Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State, have unanimously adopted Governor Godwin Obaseki, as the party’s flagbearer for the 2020 gubernatorial election in the state. (more…)
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Britain’s PM Johnson launches election campaign
(FLOWERBUDNEWS) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tried to fire up supporters with a Brexit rallying cry on Wednesday after the first day of his election campaign was marred by a ministerial resignation, a gaffe about a deadly tower blaze and a doctored video advert.
Johnson has called a snap Dec. 12 election in a bid to break the Brexit deadlock that he says has paralyzed Britain for more than three years and had started to undermine confidence in the world’s fifth-largest economy.
But just an hour after Johnson met with Queen Elizabeth to formally begin the campaign, Johnson’s minister for Wales, Alun Cairns, resigned after being accused of lying about his knowledge about an aide who allegedly sabotaged a rape trial.
At the start of the campaign, Johnson’s Conservatives enjoy a lead over the opposition Labour Party of between 7 and 17 percentage points, though pollsters warn that their models are wilting beside the Brexit furnace.
Johnson held a rally in Birmingham, casting the election as the most important in a generation and setting out the campaign message he will take across the country.
“Let’s get Brexit done, my friends, and get on with our project of sensible, moderate, but tax-cutting one-nation Conservatism,” he said to loud cheers from party supporters waving banners promoting health, education and policing reforms.
Johnson said Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn hated wealth and was thus like Soviet leader Josef Stalin – who sent millions to their deaths in labour camps. Corbyn said such remarks were “nonsense” that the super-rich came up with to avoid paying more tax.
Earlier, Conservative Party chairman James Cleverly spent the morning defending distributing a doctored video clip of a rival Labour politician instead of touting Johnson’s election campaign launch.
Another prominent Conservative, Jacob Rees-Mogg, apologized on Tuesday after he suggested that victims of the 2017 blaze at London’s Grenfell Tower should have used common sense to ignore firefighters’ instructions to stay in the burning building.
Election gamble
Johnson, 55, hopes he will win a big enough majority in parliament to get the Brexit deal he agreed with Brussels last month ratified and lead Britain out of the European Union in January.
He said the alternative was an unstable coalition led by Corbyn that would bring a “horror show” year in 2020 of fresh referendums on EU membership and Scottish independence.
Johnson painted Labour’s Corbyn as a socialist wrecker determined to usher in yet more political crisis.
“They pretend that their hatred is directed only at certain billionaires – and they point their fingers at individuals with a relish and a vindictiveness not seen since Stalin persecuted the kulaks,” Johnson wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph newspaper. “They would destroy the very basis of this country’s prosperity.”
Millions of people were executed under Stalin and many more perished from abuse and disease in a vast network of prison camps, known as the Gulags. Relatively affluent farmers, known as kulaks, were among the groups targeted.
Corbyn, speaking at a campaign event in the English town of Telford, said Labour would deliver real change and share power and wealth with people who “don’t have friends in high places”.
He also cautioned against believing the consensus view that Johnson was assured of victory, citing the 2017 election when Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, bet on calling a snap election when also far ahead in the polls but lost her majority.
“In the 2017 election, there were queues of experts … lining up at the beginning of the campaign to write off the Labour Party, and what happened then?” Corbyn said. Reuters
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India urges FG to sustain policies on boosting local rice production
Abuja, Nov. 6, 2019 (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Republic of India has called on the Federal Government to sustain its policies on boosting local production of rice.
The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhay Thakur, made the call in Abuja when the Managing Director of Tiamin Rice Mill Ltd. Aminu Ahmed, led the management of the company on a courtesy call on the envoy.
A statement on the visit to the High Commissioner was made available to newsmen in Abuja by the company.
The High Commissioner specifically urged the federal government to sustain the policies beyond the present administration so that local industries in the country would grow.
He also thanked the management of Tiamin Rice for the courtesy call and for patronising Indian rice milling machines.
Earlier,, Ahmed disclosed that the company had invested a total of 13,370,500 dollar (about N4.7 billion) to boost its local rice production capacity from the current 320 tonnes to 1,520 tonnes per day.
Ahmed said that the policy of the present administration, especially the ban on smuggling and the interventions given to them by the Central Bank of Nigeria had helped immensely in boosting local production of rice.
He revealed that the company was established in 2016 in Kano and started production of rice in 2018 with 320 tonnes per day.
The managing director disclosed that the existing production line in Kano would be expanded from 320 tonnes to 920 tonnes next year, just as a new production line would start production of 600 tonnes per day in Bauchi by May 2020.
“We are now investing 13,370,500 dollar to boost our production capacity to 1,520 tonnes per day.
“Already, we have placed orders for all the machinery needed, and all arrangements are on top gear to meet the deadline we set.
“By next year, we plan to become the biggest rice producers not only in Kano but in whole country.
“Our watchword is quality and affordability. We produce one of the finest brands in Nigeria that can compete with foreign rice brands in terms of quality,” he said.
The Managing Director appreciated the relative quality and durability of Indian machines, which he said are the secret behind the quality of Tiamin Rice.
He thanked the Indian High Commission for support and sought further cooperation in the areas of easing trade relations between his company and Indian partners.
The Managing Director of the rice mill also thanked the federal government for supporting local rice production and the state governments for giving them enabling environment.
“We thank the federal government for giving us all the needed support to operate and sustain our production.
“We also thank Kano State and Bauchi State Governments for their support in the allocation of the area of land.
“In line with Kano state government’s policy of allocating free land to genuine investors towards reviving its industrial glory, the state Governor has particularly allocated land to us for our expansion project.
“It is heart-warming that during the governor’s visit to our company on May 23, 2018, he expressed desire to support and woo local investors with allocations of land.
“We urge other state governments to follow suit in order to boost local production and provide employment opportunities for youth in their states,” Ahmed added. (NAN) -
Kebbi Targets 4m For Contributory Healthcare Scheme
Birnin Kebbi, Nov. 6, 2019 (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Kebbi State Government says it will enrol over four million poor and vulnerable indigenes into the contributory healthcare scheme.
The Executive Secretary of the Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KECHEMA), Dr Muhammad Jafar, disclosed this during a visit to the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashir, in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
Jafar assured that the target would be made as soon as the board of the agency was established.
He said the agency begun operation in May, for citizens to have access to quality healthcare service delivery in the state.
“As a strategy to defray out of pocket healthcare payment and ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Kebbi State Government introduced the scheme in 2018, but began operation in 2019 in the state.
“It is expected that over four million residents will heave a sigh of relief as access to quality healthcare service will become better through the planned scheme.
“The vulnerable groups will also be cared for from the pool of funds generated from others. Without doubt, this will improve on our health indices and outcome.
“It will also ensure that every resident of the state, irrespective of tribal or social affiliation, enjoys unfettered access to qualitative healthcare,” he said.
Jafar also recalled that the Bill establishing the scheme was passed into law by the state House of Assembly in February 2018 and assented to by Gov. Atiku Bagudu in order to give it teeth.
“The Kebbi state Contributory Healthcare Management Scheme bill was passed into law by the Kebbi State House of Assembly in February 2018 to ensure Universal Health Coverage which guarantees availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare services to all residents of the state.
“We have become among the states with Health Financial system that is based on Islamic “Takaful” (Providing guarantee in an Islamic way) insurance principles.
“Indeed the passage of KECHEMA into law has opened a new chapter with redefined Health Care Services in all the 21 local governments of Kebbi state,” Jafar explained.
The scribe called on stakeholders in the healthcare sector and traditional rulers to assist in facilitating the establishment of the board of the agency.
“We want to start collaborating with individuals, companies and organisations but we can’t do so when we have no board of the agency.
“As soon as the board is set up, we will begin full operation and enrolment of the poor and vulnerable in 2020,” he said.
Responding, Bashir commended the efforts of the secretary and assured him that the emirate would do the needful in order to facilitate the establishment of the board of the agency.
“We cherish every contributory healthcare system that devoid of usury and interest which goes contrary to our religious belief and system.
“We will participate fully in the scheme as we wish it to be a successful scheme for our people to have an easy and affordable healthcare service,” the first class traditional ruler said. (NAN) -
China Cuts Loan Rate For First Time Since 2016, Seeks To Soothe Bond Market
(FLOWERBUDNEWS) China’s central bank cut the interest rate on its one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) loans on Tuesday for the first time since early 2016, as policymakers work to prop up a slowing economy hit by weaker demand at home and abroad.
Analysts said the cut, while modest, may be a sign the central bank is turning more proactive and is looking to ease investor worries that higher inflation will prevent it from delivering fresh stimulus measures.
Chinese government bonds have sold off in recent weeks on concerns that authorities may be moving to a more cautious policy stance, despite a sharper-than-expected economic slowdown.
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said it was lowering the rate on its one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) loans to financial institutions CNMLF1YRRP=PBOC by 5 basis points to 3.25 per cent from 3.30 per cent previously.
The move could pave the way for a reduction in China’s new benchmark Loan Prime Rate (LPR) in a few weeks. It is linked to the MLF rate and is published on the 20th of every month.
Hao Zhou, senior emerging markets economist at Commerzbank in Singapore, said the cut, while “really tiny”, sends a message that the PBOC does not want the market to doubt its will to support growth.
“They tried to maneuver in a limited space … It does not change the overall picture that aggressive easing is not on the table. On the micro level there’s still some targeted support from policymakers,” he said.
The PBOC said it had lent 400 billion yuan (56.92 billion dollars) to financial institutions through the liquidity tool, slightly less than a batch of MLF loans worth 403.5 billion yuan due to mature on Tuesday.
ING economists said in a note Tuesday’s move would signal to the markets that a pause in monetary easing since September was over.
Bonds had sold off on rising expectations that the U.S. and China will reach a trade deal and on fears the central bank will be held back by quickening consumer inflation, which has jumped to near 6-year highs largely due to rising pork prices.
The yield on benchmark 10-year Chinese government bonds CN10YT=RR has risen about 30 basis points since early September.
Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics, noted that the rate cut was the first reduction in a PBOC lending facility rate in more than three years.
“It will lower funding costs for banks and, as a result, banks should be more willing to lower lending rates.”
But he said a five-basis-point cut won’t be enough to drive a turnaround in credit growth, which has started slowing again recently.
“We expect another 70 bps of reductions in the MLF rate by the middle of next year,” he said in a note to clients.
China’s response to the current slowdown has been more restrained than in the past, when it slashed rates aggressively and encouraged a lending spree that created a mountain of debt.
So far, Beijing has largely opted for higher infrastructure spending and tax cuts to support economic activity, while acknowledging it will take some time for such support to filter through.
The PBOC has also cut banks’ reserve requirements seven times since early 2018 to free up more funds to lend, with another such move widely expected by year-end.
However, investor uncertainty over the PBOC’s policy plans has heightened in recent weeks, causing repo rates to rise and bonds to be sold.
Following the MLF cut on Tuesday afternoon, Chinese 10-year Treasury futures for December delivery CFTZ9, the most-traded contract, were 0.28 per cent higher.
Commerzbank’s Zhou said the recent gains in the yuan may have strengthened the PBOC’s hand and given it more confidence to move now.
The Chinese currency CNY=CFXS has risen to 2-1/2 month highs against the dollar this week amid signs that Washington and Beijing may be inching toward a deal that could de-escalate their protracted trade war.
At the same time, a slew of downbeat economic data suggest more stimulus is needed soon.
Third-quarter economic growth slowed more than expected to 6.0 per cent from a year earlier, the bottom of the government’s target range of 6-6.5 per cent for the full year.
Nomura believes it will fall to 5.8 per cent in the current quarter, and slow further next year.
However, the PBOC surprised markets by not issuing targeted medium-term loans in October.
It also unexpectedly kept its new lending benchmark rate unchanged at the monthly fixing in October for the first time since its debut. It had trimmed the rate in August and September.
Some analysts believe authorities are conserving their policy ammunition while waiting to see the outcome of the latest trade talks.
But a partial trade deal may only relieve some of the pressure on the world’s second-largest economy, though it could bolster business confidence.
Global demand is expected to cool further next year, keeping up pressure on exporters, and surveys show prolonged weakness in manufacturing is spilling over into China’s key services sector, which accounts for over half of the economy. (Reuters/NAN)
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Apple Pledges $2.5bn For Affordable Housing In California
(FLOWERBUDNEWS) Apple says it will direct 2.5 billion dollars toward affordable housing in California, the latest tech giant to pledge money to one of the state’s most pressing problems.
The announcement follows similar big pledges this year from Facebook, Google and Microsoft, which put money toward housing in its home base of Seattle.
And it comes amid criticism that tech firms had done too little to ease an affordability crunch that their rapid expansion helped worsen.
“Affordable housing means stability and dignity, opportunity and pride,” Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said in a statement.
“When these things fall out of reach for too many, we know the course we are on is unsustainable, and Apple is committed to being part of the solution.”
Apple will spread its money out in a variety of ways, including a 2-billion-dollar investment in partnership with the state of California.
The Cupertino company said it was investing 1 billion dollars in an affordable housing investment fund to help finance new, very low- to moderate-income housing.
According to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office, half of the 1 billion dollars will be accessible by the state and half of it by other public entities, with the state reserving oversight authority.
Apple said that it would invest another 1 billion dollars, which will allow the state to help more first-time home buyers with financing and down payment assistance.
Apple said capital it earns on the investments within the next five years will be reinvested in affordable housing.
Newsom, who has urged tech firms to put money toward housing, praised the announcement.
“This unparalleled financial commitment to affordable housing, and the innovative strategies at the heart of this initiative, are proof that Apple is serious about solving this issue,” Newsom said.
“I hope other companies follow their lead.”
Apple’s pledge is the largest yet, but given the scale of the affordability problem much more investment is needed.
The company did not provide an estimate of how many homes its investments are intended to create.
But according to the nonprofit California Housing Partnership, the state needs 1.4 million additional below-market homes to satisfy demand.
Since 2012, the California median home price has soared nearly 75 per cent to 550,800 dollars, while the average rent for a vacant apartment is up 40 per cent to 2,293 dollars, according to Zillow.
The swift rise has priced people out of their communities and helped push some into tents or RVs that line streets in the Bay Area and Southern California.
Many economists blame the affordability crisis on cities and residents who fight new development and block builders from constructing enough homes to meet demand from population and job growth.
But tech firms have also drawn criticism for not doing enough to mitigate the effects on communities of their rapid expansion.
After big announcements this year from Google, Facebook and Microsoft, Apple specifically has taken fire for not pitching in.
In a news release, Apple said it is making its investments “after extensively studying the issue and listening to different perspectives”.
Apple has a “profound civic responsibility to ensure (Silicon Valley) remains a vibrant place where people can live, have a family and contribute to the community,” Cook said in a statement.
In addition to the 2 billion dollars that will be invested in partnership with the state, Apple said it will use 300 million dollars worth of its land in San Jose for affordable housing development.
An additional 150 million dollars will go toward a Bay Area-specific affordable housing fund, and the company said it is donating 50 million dollars to Destination: Home, a Silicon Valley non-profit that seeks to end homelessness. (dpa/NAN) -
Borno: IGP salutes personnel gallantry in fighting insurgency
(FLOWERBUDNEWS)Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has commended the force over its proactive roles in the fight against insurgency.
Adamu made the commendation in Maiduguri on Monday while addressing officers and men of the Borno state Command.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IGP is in Borno for the Expanded North East Security meeting billed for Tuesday.
He said that men and officers of the police had made contributions and sacrifices to ensure a victory in the fight against insurgency in the country.
The IGP said that the police high command was highly appreciative of the efforts of its men in the north eastern part of the country.
“We are here to appreciate all the efforts you have been making in trying to secure the state, we are aware of the challenges too.
“In spite of the challenges, you have been up to the task of not only trying to deal with common crimes but a global issue such as insurgency,” he said.
Adamu further commended other security agencies for their doggedness in the face of terrorism.
“With the efforts of other security agencies such as the military, we have been able to achieve some level of sanity in this part of the country.
“This synergy has reduced the effect of insurgency, I thank you for your dedication and commitments to duty, do not rest on your oars, remain committed in the fight,” he said.
The police chief said that more vehicles, logistics and personnel had been deployed to Borno for effective service delivery.
“The federal government is committed to providing the necessary logistics to ensure efficiency.
“We are also committed to ensure adequate welfare for our men in this region, they need to be motivated for greater performance,” he said.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, said that the command had arrested no fewer than 472 suspects under the Operation PUFF ADDER in the past six months.
He said that out of the number, 14 were arrested over suspected acts of insurgency, 29 for alleged kidnapping and 114 over alleged armed robbery and cultism.
The commissioner further stated that 305 of the suspects were involved in alleged drug offences while 13 others were arrested over cattle rustling.
According to him, the command recovered 23 AK-47 rifles and 55 different caliber of arms, 543 different types of live ammunition and 12 cartridges from the suspects.
He listed other recovered items as 248 rustled animals, and large amount of drugs and narcotic substances.
Aliyu noted that the command was collaborating with the military and other security agencies to enhance security in the state. (NAN)
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NGO commends Niger for leading in school feeding
(FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Action Aid International, an international NGO, has declared Niger state as one of the states leading in the implementation of Home Grown School Feeding Programme (HGSFP) in the country.
Mr Kehinde Arowosegbe, Action Aid PATs-F Coordinator Kaduna, said this when participants of school feeding from six states on a study tour visited Niger state on Tuesday.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the states are Kaduna, Benue, Bauchi, Ogun, Anambra and Akwa Ibom.
NAN report that about 9.9 million pupils were currently benefiting from the Federal Home Grown School feeding Programme in 56,000 schools across the country with 107,000 food vendors.
Arowosegbe explained that the school feeding project international was an NGO working with Kaduna state HGSFP to ensure that the school feeding programme was implemented in a transparent and accountable manner.
“We have a recommendation from the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme that there is a robust success in the school feeding programme in Niger state.
“On getting here, we have seen a lot of things to copy from the state that will be replicated in other states for the success of the programme.
“We have been to other states and even outside the country, precisely South Africa, and we can say that it is only Niger state that is doing well among other states in school feeding.
“We have seen during our tour that the food is being package in a central store of which we only saw that in South Africa,” he said.
He noted that the state was moving towards international standard of a robust school feeding programme.
Meanwhile, Mrs Amina Gu’ar, Focal Person of HGSFP in Niger, said that over 3,000 public schools were benefiting from the programme aimed at improving nutritional value among pupils and increase school enrollment.
She disclosed that the programme had created over 14,000 direct jobs and over 1,000 indirect jobs for the people of the state.
NAN report that during the 3-days study visit, the team would tour some selected schools in Bosso, Chanchaga and Paiko local government areas of the state. (NAN)
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Kano Govt. Begins Free Feeding In 6,800 Public Primary Schools SHARE THIS Add to DeliciousShare on FriendFeedDiggsubmit to reddit TAGS 6800FeedingKanoSCHOOLS
Kano, Nov. 4, 2019 (FLOWERBUDNEWS ) The Kano State government, on Monday, launched its free feeding programme in about 6,800 public primary schools across the state.
Speaking at a ceremony held at Jigirya Primary School, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje said that the school feeding programme for pupils in Primaries Four to Six was aimed at enhancing school enrolment and improving their wellbeing.
“The programme is part of our administration’s free and compulsory education policy, which targets the vulnerable children, the girl-child education and integration of Qur’anic education.
“This programme must be sustained through transparency and accountability in the system because of its importance. That is why we have set up a Community Promotion Committee to ensure thorough supervision,” he added.
The governor said that quality assurance committees had also been set up to ensure that teaching and learning standards in public schools were not compromised, calling on teachers to be alive to their responsibilities.
He said the aim of integrating Qur’anic schools with basic formal education, alongside supporting them with food, was to prevent the pupils from begging and expand their capacity to engage in developmental affairs.
Ganduje implored well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to support the government in this direction.
Speaking at the occasion, Alhaji Ya’u Yanshana, Chairman, Kano State Community Promotion Committee, explained that pupils would be provided with assorted meals between Mondays and Thursdays, while they would be given biscuits on Fridays. (NAN)