Flowerbud News

Category: General News

  • Army inaugurates cenotaph in memory of fallen heroes in North East

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai has inaugurated a cenotaph at Gudumbali, Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno in memory of troops, who died in the course of battle.

    Buratai said that the town was one of the strongholds of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno North during the heat of the insurgency.

    He also admitted that the army suffered heavy casualty and loss of equipment in the battle to liberate the town in 2015.

    Gudumbali is about 125kms to Maiduguri, the state capital, but 15kms to neighbouring Niger Republic.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai inaugurated the memorial arcade shortly after he flagged-off sanitation to clean up the town as part of activities to mark the 2018 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

    “It was very difficult from 2014, in fact from 2013, 2014, it was difficult to come into Gudumbali from the eastern axis, it was very difficult, Gudumbali was heavily mined and fortified.

    “Several attempts were made by 134 Battalion to enter here but it was not successful.

    `Similarly, when the unit 157 attempted to move in for the first time, they had to withdraw. So many mines or IEDs were laid along the road to this place.

    “At last, when the final directive was given, they were able to muster and successfully entered Gudumbali and crossed over and then habour here.

    “It was at this point after habouring late in the night that the Boko Haram terrorists came and surprised them – troops, and the rest is history.

    “We lost quite a number of soldiers and quite a number of equipment,’’ Buratai lamented.

    He, however, explained that the major cause of the loss of personnel and equipment was as a result of the “heat on the logistics vehicle that further ignited the fuel, ammunition and other items that set the whole camp into confusion.’’

    “It was not all that a defeat but it was an incident that happened as a result of attack by the Boko Haram terrorists,’’ the army chief added.

    According to him, we will continue to pray for the souls of the departed both here and other places; may their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.

    Buratai said: “this cenotaph will remain in our memories so that it will be a symbol, so anyone that comes here will associate himself and pray for the repose of the souls of the fallen heroes in this operation.

    “We do not want to forget them.

    “They will have their names inscribed here on the monument, each and every one of them that paid the supreme price here will be remembered.

    “With time, the cenotaph will become a national monument for everybody to remember that the Nigerian army is an institution that is the pride of the nation and fallen victim of the insecurity that bedevil this part of the country. They paid the supreme price.’’

    He promised that the families of the fallen heroes would be taken care of and not forgotten.

    Earlier, while flagging-off the sanitation, Buratai described Gudumbali as a historical town well known for its economic activities, peace and tranquility but was disrupted by the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “We chose this place as a symbolic gesture to further consolidate on our successes in the North East in our operation against the Boko Haram insurgents.

    “The choice of this location to flag-off this exercise is not a coincidence but was deliberately chosen because of the strategic and economic importance of Gudumbali.

    “Gudumbali was one of the strongholds of the (once) dreaded Boko Haram sect which was illegally occupied by them.

    “Our gallant troops fought a fierce battle to regain this town,’’ he said, and expressed happiness that the people had returned after they fled over seven years ago.

    NAN reports that Buratai used the occasion to donate two tractors to the community to enhance their farming activities.

    Maj-Gen. Abba Dikko, the Commander of the ongoing “Operation Last Hold” designed to facilitate return of displaced persons to their communities said the exercise was to clean up the town of its “bad memories.’’

    Dikko said that this was necessary to enable Gudumbali to thrive again in commerce, farming, fishing, administration and to give the people a sense of belonging.

    On June 14, the chief of army staff, represented by Maj.-Gen. David Ahmadu, the Chief of Training and Operations, visited the town to perform “Sharan gona’’ – set fire to bush.

    It was to signal the commencement of the 2018 bush clearing and farming activities for the people and assured them that their security was guaranteed. (NAN)

  • Singer Wizkid booked till 2021

    Singer Wizkid booked till 2021

    The Nigerian singer Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has revealed that he has been booked for shows for the next three years.

    The ‘Soco’ crooner made the announcement on his Twitter handle @wizkidayo, where he wrote, “booked for three years”.

    Wizkid has released several hit tracks this year including ‘Soco’, ‘Fake Love’, ‘Manya’ and ‘Nowo’.

    ‘Soco’, in which he featured Ceeza Mili, Spotless and Terri, is a fast-paced Afro-beat tune that has grown to become the most favourite song for the ‘Shaku Shaku’ dance.

    In February 2014, Wizkid became the first ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter.

    He went on to become the first Afro-beat artiste to appear in the 2018 Guinness World Records, for his contribution to Drake’s hit song ‘One Dance’.

    The 27-year- old recently sold out the O2 hall in London; and is set to release a much anticipated album later in 2018.

  • INEC to release full report of its investigation on alleged underage voting

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would soon release the full report of its investigation into  alleged under-aged voting in the Kano election report.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this during  an interaction with political editors of media organisations on Saturday in Lagos.

    Yakubu recalled that the commission had earlier in Abuja disclosed that its voter register was not used by the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) for the February local government poll.

    He, however, said that based on the demand by some stakeholders, the commission would soon release the report submitted by the committee set up to investigate the allegations.

    ““INEC committee conducted investigation, submitted its report and we addressed the press on the matter that there was no connection between INEC voter register and the incidence of underage voting in Kano.

    “In fact in many voting units they did not even use voter register to accredit anyone.

    “Having said so, there is a demand that we should release the report of our investigation. I assure you we will soon release the full report of that investigation.’’

    Yakubu, speaking on the clean-up of the voter register, said that the commission would continue to strengthen the register.

    He said while the commission had been working on the clean-up of the register, no single Nigerian had officially complained to INEC about the inclusion of ineligible persons.

    Yakubu said as part of measures to clean up the register, the commission pasted the details of new registrants nationwide as well as given each registered political party a copy of the register for claims and objections.

    ““As we speak the commission has  not officially received any complain of the registration of ineligible persons.”

    Only last week in Ekiti we made it available to 35 political parties contesting in the state elections, we have not also receive a single complaint.’’

    Yakubu said that when the Kano investigation was conducted, the commission agreed to  give the register to civil society organisations and the media.

    He said that would be done without infringing on the right of Nigerians to apply for the register once they paid to the commission the relevant fee stipulated by the law.

    “I want to assure you that we will continue to do whatever we can to improve the voter register as we approach 2019 general elections.’’

    Yakubu added that one of the innovations INEC had brought into the registration process was that registered voters could now check the status of their registration online.

    Answering another question on allegation that officers of the commission demanded for money before they register voters, Yakubu said that the registration and collection of cards was free.

    He urged Nigerians to report to the commission if any of its staff demanded for money. (NAN)

  • IHVN launches Community Pharmacy Initiative in Kano and Katsina

    Institute launches Community Pharmacy Initiative in Kano, Katsina States

    More than 2,000 people living with HIV in Kano and Katsina States are expected to benefit from an initiative by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) in collaboration with the Association of Community Pharmacists in Nigeria (ACPN) to ease access to HIV medications.

    The IHVN Assistant Director, Pharmacy, Mr Yohanna Avong stated this at the launch of the project in Kano on Thursday.

    He said with the initiative, adult patients who are stable on HIV medications and not pregnant, could be referred from hospitals to get drug refills from trained community pharmacists of their choice in their communities instead of frequent trips to overcrowded health facilities for drug pick-up.

    “Public hospitals that are providing antiretroviral therapy are consistently being congested or they have a high volume of patients.

    “The World Health Organization has recommended the use of structures within the community to provide HIV medications.

    “Some patients travel very long distances to the hospital and this affects their adherence to treatment and overall well-being,” he said.

    Avong explained that over 3, 000 people living with HIV in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa States took part in the initiative with great success prompting an extension of the program.

    “We have discovered that because we are removing the hardship that people go through in order to get drugs at the hospital level, they are doing very well with low viral load.”

    Assistant Director of Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and Head of Kano Branch, S.S Chiroma said that the project was novel one and would benefit both patients and community pharmacists.

    “For the patient, the access will increase while for the caregiver, it also gives him the opportunity to have experience in antiretroviral therapy which will lead to better service to the patient.”

    Earlier in a welcome address, Director of Public Relations of the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, Peter Illya expressed his joy with the initiative saying that the goal was to deliver a HIV free generation to Nigerians.

    A Community Pharmacist from Geral-Jo-Calene Pharmacy in Sabon Gari, Kano, Mrs. Agatha Nwachukwu said that the initiative was a welcome development.

    “We are happy that community pharmacists are being incorporated into the HIV program. We have now been trained such that a lot of things that we did not know, we now know,” she said.

    Abbas Musa from Kainuwa Best Global Pharmacy in Funtua said that he looked forward to the challenge that the job entailed and the opportunity to help people living with HIV in the community.

    “It will bring job satisfaction for myself, help impact the patient positively and the community in general.”

    NAN reports that the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria was established in 2004 as a local organisation to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Nigeria through the development of infrastructure, care, prevention, and support for people living with and those affected by the disease. (NAN)

  • INEC still awaits formal notification of vacancies in NASS – Yakubu

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this during an interaction with political editors of media organisations on Saturday in Lagos.

    Yakubu said that the commission had five bye-elections to conduct, to fill the existing vacancies, but it was still awaiting official communication  from the National Assembly to declare the seats vacant.

    He said while the law compelled INEC to conduct bye-elections within stipulated time, it was the presiding officers of the National Assembly or State House of Assemblies that could declare any seat vacant.“

    “We have no any power to declare the  seat of any lawmaker vacant”.

    “The moment the returning officers make announcement declaring a candidate winner, only the court of law can reverse it.

    ““We cannot declare vacancy and conduct bye-election unless there is a formal communication from the presiding officers of that Assembly.
    “So this is not a matter under the control of the commission”.

    Yakubu also disclosed that the commission had slightly redesigned its voter register to take care of incidence where the smart card readers could not read the fingerprints of the owner.

    Answering a question on the challenge of insecurity and registration of voters, Yakubu said despite the security situation the commission had high number of register voters in some states with security challenge including Benue and Borno.

    He said that was possible as it was easier to register people in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps than to register people who go individually to various registration units”.

    “Most interesting for me is that Benue has also recorded one of the highest numbers of registrants in the on-going CVR”.

    “What I find most reassuring in Benue is that in spite of the security challenge people are still interesting in voting.’’

    Speaking on INEC preparation for Ekiti governorship election scheduled for the July 14, Yakubu said that the commission was working with security agencies  to have peaceful election.

    Yakubu also disclosed that a new design voter register with a provision for a column to take care of cases where the smart card reads could not read finger prints of the owner would be deployed for the election.

    This according the Yakubu would speed up the voting process, compared to old system where people have to queue to fill a form, thereby  delaying the process.

    The chairman pledged that he would do whatever it takes to improve on the electoral process of the country to protect his name and reputation.

    “If there is anything I am going to leave INEC with is my reputation as academic. I am going back to my academic profession where I came from”.

    “So, whatever it takes to earn a good name for this country, for myself and my family I will do so”.

    “The only thing we have is our values and we work very hard to ensure that we leave with our values intact.’’ (NAN)

  • ICPC blames civil servants for endemic corruption

    ICPC blames civil servants for endemic corruption

    Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Musa Abubakar, gave the position at an event to mark the 2018 Africa Public Service Day hosted by the ICPC in Abuja on Thursday.

    The theme of the celebration is “Combating Corruption in Public Service Institutions through Stakeholder Participation and Promotion of Ethical Leadership to Realise the Objectives of Agenda 2063 and SDGs’’.

    Abubakar, represented by the ICPC Head of Administration, Mr Nathan Bako, said that contrary to popular perception, civil servants were more to blame for the menace than politicians.

    “There is trading of blame between the civil service and the political class as to who is more responsible for corruption.
    “The fact is that if the politicians are strangers to the service, they won’t succeed if we don’t cooperate with them.

    “Every single act of corruption will involve one civil servant or the other, and that is the fact, either by way of facilitating the act of corruption or by keeping quiet.’’

    Abubakar called on all civil and public servants to live above board in their dealings, adhere to the ethics of integrity and join the fight against corruption.

    The ICPC boss decried public apathy in the fight against corruption, noting that the campaign would fail without the active participation of the citizens.

    According to him, most Nigerians look the other way when corruption is perpetrated in their presence, only to turn around and accuse anti-graft agencies of doing nothing.

    He noted that it was the constitutional responsibility of every citizen not only to report crime, but also to arrest and hand over criminals to law enforcement agents.

    “This is why we use this opportunity to invite everyone to join the war against corruption.

    “It is very important everybody plays a role, otherwise when we measure the fight against corruption, its failure is going to be mainly because of public apathy,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, lauded the ICPC for its commitment in the anti-corruption fight.

    Represented by Mr Olowofoye Olusonji, the Director of Special Duties in her office, Oyo-Ita said the commission’s efforts had yielded results and brought about a turnaround in both public and private mindset.

    A senior officer at the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), Mr Friday Adejor, called for stronger collaboration between other anti-graft agencies and the commission.

    Adejor noted that with offices in every state and Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country, the PCC was strategic in taking the anti-corruption campaign to the grassroots.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured a road walk involving representatives of various ministries, departments and agencies.(NAN)

     

    Defence/Security

  • Tramadol has ruined lives of promising youths – Prof. Moji Adeyeye

     

    By Vivian Ihechu
    “Tramadol has ruined the lives of many promising youths who should have been the future and asset of our beloved country,” Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General  of NAFDAC has said.

    Adeyeye, made the assertion on Friday during the destruction of banned and unregistered Tramadol, other counterfeit medicines and unwholesome sugar at the Okediya Dump Site, Sagamu, Ogun.

    The total street value of the products destroyed were estimated to be N3.6 billion and the street value of the Tramadol is estimated to be at N1.8 billion.

    She said: “We wish to emphasise that only 50mg and 100mg of Tramadol are approved for use in Nigeria.

    “NAFDAC’s Inspection, Investigation and Enforcement activities have, however, exposed a cartel that specialises in the importation of banned strengths of Tramadol, strengths above 100mg).

    “The banned strengths have deleterious effects on vital organs of the body, including the brain.

    “It has ruined the lives of many promising youths who should have been the future and asset of our beloved country, the director-general said.

    Some of the items destroyed by NAFDAC at the Okediya Dump Site,
    Sagamu, Ogun, June 30, 2018 (NAN)

    “Today’s destruction is a testimony to NAFDAC’s zero tolerance for Narcotics, Substandard and Falsified, as well as other unsafe and unwholesome NAFDAC Regulated Products into circulation in Nigeria,” she said.

    “The products being destroyed today are made up of Tramadol, Codeine, illegally imported unwholesome sugar and counterfeit medicines.

    “Also included are damaged and expired NAFDAC Regulated products which were voluntarily submitted to the agency by compliant companies.

    “So far, 13 containers of banned and unregistered Tramadol and Diclofenac released to the agency by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) are scheduled for destruction today (Friday).”

    Some of the items destroyed by NAFDAC at the Okediya Dump Site,
    Sagamu, Ogun, June 30, 2018 (NAN)

    The director-general thanked the NCS, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their collaboration and cooperation, and urged them not to relent in their efforts.

    Adeyeye solicited public and corporate support to eradicate the menace of drug abuse and importation of unregulated drugs and food products.

    Also, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, wife of the Governor of Ogun, said that abuse of drugs and substances by youths had become worrisome.

    She called for collective efforts to curb the rising menace.

    Mr Bolaji Oyeleye, the Commissioner for Environment, Ogun, commended the efforts of NAFDAC in checking banned, counterfeit, expired and unwholesome medicines, foods and products in the country.

    According to him, the agency should also increase awareness on the effects and dangers of using Tramadol.

    “I am glad that NAFDAC is committed and involved in this fight.

    “I urge NAFDAC to heighten awareness on Tramadol, sensitise people, especially the youth on the dangers and effects; also collaborate with entertainment icons and people they reckon with to drive home the message,” Oyeleye advised.

    The Ogun commissioner for environment appealed to NAFDAC to come up with more environment-friendlier ways of destroying related seized products.

    Mr Kingsley Ejiofor, Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, said: The agency is committed to ensuring that the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of medical products and foods are effectively controlled.

    “This is to ensure that the prescribed standards of identity, safety, quality and efficacy are met.

    “We will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to monitor, investigate, prosecute offenders where necessary and ensure that the required and acceptable standards are met.

    “All hands must be on deck to achieve this,” Ejiofor said. (NAN)
    (Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

  • IGP Idris warns politicians against arming thugs, hate speech

  • Prepaid Meters: Electricity staff union slams DisCos, says estimates bills unjust

    The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has lent its voice to the calls on electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in the country to provide consumers prepaid meters.

     

    The association described as unjust estimated billing system currently in vogue as a result of non-provision of prepaid meters by DISCOs.

     

    The association’s President, Mr Chris Okonkwo, told newsmen in Lagos on Thursday that metering of all houses of consumers would reduce their sufferings.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee had on Wednesday announced that it was set to probe excessive electricity charges by Discos, accusing them and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of conniving to extort and shortchange Nigerians.

     

    The committee, chaired by Rep. Israel Ajibola Famurewa (APC, Osun), noted that both NERC and the discos had “failed totally in ensuring that Nigerians get value for money spent on electricity consumption.”

     

    Essentially, the committee is seeking to curb the exorbitant electricity charges being levied on consumers by discos.

     

    Okonkwo, who condemned estimated bills being churned out by DISCOs, said: “The system is impoverishing the people as the N18,000 national minimum wage has not been increased while some workers are also being owed salaries for many months.”

     

    He noted that the DISCOs had not kept faith with the privatisation deal they signed with the Federal Government to provide prepaid meters for consumers.

     

    “DISCOs resorted to estimated billing of consumers because they sacked their workers and do not have enough manpower to recover their debts.

     

    “The DISCOs have complained that they have about N1.1 billion to collect from consumers for energy already supplied,” Okonkwo said.

     

    The electricity workers’ boss, however, faulted the sale and unbundling of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), saying “ there were some lapses in it.”

     

    PHCN was unbundled by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. (NAN)