Category: General News

 

By Iyiola Olalere

The Democratic Front has urged the Rivers state governor Simlayi Fubara and other political stakeholders in the state to ensure that the Supreme Court ruling is sacrosanct

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF urged them to also toe the reconciliatory path laid down by President Bola Tinubu in the aftermath of the court’s stance.

It said: “In appreciation of the recent Supreme Court ruling on the political crisis that has bedevilled River State in the last two years, The Democratic Front (TDF) has decided to call on all warring parties in the ongoing impasse to sheath their swords and adopt the reconciliatory political approach initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a year ago, as the recipe for amicable resolution of differences.

“Our interpretation and understanding of the apex court’s decision to reinstate the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 members of the State Assembly, shows that the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was misled to have rejected the peaceful political compromise that was initiated by President Bola Tinubu in the wake of the avoidable crisis.

“It was sad enough that the Rivers State Governor allowed the merchants of discords to mislead him into an unprofitable political confrontation, over a matter that would have been amicably resolved by the fantastic peace move by the President.

“As a state that hosts economically important facilities under the operation of oil Majors like Shell, TotalEnergies, Agip, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Rivers State is too central to the heart of the nation’s economy. And must not be allowed to be consumed by the ongoing political fiasco of vested interests.

“We,, therefore call on the State Governor, PANDEF and all other stakeholders in Rivers State to eschew bitterness, rancour, and every other action that will further escalate the crisis, by obeying the verdict of the Supreme Court, and also exploring the reconciliatory channels that were provided by President Tinubu’s intervention in the matter a year ago, so that peace and relative harmony can be restored to the administration of the state, and its local governments. ”

TDF also reserved strong words for agitators threatening a breach of the peace over the Supreme Court ruling.

“Furthermore, we condemn, in the strongest terms, attempts by some self-serving ethnocultural groups within the state and the wider Niger Delta region to further aggravate the crisis through their verbal threats to peace and deliberate incitement of a possible breakdown of law and order.

“We maintain that no particular interest in the crisis should be greater than the interest of Rivers State and Nigeria. We therefore expect our law enforcement agencies to act in the protection of lives and properties whenever the need arises.”

The group also commended the President for insisting that all the parties must respect the rule of law

“We equally express our profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for restating his commitment to peace and the rule of law over the crisis during a recent meeting with the leadership of PANDEF.

“His fatherly advice to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to implement the Supreme Court Judgement evidently shows his passion and readiness to bring the protracted political crisis to such an amicable end that will serve the overall interest of the people of River State and Nigeria,” it added.

end

 

 

Flowerbudnews

Following protest and complaints of nepotism by some recruits undergoing training for Amotekun Corps recruitment, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the absorption of protesting cadets into the ongoing recruitment training in the state.

Some applicants protested on Thursday against their alleged sacking from the training camp ongoing at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Ede.

They said they were displaced in favour of some members of the ruling party, an allegation the corps management has already denied.

However, Governor Adeleke in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Saturday said he had given a directive that the applicants should be allowed to undergo their full training and be engaged as cadets.

The statement reads partly, “Today, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Kazeem Akinleye, accompanied by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Bashiru Salami and the Chairman of the Amotekun security service, Wale Abbas (AIG Rtd.) visited the training camp and announced the absorption of the protesting applicants outside the gate of the training centre.

“Hon Akinleye reminded the trainees that the essence of Amotekun is to render selfless service to the society, urging them to take the training seriously.

“He conveyed the best wishes of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the trainees, noting that the Governor appreciates their eagerness to be part of the service to secure Osun state.

“He further directed the Amotekun management to provide necessary welfare packages and an enabling environment for the training while in camp.

“He reiterated the resolve of the state government to strengthen Amotekun to complement the national security agencies”.

 

 

 

 

By Paul Ejime

THE crippling fuel shortages in Niger and the change in thinking towards development aid by the developed World are clear warnings to Africa on the urgent need to deepen regional integration, and more so for the self-proclaimed Alliance of Sahel States, AES countries, making a public show of quitting the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at all costs.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have effectively formalised their withdrawal from ECOWAS, having served notice to quit the regional economic bloc in January 2024, but the organisation in a demonstration of good faith, has allowed them a nine-month grace period until September 2025 to rejoin if they change their mind.

Last December, the Niger junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani without any proof, went on his country’s state television to accuse Nigeria of attempts to destabilise Niger. Niger’s Foreign Minister, Bakary Yaou Sangare had also alleged that Nigerian government was complicit in a purported December 13 sabotage of the Niger-Benin oil pipeline in Gaya.

The Niger government summoned Nigeria’s Charge d’affaires in Niamey to complain.

Nigeria dismissed all the allegations as unfounded, while the ECOWAS Commission issued a public statement in defence of Nigeria.

As it turned out, and as Nigeria stated then, Tchiani was only using the playbook of the AES junta leaders – using propaganda and disinformation to divert attention from the mounting governance problems they faced.

Nigeria has no reason to destabilise its smaller neighbour, which it continues to support materially and otherwise, including in infrastructure development such as road construction, rail projects, and fuel supply at concessionary rates.

Three months on, reality has now dawned on the Tchiani-led junta. Niger has been facing unprecedented severe fuel shortages for several weeks, characterised by winding queues at the few filling stations with supply and the stifling economic activities across the land-locked country, listed by the United Nations Development Report as among the poorest in the World.

With nowhere else to go, the once arrogant Niamey junta turned to Nigeria for a bailout, but this time, without the usual publicity.

According to industry sources in Niamey and Abuja, the situation was so desperate that the Tchiani-led junta swallowed its pride and allowed a delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Niger Petroleum Company, SONIDEP to visit Abuja on an S.O.S. mission.

Following a meeting with Nigerian petroleum industry officials, which was largely unannounced “some 300 fuel trucks were approved for immediate delivery across the border to Niger,” according to the sources. The terms or details of the agreement were not available.

Industry officials in Niger blamed the severe fuel shortages on the confrontation between the junta government in Niamey and the Chinese oil companies, which have long dominated Niger’s petroleum sector.

The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) was said to have granted the Niger government an advance of about US$400 million in 2024, using future crude oil deliveries as collateral to help Niger cope with the lingering effects of the sanctions earlier imposed by ECOWAS following the July 2023 military coup that brought the Tchiani regime to power – the sanctions have since been lifted.

When it was time for Niger to repay the Chinese, the cash-strapped junta government was alleged to have attempted to arm-twist China, forcing the Asian country to slap billions of dollars in tax demand on the Niger Refinery Company.

The escalated crisis culminated in the expulsion of three Chinese officials working in the Niger oil sector last week.

Official sources in Niamey said the move was the latest by the military government to “assert greater control over national resources.”

In a separate development, Niger’s Ministry of Tourism is reported to have revoked the licence of a Chinese-operated hotel in Niamey, citing alleged discriminatory practices.

The two countries are said to be working to avoid a break-down of relations, particularly in the critical oil sector, which has also been hit by unresolved disputes over the Niger-Benin oil pipeline, a project designed to boost Niger’s crude exports.

The military junta had failed to publicly acknowledge the gravity of the economic crisis, with the State-controlled media reportedly ordered to maintain a news blackout on the national fuel shortages and the general economic hardship. But public anxiety is mounting amid spiralling inflation, high unemployment, especially among youths, and high cost of living, with desperate motorists resorting to the costly black-market for fuel, that is where the scarce commodity was available.

Despite the AES countries’ populist and arrogant posturing to leave ECOWAS, the regional organisation has left open, diplomatic channels for negotiations and rapprochement.
Ghana’s President John Mahama recently paid visits to the military governments of the three countries, with bilateral and regional issues featuring in the discussions.

Also, as the AES region grapples with heightened jihadist attacks and regional instability, a high-level nine-man delegation from the three countries visited Nigeria recently to understudy non-kinetic approaches to combating violent extremism.

Informed sources said the visit was in recognition of a policy shift in Nigeria borne out of the realisation that military option alone cannot defeat terrorism and insurgency. A recent study showed that about 7% of terrorist groups that operated between 1968 and 2006 were militarily defeated, while more than 40% of groups ended their violence through negotiated settlements.

The AES countries, which accused ECOWAS of being under external influence, as part of the reasons for their withdrawal, have severed major ties with Paris, closed French military bases and expelled French soldiers from their territories as part of their professed assertion of sovereignty and independence.

However, all three are still members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, UEMOA, with French affiliation.

The French Treasury controls the national currency of the three countries, the franc CFA, fixes the exchange rate, and maintains their their bank reserves.

The junta leaders are also broadening relations with Russia and China, including military cooperation with Russia, while accusing ECOWAS of being under foreign influence.

But as the experience from the Niger fuel shortages and the cut of development aid by advanced economies have shown, regional cooperation and integration are the more realistic options for Africa’s sustained development and survival.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany in February, President Mahama described the USAID pullback by the President Donald Trump administration and the cut in development aid by Britain as “adversity in opportunity” for Africa. He emphasised the need for African countries to strengthen their economic resilience and reduce dependence on foreign aid.

In his address titled “Building or Burning Bridges: Economic and Development Cooperation Amid Multi-polarisation,” Mahama acknowledged the changing geopolitical dynamics. He noted that while the U.S. played a central role in shaping the post-World War II global order, its current shift could be disruptive.

In the same vein, Nigeria’s Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), recently told African leaders at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to consider foreign aid as a thing of the past.

She urged them to be innovative and look inwards “to uplift the lots of your people instead of looking increasingly for help from where help is drying up.”

These teachable lessons are applicable to all African countries, especially the AES group.

It is within the rights of the AES members as sovereign nations to pursue their common interests both as Sahel States and ECOWAS members, just as similar other groups – Mano River Union, Zone of Prosperity, Conseil de l’Entente (Council of Accord or Understanding), UEMOA and the Chad Basin Authority/Commission.

*(Paul Ejime is a Global Affairs Analyst and Consultant on Peace & Security and Governance Communication)

 

By Dianabasi Effiong

The journey toward revitalising the iconic Carnival Calabar and Festival took a significant leap forward as key stakeholders met in Calabar to strategise on its sustainability, financial viability, and global positioning.

The five-day meeting approved by Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River State is known as Carnival Calabar.

The Festival Contents Review Committee headed by High Chief Edem Duke, a former Minister of Tourism, had various stakeholders in attendance.

In his address at the meeting, which began Thursday in Calabar, High Chief Edem Duke, expressed gratitude to the governor for appointing him to lead a committee of tourism experts, pledging the review committee’s commitment to reshape the carnival into an engine for the state’s development.

High Chief Duke emphasised the need for the committee to establish a sustainable framework that ensures the carnival’s longevity.

He also highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement, financial strategies, and private-sector partnerships to secure long-term success.

Congratulating committee members on their appointment, Duke, who is also a Band leader of one of the seven competing bands that feature in the carnival, underscored the need to reposition the carnival as a tool for economic and cultural growth, encouraging members to work toward a self-sustaining model. He said the target is to achieve a new era of culture, tourism, and global appeal with the Carnival Calabar Festival.

The Chairman of the State Carnival Commission, Mr. Gabe Onah, expressed appreciation to committee members for their dedication.

He called for the vision of creating a legacy that future generations would inherit.

Onah introduced committee members from various countries and professional backgrounds, emphasising the need for cultural integration, financial stability, and international recognition.

Highlighting key governance principles for the carnival, he proposed: Cultural Organization — strengthening cultural integration to attract global attention; Financial Viability — expanding sponsorship opportunities, leveraging digital marketing, and reducing dependence on government funding; International Expression — positioning Calabar Carnival as an international tourism attraction; and Preservation of Heritage — establishing a carnival museum to document and promote its rich history.

Onah stressed that while the government may not directly compete with the private sector, it should facilitate and encourage private-sector involvement to enhance the carnival’s effectiveness.

The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, whose insights were crucial to the discussion, emphasised the need for legal and structural reforms to ensure the carnival operates within a well-defined framework.

He stressed that clear governance structures would help in securing long-term investments and partnerships.

The Commissioner highlighted the importance of intellectual property protection for the carnival’s branding.

He urged stakeholders to formalise legal frameworks that would protect the event’s commercial interests.

He also called for greater regulatory oversight to ensure that carnival activities remain within ethical and legal boundaries, reinforcing the commitment to cultural integrity and responsible entertainment.

A stakeholder, Dr Maurice Ekong, representing the Masta Blasta Band, gave a comprehensive review of the past two decades, celebrating milestones and addressing financial challenges.

He emphasised the urgent need for a dedicated Carnival Village to streamline operations.

He also said, “Financial investments and resources for competing bands should be addressed for the carnival’s sustainability.”

A representative from the Freedom Band, Dr Iyam Ugot, raised the issue of the ownership structure of carnival bands, urging clarity to ensure financial accountability.

He emphasised the need for budgetary support, adding that many bands exceeded the funds provided by the government.

Ugot said that while bands have received more than ₦500 million in funding, essential infrastructure such as trucks remained unavailable.

He said that band slots at the Christmas Village should attract new members.

He also called for online voting to complement judges’ decisions and ensure greater transparency.

Mrs Onari Duke, the wife of former governor Donald Duke and the leader of the Bayside Band, who joined virtually, highlighted the increasing commercialisation of the carnival.

She called for a structured approach and sharing of the details.

She also recalled the financial success of entertainment platforms like Big Brother Nigeria and proposed that the carnival could adopt similar strategies for profitability.

She emphasised the need to encourage global brands to advertise on the carnival platform, develop carnival-themed merchandise, ensure sustainability in costume production, and expand the carnival’s reach through online platforms.

Pastor Jonnie Akpanke acknowledged concerns about the carnival’s perceived promotion of religiously intolerant displays and proposed the incorporation of gospel-themed content to balance entertainment with moral values. He stressed that the carnival could thrive without sensationalism, advocating for a cultural reorientation.

Another tourism expert, Ambassador Ikechi Uko, pledged support for a structured financial model to maximise economic benefits with private sector interests.

Several recommendations emerged from the deliberations.

They included: finalising a government structure for the carnival’s administration; strengthening private-sector participation; and developing a dedicated Carnival Village and Museum.

Other recommendations were: expanding international partnerships to boost visibility and engaging experts for strategic implementation.

They also urged the governor to meet with band leaders to ensure that the Calabar Carnival Band Association (CCBA) played a key role in promotions.

 

–  In Onitsha Market, NAFDAC evacuated ten 40-foot truckloads of tramadol from the plumbing, wood plank and the fashion lines of the market – DG

(NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye)

By Biola Lawal
Flowerbudnews: The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) successfully confiscated and evacuated over 100 truckloads of counterfeited, fake expired and banned medicines from the three major drug markets in the country in the last six weeks.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the NAFDAC Director General noted that if the 100 truckloads of substandard falsified and banned medicines were allowed in circulation, they could ruin a nation by reducing quality of life of millions of Nigeria.

Flowerbudnews recall that the falsified me medicines etc, were confiscated by NAFDAC during enforcement operations
in Idumota, Onitsha and Aba Open Markets

(Truckloads of the confiscated fake drugs etc destroyed through burning in public by NAFDAC recently)

Prof Adeyeye made the disclosure on Friday while giving an update on the unprecedented enforcement exercise carried out in Idumota, Onisha and Aba drug markets in Lagos, Abia and Anambra states respectively where unregistered, banned, expired or medicines with other violations worth over a trillion naira were confiscated.

She further disclosed that the Agency concluded the enforcement exercise in Idumota and Aba on February 28, 2025, while the exercise still lingered in Onitsha until March 8, according to a statement Sayo Akintola, NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant.

(Prof Adeyeye, explaining the dangers drug counterfeiters pose to national health, security and economy)

”What we have found could ruin a nation. What we have found could destabilise a government. What we have found could reduce quality of life of millions of Nigerians.’ she stated,

Adding:  ‘‘If you have diabetes, hypertension which need daily treatment, such people could die easily with what we have found.

‘’With a large population of Nigerian youth below age 40, the narcotics we found could take away life from them and fuel banditry and terrorism”.

Overall, she said over 100 40-footer truckloads were evacuated, disclosing that 27 truckloads from Idumota had already been destroyed in public burning.

Prof. Adeyeye said that in Aba and Onitsha markets, about 80 40-foot truckloads of unregistered, banned medicines and narcotics were seized and evacuated.

For Aba and environ, she disclosed that 14 truckloads of violative medicines were evacuated from the Osisioma warehouse alone, four truckloads from the Ariara Road warehouse and ten truckloads of the medicines were seized from the markets.

 

The NAFDAC Boss disclosed that  in Onitsha, there were 110 lines where they sell drugs, aside from the plumbing market, and the wood plank markets.

From the plumbing section, Prof Adeyeye explained that warehouses were filled to the brim, without windows with temperature more than 40 degrees C, subjecting the medicines to degradation before the user starts to use them.

‘In that plumbing section, we knew through intelligence since three or four years ago that something was going on there,’ She said, adding: ‘we were there with our police, and our staff and police narrowly escaped death.’

Prof Adeyeye explained that ”the merchants of death, masquerading as medicine dealers among the shop owners, mobbed the police and NAFDAC staff to protect their illicit trade.”

She added that about seven months ago at the Onitsha market, NAFDAC staff went on intelligence again and they almost killed two of them.

‘They bloodied them, bleeding. This is the hazard that we go through every time in NAFDAC,” Prof. Adeyeye stated, adding; ‘this time, the Agency evacuated ten 40-foot truckloads of tramadol from the plumbing, wood plank and the fashion lines of the market,

The NAFDAC Boss noted with dismay that about four truckloads of syrup with codeine that was banned almost seven years ago were also evacuated.

Prof Adeyeye however, emphasised that the Agency needed to conduct the enforcement in the markets with the purpose of saving lives of Nigerians and to foster trade.

She pointed out that if a local manufacturer’s product is counterfeited, that manufacturer cannot get their return on investment because somebody is already faking their product and selling it cheaper.

The NAFDAC Boss explained that if people are exposed to banned and fake products, the better alternative that they are supposed to buy locally will not be bought,  making it impossible for local manufacturers of registered products to sell.

‘NAFDAC is doing this first for public health, secondly to foster trade and thirdly to reduce the scourge on our country,” She assured.

 

 

By: Joy Musa

In a remarkable display of integrity and unwavering commitment to justice, Justice Simeon Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, has allegedly rejected a significant bribery attempt aimed at influencing his decision regarding the impeachment of Governor Nyesom Wike. Sources close to the judiciary revealed that Justice Amadi was offered two luxury homes, one in the United States and one in the United Kingdom, along with a staggering sum of 5 billion Naira in cash.

This alleged bribery attempt, purportedly orchestrated by political figures and their allies, was aimed at pressuring the Chief Judge to sign an impeachment letter against Governor Wike.

However, in an inspiring act of principle, Justice Amadi reportedly refused the offer, remaining steadfast in his dedication to the law and the ethical standards of his office.

Justice Amadi, a respected figure in the Rivers State judiciary, has earned widespread admiration for his incorruptibility, particularly as he was appointed to the position by the very governor now facing political pressure. His resolute refusal to succumb to the pressure serves as a beacon of hope for a more transparent and accountable judicial system in Nigeria.

The PDP Youth Group, in a public statement, lauded Justice Amadi for his courage and integrity, commending him for setting a powerful example of moral fortitude in a time when the nation is grappling with challenges of corruption and political manipulation.

“We stand with Justice Simeon Amadi and celebrate his refusal to compromise the rule of law,” the statement read. “His actions offer hope that, despite the odds, Nigeria can rise above the forces of corruption and remain committed to true justice and fairness. We urge all Nigerians to support those who continue to fight for integrity and justice in our country.”

The rejection of such a large bribe by a sitting judge is being hailed as an extraordinary testament to the resilience of individuals who remain committed to their duties, even in the face of significant personal and professional pressure.

As Nigerians await further developments in the ongoing political drama, Justice Amadi’s actions stand as a clear reminder that there are still pillars of strength in the country’s legal and political systems.

With the PDP Youth Group’s vocal support and public recognition of Justice Amadi’s moral clarity, it is clear that there is hope for Nigeria’s future, as long as men and women of principle continue to stand tall in the fight for justice.

May the Almighty God continue to bless and guide the incorruptible hands of our judiciary and protect those who uphold the values of truth and fairness in the nation the group stated.