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  • Five foods to avoid for your breakfast

    Five foods to avoid for your breakfast

    Have you ever heard of the phrase; ‘you are what you eat’? Nowhere is this more applicable than in the realm of breakfast. The foods we choose in the morning can either power us through the day or leave us feeling like we’re running on empty. It’s breakfast, the meal that lays the foundation for your daily adventure, and it’s time to rethink your choices.

     

    The choices you make in the morning can set the tone for your entire day. But here’s a breakfast revelation – some foods, despite their popularity, can send your energy levels plummeting before noon.

     

    According to Jerlyn Jones, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in the United States, the worst breakfast foods to eat in the morning are those low in fiber and high in added sugar and saturated fat.

    Sugary cereals, doughnuts, breakfast pastries, and sugary coffee drinks are loaded with simple sugars.

     

    “These added sugars arrive all at once in your system like a sugar bomb and get converted into calories much more quickly. This can lead to negative health effects,” she added.

     

    Let’s dive into the five foods you should avoid at all costs to ensure your mornings are full of vigor and vitality.

    1. Refined Sugars and Sugary Cereals:

     

    According to health practitioners, breakfast items containing refined sugars, such as those found in cereals, flavored yogurt, and pastries, can cause a quick surge in blood sugar levels. However, this is often followed by a subsequent drop, leading to fatigue and increased hunger shortly after consumption.

    2. Highly Caffeinated Beverages:

     

    Although coffee and energy drinks offer an initial caffeine boost, they might result in a subsequent energy dip as the morning progresses, leaving you feeling tired. Additionally, an excess of caffeine can disturb your sleep patterns.

     

    3. Dairy and Lactose-Heavy Foods.

    For individuals who are lactose intolerant, dairy products like milk and cheese can lead to digestive discomfort. This can cause bloating and discomfort during the morning.

     

    4.Fruit juice: Fruit juice might seem like a healthier alternative to sugary sodas or sweetened teas for quenching your thirst, but it may not be the optimal choice.

     

    Although fruit juice contains essential nutrients and antioxidants, it is often rich in sugar and lacks the fiber found in whole fruits, which can leave you feeling less satisfied.

     

    5.Breakfast pastries:

     

    Breakfast pastries such as doughnuts, cinnamon rolls, and toaster pastries are often the quick picks on busy mornings.

     

     

    Yet, these are far from ideal breakfast choices. They are typically packed with sugar, fat, and calories, offering minimal protein and fiber. Consequently, they are unlikely to provide lasting satisfaction, potentially leaving you hungry well before lunch.

     

    It’s best to reserve these breakfast pastries for occasional indulgences or special treats and instead opt for a more balanced meal as your everyday breakfast.

     

  • Gbajabiamila, Ribadu  meet Atiku’s counsel at S’Court

    Gbajabiamila, Ribadu meet Atiku’s counsel at S’Court

    President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu meet Atiku Abubakar’s lead counsel, Chris Uche (SAN).

     

    The men were seen greeting each other as they awaited the apex court to deliver judgment on the election of Tinubu as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission in the February 25 election.

    Tinubu’s election was challenged by the presidential candidates of the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, respectively

  • Tinubu, Obi, Atiku absent as S’court decides

    Tinubu, Obi, Atiku absent as S’court decides

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi are absent from the supreme court in Abuja.

     

    The court is expected to deliver judgment today (Thursday) on their appeals against the tribunal’s judgment affirming President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the February 25, 2023, presidential election.

     

    Present in the court are the Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila; FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure.

    The PUNCH reports that the decision of the apex court is final on the matter.

     

    The justices have just arrived

  • Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC opens case against fleeing Briton, James Nolan

    Alleged P&ID scam: EFCC opens case against fleeing Briton, James Nolan

     

     

    Abuja:  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, opened its case at the Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, against the British National, Mr James Nolan, who jumped bail in 2022.
    The EFCC’s counsel, Mr Bala Sanga, led the 1st prosecution witness (PW1), Mr Temitope Erinomo, an Assistant Chief Complaint Officer with the anti-graft agency in evidence before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

    Erinomo, who works in the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, told the court he was part of the investigating team in the criminal charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/9/22 filed against Micad Project City Services Ltd (1st defendant) and Nolan (2nd defendant).

    Nolan, a director in the Process and Industrial Development Limited (P&ID), jumped bail and stopped attending court proceedings since 2022.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observes that though Nolan was not in court, his lawyer, Mr Michael Ajara, was in court.
    Ajara, however, told the court that he was indisposed, hence, he would not be able to cross examine the PW1.

    He, therefore, sought for an adjournment.
    Sanga did not oppose the application and the judge subsequently adjourned the matter until Jan. 16, Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 for cross examination and trial continuation.
    NAN reports that Justice Egwuatu had, on July 6, ordered a surety, Mr George Kadiri, to forfeit his N100 million bail bond to the Federal Government over his inability to produce the fleeing Briton, Nolan, in court.

    Egwuatu, in a ruling, also ordered Mr Kadiri, an Igala chief and a retired civil servant, who was absent in court, to be remanded in prison custody until the payment of the N100 million.
    The order followed an oral application by Sanga over non-appearance of Kadiri in court.

    The surety’s lawyer, Lisa Egwu, had tendered a medical certificate, claiming that Kadiri had a bathroom accident a week before the proceeding and was too ill to attend the court sitting.
    Delivering his ruling, the judge held that the submission of the prosecution was not in doubt that Nolan had jumped bail and that he is currently in Ireland.
    He held that since September 27, 2022, the surety and the defence team had been aware that the 2nd defendant (Nolan) had jumped bail.

    The judge also agreed with the anti-graft agency that no significant effort had been made by the surety to ensure the attendance of the fleeing Briton in court nor had he shown to court what additional or fresh effort he intended to make in procuring his attendance in court.

    Egwuatu further agreed with the prosecution that Kadiri, from the look of things did not know Nolan and that there was every likelihood that the suretyship was just a business transaction.
    The judge, who held that it was the responsibility of the surety to produce the defendant in court, said this was even when a bail relationship is a transaction between the surety and the court.
    The prosecuting counsel, Sanga, had earlier lamented the deliberate ploy by the defence counsel to delay the trial, saying the court had been magnanimous to the defence for several months.
    NAN equally reports that Justice Ahmed Mohammed of a FHC, Abuja had, on Sept. 28, 2022, revoked the N100 million bail granted to Nolan for jumping bail.
    In a ruling in another charge filed before the judge, Mohammed issued a bench warrant against Nolan and ordered that he should be arrested by security agencies, including the Interpol, anywhere he is sighted within or outside Nigeria and be produced in court to stand his trial.
    The judge also directed the surety (Kadiri) to appear in court to show cause why his bail bond should not be forfeited.
    Nolan was at the centre of the $9.6 billion dollars P&ID scam trial.
    Nolan, also a director with Goidel Resources Limited, a Designated Non-Financial Institution, with another company, ICIL Limited, are standing trial on 16 counts bordering on money laundering before Justice Mohammed to the tune of $9.6 billion.

    NAN reports on Monday that a Business and Property Court in London presided over by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales quashed the $11 billion awarded against Nigeria in a case filed by the P&ID.

    Judge Knowles held that the award was obtained by fraud and that what had happened in the case was contrary to public policy.

    In the case marked: CL-2019-000752, the Federal Government had sought to overturn the $6.6 billion arbitration awarded in favour of P&ID in 2017. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

  • BREAKING: DSS frees ex-EFCC boss, Bawa after 134 days

    BREAKING: DSS frees ex-EFCC boss, Bawa after 134 days

    The Department of State Service has freed embattled ex-EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa, after over 134 days in custody.

     

    The PUNCH confirmed the development on its X page (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday night, October 25.

    Details soon…

  • Mobil withdraws suit following presidential policy directive strengthening NUPRC’s powers

    Mobil withdraws suit following presidential policy directive strengthening NUPRC’s powers

     

     

     

    Abuja:  Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, on Wednesday, withdrew the suit it filed against the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

    This followed the presidential policy directives that strengthens Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)’s power to approve and regulate integrated upstream operations.

    Counsel for Mobil, Ituah Imhanze, informed Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, of the oil company’s motion to discontinue the suit.

    Imhanze said the motion was filed on Oct. 23 and served on NMDPRA, the sole defendant in the matter.

    “We have an application dated and filed on Oct. 23. It is for my lord to discontinue the suit,” he said.

    Justice Ekwo, who reminded Imhanze that the matter was fixed for judgment, asked NMDPRA’s lawyer, A.V. Etuwewe, SAN, of his opinion about the application.

    Etuwewe said though he did not oppose the application to withdraw the suit, the senior lawyer prayed the court to dismiss it instead of being struck out.
    He argued that the matter was fixed for judgment and that he was only served with the application on Monday, citing previous cases to back his argument.
    “We urge my lord to dismiss this suit and award very, very high cost,” he said.
    But Imhanze disagreed with Etuwewe.
    He argued that he would not concede to any cost because as a minister in the temple of justice, he had the duty to bring whatever happens in the course of a case to the notice of the court.
    The lawyer hinged his argument on the recently released presidential policy directives which touched on the substance of the suit.
    Justice Ekwo, consequently, dismissed the suit but declined to award cost against Mobil.
    “Rather than award any cost, I will ask parties to go and remain in peace,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Policy Directives on the Delineation of Regulatory Oversight between the NUPRC and NMDPRA Notice, 2023 (“the Presidential Policy Directives”) in Vol. 110 No. 158 of the Official Gazette, was recently gazetted.
    President Bola Tinubu had, on Aug. 7, issued the policy directives as part of the efforts to tackle challenges and facilitate conducive operating and investment environment in the sector.
    The suit instituted by Mobil vide an originating summons dated June 16 but filed June 19, sought the determination of which regulator had the authority to designate and approve its operations as integrated operations under the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

    The suit was triggered by the NMDPRA’s challenge of the NUPRC’s approval of Mobil’s operations as integrated upstream operations.
    NAN had, on July 27, reported that the judge fixed today (Oct. 25) for judgment in the case.

    Justice Ekwo fixed the date after Imhanze and Etuwewe adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.
    The judge had, on July 5, ordered NMDPRA not to take further action in respect of the oil mining lease suit.
    Mobil had prayed for an order restraining the Federal Government’s agency from imposing any sanction on the company.
    The company also sought for an order stopping the agency from taking any action to frustrate its interest in respect of its operations in Oil Mining Leases 67, 68, 70 and 104 pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.(NAN)(www.nanews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • Enugu CP assures Rangers Int’l FC of security support

    Enugu CP assures Rangers Int’l FC of security support

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    Enugu:  The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has assured Rangers International FC of maximum support and partnership.

    The commissioner spoke when he received the General Manager of the club, Mr Amobi Ezeaku, alongside his management team in his office in Enugu on Wednesday.

    “The command will strengthen the existing partnership, especially in the area of providing maximum security during club activities as well as live football matches in Enugu,” Uzuegbu said.

    Earlier, Ezeaku commended the commissioner for his pragmatic efforts in combating crime in the state.

    He also underscored the need to strengthen the partnership and relationship between the club and police command.

    The commissioner was joined by senior management officers of the command to receive and interact with the visitors. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Court stops Senate’s award of N18.4bn compensation for 34 Rivers oil communities

    Court stops Senate’s award of N18.4bn compensation for 34 Rivers oil communities

     

    Abuja: A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, declared that the Senate acted illegally in awarding N18.4 billion as compensation to 34 oil producing communities of Obiafu, Soku to Bonny in Rivers over Nigeria NLG Ltd’s acquisition of right of way (ROW).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment held that the plaintiff, Nigeria LNG Ltd, had successfully demonstrated that the defendants acted ultra vires and its case succeeded on merit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate had, in a resolution dated Oct 4, 2022, mandated the LNG to pay the 34 communities within 60 days, following a petition submitted on behalf of 73 communities of Obiafu, Soku to Bonny in Rivers, seeking compensation for acquisition of right of way by the company.

    The lawmakers, after the their investigation through the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, resolved that 34 communities out of the 74 were yet to be compensated, thereby, directing the firm to do the needful within 60 days.

    But the LNG Ltd, through its counsel, Prof Bayo Adaralegbe in an amended originating summons dated Feb. 13, sued the Senate, Senate President, National Assembly (NASS) and Mr Michael Ajileye as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
    In the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1989/2023, the plaintiff sought six questions for determination.
    These include “whether by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 19 of the Oil Pipelines Act and all other relevant legislation, the 1st defendant or any of its committees, agencies or members have the powers to entertain, act on and or deal with legal claims, and or adjudicate or determine a legal right created under the Act relating to compensation for petroleum or any other activities, or any other law based on a petition submitted against the plaintiff on behalf of 73 communities of Obiafu, Soku to Bonny, in Rivers State?
    “Whether the 1st defendant or any of its committees, agencies or members have the judicial powers under the 1999 Constitution or any other law to award or grant reliefs of a monetary nature in favour of persons or communities as compensation or damages in respect of legal rights and legal claims created under the Oil Pipelines Act that also mandatorily stipulates the court of law as a remedial process for compensation in respect of the violation of such legal rights?
    “Whether the 1st defendant’s resolution dated 4th October, 2022, mandating the plaintiff to pay 34 communities and other individuals in Rivers State the sum of N18,374,199,727.00 (Eighteen Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Four Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira) within a period of 60 days is constitutional, legal, lawful, valid, binding, and has any legal effect or force of law? ” among others.
    The Senate, in its counter affidavit, argued that over the years and due to improved constitutional practices, the legislature had been conferred by law and global constitutional practices with oversight functions allied and connected to their statutory duty of law making.
    It said that citizens and non-citizens of the country had the liberty to approach the upper chambers via petitions or public hearings for any constitutional issues or issues bothering on civil rights, security of the country, welfare of citizens and governance in general.
    Other defendants also disagreed with the company, urging the court to dismiss the suit.
    Delivering the judgment, Justice Ekwo answered the questions posed in favour of the company.
    The judge said that though Section 4(2) of the 1999 Constitution provided that the NASS shall have powers to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the country, Section 6(6)(a) and (b) vested judicial powers in the court.
    “The National Assembly in the exercise of the powers given to it by Section 88 (1) of the Constitution must observe the doctrine of separation of powers and the rule of law.
    “There are consequences where any other arm of government attempts to exercise the powers given to the judiciary by any guise,” he said.
    Justice Ekwo, therefore, declared that by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate and its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and other committees were not empowered by law to compensate or pass any binding verdict or decision, resolution, arising from the petition.

    The judge gave an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the defendants from further inviting, summoning, or issuing warrants of arrest against the company, its officers and or staff in respect of the petition or give legal effect to the resolution dated 4th October, 2022.

    He equally gave an order of perpetual injunction, restraining any individual, family or member of the 73 communities individually or collectively, either through self-help or any other person acting for or through them, including law enforcement agencies from enforcing the Senate resolution dated 4th October, 2022

    “This shall be the order of this court,” the judge declared.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • Sylva’s lawyer writes INEC, seeks withdrawal of amended candidates’ list

    Sylva’s lawyer writes INEC, seeks withdrawal of amended candidates’ list

     

    Abuja: Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding immediate withdrawal of the amended list of candidates released for the poll.

    Raji, who is counsel to Chief Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate in the Nov. 11 Bayelsa election, described the decision of the electoral umpire as prejudicial.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had, earlier today, released amended list of candidates vying in the election without including Sylva’s name.

    Justice Donatus Okorowo of a Federal High Court, Abuja, had, on Oct. 9 in a judgment , disqualified Sylva, a former governor of the state, from contesting the election.

    Unsatisfied with the judgment, Sylva approached the Court of Appeal, through his lawyer, Raji, to challenge the decision of the court.

    But while the appeal is pending, INEC released list of candidates for the poll excluding the APC candidate’s names.

    In a letter to the commission dated Oct. 25, Raji said he had the firm instruction of Sylva to respectfully demand for the immediate withdrawal of the amended list.

    The senior lawyer said it was shocking for the INEC to release such publication when the judgement the commission acted upon had already been appealed against at the Court of Appeal. .

    “Dear sir, you will recall that the judgment in issue, that arose from the above suit was delivered on the 9th October,2023 and our client, being an ardent and firm believer in the efficacy of the judiciary and the rule of law, immediately filed an appeal within 24 hours of the judgment, on the 10th October, 2023.

    “In addition to the notice of appeal, our client expeditiously compiled the record of appeal and transmitted same in less than 10 days.
    “The appeal was successfully entered on the 18th October, 2023, with Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CS/1060/2023.
    “The above being the case, the commission, as a respected arbiter and law abiding institution, is expected to respectfully wait for the outcome of the appeal, before taking any step that may be prejudicial to any of the parties, particularly, our client.
    “This is in view of the fact that the parties that went to court are not candidate in the forthcoming election, unlike our client. In other words, they do not have anything to lose, rather, they are fighting proxy battles to deny our client and his party the opportunity to participate in the forthcoming election.
    “We know that the Commission has always been consistent in a matter like this, to wait until the entire appellate process and proceedings are completed, one way or the other,” he said.
    According to him, this is not only consistent with the administrative and policy convenience but also with the Electoral Act and the constitution, in all election related matters.
    NAN reports that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, has scheduled hearing for Friday in the appeal filed by Slyva.Sylva and APC are, by their suits, praying the Court of Appeal to set aside the Oct. 9 judgment by Justice Okorowo , voiding Sylva’s candidacy.
    Sylva, in his three-ground notice of appeal, is contending among others that the trial court erred in law and and occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice when it wrongly assumed jurisdiction by delving into the internal affairs of his party, which is a non-justiciable cause of action

    He stated that the trial court has a duty to understand the case presented by the parties and apply the law correctly.

    Sylva contended that the trial judge erred in law and occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice against him when he (the judge) wrongly conferred, allowed and adjudicated on the matter when the respondent (plaintiff at the trial court) has no locus standi to initiate or institute the action.

    He argued that the plaintiff had agreed that he did not participate in the primary election that produced him as the governorship candidate of the APC.

    Sylva also argued that the trial court breached his right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution when it failed to properly evaluate, determine and pronounce on his notice of preliminary objection, with which he challenged the competence of the suit.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) (Flowerbudnews)