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  • In Pictures : President Buhari’s Participation At Russia-Africa Summit

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) More than 50 African leaders made their way to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Oct. 23-24 for the inaugural Russia-Africa summit.

    The summit is widely seen as a reflection of Russia’s push for economic and military influence in Africa. More than 3,000 delegates from African countries and Russia are at the summit to discuss everything from nuclear energy to natural resources extraction.While at the summit, President Muhammadu Buhari  who led the Nigerian Delegation met with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin in a strategic bilateral meeting.

    President Muhammadu Buhari  participating in the Plenary Session of the Economic Forum Meeting on the discussion “Uncovering the Potential for Cooperation”.

    The Nigerian Oil & Gas Sector was well represented as part of President Buhari ‘s delegation. In addition to Chief Sylva, the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, NNPC’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officers for Refining and Gas and Power, Oando Plc’s Group Chief Executive, Adewale Tinubu were in the delegation.

  • 39 Bodies In Truck: UK Police Carries Out Multiple Raids

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Two addresses in Northern Ireland have been searched by police investigating the deaths of 39 people inside a truck at an industrial estate near London.

    British police found the bodies of 38 adults and one teenager in a lorry container on an industrial site in Grays, about 20 miles (32 km) east of central London in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

    Police arrested the driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, on suspicion of murder, and he was held in custody. Police investigating the deaths raided two houses in province, the BBC reported.

    Police said the trailer had arrived at docks in Essex, southern England, having traveled from Zeebrugge in Belgium and the bodies were found just over an hour later at 1.40 am.

    The red cab unit of the truck was believed to have originated in Ireland. It had “Ireland” emblazoned on the windscreen along with the message “The Ultimate Dream”.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was appalled by the news and was receiving regular updates about the investigation which was focused on human trafficking.

    The National Crime Agency said it was assisting the investigation and working to “urgently identify and take action against any organized crime groups who have played a role in causing these deaths.”

  • NAHCON Presents N1.07bn Budget For Its 2020 Fiscal Year

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has presented a proposed budget expenditure of N1.07 billion for its 2020 fiscal year before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    Mrs Fatima Usara, the head of Public affairs division of NAHCON disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement in Abuja.

    Usara explained that, the acting chairman of NAHCON, Mr Abdullahi Muhammad, said the commission’s budget performance of the outgoing year stood at 36.62 per cent as at September.

    ”Sub-total of approved budget for 2019 was N1,079,994,011.50 while the sub-total of budget released stood at N395,447,357.36. The latter figure as well represents actual expenditure.

    ”The allocation covers only personnel and overhead costs because all other operations of the Commission were independently sponsored through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    ”The IGR is expected to rise with its relocation to Hajj House, the Commission’s permanent headquarters, formerly Metro Plaza,” Muhammad said.

    He said while the Commission occupies the main building, Annexes B and C would be put up for revenue generation to contribute a projected minimum of N70 million yearly.

    Muhammad also made a case for the proposed Hajj Savings Scheme intended to be a multidimensional winning formula for pilgrims, NAHCON as well as the federal government.

    ”I am optimistic that few years after rolling of the scheme, NAHCON will not need government’s funding for even personnel and overhead costs but would rather place its staff on a salary scale that would distract them from the revenue that will accrue from the proposed investments,” he said.

    In his response, the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa, commended the Commission for moving into its acquired office.

    Bulkachuwa expressed delight that a government agency is having a tenable vision for self-sustenance.

    He commended the Commission for this feat being the first time since 1975 that any Hajj body in the country would run its foreign and local operations from its purse without funding from government.

    ”As a mark of reward and commendation to the wonderful job the Commission has accomplished since 2015, Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs promised to recommend additional 5 per cent allocation to what NAHCON has already proposed as personnel and overhead costs for 2020 fiscal year.

    ”The proposed 2020 figure is N1,074, 057,009.00.” Bulkachuwa said. (NAN)

  • Captain Nuhu now new DG for NCAA

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Captain Musa Nuhu as the new Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    Nuhu replaces Captain Muthar Usman, erstwhile Director General of the organization.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Mr James Odaudu, Director Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “Nuhu who until his appointment was Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation organisation (ICAO), is an Airline Pilot, a safety expert, a quality assurance Lead Auditor as well as an Artificial Intelligence expert.

    “He holds an MSc Degree in Aviation business and was at the Presidential Air Fleet as a Captain and a safety officer.

    “He also worked at various times at the defunct Nigeria Airways, Aero Contractors and Petrowest among other organisations,“ it said.

    The new director general was also the Chairperson, Comprehensive Regional Aviation Safety Plan for Africa and Indian Ocean (AFI Plan) at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal.

    AFI Plan is responsible for safety, air navigation, airports and Aviation Infrastructure development.

    Meanwhile, President Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr Mahmoud Ben-Tukur as Nigeria’s new Permanent Representative to ICAO.

    “With over 24 years of work in the Aviation industry, Tukur possesses extensive knowledge and experience in Aviation Safety and Quality Management Systems.

    “He has knowledge of ICAO Standard and Recommended Practices and Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

    “He was until his appointment a Technical Adviser to the Minister of Aviation, “ the statement said.(NAN)

  • Liverpool react to ‘racist’ Origi banner

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Liverpool have condemned a graphic “racist” banner unfurled by fans before the start of their Champions League Group E clash away at Racing Genk on Wednesday.

    The banner, displayed in an area populated by travelling fans, depicted Liverpool’s Belgian striker Divock Origi’s head on a naked body, alongside the Champions League trophy.

    In a statement released shortly before kick-off, Liverpool said they had acted swiftly to have the banner removed, saying it “perpetuated a racist stereotype”.

    “This is completely unacceptable,” a club statement said.

    “Liverpool Football Club condemns the offensive banner displayed in our section of the ground, prior to kick-off.

    “We acted swiftly to have the banner removed and we are now working with the local authorities and stadium team in Genk to identify those responsible.

    “Any subsequent action will be taken in keeping with our sanctions process.” (Reuters/NAN)

  • Court remands labourer for allegedly defiling 6-year-old girl

    By Mabel Yakubu

    (Flowerbudnews)  A Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday ordered that a 19-year-old labourer, Bashiru Ibrahim, who allegedly defiled a six-year-old girl, be remanded in a correctional facility,  pending legal advice.

    Magistrate Lukman Sidi who refused to take the plea of Ibrahim, ordered the police to return the case file to the Kaduna State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

    “Because of the sensitivity of the case, it is difficult to grant bail, the case file should be duplicated and sent to the office of the DPP for advice,” he said.

    He has adjourned the case until Nov. 12 for mention.

    The defendant, who is a resident of Jere in Kaduna, is being tried for alleged unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

    The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the matter was transferred to Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CIID) from Jere Kaduna on Sept. 29.

    Leo said that in the course of investigation, the defendant voluntarily confessed to  committing the crime.

    He said the offence contravenes the provisions of Section 209 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017.

  • Impeachment: Pelosi releases compelling evidence against Trump

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) US Speaker Nancy Pelosi has released a “fact sheet” laying out the most compelling evidence against President Trump in their investigation of the president’s efforts to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate the Bidens.

    “President Trump has betrayed his oath of office, betrayed our national security and betrayed the integrity of our elections for his own personal political gain,” the document states in laying out how Democrats are likely to try to make their case in the impeachment inquiry.

    The four-page document divides the narrative into three categories: the “shakedown,” “the pressure campaign” and “the cover up.”

    The document first cites the rough transcript released by the White House last month of the July 25 call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In that call, Trump told Zelensky that he would have his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, and Attorney General William Barr reach out to “get to the bottom” of “a lot of talk” about the business dealings of former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden.

    The fact sheet then cites text messages that former Ukraine envoy Kurt Volker provided to the House committees leading the impeachment inquiry that show discussion between diplomats about the Trump administration’s efforts to push for the investigation as evidence of a “pressure campaign.”

    In one of those exchanges, William Taylor, the chargé d’affaires for Ukraine, said “I think it’s crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.”

    Taylor is slated to appear for testimony before the House committees on Tuesday.

    The document from Pelosi then concludes that the intelligence community whistleblower complaint that sparked the impeachment inquiry details evidence of a “cover up” by White House officials to “lock down” records of the July 25 call between Trump and Zelensky by transferring the transcript to a separate electronic system used to handle particularly sensitive classified information.

    Pelosi initially balked for months at an impeachment inquiry in the House, but formally announced the investigation following the whistleblower complaint about Trump’s dealings with Zelensky and the White House’s release of the partial transcript of the call.

  • 250 Nigerian Businesses for Africa Economic Forum In Sochi

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Presidency says about 250 Nigerian business interests will participate in the African Business Forum, which will bring together African and Russian business leaders in Sochi, Russia, between Oct. 23 and Oct. 25.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    According to the presidential aide, the forum will be held during the Russia–Africa Summit to enhance Russian investments in Africa, and promote African business interest in the host country.

    “It is important that this meeting is taking place at this time. All the big economies are picking stronger interest in Africa.

    “We now have US-Africa Summit, India-Africa Summit, China-Africa Summit and Japan-Africa Summit, so Russia has signified its interest for political, cultural and economic partnership.

    “Nigeria has had an excellent relationship with Russia over the years. We will not forget how the country assisted us in keeping Nigeria as one during the civil war when some of our traditional allies deserted us,’’ he said.

    He noted that Russia had also stood behind Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, Boko Haram and ISWA, and had also demonstrated its capacity in gas production, “a resource which Nigeria has a huge potential of utilising.’’

    Shehu, who also confirmed the arrival of President Muhamamdu Buhari for the event on Monday, said the three-day inaugural Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum would focus on peace, security and development.

    He said the summit would look into issues of sustainable energy, mines and steel, infrastructure development in Africa, nuclear energy and trade and investment.

    On security, the Senior Special Assistant said the meeting would come up with proposals for a security architecture driven by new technology.

    The Economic Forum and Summit would hold between Oct. 23 and Oct. 24,, with four plenary sessions to be attended by more than 30 African Heads of State and governments.

    This included the Chairman of the African Union and President of Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

    The summit would be co-chaired by President Vladimir Putin, with a keynote address at the opening on Wednesday, and el-Sisi.

    Buhari and Putin will meet at the Nigeria and Russian bilateral meeting on Oct. 23 while the Nigerian leader will make a statement at the summit on Oct. 24.

    Other participants at the summit that will showcase Russian interest and investment potential in Africa include businessmen, experts, investors, leaders of major sub-regional associations and organisations. (NAN)

  • Water Outages May Hit Philippine Capital

    (Flowerbudnews) Water outages may hit the Philippine capital again starting this week as supply in the main reservoir declined despite the rainy season.

    Manila Water Co. Inc., a unit of Ayala Corp., said it may cut water supply in Manila and nearby Rizal province for up to nine hours starting Oct. 24 to ensure that supply will last through summer and the rest of next year.

    Water level in Angat Dam, the capital’s main reservoir, has been declining since early October, according to government data. Manila Water said this is due to “minimal inflows.”