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  • Buhari to embark on private visit to London, after Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia

    The Presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari will be embarking on a private visit to London after attending the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit holding in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, confirmed this development in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

    The Flowerbudnews reports that the Economic Forum of the Future Investment Initiative will be holding from Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 and President Buhari is expected to perform Lesser Hajj immediately after the forum.

    Adesina stated that, on the sideline of the economic forum, President Buhari, who will be departing Abuja today, would hold bilateral talks with His Majesty King Salman and His Majesty King Abdullah ll of Jordan.

    “On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the President will participate in the High Level Event titled “What is Next for Africa: How will Investment and Trade Transform the Continent into the Next Great Economic Success Story?” with Presidents of Kenya, Congo-Brazzaville and Burkina Faso.

    “At the end of the summit, President Buhari will on Saturday Nov. 2, proceed to the United Kingdom on a private visit,’’ he added.

    According to the presidential aide, President Buhari is expected to return to Nigeria on Nov. 17.

     The FII is an international platform for expert-led debate between global leaders, investors and innovators with the power to shape the future of global investment.

    It is focused on utilizing investment to drive growth opportunities, enable innovation and disruptive technologies, and address global challenges.?

    World leaders, investors and innovators will explore the opportunities, trends, and challenges shaping the global investment landscape.

    In its third consecutive year, attendees will continue to discuss the role of companies, governments and global institutions in working together to achieve prosperity and growth in the long term.

    The conference will be held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

    In 2018, deals signed at the forum reached a total value of 56 billion dollars with American companies accounting for most of the deals signed, according to the Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih.(NAN)

  • AngloGold Ashanti’s falling third-quarter production, rising costs disappoint

    South African miner AngloGold Ashanti said on Monday that it expects its full-year production will be at the low end of its forecast range after output fell in the third quarter from a year ago and costs rose sharply.

    Shares in the miner, which had rallied around 83 per cent since the start of this year as the company benefited from surging gold prices, were down 2.9 per cent by 1023 GMT after the sluggish production data.

    The miner said its output in July-September fell three per cent from a year earlier, hit by lower ore grades at its Mponeng mine in South Africa, as well as a planned reduction in output at the Cerro Vanguardia mine in Argentina and at its open-pit mining at Kibali in Democratic Republic of Congo.

    AngloGold’s total costs rose 12 per cent year-on-year in the third quarter. However, its free cash flow also jumped 12 per cent from a year earlier thanks to higher gold prices, and it said its Obuasi project in Ghana would start by year-end.

    Gross profit jumped 52 per cent from the same quarter last year to 281 million dollars, helped by the rise in gold prices, and the higher free cash flow helped bring debt down and take the company’s net debt to EBITDA ratio to 1.06, close to its target of 1.

    AngloGold Ashanti said its planned asset sale in South Africa, including the Mponeng mine, was progressing at a steady pace, adding the market could expect an update by the end of this year.

    Sibanye-Stillwater and Harmony Gold have both signalled interest in the Mponeng mine, the world’s deepest, which AngloGold put up for sale in May along with a processing business and mine waste retreatment operation.

    Chief Executive Officer Kelvin Dushnisky said the Mponeng sale would likely close before its other divestment, the Sadiola mine in Mali, which is seeing “very strong interest”.

    A new bidder entered the process in Mali and site due diligence is being completed, Dushnisky said.

    The miner also said its Obuasi mine rehabilitation project in Ghana is set to start producing gold by the end of the year, ramping up during 2020 to eventually produce 400,000 ounces a year of gold.

    Dushnisky said the company’s strategy was working.

    “We’re certainly pleased with the share price performance, we think it reflects a clear strategy which our investors are supporting,” said Dushnisky.

    “There’s been some positive sentiment around the divestment processes we have underway.”

    AngloGold Ashanti produced 825,000 ounces of gold in the third quarter, and forecast production increases from its Geita mine in Tanzania, Siguiri in Guinea, and its Australian and Brazilian operations in the fourth quarter.

    However, overall annual production is likely to be in the lower half of its forecast range of 3.25 million to 3.45 million ounces, with costs at the upper end of the range, it said.

    Gold production at Mponeng rose 4.8 per cent from the previous quarter, while production at the Geita jumped 15 per cent and the Kibali mine – a joint venture with Barrick Gold – saw a 3.2 per cent drop in production.

  • Analyst calls for Govt sanction against roadside herbal vendors

    An Owerri-based public affairs analyst, Mr Ifeanyi Olumba has called on federal and state governments to sanction activities of roadside herbal medical dealers, saying their public awareness strategy is deceitful.

    Olumba, a legal practitioner disclosed this in an interview with the Flowerbudnews, on Monday while reacting to what he described as `deceit by herbal vendors.’

    He said besides being deceitful, the health message which they preached every day was destroying the mindset of under age children.

    “Government must wake up to the issue and fight against the ugly trend before the society is completely destroyed.

    “I get worried because their health message is usually not decent and can register easily in the brain on young children,” he said.

    According to him, their advertisement and public announcement of sexual performance could simply be described as verbal pornography.

    He, therefore, suggested that government should put a stop to it by setting up a tax force to drive them out of the streets.

    Olumba also suggested that herbal medicine dealers must be streamlined and licensed, while also adding that they must operate from designated offices.

    “Value for decent information has been distorted and sometimes, the health message they preach contradicts modern medicine.

    “I am not against their operation but it must be guided so that it will not reduce value for decent information.

    “They have constituted big nuisance to the society and this ugly trend must stop,” he said. (NAN)

  • Google To Enter Fitness Industry, To Buy Fitbit

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Google owner Alphabet Inc has made an offer to acquire U.S. wearable device maker Fitbit Inc, as it eyes a slice of the crowded market for fitness trackers and smartwatches, people familiar with the matter said.

    While Google has joined other major technology companies such as Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd in developing smart phones, it has yet to develop any wearable offerings.

    There is no certainty that the negotiations between Google and Fitbit will lead to any deal, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential. The exact price that Google has offered for Fitbit could not be learned.

    Google and Fitbit declined to comment.

    Fitbit shares rose 27% on the news, giving the company a market capitalization of $1.4 billion. Alphabet shares rose 2% to $1,293.49.

    A deal for Fitbit would come as its dominant share of the fitness tracking sector continues to be chipped away by cheaper offerings from companies such as China’s Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and Xiaomi Corp.

    Fitbit’s fitness trackers monitor users’ daily steps, calories burned and distance traveled. They also measure floors climbed, sleep duration and quality, and heart rate.

    Fitbit, which helped pioneer the wearable devices craze, has been partnering with health insurers and has been making tuck-in acquisitions in the healthcare market, as part of efforts to diversify its revenue stream. Analysts have said that much of the company’s value may now lie in its health data.

    Fitbit cut its 2019 revenue forecast in July, blaming disappointing sales of its newly launched cheapest smartwatch Versa Lite. The watch is priced at $160, compared with $200 for the full version. It can track workouts and heart rate but lacks features such as the ability to store music directly.

    In August, Fitbit said it had signed a contract with the Singapore government to provide fitness trackers and services in a health program it said could reach up to 1 million users.

    Fitbit in August also launched its latest smartwatch, Versa 2, adding Amazon.com Inc’s voice assistant Alexa, online payments and music storage to the device’s capabilities.

    Fitbit is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings on Nov. 6. Alphabet is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings later on Monday.

  • How To Stay Safe When Meeting A Nigerian Guy You Met Online

    Online dating is something that has come to stay. But if you ever decide to meet up with any Nigerian guy from the internet, you must be extra careful. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to paint Naija guys evil.

    But with things happening around and activities of ritualists, It’s advisable to be careful when meeting somebody you met online. You can find your soulmate online. Yeah, my friend, who recently got married, met her husband on Facebook.

    However, you can never be too careful when meeting someone online for the first time. Don’t forget that the person might have an ulterior motive. Also, he could be genuine with his intention. Whatever her purpose is, it’s good to be prepared and stay safe.

    In this article, you will learn how to stay safe when meeting a Nigerian Guy from the internet.

    Tips To Stay Safe When Meeting A Nigerian Guy You Met From The Internet

    #1. Research About Him Before Agreeing To Meet

    The first thing you should do when meeting a Nigerian guy from the internet is to research about him. Most often than none, the guy may not give you enough information about himself.

    Well, Google makes a whole lot of things easier. You can search his name on Google, trust me a whole lot of information about the person will pop up. You can see more of his pictures and some other relevant information.

    From the research, you will have a rough idea of the kind of person you are meeting. And if you think the guy’s lifestyle is the rugged type, then you should decline meeting him physically.

    #2. Don’t Give Out Personal Information About Yourself

    You don’t give much information about yourself when dating someone online. As a rule, never share personal information that can be used against you.

    If I were you, I’d never share information like places I always visit, where my family members live, and my salary, to saw one I just met online. It’s a rookie mistake that could be very dangerous.

    #3. Make A Video Call With Him

    Most times, people use fake images on their online profiles. So, ensure you make a video call with a Nigerian guy before agreeing to meet. The essence of the video call is to ascertain that the person is who he claims he is.

    Also, ensure that the voice on the audio call is the same as that on video calls. If not, then something is fishing. Avoid such a meeting because the guy could be dangerous.

    Do you think I’m judging too quickly? Okay, what could make a guy be faking his identity to the woman he claims to love? Well, I will leave that for you to answer.

    #4. Plan Your Meeting

    Ensure you plan your meeting very well. The first thing you should do is to fix your meeting point in a public place. Somewhere very busy where he can’t try to make some dangerous move.

    Never agree to meet with a Nigerian guy from the internet in private or secluded places like a hotel or their houses. Many girls have lost their lives because of this and others have been raped.

    Some guys may seem very friendly and genuine online. But behind this niceness could be someone seriously hunting for the next ritual victim. So, be very careful, don’t allow them to use you to buy Lexus gift.

    Again, you can share your location with your friends and family using your phone. And if you can go with any of your friends, that won’t be a bad idea. Hey, don’t overdo it. Just because I said, you should carry your friends didn’t mean you should go there with a bevy of ladies.

    #5. Tell Someone Else About The Date

    Don’t be secretive about meeting someone from the internet. Tell one or two persons about the date, the location, and when you are supposed to be back.

    If you tell someone about the date, he or she can raise the alarm when you didn’t return at the expected time. It gives you confidence once you know that people are aware of your date. And find a way of telling your partner indirectly that people are aware of the date.

    #6. Don’t Go With Your Car

    Taking public transport is safer when meeting someone from the internet. When things go wrong, you can easily find your way back home using public transport. Even if you decide to go with your car, try to park it in a way that you can quickly move it in case of anything

    #7. Don’t Drink Too Much

    Most ladies are victims of this. How can you drink too much when meeting a guy from the internet for the first time?

    Don’t forget that the guy may have an ulterior motive. If possible, avoid taking alcohol to remain active throughout the date. And once you notice that he’s trying to make you drink too much, end the meeting immediately.

    #8. Carry a Pepper Spray

    I hope you don’t have to use this, but it’s better to stay safe than sorry. Just be prepared in case the guy is trying to do some hanky panky, use the pepper spray and escape. Ensure you blocked such person from contacting you again.

    You can never be too careful when meeting a Nigerian guy from the internet. Always remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

  • Zakat Foundation empowers 1664 people with N164m in Lagos

    Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, a faith-based NGO, on Sunday in Lagos gave out over N167 million in cash and working tools to 1664 people as part of its 2019 Zakat distribution programme.

    Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr Sulaiman Olagunju, said at the grand finale of Zakat distribution in Lagos State that the organisation had empowered 2,647 people amounting to over N220 million under its 2019 Zakat distribution.

    “I am pleased to inform that the sum of N167,374,712 is being distributed to 1,664 beneficiaries in Lagos State to formally end this year’s Zakat distribution that began in June across the nation.

    “The amount being disbursed here today is about N25 million more than that of last year that stood at N142,938,905 in the state,’’ he said.

    The executive director said that with the support of Zakat payers and other well-spirited individuals, the foundation was able to increase the number of states where Zakat was distributed from 17 in 2018 to 21 this year.

    According to him, in 2019, the four new states where the foundation distributed Zakat funds in 2019 were Kogi, Nazarawa, Niger and Zamfara.

    “It is noteworthy that despite the economic situation of the country, we were able to move up Zakat collection from N318,152,130 at the end of October 2018 to N325,346,697 as at September 2019.

    “The amount of Zakat disbursed so far this year, including the one being distributed today across the 21 states, stands at N220,348,391 to 2647 beneficiaries.

    “This show a slight increase of about N16 million above last year’s disbursement.’’

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Dr Tajudeen Yusuf, said that the collection and distribution of Zakat “is an obligation that all Muslims owe to Allah.

    “In the same vein, we as recipients, must see this as an opportunity to improve our circumstance from being needy to being on the path of prosperity’’.

    Yusuf said that the activities of the foundation, as an NGO, is geared towards contributing to the nation-building.

    “Just like being experienced in the conventional tax collection, there is need to widen the Zakat payer bracket.

    “There are still many able Muslims, who may not know that a foundation like ours exists who collect and distribute Zakat.

    “It is, therefore, the duty of our current payers to introduce us to these categories of Muslims,’’ he said.

    Also speaking at the occasion, Dr Abdullah Shuaib, Executive Director of Jaiz Charity Foundation, called for collaboration between the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation and Lagos State Government towards alleviating poverty among the populace.

    He urged the foundation to liaise with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in this regard.

    NAN

  • Police arrest Man who slammed baby to death

    The Nigerian Police has arrested one Isiaka Ayobami of No. 2, Ayo Ijaiye Street, Isheri, Lagos, for forcefully seizing a one-year-old girl, Aishat Isiaka, from her mother and hitting her on the ground.

    DSP Bala Elkana, Lagos Public Relations Officer, in a statement released to newsmen on Sunday, said that the baby’s head was shattered and that she died on the spot.

    Elkana said that the father of the deceased, Alhaji Garuba Isiaka, of No. 7, Ayo Ijaiye Street, had earlier reported at Isheri Police Station about the crime by the suspect.

    “The suspect was almost lynched by angry mobs from the area, if not for the timely intervention of the police. He will be charged to court for murder,” Elkana said. (NAN)

  • Borno govt. sets up waste recycling plant

    The Borno government has procured a plastic waste recycling plant to enhance wastes management and environmental sanitation in the state.

    Mr Kabir Wanori, the Commissioner for Environment, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Wanori said that the plant was established in Maiduguri to facilitate evacuation and recycling of waste generated in the metropolis.

    “We need to look into the issue of indiscriminate disposal of waste in the state, it is absolutely necessary to sit down and articulate well with a view to putting in place an effective wastes management programme.

    “We manage wastes by collecting and disposing them at appropriate locations and recycled solid and plastic wastes.

    “The government has procured a plastic waste recycling plant and all the equipment are on ground, the issue of indiscriminate dumping of wastes would soon be over,” he said.

    Wanori said that the government had concluded plans to designate additional collection centres to address lack of approved wastes dumping sites in Maiduguri and other major towns.

    He said that the government would also re-introduce monthly environmental sanitation with effective from November.

    According to him, the ministry has embarked on sensitisation to create awareness on the need for the people to keep their environment clean and promote healthy environmental habits.

    The commissioner called on the people to desist from dumping of waste on water ways to protect the environment and control flood.

    NAN