Category: General News

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has claimed her third consecutive title in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in the United States.

 

Amusan emerged the winner on Sunday night with a season-best time of 12.33.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico finished second in 12.38 while American Keni Harrison came third in 12.44.

 

In August, Amusan was cleared by the World Athletics Integrity Unity (AIU) of rule violation.

“A panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal, by majority decision, has today found that Tobi Amusan has not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period,” the AIU said in the statement.

 

The AIU in a statement in August lifted the suspension placed on Amusan in July for allegedly missing three tests in 12 months.

AIU Head Brett Clothier has indicated the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is disappointed by this decision and will review the reasoning in detail before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline.

 

“The decision is currently confidential but will be published in due course. Amusan’s provisional suspension has now been lifted with immediate effect.”

 

SaharaReporters reported in July that Amusan had been charged by AIU of rule violation.

 

The AIU is the Athletics Integrity Unit, which handles doping cases in track and field.

 

She was charged for allegedly missing three tests in 12 months.

 

Twenty-six-year-old Amusan however vowed to challenge the charge which could result in a suspension.

 

Amusan in a post on her Instagram account stated that she was charged with three missed drug tests in a 12-month span.

 

It could have led to a two-year suspension for her.

 

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships,” her post had read.

 

“I am a CLEAN ATHLETE, and I am regularly; (maybe more than usual) tested by the AIU – I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test.’ I have FAITH that this will be resolved in my favor and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August.

 

“In the meantime, I ask that the media respect my privacy while I address these distractions in my upcoming arbitration.”

 

26-year-old Amusan broke the world record in the semifinals in July worlds in Oregon, United States last year with 12.12 seconds from 12.20 seconds.

 

By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews):. The Zamfara State House of Assembly has expressed its determination to collaborate with the state government to alleviate the economic condition of youths in the state.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Flowerbudnews in Abuja, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail said that plans were on to evolve durable economic empowerment schemes to reduce youth restlessness, banditary and crime in the state.

Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail said that such schemes would restore hope in the youths for the achievement of a fulfilled life and remove restlessness.

The Honourable Speaker said that efforts would be made to intensify awareness among the youths for entrepreneurship and self employment to boost their economic well-being

.

”My intention is to guide the youth to the kind of businesses to go into,” the Speaker stated, adding, ”we will bring new ideas to give new business orientation to the youths”.

He said the House would work with the State Government to create opportunity for youths in the state to learn to stand on their feet and help government by becoming employers.

Hon. Ismail noted Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to youth economic empowerment, disclosing that the state government had created programmes for skill acquisition for the youth.

The Speaker said that the people of the state were already enjoying dividends of democracy under the present administration with innovative health programmes.

Hon. Ismail said that Persons with health challenges, like eye problems etc, were already being treated, including with free surgery.

He added that the free health services were being taking to villages for more direct benefits to the citizens in the rural areas.

The Speaker disclosed that the present administration has also paid all the money the former state government was owing NECO and WAEC .

Hon. Ismail acknowledged that youths worked hard for the victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in the last election, and therefore, deserved all support and encouragement to become mostly, self employed. (Flowerbudnews)

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and his aides have survived a potential aircraft crash after the engine of the private jet they boarded was discovered to be faulty.

 

 

The incident was reported to have taken place on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the Murtala Mohammed Airport on a Bombardier Global Express 6000, owned by billionaire businessman Chief Adedeji Adeleke, father of music icon, David Adeleke aka Davido.

 

A source close to Adeleke who spoke to a correspondent on condition of anonymity revealed that the jet had not taxied with Adeleke and his aides when a loud sound was heard from its engine.

 

According to the source, engineers swiftly examined the engine and discovered that it was faulty.

 

The flight was immediately aborted to avert any disaster as a result of engine failure.

 

The passengers were then evacuated from the aircraft.

 

“The jet was scheduled to fly Adeleke and his aides from Lagos to Abuja.” says source.

 

Tragedy was recently averted when a private jet owned by Nigerian billionaire businessman, Chief Adedeji Adeleke, caught fire while taking off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, multiple sources told LEADERSHIP on Saturday.

Chief Adeleke is the father of Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Chief Adeleke owns the Bombadier Global Express 6000 involved in the incident. The jet is used as a family plane by the Adelekes.

 

 

 

According to the report, the incident occurred at the domestic wing of the Airport at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, when the jet was about to take off from Lagos to Abuja.

 

 

 

However, the incident wasn’t formally communicated to the concerned aviation regulatory authorities, a development that is against standard protocol, LEADERSHIP reports.

 

 

 

According to the report, Governor Adeleke and his top aides were on board the aircraft when the incident occurred.

 

 

 

It was learnt that the aircraft had taxied to the end of the runway, shortly before departure, when a loud explosion was heard from the engine of the jet, causing it to abort take-off immediately.

 

 

 

“No deaths or injuries were reported, and other passengers in the plane as of the time of the incident could not be ascertained,” a source privy to the development told the newspaper.

 

 

 

LEADERSHIP gathered that the jet had been parked at the Executive Jet hanger of the airport before it was deployed on September 5.

 

 

 

However, according to the report, there were no injuries or deaths recorded from the incident.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, airport authorities, Osun State government and the owners of the private hangar have been doing everything to ensure that the news does not get out, the report said.

 

 

 

Governor Adeleke’s aides could not be reached but one of the passengers on the plane told LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity that the operators of the hangar suspected that there might be foul play as both engines of the aircraft were damaged.

 

 

 

However, the chief executive officer (CEO), Executive Jets, which manages the hangar where the private jet was parked, Sam Iwuajoku, disclosed that the aircraft had Foreign Object Damage (FOD) that made the aircraft experience high temperature, which resulted in the explosion.

 

 

 

According to him, the FOD was caused by a bird nest in one of the engines of the jet.

 

 

 

“At take-off, the engine had a high temperature and it was caused by a bird nest in one of the engines of the aircraft.

 

 

 

He is also the brother of Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke

It happens when an aircraft is parked and not properly covered so birds will build their nest and anything they bring into the aircraft can spark high temperature.

 

 

 

“It happened to one of my aircraft in 2021; we had to remove the engine and the engine was in Germany for 14 months. So, it’s a common thing in Africa because we have birds around,” he stated.

 

 

 

Sources told LEADERSHIP that Davido used the aircraft the previous day, September 4.

 

 

 

Efforts to reach the NCAA were not successful but a source told the newspaper that the incident was not reported to the agency as its Air Worthiness Department was not aware of the incident.

 

 

 

“NCAA isn’t aware of this incident because the Air Worthiness Department is not aware,” the source was quoted as saying.

 

.By Abbas Bamalli

Katsina:  The Wife of Katsina State Governor, Hajiya Zulaihat Radda, has appealed to the general public to support the patients of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in the state.

 

Mrs Radda made the appeal on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of rehabilitation and skill acquisition training of 46 treated VVF patients in Katsina.

 

The VVF patients were treated and trained by the National Obstetric Fistula centre Babban Ruga, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs.

 

She reiterated the need for the volunteers, NGOs, traditional and religious leaders, companies and wealthy individuals to also join hands to support them.

 

“This support can be through donations, or to taking care of some of the patients and the hospital’s needs, because the hospital is not a profit-making organisation.

“But it was established to provide the VVF patients with the needed treatments and also skills training for them to establish business of their choices after being discharged.

 

“I wish to inform you that through my office, I have a programme which is mainly to support children, girl child education and also women with special needs.

 

“Also, we have a health programme that supports our women and children in the state,” the governor’s wife said.

 

She assured of her readiness to collaborate with the hospital and also the VVF patients training centre to help the patients.

 

She expressed delight over the fact that the hospital is not only meant to treat VVF patients, but to also provide antenatal care for them.

 

“Therefore, I am calling on the people of the state to utilise this opportunity and the facilities provided,” she called.

 

Earlier, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Sadiya Mamman-Nasir, said the treated VVF ladies were trained in sewing, knitting, shoe/bag making, pasta making among other things.

 

According to her, the primary functions of the centre are free treatment of patients with obstetric fistula, rehabilitation of treated patients, prevention of recurrence and centre for training and research.

 

“The centre provides free fistula care to VVF patients from the North-West geo-political zone. It also receives a sizable number of patients from other zones, as well as neighbouring Niger Republic,” she said.

 

Mamman-Nasir said that in spite of paucity of fund, the centre still treats about 400 VVF patients yearly.

 

“However, due to paucity of funds, the centre could not rehabilitate the large number of patients being treated and operated on daily.

 

“Hence, the centre approached the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, who facilitated the release of a special grant by the Federal Ministry of Finance for the rehabilitation activities.

 

“Consequently, 50 repaired VVF patients are to be rehabilitated quarterly in the year 2023.

 

“Trainees are fully accommodated at the centre, feeding of three square meals, cleaning and training materials as well as take up packs are provided to them free of charge,” she disclosed.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s wife presented each of the beneficiaries with cash and a clothing material (Atamfa).



The repaired VVF clients were also empowered by the centre, with sewing machines, knitting and grinding machines, pasta making and sharpening machines. NAN /Flowerbudnews



The Federal Government has launched the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Self-Service Enrolment System in a bid to make the National Identity Number, NIN, accessible to Nigerians.

The system, powered by Banksforte Limited, was launched by the Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the acting Director General/CEO of NIMC, Engr Abisoye Coker-Odusote, at the National Identity Day celebration on Saturday.

 

In an interview with DAILY POST, Dayo Bankole, the Managing Director of Barnksforte Limited, explained that the App would help end the bottlenecks of NIN enrolment, as well as name, age, marital status and other NIN-related updates.

He noted that Nigerians in rural areas can access the App nationwide.

 

According to him, the system is going to be a game changer in NIN enrolment.

 

“The problem this is going to be solving is allowing people to take care of changing their addresses, their date of birth, their names, in case they get married that name change at the comfort of their home rather than travelling spending a lot of money being at the National Identity Management Commission’s office spending more expenses to be able to change names.

Once we have a smartphone, you can download the app, register and change your data and send it in, and those will approve it,” he stated.

 

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says the present corps administration will ensure complete realisation of the five per cent reduction in road traffic deaths and injuries across the country.

 

The Corps Marshal, FRSC, Mr Dauda Biu, said this during the 2023 Special Marshals Sectoral workshop on Saturday in Abuja

.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop was, “Volunteerism In Road Safety Management: Limits and Possibilities.”

Biu, who was represented by Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), Mr Shehu Zaki, said that five per cent reduction in road traffic deaths was achievable.

 

He said that it could be achieved by improving capacity for data collection,

analysis and management to enhance road safety policy formulation.

 

The FRSC boss said that there was a need to always review the Corps activities and analyse the impacts of these activities in the reduction of crashes on Nigerian Roads.

 

According to him, road traffic crashes are not accidents, but are as a result of the actions or inactions of human beings.

 

“It is therefore preventable. Road Safety advocacy is not for the FRSC alone rather, it is a shared responsibility involving us all.

 

“If we resolve today to play our roles in this task, Nigeria will be saving her precious human capital; and the time for action is now,” he said.

 

Biu said that the Corps in a bid to boost its efforts in achieving its statutory mandate, established a volunteer arm known as Special Marshals.

 

These, he said, are men and women of proven integrity with legitimate and verifiable sources of livelihood in the society, who had interest to serve humanity without any remuneration attached.

He noted that volunteerism was about having a selfless, nationalistic and contributory mind-set as it had no economic undertone.

 

The corps marshal added that Special Marshals should not be perceived as persons who are only volunteering for pecuniary interest.

 

“People should remember that the attributes of a volunteer are delivery of services that must benefit others, and all services should be done without expectation of a reward.

 

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Therefore, I congratulate you all on the work you do to reduce crashes on our roads.

Together, we will ensure that the FRSC 2023 Corporate Strategic Goal in enhancing road safety partnership for innovative intervention

and accomplishing five per cent reduction in road traffic crashes and injuries is achieved,” Biu said.

 

Speaking, Dr Yusuf Suberu, Squadron Leader, Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), FCT, called on the motoring public to avoid speeding to save lives and property.

 

Suberu, who is also the National Coordinator, Road Traffic and Vehicle Inspection Mayors, said that the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) had been collaborating and giving support to the FRSC.

 

He assured that the VIO would continually synergise with the necessary sister agencies to ensure that the roads are safe for all.

 

“We have been collaborating and giving support in all areas. We have worked together in synergy to ensure the roads are free.

I tell drivers and motorists that it is better to be late than to be the late(dead).

 

“Crashes must occur naturally, But you need to slow down and obey traffic rules where and when necessary,” he said.

 

The high points of the event were the cutting of the cake, decoration of honorary special marshals, presentation of certificates of recognition and awards among others.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, on Saturday, said ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo ordering traditional rulers in Oyo State to stand and greet Governor Seyi Makinde, at a project inauguration in Iseyin, Oyo State, was tantamount to desecration of Yoruba traditional stools.

 

A short video of Obasanjo, who spoke in Yoruba language, had surfaced on the Internet, expressing displeasure to the monarchs for not rising to greet Makinde, describing the action of royal fathers as disrespectful to the office of the governor.

 

Reacting, Oba Akanbi, in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Alli Ibrahim, condemned the former president’s action and demanded a letter of apology from him.

 

The statement partly read, “I trust myself and my stool. In death, there are certain things my soul will not take let alone when alive, active, and kicking. I only blame the monarchs who stood in obeisance to such an ignoble and desecration of traditional institutions from the old man. Respect should be earned not demanded.

 

“Traditional rulers respect their subjects too. There is a way respect is accorded to people of old age and position by monarchs. Kingship is an institution of God. As such, relating with kings requires a high sense of modesty, courtesy, and respect.

 

“The display by the former president of Nigeria, General Obasanjo was an affront, an intentional desecration and sacrilege against revered stools of Yorubaland. An injury to one is an injury to all. Yoruba traditional rulers are not uniform men anyone can command at will. I don’t blame him, those royal fathers who stood up to obey such an embarrassing direction are to be blamed.

 

Insisting that Yoruba monarchs could not be treated as uniform men who would be ordered around, the Oluwo blamed the royal fathers who responded to Obasanjo’s order.

The show by the former general is condemnable. Yoruba traditional institutions demand an apology for the open desecration to molest and bring down the institution. He needs to prove himself as a core Yoruba man with an apology letter. Kings are not toddlers. We are fathers. He will never dare that against the Northern Emirs.”