Blog

  • Coca-Cola CEO Quincey visits Nigeria, S’Africa, meets Dangote, Elumelu, others

    The Global CEO and Chairman of The Coca-Cola Company, James Quincey visited Nigeria and South Africa last week and met with business and political leaders, describing the region as the company’s future growth driver. (more…)

  • Ikosi-Isheri traders storm Lagos Assembly over market demolition

    Scores of traders from Ikosi-Isheri on Tuesday stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly, protesting against the demolition of their market in the State. (more…)

  • Nigerian Army decorates 23 new generals

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday, decorated the newly promoted Major Generals and Brigadier Generals with their new ranks.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the decorated generals comprising one major general and 22 brigadier generals are among the recently promoted officers by the army authorities.

    About 34 brigadier generals and 47 colonels were recently promoted to the next rank of major general and brigadier general respectively.

    While congratulating the newly decorated generals, Buratai urged them to remain responsive in the discharge of the constitutional duties.

    He said that the new ranks had placed the officers in position to take higher responsibilities, adding that they must be responsive to their troops as well as the training needs of their units.

    Buratai also urged them to remain steadfast for the tasks ahead of them, advising them to see their promotion as call to more service.

    “You must remain responsive to your duties, responsive to your troops, responsive to the training needs of your units,” he said.

    The Chief of Defence Intelligence, AVM Mohammed Usman, told the newly promoted generals to see their new ranks as gift from God.

    Usman urged them to continue to uphold the constitution in the discharge of their duties, adding that new ranks comes with additional responsibilities.

    “I want you to know that God gives promotion and it comes with additional responsibilities. To whom much is given; much is expected,” he said.

    Also, the Army Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, enjoined the new generals to be prepared to face more tasking challenges.

    “You are now a problem solver not just identifying problems and making suggestions but you must be ready to solve problems. As generals you must be dedicated to service,” he said. (NAN)

  • Stop blackmailing DSS, Army, group warns Falana, others

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Concerned citizens under the aegis of Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) has expressed dismay over the recent demonstration at the headquarters of Department of State Services (DSS) following the continued detention of the convener #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.

    The group also lamented the “media harassment” of the DSS by renowned lawyer Femi Falana and other civil society activists, describing the protest as an exploitation of Nigerians with a view to blackmailing the security agency.

    Spokesperson of the movement Semaaka Solomon Semakaa, who stated this at a counter rally in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the over dramatization of the matter, vilification and demonising of the service as well as the desperate appeal for public sympathy are all unfortunate tactics employed by Falana and his group of foot soldiers.

    Semakaa said Falana’s action “is a sabotage of the highest level and does not portray the nobility of the legal profession as well as the true spirit of patriotism.”

    Commenting further on his allegations of sabotage against security agencies Semakaa said that “a fortnight ago, the Nigerian Army in order to consolidate on its achievement especially in the North-East and South-East, came up with Operation Positive Identification to ensure that Nigerians are properly identified.

    “This is a standard practice done all over the world, but to our greatest surprise, Femi Falana went to court to get an injunction against the Nigerian military.”

    Semakaa also stated that investigations by the Save Nigeria Movement revealed that, “Omoloye Sowore, Col. Sambo Dasuki, and El Zakzakky have all chosen to be in DSS custody because of the high standard of facilities as opposed to the conventional correctional facilities in the country.

    “Nigerians need to know that the trio has access to functional Gymnasium, telephones, choice of food amongst other; these are luxury facilities that an average law abiding Nigerian lacks.

    “We therefore request that Nigerians particularly those who avail themselves as tools for blackmailing the security agencies must desist in the interest of the country.

    “The Department of State Services and the Nigerian military authorities must be allowed to do their jobs without hindrance.

    “This country’s constitution has no room for referendum or plebiscite; we are one indivisible entity and the DSS is responsible to detecting and forestalling any threat to Internal Security.

    “We therefore, in national service, vow to assist the DSS and Army to succeed in this noble task,” Semaaka added. (NAN)

  • FCTA vows to end sexual and gender-based violence

    Abuja, Nov. 20, 2019(FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Wednesday restated its commitment to ending sexual and gender-based violence, and craved the support of the Rule of Law and Anti Corruption (ROLAC) programme of the British Council to achieve that.

    The Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, gave the assurance when ROLAC’s team paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    Aliyu said that sexual and gender-based violence had become a troubling trend in the nation’s capital and other parts of the country, and declared that the trend required “urgent policy and social action”.

    She thanked other partner agencies for their collaboration toward tackling the trend, and emphasised the need to create a safe space for citizens, families and children.

    Earlier, ROLAC Manager, Priscilla Ankut, had disclosed that plans had been concluded to officially launch sex offenders register and the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), in Bwari and Wuse District Hospitals on Nov. 25.

    She emphasised the need for improved access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities at the Federal and State level, and the promotion of other laws and practices that facilitate access to justice for women who are sexually abused.

    Ankut explained that the development of the offenders register was to name and shame sexual offenders and to deter potential offenders.

    “Besides the offenders register, there is a database of service providers, professionals and care-givers when citizens report sexual violence,” she said. (NAN)

  • Malami advocates digitalisation to fast track prison decongestion

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, says digitalisation such as installation of Virtual Automated Case Management System will fast track prison decongestion in Nigeria.

    Malami said this on Tuesday, in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the upcoming National Workshop on `effective implementation of provisions of the correctional service act, 2019.

    “The system will integrate with the existing Prisons Information Management System (PIMS) with the ultimate aim of effecting a holistic improvement of the efficiency of the entire Justice Sector’’.

    He said that on assumption of office President Muhammadu Buhari was alarmed over the deplorable state of prisons nationwide.

    He said that Buhari noted that the state of the prisons  was a national disaster and that many of the prisons are about 90 per cent over crowded and therefore stressed the need to put in place urgent measures to speedily decongest the prisons.

    He said he constituted a Presidential Committee on Prisons Reform and Decongestion Chaired by the Chief Judge, High Court of the FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello to fast-track the reform.

    “The Committee has since its inauguration visited and appraised about 34 prisons in sixteen 16 states and released about 3,768 prisoners.

    `They were released via payment of fines for minor offences for minors who are unable to pay the fines, through general review of peculiar cases and advocacy overtures to relevant authorities.

    “The committee has written letters of appeal to several State Government Executives to act on some special cases encountered through the powers of clemency in deserving cases or commute to life sentence those condemned to death’’.

    He said the committee during its visits, also conducts the review of cases of inmates awaiting trial for upwards of years and inmates eligible for Prerogative of Mercy with relevant authorities.

    “They also looked into cases of condemned convicts on death row for over 10 years with the view to getting relevant authorities to commute the sentences to life imprisonment’’.

    The Minister said that the signing into law the Correctional Service Act, 2019 was a major turning point in Prisons Reform and Justice Sector delivery in Nigeria.

    “This marks another milestone in our national Strategies deployed towards urgently decongesting the prisons.

    “The act has some innovative provisions which addressed some major issues that have been of concern to stakeholders in the Justice sector.

    “It will ensure compliance with international human rights standards and good correctional practices and to provide enabling platform for implementation of non-custodial measures.

    He said that the establishment of a standard Skill Acquisition Centre at Keffi Correctional Centre will be replicated in Correctional Centres across the Federation.

    “It is my hope that in no distant time, the Prisons, now Correctional Service Centres will be fully and systematically decongested.

    “This will enhance the focus on corrections and promotion of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders as provided by the Act.

    He said the act will enhance the focus on corrections and promotion of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

    “And to establish institutional, systemic and sustainable mechanisms to address the high number of persons awaiting trial.

    Earlier, Justice Bello, in his remarks said that the purpose of the National Workshop is to sensitise stakeholders especially.

    “The workshop will sensitise the Justice Sector Institutions on the provisions of the Act particularly the provisions regarding non-custodial services which is newly introduced.

    According to Bello, `the Workshop will provide a veritable platform for the overview and comparative analysis of Correctional Service Act, 2019.

    “It will also engage participants to work together towards the development of a strategic Action Plan to support the deployment of non-custodial services as provided under the Act. (NAN)

  • Food 4 Thought: Poison That Kills Men

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Once upon a time a beautiful girl got tired of her marriage life and wanted to murder her spouse.

    One morning she ran to her mother and say to her ” mother, I am tired of my husband I can no longer support his nonsense. I want to kill him but I am afraid Law of the land will hold me responsible, can you please help me mother?”

    The mother answered:

    – Yes my daughter I can help you, but, there is a little task attached.

    The daughter asked “what task? I am willing and ready to assume any task attached in order to get him out”

    OK, said the mother,

    1..You will have to make peace with him, so that no one will suspect you when he is dead.

    2.. You will have to beautify yourself in order to look young and attractive to him

    3.. You have to take good care of him and be very nice and appreciative to him

    4.. You have to be patient, loving and less jealous, have more listening ears, be more respectful and obedient

    5. Spend your money for him and don’t get angry even when he refuses to give you money for whatever

    6. Don’t raise your voice against but encourage Peace and love so that you will never be suspected when he must have died.

    Can you do all of that?
    Asked the mother.
    Yes i can. She replied
    OK, said the mother.

    Take this powder and pour a bit in his every day meal, it will slowly kill him.

    After 30 days the lady came back to her mother and said.

    Mother, I have no intention of killing my husband again. As of now I have grown to love him because he has completely changed, he is now a very sweet husband than I ever imagined.

    What can i do to stop the poison from killing him?

    Please help me mother.

    She pleaded in a sorrowful tone.

    The mother answered;
    Do not worry my daughter. What I gave you the other day was just Tumeric Powder. It will never kill him.

    In reality, you were the poison that was slowly killing your husband with tension and dispassion.

    It was when you started loving, honouring and cherishing him that you saw him change to a nice and sweet husband.

    Men are not really wicked, but our way of relating with them determines their responses and feelings towards us.

    Women if you can only show respect, dedication, love, care and commitment to your husband he will 100% be there for you.

    At least I am sure it will work for 80% of men and hope your man is among that 80%.

    Thanks for reading….
    [6:03 pm, 20/11/2019] CEO FLOWERBUDNEWS. NG: Pls publish on flowerbud with the title: Food 4 Thought: Poison That Kills Men

  • Senate to release new strategies on corruption fight

    Abuja, Nov. 20, 2019 (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday said that the Senate would release new strategies on corruption fight to the public in the next few weeks.

    Lawan disclosed this at the two-day National Summit on Diminishing Corruption in the Public Sector in Abuja.

    The event is organised by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) in collaboration with the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    Lawan, who was represented by Sen. Suleiman Kwari, said that the senate just discovered that the anti graft war was far from over, hence the need for the action.

    “The next few weeks, new surveys on corruption will be released to the public.

    “We also find out that there is undeniable linkage between corruption, insecurity, lost developmental opportunity and poverty.

    “For us in Parliament, one of the four challenges of this senate is how to forge a strong collaborating linkage with at least six standing committees of the Senate with overlapping oversight jurisdictions.

    “Today, I am pleased to inform you of the senate leadership approval of a legislative forum to fight corruption and financial crime within the Senate vault,” he said.

    He added that the senate would continue to reach out to all the stakeholders in the fight against corruption.

    “Graft is a borderless and global problem that must be handled in all ramifications and we therefore require a concerted effort of all to eradicate it.

    “In Nigeria today, there are at least 20 different legislations that have direct bearing on the fight against corruption and financial crime.

    “As a direct result, we are exploring all available options to strengthen specific institutions like the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    “If they have to succeed they have to be well funded so that they can be well empowered to carry out their mandate,” he added.

    The Senate President said “over the next budget circle, we will be systematically increasing the funding of law enforcement and other anti-corruption agencies.

    “We will also be benchmarking their performance to ensure value for tax payers’ money are met.”

    Mr Boss Mustapha, SGF, in an address of welcome said that the summit was organised for top government officials drawn from the three arms of government as part of new strategies against corruption.

    He said that the present administration has recorded some success in the area of fight against corruption.

    The SGF said President Muhammadu Buhari was honoured as Africa Champion in the fight against corruption in recognition of his effort in the region.

    He said that at domestic level, several policies were being implemented to address corrupt practices in the public sector, which was now yielding positive results.

    “This summit therefore present the opportunity to reevaluate the effectiveness of these measures put in place and where necessary develop new strategies to strengthen our common resolve to rid the public sector of corrupt practices.

    “The brainstorming session is to seek ways of blocking identified gaps in the fight against corruption crusade in the present administration and as a further guide in the implementation of ways to cup corrupt practices in the public sector.

    “Today’s event is epochal as it stands to evaluate the successes recorded so far and find solutions to where there are weaknesses and the need to recognise and reward anti-corruption ambassadors,” he said.

    On his part, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammad Tanko, appealed to Nigerians to stop seeing corruption as a way of life but embraced modesty to erase any trace of corruption in the country.

    He said that the ongoing war against corruption by the ICPC has gained good result and the international community have changed their negative perspective about the country.

    He noted that the Commission has secured several prosecutions with some sentences through the court. (NAN)

  • National Park Service C-G inducted into Tourism 100 Club

    (NEWS INVESTIGATORS)The Conservator-General (CG), National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni has been given a certificate of induction into Tourism 100 Club, Nigeria.

    The induction was done during the 7the Abuja Jabamah 2019 annual ceremony held on 18, November, at the expo ground of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Abuja.

    The Managing Director (MD) of the Event, Mr. Kelechi Uko said the CG was given the certificate of induction in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of the travel and tourism industry in Nigeria.

    He commended the CG for the feat and assured him of the support of the organizers to promote the National Park Service to enviable heights in tourism across the globe.

    Uko said this year’s event was tagged Jabamah, which means ‘You are welcome’ in Fulani language, to create a network for publicising and appreciating the immense contribution of some individuals to the tourism industry in Nigeria. The event was last held at Calabar as AKWAABA.

    He said this year’s ”Jabamah” was organised to among other things induct the Tourism 100 Club (class of 2019) whose responsibility is to recognise individuals who have distinguished themselves as foremost and outstanding drivers in the travel and tourism industry in Nigeria.

    In response, the CG thanked the organisers for finding him fit to be a member of the Club and assured that National Park Service will always support them in lifting tourism in Nigeria.

    The CG said that he hoped the partnership will yield positive dividends for both the Service and the organisers and that the event will hold next year in one of the parks in the Country.

    He, however, dedicated his award of membership of the Club to Hajia Bilkisu Abdul, the CEO BBOOG TRAVEL and TOURS as well as the National President of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) while commending her for introducing him to this tourism movement in Nigeria.

    The organisers inducted the CG along with other personalities in Nigeria, and Africa, such as DG, National Council for Art and Culture, Otunba O Runsewe.

    The event was co-sponsored by Travelers TV, Cabo Verde Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa World Airlines, National Council for Art and Culture and a host of others.