supreme Court judgment) leading to the SoE a manufactured, artificial tension, a mere smokescreen intentionally created or exaggerated to manipulate the scenario towards achieving a specific outcome or goal or to create an atmosphere that justified the imposition of a SoE? Put differently, was it all a situation where some people had created confusions in order to conceal their true intentions or actions? In my opinion, it appears that most of the ingredients that could be said to have necessitated the declaration of a SoE in Rivers State were premeditated – as in carefully, slyly, and deliberately created with a view to ensuring there were sufficient factors to justify what later followed. As an example, after the Supreme Court Judgment of 28 February 2025, the group of 27 legislators had immediately begun making impractical demands on Governor Fubara, issuing unreasonable, unparliamentary ultimatums and engaging in actions calculated to practically frustrate Governor Fubara’s demonstrated genuine efforts to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court. The House had locked the Governor out of the Assembly complex, and seeing that the Governor was nevertheless genuinely undeterred in his resolve to present the 2025 budget to the House, the House suddenly adjourned sine die even after due receipt of Governor Fubara’s third letter indicating the Governor’s decision to appear before the House to represent the budget on 19 March 2025. Then suddenly thereafter appeared a Notice of Impeachment realing out a number of impeachment grounds, all calculated to create the level of impasse and tension that could be said to be necessary to justify the imposition of a SoE on Rivers State. The next thing was news of alleged attacks on oil pipelines in Port Harcourt which the Federal Government then saw as the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Unfortunately, who the attackers are and who the sponsors are, have yet to be announced even after two “suspects” have reportedly been arrested in connection with the alleged “attacks”. The Federal Government has said that it’s either Fubara teleguided the attack or didn’t distance himself therefrom and didn’t alert the FG of the alleged attacks. Unfortunately, in making these claims, FG forgot that the State of Emergency was declared on the same day as news of the alleged attacks. Meanwhile, one may ask whether the suspects reportedly arrested over the incident have not been interrogated? What is in their statement? Did they say Fubara was behind them? Why not the Police make their statements public to clear all doubts?

3. *Are Reported Explosions Mere False Narratives?* Were the explosion stories mere underhanded or deceptive schemes intentionally created to manipulate public opinion or perception? A news report on 18/03/2025 had it that _”An explosion has rocked Nigeria’s major crude oil pipeline, the Trans-Niger Pipeline at Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. The explosion reportedly occurred Monday night, triggering a fire along a critical section of the pipeline that exports crude oil to the Bonny Terminal. It is currently unknown whether the incident was an act of sabotage….”_ (see Nairametrics; 18 March 2025). A later report on the same 18 March 2025 claimed that the Rivers State Police Command had arrested two persons over the Trans-Niger Pipeline Explosion In Rivers State. Explaining that the arrested persons had been taken in for questioning, the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Iroko, said on 18 March 2025: _”The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. In connection with this, two individuals have been taken in for questioning as part of efforts to uncover any potential act of sabotage.”_ (See: “Police Arrest Two Over Trans-Niger Pipeline Explosion In Rivers”; ChannelsTV; 18 February 2025). However, insisting that there was no blast or explosion on their facility, and affirming that the pipeline had been tested and it passed the integrity test, the spokesperson of Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings, owners of the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State said, _”The pipeline is back in operation. *First of all, we had no blasts or explosions in our facilities.* We had an unauthorised entry from the operations. Then we sent a team there. The team saw that the site had been accessed. We got a call, and a team went out and saw that there were attempts at excavation and arson. But of course, the fire had burnt out. They did an inspection, and there was an adjacent pipeline. They tested that and it passed the integrity test. I think the operations went through that adjacent pipeline. Operations are ongoing as we speak.”_ (See: “Operations resume at Trans Niger Pipeline in Rivers”; Punch; 20 March 2025).

4. If we should accept the suggestion that the SoE was declared partly because pipelines were reportedly “blown up”, then right-thinking bystanders might begin to ask, how many SoE were declared when, during Yar’ardua’s administration, hundreds of pipelines were being blown up DAILY, human beings kidnapped and killed while other government facilities were being destroyed by militants in the Niger Delta, then agitating for either resource control or a Niger Delta state? Thereafter, under Buhari’s watch, Niger Delta (ND) militants (under the umbrella of the “Niger Delta Avengers”) had revived their agitation and immediately started blowing up pipelines in the ND, whose effect reduced Nigeria’s oil production from 2.5 million barrels per day to about 400,000 barrels. Nigerian economy had as a result slid into a recession, forcing VP Osinbajo to relocate to the ND in an effort to bring back peace. *How many SoE’s were declared then?* Even as we write, many LGA’s in parts of the Northeast, Northwest and Nortcentral are not only being terrorized by Boko Haram, Bandits and other terrorists, but are under active control of some of these terrorists, with Nigerian military personnel engaged in relentless campaigns to rid the areas of terrorists. How many SoE’s have been declared?

5. Is Governor Fubara’s Temporary Removal Unlawful? In my opinion, with due respect, the suspension of elected officials in Rivers State is unlawful, unconstitutional and reasonably unjustifiable. Besides, such a suspension was absolutely unnecessary in the present circumstances. The declaration of a SoE can coexist peacefully, seamlessly and effectively with all elected and democractic institutions and officials in Rivers State functioning. Further, with due respect, it’s a lame argument for anyone to argue that Governor Fubara hasn’t really been removed from office. With due respect. suspension amounts to a “temporary removal”, and is therefore a form of removal. I thus agree with the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, that “When you are suspended, your occupancy of that office for that moment is terminated. You cannot perform your duties – it is, in essence, a removal. It may be short-lived, but it remains a removal. For anyone to argue otherwise is to stand logic on its head.”

6. Is Governor Fubara To Blame For The “Crisis” In Rivers State, Leading To A SoE? I respectfully disagree with any opinion that Gov Sim Fubara, by his words or actions or otherwise, had instigated any violence or terrorism or otherwise preached or promised or supported violence or terrorism or other destruction (if any) of public facilities in any part of Rivers State. Blaming him in this wise amounts to giving a man a bad name in order to justify injustice against him. I have seen some people saying Governor Fubara had earlier at a public event promised the youths that at the appropriate time, he (Fubara) would give them instructions or tell them what to do. This, some people say, is evidence of instigation of violence. I disagree. Questions Arising: (1) What was the context in which the Governor made the alleged statement? (2) What is the appropriate interpretation to be given to the expression “instruction” or “I will tell you what to do”? (3) Isn’t it hasty, unfounded, and accordingly unjust, unfair for anyone to jump into the conclusion that the instruction the Governor had in mind was to instigate violence? In my opinion, the suggestion in some quarters, that Governor Fubara was behind alleged “attacks” (if any) on oil facilities on 18/03/2025, is hollow; no reasonable or rational or legally supportable evidence to sustain that allegation. Besides, why didn’t FG contact the Governor after the alleged “explosions”, to hear from him? Why the hasty conclusion that Fubara was the instigator? For the avoidance of doubts, I am not saying there were or there weren’t explosions or that Fubara was or wasn’t the instigator. What I am saying is that up to this moment, there has been no iota of credible evidence linking the Governor to the alleged attack or attacks. I thus disagree with suggestions, that the Governor had “teleguided” militants to blow up oil pipelines. I disagree also with the suggestion that “The governor failed to make a request to the president to intervene in saving the oil installations”. The State of Emergency was declared on the same date the explosions allegedly occurred. How could it be validly argued that the Governor had already failed to alert the FG? By the way, assuming the governor was culpable, which aspect of our law authorizes an elected President to remove or suspend an elected Governor under any circumstances whatsoever? Couldn’t threat of insecurity or actual insecurity in Rivers State be taken care of without suspending the Governor? Has the Governor been suspended in all the State currently under heavy and worsening insecurity – Boko Haram, Bandits, ISWAP, etc?

7. Suspending Fubara And Leaving Wike Unfair? This is not to suggest that any legal justification exists for the suspension of the Governor and other elected officials, but since Mr President in his wisdom chose to suspend Governor Fubara, Mr President should have equally suspended Nyesome Wike who is obviously the principal actor and Fubara’s main rival in the entire imbroglio. With due respect, suspension of Gov Fubara for six months without suspending Wike as the FCT Minister for the same period of six months is unfair, unjustifiable, inequitable and could be viewed as capable of placing Wike as a judge in his own case, which is a violation of an aspect of natural justice. Nyesome Wike is a principal party in the Rivers State imbroglio. Now, during the next six months, Wike will continue to sit as a principal member of the Federal Executive Council that has the responsibility to direct and supervise the affairs of the Sole Administrator in Rivers State. Does this not give Wike an undue advantage and also making him a judge in his own case?

8. Did Governor Fubara Disrespect President Tinubu’s Deal? I answer no! In my opinion, Governor Fubara and his camp had obeyed the Peace Deal brokered by President Tinubu in December 2023 to end the friction in Rivers State. The other side had evidently frustrated the deal, making the deal look (I’m not saying it’s) in the eyes of reasonable bystanders as a mere ploy designed to hoodwink Governor Fubara into taking steps that would ultimately confer on the other side an undue advantage in court, as we later saw in Governor Fubara’s withdrawal of the Counter Affidavit containing his own story/case and defence. That singular action was capitalized on by the other party to get favourable judgments against Fubara, up to the highest court.

9. Besides, after the Supreme Court judgment of 28 February 2025, it was the other side (not Governor Fubara) that frustrated all efforts to ease the tension and bring back peace in Rivers State. In response to the unparliamentary ultimatum issued by the House to Governor Fubara on presentation of the 2025 budget, Governor Fubara had written the House inviting them to a parley whereat was to be discussed issues including budget presentation, to promote reconciliation. The House, of course teleguided by their boss, turned down the invitation. Governor Fubara then wrote to inform them he was coming on a certain date to present the budget. The letter was duly served, but upon his arrival at the House for the proposed budget presentation, Governor Fubara was deliberately locked out by the House. Governor Fubara went back and wrote and served on the House, yet another letter informing the House that he would come again on 19 March 2025 for the budget presentation. The House responded with an indefinite adjournment followed by a 19-ground impeachment notice served on the Governor. The next thing were reported “attacks” on oil facilities in the morning of 18 March 2025 followed on the same day by the imposition of a SoE on the State accompanied by the temporary removal of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, and members of the House in place of whom a Sole Administrator was appointed to oversee the affairs of the State for an initial period of six months.

10. Did Governor Fubara commit any impeachable offence(s)? The grounds of impeachment contained in the Impeachment Notice issued by the House to the Governor are in my opinion legally baseless, unfounded. Besides, the Impeachment Notice in my opinion was part of the scheme to create tension and thereby set the tone for what later happened on 18 March 2025. I am not saying Governor Fubara is infallible. I have identified one or two mistakes on his part, to be discussed in full in the main work.

11. With due respect, looking at the manner of the Supreme Court judgment on Rivers State, and generally the manner the judiciary handled the Rivers State imbroglio, it may appear difficult and indeed would take long for the Nigerian judiciary to regain its pride of place as “the temple of justice, the last hope of the common man, a bastion of hope for the sustenance of true democracy, rule of law and due administration of justice, the impartial arbiter”. Besides, it is doubtful if “public belief and confidence in the disposition and ability of the courts to dispense justice with utmost impartiality, notwithstanding whose ox is gored and ensure that in all cases, justice is not only done, but is seen clearly to be done” is still in tact. I once wrote that “Judicial and other officers involved in the administration of justice must therefore engage and be seen to engage only in conduct and pronouncements that inspire, promote and sustain- rather than retard- public confidence and respect”. The question however is whether the Nigerian judiciary takes this suggestion seriously. Moreover, it appears that Hon Justice Oputa’s assurance in the case of Military Governor of Lagos State v Odumewgu-Ojukwu, that *”the law is no respecter of persons, powers and principalities”* is no longer tenable or viable in Nigeria. Furthermore, the belief that in Nigeria, there are no powerful institutions but only powerful persons appears to be real after all. Lastly, it’s now clearer that lawyers and the judiciary are the major stumbling blocks to achieving progress, prosperity, and civilization for Nigerian. To put it aptly, lawyers and the Nigerian judiciary have constituted themselves a grave threat to effective operation of democracy and constitutionalism in Nigeria.

12. Please stay tuned for the major work, wherein no stone is left untouched about the factors and actors, takeaways and lessons on the road to the state of emergency in the state of Rivers State. The primary research methodology is sociolegal with a multidimensional blend of several research objectives, techniques and approaches, including the Descriptive, Explanatory, Evaluative, Observatory, Analytical, Critical, Qualitative, Quantitative, and Predictive or Prognostic.
Respectfully,

,(Sylvester Udemezue (udems).
Legal Practitioner; Law Teacher; Public-Interest Law Advocate; Public Counselor; Rule of Law and Good Governance Promoter; Public Speaker; Legal Affairs Commentator; and the Proctor of The Reality Ministry of Truth, Law and Justice (TRM) [A Nonaligned, Nonprofit Public Interest Law Advocacy Group]
08021365545
TheRealityMinister@Gmail.Com
(02 April 2025))

 

By Flowerbudnews

The Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB) Mr Felix Ogbe, has given opportunities to 10 local shipping firms to access its $360million domiciled at the Bank of Industry, BOI for single digit.

Ogbe said this during a panel discussion at the 2025 edition of the Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting organized by Zoe Maritime Resources Ltd with the theme; ‘Maritime Logistics and Sustainability of the Ocean Economy’.

( a group picture of participants during the 2025 Maritime Round Table meeting organized by Zeo Maritime Resources Ltd. Held in Lagos)

Ogbe who was represented by the General Manager in charge of Research, Statistics and Development of NCDMB , Mr. Silas Ajimijaye said that over 10 local shipping firms had accessed the Fund.

Ogbe said that since the Fund was being managed by the Bank of Industry, the default rate had been very low as more beneficiaries accesses the loan and pay back in no time.

(A group picture of panelists during the 2025 Maritime Round Table meeting organized by Zeo Maritime Resources Ltd. Held in Lagos)

He said that over 10 Nigerian shipping companies have accessed the NCDMB funds adding that Starz Marine Investment was one of the beneficiaries and also appreciated what NCDMB done to help them and other counterparts in oil and gas logistics chain.

Ogbe said that NCDMB was working with with several others adding that the fund kept growing.

He said that the funds was a loan but a single digit loan while facility could be much more because as stakeholders were using it, they were paying back.

According to him, this Fund is being managed by the Bank of Industry and every now and then, they provide report to show the progress of the intervention.

“In our law, the Act allows us to collaborate with other relevant government agencies to deepen local; content which we are doing with the Cabotge law to ensure compliance with the law,

“There is also the Nigerian Content Plan, NCP, which has to be in every contract arrangement to ensure what will be in such contract for Nigerians and how Nigerians can take over such contract jobs on the long run.

“The vessels In the manning vessel, you have to show how you make Nigerians understand your system and integrate Nigerians into your system.

“NCDMB also collaborate with international companies to train Nigerian seafarers and we also do a lot of advocacy and capacity building training to enhance efficiency in the maritime and logistics chain,”he said.

Ogbe also said that since the Fund is being managed by the Bank of Industry, the default rate has been very low as more beneficiaries accesses the loan and pay back in no time.

He said that not less than 10 Nigerian shipping companies have accessed that facility.

ogbe explained that a good example is Starz Marine Investment and they said they were happy with what NCDMB had done to help them as a company.

He said that apart from Stars Marine investment, there are several others NCDMB was working with because the fund keeps growing being a single digit loan.

Ogbe said that data was available with Bank of Industry Which had done an excellent work in management of the Fund and the default rate was low unlike the conventional Banking.

He further explained that in their law, the Act allows NCDMB to collaborate with other relevant government agencies to deepen local; content which they were doing with the Cabotge law to ensure compliance with the law.

” There is also the Nigerian Content Plan, NCP, which has to be in every contract arrangement, you have to ensure what will be in such contract for Nigerians and how Nigerians can take over such contract jobs on the long run.

“Even with the vessels, in the manning, you have to show how you make Nigerians understand your system and integrate Nigerians into your system.

“We do what we call a gap analysis which have a clear data-driven scenario and recommend to government ways to bridge gaps among players in the maritime logistics chain.

“NCDMB also recognize partners NIMASA, NIWA, other institutions and industry players to collaborate to solve the problems.”Ogbe said

He said that NCDMB also provide internship opportunities and training for Seafarers and ensured sea time training.

Ogbe said that the NCDMB also established Maritime Vessel Categorisation System to ensure the number of people and their relevant to the particular vessels in operation.

Also in her presentation, Engr. Elsie Egwuatu, Head of Marine, NIWA, Lagos Office, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), was statutory regulator of the inland waterways across the country.

Egwuatu presented a paper titled: NIWA critical roles in promoting maritime logistics and the sustainability of the ocean economy by making operations on inland waterways safe and seamless.

She said that the authority resides on critical areas of concern currently including maritime accident, safety, delays, disruptions and navigational challenges which tackled headlong with huge assistance from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

she mentioned that NIWA has also ensured the development of indigenous technical and managerial skills to meet the challenges of modern inland waterways transportation.

Also in the round table discussion,
the General Manager, Lagos Waterways Authority (LASWA),Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, presented by Engr. Sunday Ukeme, Maritime Engineer, vessel Surveyor said LASWA had established a monitor and control centre in Falomo area of Lagos.

Emmanuel said that the monitor center was established to monitor all the ferries routes across the state and also provide quick response for water accident.

He said LASWA had established watergards at various jetty terminals to ensure safety standards.

Emmanuel said that since 13 years ago that LASWA had employed 20 female professional staff working in various departments.

He said that LASWA had also established an empowerment programme for women in the reverine area called Water Hyacinth Programme on how to covert the weeds to useful products.

The LASWA boss said that instead of allowing water hyacinth to creat accident on the waterways that they cleared, dried and engaged trainer to teach women how to create office and home decorations.

“LASWA also assist the participants to sale the finished project and give them token to continue in the business, courtesy of the Lagos State Government.

“We have empowered over six reverine areas across Lagos, Badagry, Ikorodu among others,”Emmanuel said.

He called for need for the captain’s to upgrade their marching to reduce carbon emissions adding that LASWA was looking forward to seeing Highbridge engine operating on waters.

Also among the panellists, CEO, Global Energy and Logistics. Mrs Ruth Chukwukezirim, said freight forwarding profession involved multiplicity of contract and inter agencies involvement.

Chukwukezirim said that freight forwarding requires training and learning to enable you get along with the Nigeria Customs Service clearing procedures.

She said that freight forwarding profession was a male dominated adding that female occupies 15 per cent of the working population.

In his contribution, the Navy Captain, Olabode Teniola, from Naval Dockyard Ltd., urged LASWA to Collaborate with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to reduced water pollution by enforcing regulation to prevent the marine Exco system.

Teniola said that there was need to prevent oil spill disaster by preparing for clearing as soon as it occurs.

He called for action based public awareness adding that they had over 1,200 industrial attachment student presently at Naval Dockyard to promote and sustain maritime environment.

“Nigeria Navy also provide local content for development. Most of the ships do not have provisions for females but in the Nigerian Navy we have ships that can contain women,”Teniola said.

The CEO Ocean Ambassador Foundation, Mrs Violet Williams, commended the conveyer of Maritime Round table meeting Mrs Edodo-Emore and thanked the Nigerian Navy for considering women in ship building.

Williams advised maritime heads to always work with data to enable them evaluate their performance

In her opening remarks, Convener of the meeting and Chair of Zoe Maritime Resources, Mrs Tosan Edodo-Emore, said that maritime logistics was an acute driver ocean economy in the digital age.

Edodo-Emore said that it was important to evaluate how logistics affects the development of the ocean economy.

She said that as a coastal state, it was important for Nigeria to harnessed it resources of the ocean developed it’s ocean economy in a manner that sustained her population and eradicate poverty.

.

 

Flowerbudnews

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the suit filed by Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and others to Justice Binta Nyako.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reliably gathered on Thursday that the hearing of the suit has been fixed for Friday.

The case, which was earlier before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, will begin afresh (de Novo) before Justice Nyako.

The development followed Justice Egwuatu’s withdrawal from the matter after citing allegations of bias reportedly levelled against him by the senate president, who is the 3rd defendant in the matter.

Justice Egwuatu had, on March 25, withdrew from the suit filed by the suspended senator who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, to stop her investigation by the Senate over alleged misconduct.

The suit had sought to stop the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceedings over alleged misconduct against the embattled lawmaker.

Justice Egwuatu announced his withdrawal from the case shortly after the case was called.
The judge said: “Justice is rooted In confidence in the court.

“Once a litigant expresses his believe that there is bias or likelihood of bias on the part of the judge, it will not be in the interest of justice for the judge to continue.

“One of the defendants in this matter has expressed such believe in writing.
“In that circumstances, the honourable thing for the court to do is to desist from the conduct of the matter.
“Accordingly, I recuse myself from this matter.
“The case file is accordingly forwarded to my lord, the chief judge for further directive.”
Meanwhile, Justice Nyako on Friday will start hearing in the the suit afresh.
NAN reports that Justice Egwuatu had, on March 19, set aside order number four which he granted on March 4, declaring the suspension of Sen. Natasha by the Senate as null and void.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a ruling, vacated the order after listening to the arguments of counsel for the plaintiff and lawyers to the defendants in the suit.
The Senate (2nd defendant) had filed a motion on notice to seek for the order vacating the March 4 order which declared any action taken by the defendants during the pendency of the suit as null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
The judge had granted Natasha’s five reliefs on March 4, including Order Number Four which declared any action taken by the defendants during the pendency of the suit as null, void and of no effect whatsoever.
The judge granted the five prayers after Sanusi Musa, SAN, who appeared for Natasha, moved the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
Natasha had, in the motion ex-parte, sued clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) and the Senate as 1st and 2nd defendants.
She also named the President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Sen. Neda Imasuem, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Code of Conduct as 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.
The senator had sought an order of interim injunction restraining the Senate’s committee headed by Imasuem from proceeding with the purported investigation against her for alleged misconduct sequel to the events that occurred at the plenary on Feb. 20, pursuant to the referral by the Senate on Feb. 25, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, among others.
However, the Senate, in a motion on notice filed on March 17 by its lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu, SAN, had sought an order setting aside Order Number Four in the enrolled ex-parte order made by Justice Egwuatu against the defendants in Natasha’s suit.
The Senate, through Ojukwu, urged the judge to vacate the order in the interest of fair hearing.
The lawyer had argued that the Order Number Four granted by the court restrained the Senate from conducting any of its legislative duties in accordance with its constitutional functions.
Ojukwu said enforcing the said order, as granted, would result in a constitutional crisis and anarchy, as the entire legislative duties of the Senate would be made to grind to a halt.
Besides, he argued that the said order offended the doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.
Counsel who appeared for Natasha, Michael Numa, SAN, disagreed with their submissions.
He described their argument as the conspiracy of the defence.
The lawyer urged the court to dismiss the defence application and exercise its disciplinary powers on them for alleged contempt of the valid court order.
He argued that the defendants had, with audacity, disobeyed the order of the court.
While responding to the argument of Ojukwu, Numa submitted that “parties are bound by the prayers on the motion paper.”
He urged the court to discountenance the application.
The lawyer argued that the court must consider the entire orders in their ex-parte motion and not in piecemeal.
He said their argument was immaterial.
According to him, the Senate (2nd defendant) did not mention the propriety of Orders One, Two, Three and Five made by this honourable court.
“The fact that Order Four was made is only an ancillary order to give effect to the motion that until the matter is dispensed with,” he said.
Numa described the application by the defence as an affront on the court, that the judge should set aside the orders they had not challenged.
He said the defendants had not even addressed the order directing them to show cause within 72 hours upon the service of the order.
“This is an invitation to anarchy my lord,” he said, citing previous cases to back his argument.
“Whatever reservation they have, their only duty is to come to court. The order was that the respondents to come and show course
“Their application is self-defeating,” he argued.
NAN reports that in her contempt charge filed against the defendants, Natasha had argued that her suspension constituted wilful disobedience to the subsisting court order issued on March 4.
She stated that an enrolled order of the interim injunction issued by Justice Egwuatu was duly served on the defendants on March 5.
According to Form 48 issued by the chief registrar, the defendants/contemnors “deliberately and contumaciously disregarded” the binding directive of the court and “proceeded with acts in flagrant defiance of the authority of the court.”

 

By Flowerbudnews
The Controller of Corrections, Mrs Prisca Oku, has taken over as the new Controller of Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) Enugu State Command.

Oku took over from out gone Controller of Corrections, Mr Nicholas Obiako, who has been deployed to be the new Acting Zonal Coordinator of NCoS Zone M, Enugu.

In a taking over address to officers of the Command on Wednesday in Enugu, Oku urged officers and men to give her maximum cooperation to further uplift the achievements of the Command.

The new controller warned against absenteeism and not showing due seriousness to duty, adding that “every personnel of the Command must sit-up and contribute to the daily and overall success of the Command.

“I charge officers and men of this Command to be hard working and be duty conscious at all time so that we continue recording successes.

“When you are disciplined and you do the right thing at the right time in all due diligence and honesty; everything around you will go smooth and successful as you are bringing and putting the right attitude to your duty.

“We all have a duty and call to uplift the Command and its mandate as well as place its success as a priority in everything we do or say,” she said.

Earlier, Obiako urged all personnel to extend same cooperation and loyalty to the new controller and “ensure that the flag of the Command keeps flying high.”

The out gone controller appreciated officers and men of the Command for making his over three years administration of the Command seamless, very successful and with resounding records of achievements.

He noted that “there is always reward for hard work and loyalty”, adding “You superiors and supervisors are watching your commitment to your duty and job in general.”

“You must continue to be obedient, respect all constituted authorities and be alive and conscious to your duties; the reward in doing all these things will surely come through promotions and other forms of uplift.

“Do not set the hand of the clock behind; but bring out your whole heart and positive attitude to carry out your duties as well as clarify anything or information not clear to you from your superiors,” he added.

The symbolic handing and taking over note signing and command flag exchange between the new controller and out gone controller were witnessed by senior officers of the Command.

 

Flowerbudnews
Enugu State Taekwondo Association has condoled with athletes and coaches of the game and entire taekwondo family worldwide over the demise of Abdullahi Saidu, President of Nigeria Taekwondo Federation.

Saidu, 53, died on April 1, 2025, after a prolonged illness as confirmed by his family.

The Chairman of the Association, Coach Ebere Amaraizu, told newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday that the demise of Saidu “is indeed a great loss to the taekwondo family and the game grassroots development.”

According to Amaraizu, our late President, Abdullahi Saidu, is a team player and with invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the game and with huge emphasis on community development of taekwondo.

“His enormous support was top notch but then we cannot question God.

“When I personally related with him during one of our taekwondo outings at Korean Cultural Center Nigeria (KCCN), Abuja last year, he gave some valuable insights on the way forward for taekwondo.

“His passion and philanthropic contributions to the growth and development of taekwondo athletes will not be forgotten.

“We pray for the repose of his soul and for God Almighty to grant the family and the entire taekwondo family in Nigeria and worldwide the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.