Flowerbud News

Category: General News

  • Implement APC report on restructuring, Soludo tells FG

    Implement APC report on restructuring, Soludo tells FG

    former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Charles Soludo, on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to implement the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee’s report on restructuring as a step to reposition the country.

    Soludo made the call in Lagos while delivering the inaugural lecture of Ndigbo Lagos Foundation with the theme “The Political Economy of Restructuring the Nigerian Federation”.

    Rcall that the APC Committee on True Federalism was constituted by the Party in August 2017.

    It was set up to consider and make
    recommendations to the National Working Committee on key items relating to the Nigerian
    Federation and the agitations for “True Federalism” or “Restructuring”.

    The committee submitted its report to the party in January 2018.

    Soludo said some of the recommendations of the committee, headed by Gov. Nasir -El-Rufai, held great promises for the country’s development.

    He said if such recommendations as creation of state police, resource control and abolishment of the local government system were implemented, the country would be set on the path of progress in just three months.

    The ex-CBN governor said the APC had the opportunity to walk its talk on restructuring to reposition the country, as it controlled the  government.

    Soludo said: “As a first step to restructure the country, let us start with a low hanging fruit —  the APC ‘s minimum template.

    “The APC Committee on Restricturing has many interesting recommendations, but three stand out.

    “It is our opinion that this will be a significant step forward.

    “So, what is holding action on this?The APC currently controls 24 states or thereabouts plus a majority at the National Assembly .

    “The import of this is that if the APC as a political party decides to walk its talk, it can give Nigeria these changes within three months or before the end of 2018.

    “Now that the bill for state police is before the National Assembly, why can’t we follow up with the other ones?”

    He said that the political class was not committed to the agenda of restructuring because they feared it would dismantle their privileges in the current structure.

    The former CBN governor said there was the need to abandon such inertia to act in the interest of this country.

    Soludo said what politicians had demonstrated as the 2019 elections approached was theatre and little substance.

    He said there was the need to put restructuring as part of the ballot for the election in the interest of progress.

    A former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaokwu, who chaired the occasion, urged citizens to be committed to the Nigerian project.

    He said the country would be where everyone wanted to be if all played their part.

    The Secretary of Ndigbo Lagos Foundation, Mr Chima Igwe, said the lecture was organised to celebrate the end of the six-year tenure of Prof.  Anya O.Anya as President of the foundation.

    He said the lecture would be a periodic programme to stimulate discourse on moving Nigeria forward.(NAN)

  • WHO warns 10m deaths may be recorded globally from Antimicrobial resistance by 2050

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that 10 million deaths might be recorded per year globally from Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) effective from 2050, if not checked.

    The WHO Country Representative, Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu gave the warning in a paper he presented at 2nd National Summit in Abuja on Thursday.

    The summit has as its theme: ‘Antimicrobial resistance; a global health challenge in the fight for sustainable health system.’

    AMR occurs when micro organism such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections ineffective.

    Represented by Mr Omotayo Hamza, WHO, Head of Health Technical and Innovation, Alemu said that most of the deaths would be recorded in Africa and Asia.

    He said that four million of this estimated figure would occur in Africa while another four million would be recorded in Asia.

    He added that the rest countries of the world would share the remaining two million deaths.

    According to him, the problem of this AMR is huge in Nigeria based on the various survey conducted so far.

    The WHO representative said that ineffective regulations of all aspects of the health services are responsible for AMR.

    He explained that quackery in all health professions were the main contributor to the problem that had resulted to AMR.

    “We have quacks around cities; we have quack doctors, quack medical laboratory scientists and fake pharmacists.

    “If there is a wrong diagnosis from lab scientists, the doctor will prescribe wrong medication and the pharmacists dispense wrong drugs” he said. (NAN)

  • INEC chairman appeals against court order for his arrest

    The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),  Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has filed an appeal challenging the arrest warrant issued against him by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    In the appeal, Yakubu is challenging the validity of the arrest warrant that was issued against him by the court.

    The appeal filed by Mr Adegbeoyega Awomolo (SAN), Counsel to the appellant, was made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    The INEC boss maintained that he could not be arrested on the basis of a bench warrant that was legally defective.

    He urged the Court of Appeal to invoke its powers and void the arrest order  made by Justice Stephen Pam.

    Pam had in a bench ruling on Wednesday ordered the Police to arrest and produce Yakubu in court on Aug. 8 to face contempt charges.

    The order followed Yakubu’s  failure to honour a summons the court issued for him to appear in respect of a suit involving the Anambra chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The INEC chairman had between July 5 and July 10 allegedly failed to honour the court’s summons to defend a contempt proceeding.

    The case was initiated against him by Mr Ejike Oguebego, the Chairman of PDP, and Mr Chuks Okoye, the Legal Adviser of the party, in Anambra.

    The High Court had ordered him to appear to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for refusing to recognise the Oguebego-led faction of the party in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court.

    The applicants had prayed the court to jail the chairman for disregarding the judgment.

    Yakubu, however, denied disobeying any order of court, adding that he was denied fair hearing by the trial court.

    The INEC boss said there was no evidence that any court summons was enrolled and served him.

    He argued that the lower court erred in law when it ordered that he should be arrested for allegedly disobeying its order.

    He urged the appellate court to hold that the conditions necessary to warrant the issuance of bench warrant had not been satisfied.(NAN)

  • 643 Nigerians voluntarily return from Libya in 5 weeks – NEMA

    643 Nigerians voluntarily return from Libya in 5 weeks – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday said no fewer than 643 Nigerians  voluntarily returned from Libya in the last five weeks.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Director General of NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha Maihajja, made the disclosure while receiving a new batch of 166 returnees who arrived in Lagos on Thursday night.

    Maihajja, represented by the South West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, said the Nigerians were assisted back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

    According to him, the returnees arrived at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 10.50 p.m. on Thursday night aboard a Libyan airline with registration number 5A-DMG.

    “After profiling, the returnees were 66 female adults including three pregnant women, five female children and one female infant along with 83 male adults, six male children and five male infants,” Maihajja added.

    Maihajja advised parents and guardians to desist from encouraging their children and wards from embarking on journey that will end up derailed the promising futures of the victims of trafficking.

    The NEMA boss said the appeal was due to the testimonies and confessions of the returnees and confirmations by most of the families that the victims came from.

    Maihajja pointed out that the intended countries of destinations were no longer ready to accommodate migrants due to several socio-economic and security factors.

    “There are unconfirmed reports of emerging trends of alleged human organ harvesting from irregular migrants who are alleged to be sold to harvesters.

    “If this developments are real, then we must discourage irregular migrations in whatever forms,” he said.

    Maihajja emphasised that discouraging irregular migration and human smuggling could only be achieved by government and development partners with full cooperation of the parents and guardians.

    According to him, there is also the need to continuously create awareness and sensitise youths on dangers and and evils of human trafficking.

    He reiterated that Federal Government would not relent in its efforts at creating conducive environment for every Nigerian to maximise his or her potentials in the progress and development of the nation. (NAN)

  • Police arraign man, 41, over alleged N400, 000 fraud

    A 41-year-old businessman, Amos Abraham, was on Friday brought before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State over an alleged N400, 000 fraud.

    Abraham, who resides at No. 8, Isagamu Road in Ikorodu, is facing a charge of fraud before Magistrate E.O. Ogunkanmi.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Police Prosecutor, Adegesin Famuyiwa, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 31 at 1:00 p.m. at Isagamu Road, beside Total Filling Station, Ikorodu.

    Famuyiwa said the accused collected the money from the complainant, Mr Femi Efuwape, to help him purchase a vehicle.

    “He failed to purchase the vehicle and all efforts made by the complainant to retrieve his money from the accused failed,’’ he said.

    The offence contravened Section 314 (3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State,  2015.

    The Chief Magistrate admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until Sept. 6, for mention. (NAN)

  • Adetola, female shoemaker shines at MSME Award

    Miss Adetola Agbeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Princesstol Creative World, maker of leather goods and accessories, was one of the outstanding entrepreneurs at the maiden edition of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Award.

    Agbeniyi won the SMEDAN Excellence Awards on Leather Works at the dinner event held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    The CEO told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the award that her company produced leather goods such as shoes, bags, gifts wallets, orthopedic shoes and lunch packs, among others.

    The Osun State born entrepreneur said she started training in leather works when she was a corps member in 2014 and later proceeded for advanced training.

    “I saw one made in Nigeria shoe online and was surprised it was actually made in Nigeria, very good shoes.

    “I had to trace the maker and when I saw his products I was impressed and told myself, I can equally make it because I always had in mind to do something for myself; improve the economy and employ people.

    “My business is just one year and within that period, I have employed 10 persons and trained 6 apprentices.

    “We are making sales; in a month, our turnover is about N400,000.’’

    She said that owning a business was the way out of the `no jobs mantra’ in Nigeria as it would enable one to become an employer of labour.

    Agbeniyi said she attended the Osun MSME Clinic, adding that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo was very impressed by her products.

    “I am highly pleased with the award,’’ she said.

    NAN reports that 11 other MSMEs also received awards in various categories. (NAN)

  • Gov. Ambode urges state govts. to imbibe legislature/executive harmony

    Gov. Ambode urges state govts. to imbibe legislature/executive harmony

    Gov.  Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Friday attributed the massive development going on in the state to the harmonious relationship between the state executive and legislature.
    Ambode said this when he received the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria at the Lagos House, Alausa,  Ikeja.
    The News Agency  of Nigeria  (NAN)  reports that Lagos is hosting the Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly between Aug. 3 and Aug. 5.
    Ambode urged the speakers to take the lessons from Lagos to their various states and work harmoniously with the executive arms, for the good of the people.
    ”This visit is a very significant one for Lagos State.  The last time we hosted speakers like this was during the administration of Sen. Bola Tinubu.
    ”It is very significant for us to have been able to bring together speakers from the 36 states inspite  of the various movements in our polity. It means there is still hope  in Nigeria.
    ”I want to implore other state governments to emulate Lagos State by ensuring harmonious relationship  between  the executive and the legislature.
    ”Such relationship helps us perform better by  carrying  out our constitutional  roles as elected officers and reaching out to the yearnings of the electorates,” Ambode said.
    Earlier, Mr Isamaila Kamba, speaker of Kebbi  State House of Assembly  and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria,  thanked the governor for the grand reception.
    Isamaila said that the Conference  would, among other things, deliberate on how  to implement  the recently assented bill granting financial autonomy to state legislative and judicial arms of government.
    He urged Gov. Ambode to liaise with other state governments on their behalf,  to give them a soft landing in the implementation  of the law.
    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari, on June 8, assented to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Alteration Act (4th Alteration Act 4, 9, 16, and 21) which grants financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly and the Judiciary.
    Isamaila also commended the governor for the huge investment on security  and infrastructure development in the state.
    ”Gov. Ambode, we want you to know  that your name has been written in gold in the history of governance  in Nigeria, ” he said.
    In his remarks,  Mr Mudashiru  Obasa,  the host speaker, said the conference would discuss latest developments in the country, to chart the way forward for the benefit  of Nigerians.
    Obasa  thanked Gov. Ambode for providing the necessary support needed for the success of the conference.(NAN)

  • I was offered N13m by Tambuwal, says Sokoto lawmaker

    A Sokoto legislator has made a stunning claim of bribery against Gov.Aminu Tambuwal, who left the All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday.

    The member of the state House of Assembly, who declined to follow the governor to the PDP, said he was offered N13 million by the governor as an inducement to dump the APC.

    He said he rejected the money and appeared to insinuate that the 18 other members who followed Tambuwal to the PDP accepted the bribed. The claim has not been verified.

    The legislator, who belongs to the camp of former Governor Aliyu Wammako, said he and 11 other members of the house rejected Tambuwal’s bribe.

    “We were offered N13 million each to move to the PDP. I, along with 11 other members of the house declined the offer and remain in the party with which we were elected.

    ” We remain loyal to APC, our leader Sen. Aliyu Wamakko and President Mohammadu Buhari. We cannot join PDP because we cannot return to darkness which the opposition party represents, having experienced the light in APC”.

    “No amount of intimidation, political harassment as well as monetary inducement will make us change our political stand.

    “We are happy with the recent political development in our state and we will continue to work towards promoting the lofty ideals of our party,” he said.

    He said he and 11 other colleagues rejected the bribed to join the PDP because “they have their names to protect”.

    “We have since embarked on house to house sensitization to our teeming supporters on why we remain in our party and why we want them to remain politically committed  ”

    “We want everybody to remain loyal to our party leaders ,shun political thuggery and violence because as progressive we must be seen to be promoting peaceful coexistence  for the overall political growth of our party “he said.

    He called on APC teeming supporters to participate in the ongoing continuous voters registration exercise.

    “Any body that offers you money, collect it because it is your money that is supposed to be used in providing democracy dividends but diverted  for selfish interests,” he said.

    Tambuwal, 52, defected to the PDP in a huge ceremony in Sokoto today. His deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, remains in APC.

  • Gale of defections will not reach Nasarawa State – Al-Makura

    Gale of defections will not reach Nasarawa State – Al-Makura

    Governor Umaru Al-Makura on Thursday expressed confidence that the gale of defections sweeping across various state chapters of the All Progressive Congress (APC), would not reach Nasarawa State.

    “The gale of defections rocking the APC will not reach Nasarawa; I am very confident of that,” Al-Makura declared in Lafia, during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the party.

    He commended APC members of the National Assembly from the state for remaining resolute in support of the party, and urged them to remain loyal party members.

    Al-Makura particularly thanked Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West) and the two APC members of the House of Representatives for their commitment, seriousness and dedication to effective service delivery.

    He said that Nasarawa State would always support President Buhari, and assured the President of bloc votes in 2019.

    The governor said that the stakeholders meeting was convened to reaffirm commitment to the vision, mission and aspiration of the party, and lauded the stakeholders for their doggedness over time.

    The governor urged stakeholders to disregard speculations by people seeking to break the ranks of APC in the state, saying that the party was “fully intact”.

    The News Agency 0f Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders, at the meeting, endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid following a motion by Al-Makura which was seconded by Sen. Adamu. (NAN)