Flowerbud News

Category: General News

  • NAN@40: Agency celebrates professionalism, news dissemination via modern technology

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday expressed its commitment to professionalism in performing its fundamental role of disseminating information.

    The Chairman of NAN 40th Anniversary Celebration Committee, Mr Joe Bankole, made this known in Abuja, while highlighting the success recorded by the agency since it began operations in 1978.

    According to Bankole, the agency will on Oct. 9, in Abuja celebrate commitment to professionalism because it has remained the most committed news organisation in the media industry in Africa.

    He said that the agency had successfully achieved its mandate of being a primary news content provider for Nigeria’s newspapers, electronic media and bloggers.

    “That is why the agency is still relevant because if the our  subscribers feel that what we put out is not truthful, they would have left us, particularly at this hard times when it is difficult for them to pay our subscription.

    “However, they still stick to our stories and that means we are doing something to add value to news reporting,’’ said.

    Bankole said that the agency would be celebrating some other giant strides it had recorded in dissemination of information via modern technology.

    “The agency started by distributing news bulletins in printed copies and we went on to become computerised and since then we have grown.

    “Today, we are multimedia and we are sending out news in not just text but audio and visuals so that is a lot of progress from where we started.

    “We are celebrating hard core professionalism and advancement in the use of technology to disseminate news.

    “The greatest achievement of NAN is the coverage of Nigeria because the agency has the greatest reach.

    “We go down to the local government area and we have offices in some remote parts of Nigeria.

    “We have been able to cover Nigeria well and that is why we have the slogans “No one knows Nigeria like NAN’’, “Talk to NAN Talk to All’’.

    While listing some of the challenges confronting the agency over the period, Bankole pointed out that inadequate funding remained the major setback to carry out its operations.

    He said that the agency needed to maintain its offices across the country to function at optimum level.

    “This boils down to funds. Before now we have internet services in all our offices but we can no longer cope except for Lagos and Abuja.

    “This is most biting challenge that NAN has to contend with over the years unfortunately this is not peculiar to the agency because almost all agencies of government are feeling the same impact of low cash availability.

    “This is because government too does not have the money and that is why government keeps asking people to look inwards for other means of funding themselves.

    “It has not been all easy for NAN to go out there and be doing this because it has to invest heavily in equipment, in staff and so on.

    “We can grow from there but as it is the funding for NAN has dwindled over the years,’’ he said.

    Bankole added that staff training was crucial in enabling the agency achieve its fundamental role of disseminating news objectively.

    “You cannot train them without having the money to back it up.

    “However, to get around it, NAN got training agreement with Reuters and Xinhua News Agencies, but they are not forthcoming as they used to be.

    “This year, I don’t think anybody has benefited from any serious training programme outside NAN and since that doesn’t happen, we have been doing internal training and orientation for new intakes,’’ he said.

    NAN was established by the Federal Government via Decree 19 in 1976 and became operational on Oct. 2, 1978, providing general news service to subscribers.

    With the introduction of satellite technology in 1998, the agency began to transmit stories to its clients simultaneously all over the country and some capitals in the world.

    With substantial reach and mobility across the 36 states of Nigeria, and with 501 editorial staff nationwide and correspondent in New York, the agency produces more than 200 stories daily. (NAN)

  • 2019 guber race: Sanwo-Olu unfit to rule Lagos –Ambode .’Check Gbagada Gen. Hospital for records’

    . Osinbajo declares neutrality in APC Lagos governorship bid

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday said his closest challenger, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was not fit to contest the governorship election  on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), saying  Sanwo-Olu was  once a rehabilitated man. (more…)

  • Masari urges Nigerians to give President Buhari another chance to develop Nigeria

    Masari urges Nigerians to give President Buhari another chance to develop Nigeria

    Gov Aminu Masari of Katsina State has called on Nigerians to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 to consolidate on the foundation he laid to place Nigeria on the path of total recovery and development.
    Masari made the call on Monday in Katsina in his 58th Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary, through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran.
    “Nigerians should close ranks and re-elect Buhari in 2019 for him to consolidate on his achievements, evidenced in so many meaningful interventions across the country.
    “Buhari has laid the solid foundation to place Nigeria on the path of total recovery and development.
    “His sterling performances had shamed and proved the doubters wrong that Nigeria can make a progress,” he said.
    The governor said those opposing President Buhari were only doing so because of what he described as “Buhari has exposed and stopped their rent collecting activities”.
    Masari, then urged Nigerians to always pray for the country and its leaders to enable it continue to prosper.(NAN)
  • Sokoto Deputy governor emerges APC governorship flag bearer

    Sokoto Deputy governor emerges APC governorship flag bearer

    The Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, has emerged flag-bearer of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 governorship election.
    Announcing the result on Monday in Sokoto, the Chairman, APC Gubernatorial Primary Election in the state, Alhaji Sulaiman Abubakar, said the election was contested by four aspirants.
    Abubakar said that a total of 3,606 votes were cast out of the 4,600 votes during the primary election.
    He said that Aliyu scored 2,282 votes to bit his closest rival, Alhaji Faruk Yabo, who scored 837 votes during the election.
    Abubakar said that Alhaji Abubakar Gumbi, got 70 votes, while Sen. Abubakar Gada, had 20 votes.
    The Chairman added that 397 votes were invalid.
    In his acceptance speech, Aliyu thanked the delegates for electing him as the candidate for 2019 election.
    He assured delegates that he would work to ensure unity among party members for the progress of APC.
    Aliyu also urged those who lost in the contest to support his candidacy in order to ensure APC victory in the 2019 general elections.
    Earlier, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Isa Achida, called on all party members to always protect party interest above any candidate’s to ensure victory for the party.
    “Our commitment today is to ensure a free, fair and credible primary election and such will remain because a as progressive party we always do for others to follow.
    “As such we will continue to sustain such effort toward ensuring the success of APC and electoral process in the country,” Achida said. (NAN)

  • APC National Secretary emerges Yobe guber candidate

    APC National Secretary emerges Yobe guber candidate

    The National Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Maimala Buni, has emerged the party’s governorship candidate in Yobe after defeating three others in the party’s primary in Damaturu.
    Alhaji Umar Kareto, the Returning Officer of the election, announced the results on Monday.
    Kareto said Buni polled 2,797 votes to defeat Rep. Sidi Karasuwa who scored 23 votes, Alhaji Umar Ali eight votes and Aji Kolo who netted four votes.
    The election, which lasted for about 13 hours, was conducted peacefully with delegates from the 17 local government areas of the state.
    The returning officer commended the governorship aspirants and their supporters for their cooperation during the primary and acceptance of the result.
    Karasuwa, a serving member of the House of Representatives, conceded defeat and pledged to work for the success of the candidate and party in the 2019 general elections.
    Similarly, Alhaji Umar Ali said the primary was a family affair and pledged to commit his political structure to ensure the victory of the party in the 2019 polls.
    In his acceptance speech, Buni commended delegates of the party for the confidence reposed in him, saying it is a collective victory for all the contestants and the APC.
    He assured that he would run an all inclusive administration that would carry everyone on board to enhance the development of the state.
    Dr Ahmed Lawan, the Leader of the Senate, congratulated the candidate, other aspirants and party supporters for the hitch-free conduct of the election.
    He said members of the party had exhibited uncommon unity and passion for the party’s growth and development of the state.
    The senate leader also commended the three other aspirants for conceding defeat, describing them as compatriots with the spirit of sportsmanship. (NAN)

  • CG National Parks reiterates appeal to public for recapture of stray animals

     By Francis Belux

    Nigeria National Parks Service has appealed to the public to assist the service in facilitating the recapture of wild animals that strayed from parks due to flood incidents across the country.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of the Parks Service, made the appeal in Abuja via a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Yakubu Zull, on monday.

    Goni, who sympathised with the flood victims and affected states, however, urged the general public not to kill any stray wild animal displaced by floods from wildlife parks, saying that they should instead call on experts for quick intervention.

    He thanked Gov. Abubakar Bagudu and the people of Kebbi for inviting the officials of the service when they sighted four stray elephants and a calf in Danten swamp in Bagudu Local Government Area of the state.

    He urged other citizens to emulate the governor in efforts to protect wildlife regardless of the location of the wild animals because of their value to a balanced and sustainable ecosystem.

    “In Nigeria at present, the destruction of natural habitats continues unabated, resulting in the depletion of the country’s wildlife resources.

    “Several species of wildlife have been lost, while some are threatened with extinction due to factors such as climate change, human population and pollution,’’ he added.

    The conservator-general said that there were over 100 forest and game reserves across the country but noted that the current state of the reserves was quite unsatisfactory.

    “This is the reason why the few remaining wild animals maraud with no habitat to protect them.

    “The cases of a colony of chimpanzees killed in Enugu, elephants killed in Ondo and Kwara (Jebba), the marauding elephants in Ijebu Ode and the recent case of an elephant killed in Kebbi are fresh in mind,’’ he said.

    Goni pushed for the review of the state laws that stipulated highly insignificant punishments for the killing of endangered animal species like elephants, for example.

    “The fine is a tap on the wrist for such grievous offences, so the government should review the archaic wildlife laws in order to come up with effective protection and management policies for wildlife resources.

    “The revised laws would avert the indiscriminate and wanton killing of these species,’’ he added.

  • No more shady oil deals, brazen theft of billions – Buhari

    No more shady oil deals, brazen theft of billions – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is making progress in the fight against corruption as shady oil deals and the brazen theft of billions of Naira are no more.

    The president stated this in his address to the nation as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary in Abuja on Monday.

    Buhari also said that the Federal Government had recorded progress in its efforts toward recovery of stolen public funds and assets despite vicious and stiff resistance.

    “We are making progress in the fight against corruption and recovery of stolen public funds and assets despite vicious and stiff resistance.

    “The shameful past practice, of the brazen theft of billions of Naira is no more.

    “Shady oil deals and public contracts that were never delivered have become things of the past.

    “Consequently, and this is very evident across the country, we have done more with less in infrastructural developments.

    “Roads, railways, major bridges, schools, energy and power, air and sea ports, welfare of serving and retired personnel both civilian and military including payment of legacy debt such as pension arrears, have been attended to.’’

    On the state of the economy, Buhari said, “there is now an enabling environment for local and foreign investment in Nigeria.

    “We are building a rules-based system – a level playing field that is free from fixers and intermediaries.

    “This is the cornerstone to help genuine investors and honest consumers, and the platform that will allow for the real reforms that we intend to deliver over the coming years.’’

    He noted with delight that the government was gradually strengthening the economy with a stable Naira and falling inflation rate.

    According to him, his administration is building an economy that is moving away from over reliance on oil.

    Consequently, he said, the nation had witnessed massive return to farms and seen bumper harvest, despite recurrent floods across the country.

    “These positive developments are the result of our collective pursuit of a common vision through hard work and dedication, after the missed opportunities and disappointments that followed the return to democracy in 1999,’’ he added.

  • Former Taraba acting governor wins APC governorship primary

    Former Taraba Acting Governor, Mr Sani Danladi, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) party primaries, defeating nine other aspirants who contested with him.

    The Chairman of the APC governorship primary election for Tarabe, Sen. Emmanuel Ocheja, while declaring the results at the Fast Track Hotel in Jalingo in the early hours of Wednesday, said Danladi scored 60,629 votes out of the total of 107,387 votes cast across the 16 local government areas of the state.

    He said that former minister Joel Ikenya scored 11,772 votes, while former Acting Gov. Garba Umar, scored 5,504 votes.

    Others were Prof. Sani Yahya, 7,299 votes; the TUC President Bobboi Kaigama, 5,530; Aliyu Umar 4,638; while Ezekiel Afukunyo scored 2,811 votes.

    The chairman said Chief David Kente scored 5, 549 votes, while Ibrahim Tumba and Kabiru Dodo received 1,828 and 1, 783 votes.

    Eight out of the 10 contestants had on Tuesday protested over the conduct of the party primaries.

    They said at a press conference which took place in Jalingo that two of their colleagues, Sani Danladi and Joel Ikenya, had hijacked the process, which they claimed was to favour the duo.

    Both of them have since denied the allegations. (NAN)

  • Polaris Bank: Customers advise mgt on service delivery

    Some customers of Polaris Bank, formerly Skye Bank, in Sango-Ota, Ogun, have advised the management of the bank to improve on its service delivery to restore depositors’ confidence.

    They gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Sango-Ota, Ogun.

    NAN reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday announced the takeover of Skye Bank.

    The apex bank also withdrew the operating licence of the bank.

    Mr Godwin Emefiele, the CBN Governor, said in consultation with the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the CBN decided to establish a bridge bank, Polaris Bank, to assume the assets and liabilities of Skye Bank.

    A visit by NAN correspondent to the Sango-Ota branch of the bank revealed that the ‘logo’ of the bank has not been changed to Polaris Bank.

    NAN reports that four staff of the bank were seen on the counter attending to customers in the banking hall.

    Mr Dare Ojo, a customer with the bank, said that the only difference with the bank was the change of name.

    “The information given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) made customers believe that there will be no problem in their deposits,” he said.

    Ojo said that he would continue to bank with the bank provided its services were satisfactory.
    He, however, urged the management of the bank to improve on its services to customers because the services rendered by the defunct Skye Bank were poor.

    Another customer, Mr Peter Oni, said that there was no problem with customers withdrawing their deposits, but the queue at the bank was just too long.

    “So far, the customers are getting their deposits without any stress except the long queue,” Oni said.

    He also advised the management of Polaris Bank to improve on its services.
    Mr Fasasi Yusuf, another customer, commended CBN for not allowing people to lose their deposits in the troubled bank.

    Yusuf said there was the need for the CBN to set up monitoring committee that would strictly supervise the Polaris Bank so as not to run into the same problems the defunct Skye Bank had.

    “The regulator needs to watch the management of Polaris Bank closely and ensure that they follow the financial guidelines to the letter in order to restore confidence to the bank,’’ he said. (NAN)