Blog

  • Worker dies, two injured at Lagos building site

    Worker dies, two injured at Lagos building site

    A 40-year-old man simply identified as Chinedu has been confirmed dead while two sustained varying degrees of injury as bags of cement collapsed on the three construction workers in a site at Usman Mogaji Street, Ajangbadi in Lagos State.

     

    PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened at about 1:00 am on Monday.

     

    It was also learnt that the three construction workers were sleeping inside the site when the bags of cement collapsed on them.

     

    An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity said he found cement bags on the three workers after hearing a frightening noise, adding that they were hurt.

    I only heard a noise and it sounded like somebody crying for help. Immediately my friends and I heard the noise, we ran to check what was going on and we found bags of cement on three people.

    We immediately rushed them to the hospital because the amount of cement that fell on them was a lot. I am sure they would have had injuries because carrying cement is very heavy let alone plenty cement bags falling on a human being.”

     

    Another eyewitness, Abimbola, said the victims were immediately rushed to the hospital but one person died and two others sustained injuries.

     

    She added that effort was put in place to evacuate the corpse to the mortuary while the family members would be contacted.

     

    She said, “They were taken to the hospital for medical treatment, unfortunately, on getting to the hospital, one of them whom they called Chinedu died while the other two sustained injuries. Although I think they wanted to take his body to the mortuary and we tried to reach the family members about the situation.” she concluded.

     

    When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

  • Electricity: FG reveals new approach for steady power supply

    Electricity: FG reveals new approach for steady power supply

    Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu has revealed how he intends to tackle the electricity issues bedeviling the country.

    The minister suggested that the approach adopted by his predecessors have not worked, saying he plans to adopt a bottom-up approach.

     

    According to him, his new approach would ensure that the country has an adequate supply of power in the not-so-distant future, as opposed to the top-to-bottom strategy adopted by former Ministers.

    Adelabu said this in Abuja at a roundtable for the legislature, judiciary and other stakeholders in the power industry on emerging issues, especially on the re-enactment of the Electricity Act, 2023.

     

    Adelabu argued that what the nation has always lacked is not competent engineers to get the work done, but the political will and the right leadership to drive improvement in power supply.

     

    “My strategy is a bottom-up approach in the electricity sector. Many ministers have been on the job but focusing on generation.

    What is power generation if it’s not delivered to the users. It’s useless. It’s like winking in the dark because the customer does not know what we are doing

     

    “We are not joking with the power sector this time around. It must work. We don’t have any choice,” he said.

  • Police arrest “fleeing” MD of Awka-based private security outfit

    Police arrest “fleeing” MD of Awka-based private security outfit

     

    Commissioner of Police,  Anambra, Aderemi Adeoye

    By Chimezie Anaso
    Awka: The Anambra Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Chief Jeff Nweke, the Managing Director of Blue Shield Securities, a private security company in Awka.

    The Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday.

    NAN reports that the police had accused Nweke of sponsoring nude protest in Awka against the police with a view to evading criminal charges against him.

    The command also accused him of illegal possession of forearms, land grabbing, shooting of police personnel and terrorism.

    It claimed that the matter was charged to three courts but that the suspect refused to appear in any.

    The police boss said that the suspect had “been on the run” but was arrested in Abuja on Friday.

    “Yes, Jeff Nweke has been arrested, he was arrested in Abuja last Friday.

    “His arrest is with respect to the various charges against him and his arraignment, which he has evaded,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

    A

  • Mukaddas assumes office as KADSCDA boss

    Mukaddas assumes office as KADSCDA boss

     

    By Ezra Musa

    Kaduna:.  Muhammed Mukaddas, on Monday assumed office as the new General Manager, Kaduna State Community and Social Development Agency (KADSCDA).

    Addressing management and staff of the agency on his assumption, he assured them of a close working relationship in his developmental stride.

    Mukaddas said, ”Everyone in the agency is important irrespective of what he or she does, therefore i am ready to learn from them the way they should be prepared to learn from him.

    ”My goal is to ensure that the agency’s goals and objectives are achieved in line with Gov. Uba Sani’s promise to alleviate poverty the people of the state, especially vulnerable and poor.

    “I was appointed to drive the objective of the agency, which is to address poverty among the rural poor communities to improve access to services for Human Capital Development (HCD) through increased and sustained access of the poor to improve social and infrastructure services,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Mukaddas previously served as the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • UNILORIN male staff now to enjoy paternity leave, Registrar says

    UNILORIN male staff now to enjoy paternity leave, Registrar says

     

    By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

    Ilorin: Mr Mansur Alfanla, the Registrar of University of Ilorin, on Monday announced that concerned male staff of the university are now to enjoy paternity leave.

    Alfanla who disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen said this is contained in the newly-revised Conditions of Service for the university’s staff.

    He added that the introduction of paternity leave was one of the significant changes in the university’s conditions of service.

    The Registrar added that the inclusion of paternity leave aligns with contemporary workplace practices which acknowledge the importance of work-life balance.

    ”Paternity Leave is for serving male officers whose spouse delivers a baby. The period of the leave shall be 14 working days.

    “Where the family of a male officer adopts a child under four months old, the officer will similarly enjoy Paternity Leave for a period of 14 working days,” he said.

    Alfanla emphasised the need for the university’s members of staff to be conversant with and adhere strictly to the revised conditions.

    “They need to download and read the document from their email boxes to stay informed.”

    He reminded staff of the core values of the institution, which he identified as excellence, service to the community, probity, and respect.

    “They must continue to uphold these values in their day-to-day activities, especially as the university is committed to fostering a supportive and equitable work environment for all its employees,” the Registrar said.

    He went on to cite the legal basis for the revision.

    Alfanla stated that it was in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 5 of the University of Ilorin Act CAP U7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.

    “By virtue of all other powers enabling it on that behalf, the Conditions of Service of Staff are issued by the Governing Council, after due consultation with Senate with effect from June 30, 2023.”

    He noted that this update marks a significant change from the previous Conditions of Service, which were last revised on Nov. 21, 2014.

    ”The university administration’s proactive approach to adapt to evolving needs and standards is expected to positively impact the overall well-being and satisfaction of its staff,” the Registrar assured. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • Tinubu appoints NNPCL board, management team

    Tinubu appoints NNPCL board, management team

     

    By Ismail Abdulaziz
    Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) with effect from Dec. 1.

    A statement issued by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this on Monday in Abuja.

    He said that this was in compliance with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

    The appointees are: Chief Pius Akinyelure — Non-Executive Board Chairman, Malam Mele Kolo Kyari — Group Chief Executive Officer, and Alhaji Umar Isa Ajiya — Chief Financial Officer.

    Others are Mr Ledum Mitee — Non-Executive Director, Mr Musa Tumsa — Non-Executive Director, and Mr Ghali Muhammad — Non-Executive Director.

    The rest are Prof. Mustapha Aliyu — Non-Executive Director, Mr David Ogbodo — Non-Executive Director, and Ms Eunice Thomas — Non-Executive Director.

    He said that the president also approved the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries.

    They are Mr Okokon Ekanem Udo for Federal Ministry of Finance and Amb. Gabriel Aduda for Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    Tinubu urged the appointees to comply with the performance-driven and results-oriented mandate of his Renewed Hope administration in the implementation of energy policy.

    “This will monetise all available oil and gas resources of today while paving the way for the total exploitation of new and cleaner energy sources of tomorrow by this distinguished team,” the statement said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • EFCC Alerts Public on ATM Swapping Fraud

    EFCC Alerts Public on ATM Swapping Fraud

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews):  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  (EFCC), has  advised Nigerians to beware of fraudsters using Automated Teller Machine,  ATM, Debit Card swapping to defraud unsuspecting victims.

    EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale said that the alert became necessary following several complaints to the commission by Nigerians who had been duped through ATM card swapping..

    The EFCC statement read:

    EFCC has been inundated with barrage of complaints from well- meaning Nigerians concerning unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts, which investigations by the Commission have linked  to Automated Teller Machine,  ATM, Debit Card swapping or fraud.

    The modus operandi of fraudsters involved in this nefarious practice involves keeping a debit card of the same bank, and in the guise of helping a confused bank customer at any ATM point, swaps the card in such a hurry that the customer would not notice and at the same time memorises the pin used in trying the fake cards.

    These cards get stocked in the machine due to a wrong pin and the fraudster quickly abandons the victim, advising him/ her to report to the bank while making away with the victim’s card to make immediate withdrawals from the account.

    This card swapping typically happens in any service delivery point, such as Point of Sale, POS, terminals, ATM points, among others.  The fraudulent practice is gaining momentum across the country and the banking public is enjoined to be more circumspect in the use of debit cards.

    In view of the foregoing, the following tips may be useful in avoiding further financial losses by the banking public.

    1. Cards should be kept in sight or a safe place. Whenever you get your card back after making any payment, make sure it is actually your card and not just one that looks similar.
    2. Regularly check your bank statements for any unknown transaction.
    3. Set transaction alerts to monitor any activity on your accounts or with your bank card.
    4. Cover the keypad with your hand or body when entering your PIN at POS terminal/ATM machines.
    5. Do not be in a rush to make payments or withdrawals and request for assistance only from officials of the bank.
    6. Call your banks to block your ATM cards immediately when your cards are stuck in the ATM machines or whenever you observe any irregularity.
    7. Ensure you know your bank’s ATM off line blocking code and quickly make use of it whenever it is misplaced or stolen.
    8. Dial the USSD code *966*911# and follow the pop-up instructions to block your ATM card instantly.

    The EFCC will not relent in safeguarding personal, corporate and national finances in its quest to rid our nation of all forms of economic and financial crimes. (Flowerbudnews)

  • BREAKING: Tinubu appoints new board, management team for NNPCL [Full list]

    BREAKING: Tinubu appoints new board, management team for NNPCL [Full list]

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new board and management team for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) with effect from December 1, 2023.

    The composition is as follows:

     

    Chief Pius Akinyelure — Non-Executive Board Chairman.

    Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari — Group Chief Executive Officer

     

    Alhaji Umar Isa Ajiya — Chief Financial Officer

     

    Mr Ledum Mitee — Non-Executive Director.

    Mr Musa Tumsa — Non-Executive Director

     

    Mr Ghali Muhammad — Non-Executive Director

     

    Prof. Mustapha Aliyu — Non-Executive Director

    Mr David Ogbodo — Non-Executive Director

     

    Ms Eunice Thomas — Non-Executive Director

     

    President Tinubu further approved the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries, namely Mr. Okokon Ekanem Udo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, and Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

  • Experience, wisdom of traditional rulers imperative to sustain progress of Enugu – Gov Mbah

    Experience, wisdom of traditional rulers imperative to sustain progress of Enugu – Gov Mbah

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    Enugu: Gov. Peter Mbah has assured that his administration will continue to tap from the experience, wisdom and counsel of traditional rulers to sustain the peace and progress of Enugu State.

     

    “Experience and wisdom of traditional rulers are imperative to sustain the much-desired economic growth and progress of Enugu State,” Mbah said on Sunday evening in Enugu at the launch of a book – “In The Line of Duty”.

    The governor, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Okey Ogbodo, said that the government always draws inspiration from intellectual work done by revered traditional rulers who are vast in life.

    “It is a great book that I strongly recommend for our children to learn the act of leadership and diplomacy that bring people together and galvanize people to progress.

     

    “As a government, we will continue to accord the traditional institution respect and a pride of place even as they contribute in no small measure to the attainment of Enugu State of our dreams,” he said.

     

    Mbah lauded the Chairman, South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and author of the book – “In The Line Of Duty” – Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, for his wisdom and courage to put something down for posterity.

     

    Earlier, Gen. Chris Garuba (retired), former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, called on Nigerians to sustain the existing peace and relationship that holds the country together.

    “We should teach and impress on our children and subjects that unity and peace built on good relationships are all we need to build a progressive nation that works for everybody,” Garuba said.

     

    The book reviewer, the former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, said that the book was a 13-Chapter thought-provoking and knowledge enriching masterpiece.

     

    According to Nebo, this book is a compendium of various thought provoking and solution-driven speeches and addresses presented by Igwe Agubuzu in various fora of national, regional and state discourse on challenging and emerging nationhood and societal issues.

     

    He also recommended the book for all ages and a must read for those in leadership positions and those aspiring to be one as it is rich in practical experiences, wisdom and positive mindset for action to solve challenging leadership issues.

    Speaking on what motivated him to author the book, Igwe Agubuzu, who is also the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, said that he desired to keep records for posterity and share inestimable experiences.

     

    “I have been working as a traditional ruler in various capacities since I retired from the Foreign Service and in the course of these works I have made some speeches and addresses.

     

    “And I thought some of them contain some views of mine, recommendations of mine that I think will be useful to the government and up-coming generation,” Agubuzu, who is the Eze Ogbunechendo and traditional ruler of Ezema Olo Kingdom in Enugu State, said.

     

    Dignitaries at the book launch included: Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha; Rear Admiral Allison Madueke (retired), former Military Governor of Old Anambra and Old Imo States as-well-as former Chief of Naval Staff and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo represented by Chief Gary Igariwey, former President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    Others are Chief Eric Nwobi, Oke-Ide Igbo-Ukwu; Chief Festus Oshiaba, MD Ferotex; Chief Everest Nnaji, CEO of Odengene Air Shuttle Services Limited; Ide Ikeje Asogwa, CEO of Intasog Limited and Chief Dr Vitalis Ozo Nweke, CEO of Andy Young Aluminum Company Limited.

     

    The rest are: Prof Umaru Pate, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State; Prof. Alloysius Okolie, Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT); Prof Innocent Chidobem, Former Vice-Chancellor of ESUT; Chief Loretta Aniagolu, Chairman of Fitconsult and members of the Knight of St. Mulumba. (Flowerbudnews)