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  • Obasanjo’s Outburst: We Are Not Cowards, We Will Respond In Due Course, Says Olugbon.

    Obasanjo’s Outburst: We Are Not Cowards, We Will Respond In Due Course, Says Olugbon.

    Obasanjo’s Outburst: We Are Not Cowards, We Will Respond In Due Course, Says Olugbon.

    By Adewale Owoade

    The Deputy Chairman,
    Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs , King Francis Olushola Alao, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon has said that the Council will respond to the outburst of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, appropriately.

    King Olushola Alao stated this in a statement personally signed by him, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.

    The outburst of former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo against traditional rulers in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Friday September 15 has generated anger and varied responses from true sons and daughters of Oduduwa in all sections of the society.

    He said: “First and foremost, I will like to emphasize that the inauguration ceremony was a huge success while the road and campus projects represent another milestone in the development strides of Governor Seyi Makinde who has been working hard to take Oyo State to the next level of development.

    “All the royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions.

    “I wish to state that the incident is an internal affair which will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    “Let me assure all Yoruba, and other well-meaning Nigerians who have respect for the traditional institution, and who feel concerned about the incident that our silence since Friday is not an act of cowardice.

    “When we sit down with the Governor, and hold our next meeting, we will review and respond appropriately.

    “Our Governor respects us, and traditional rulers in Oyo State also hold him in high esteem.

    “I, therefore, sue for calm over this issue. We want everybody to apply decorum in line with the Omoluwabi ethos for which Yoruba are greatly respected. Ile Yoruba land shall remain peaceful. Our unity is sacrosanct. These ethos must reflect in our day-to-day activities.

    “Let it, however, be well noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regret in supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election, and will be willing to support them even in the future.

    “This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded. ”

  • Workers give Igwe vote-of-confidence, say no crisis in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu

    Workers give Igwe vote-of-confidence, say no crisis in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu

     

    Flowerbudnews

    Enugu: The entire workers in Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu under the aegis of various health unions have given the Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Monday Igwe, a vote-of-confidence.

     

    The workers, on Tuesday, said that there “is no crisis in the health institution as it is peaceful and workers are happy with the administration of the Medical Director, Prof. Monday Igwe”.

     

    The workers, who spoke to newsmen in a press conference, are drawn from Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), and Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) of the hospital.

    Dr Jane Nnabuchi, Chairman of MDCAN, said that the unions were distancing themselves from and condemning the stage-managed protest of Aug. 30, 2023 at the hospital; and the attempted unauthorized “arrest” of Igwe on Thursday, Sept. 14, in the hospital.

     

    Nnabuchi, who spoke on behalf of the various unions, said: “Our collective attention has been drawn to the stage-managed protest that happened during the evening hours of Aug. 30 in front of our hospital’s main gate.

     

    “We hereby debunk the stage-managed protest by a group of unverifiable Civil Society Organisation alleging that there is no peace in the hospital and that the workers are unhappy alongside other baseless allegations leveled against the Medical Director, Prof. Monday Igwe.

    “We hereby state categorically that the piece of information is not only false, but was made to mislead the general public and to cause confusion.”

     

    The chairman noted that the stage-managed protest was done by alleged thugs hired to discredit and destabilize the Medical Director and our hospital’s activity.

     

    She said: “We want to challenge anybody on that protest video circulating around to provide any proof of identity as Staff of the hospital or student of the School of Post Basic Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing of our Hospital joining the stage-managed protest.

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored the publication and the perpetrators of this dastardly and worthless act, but we are issuing a rejoinder to stop them from misleading the general public and most importantly, to put the information in the proper perspective.”

     

    Collaborating, Dr Ferguson Mbachu, President of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) in the hospital, said that on Sept.14 the hospital witnessed a sponsored attempt at harassing and abducting its Medical Director under the guise of “arrest” by three unidentified police officers.

    Mbachu noted that the three unidentified police officers came with an unmarked sienna vehicle from Awka in Anambra.

     

    He said: “The situation created a scene and disrupted the activities of the hospital community and would have escalated to an uglier scenario if not for the intervention of Enugu State Police Command.

     

    “It is worthy of note that unions from our hospital have written to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on several occasions in the past regarding the obnoxious activities of a particular staff.

     

    “This staff of School of Post Basic Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing of our hospital is behind all the negative activities in the hospital since 2015 and efforts to get the ministry officials on his activities have been to no avail.”

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    Mbachu said that the Federal Government and of course the general public are advised to disregard the publication by this staff, and his cohorts whose “aim is to drag the name of the peaceful and hardworking Medical Director in the mud”.

     

    “The members of staff have been enjoying peace, infrastructural and human capacity development since the inception of Igwe’s leadership in 2019. This is verifiable,” he added. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Breaking: Atiku files 35 grounds of appeal against Tinubu at Supreme Court

    Breaking: Atiku files 35 grounds of appeal against Tinubu at Supreme Court

     

    ABUJA– Determined to nullify the election of President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, lodged 35 grounds of appeal before the Supreme Court.

    Atiku, through his team of lawyers led by Chief Chris Uche, SAN, is praying the Apex court to set aside the judgement the Court of Appeal delivered on September 6, which affirmed Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as the valid winner of the presidential election that held on February 25.

    He told the apex court that the verdict of the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel of the President Election Petition Court, PEPC, which dismissed his petition against the outcome of the presidential contest, was not only perverse, but occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice against him.

     

    The PDP candidate, who is a former Vice President, maintained that the PEPC panel erred in law, when it failed to nullify the presidential election on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, even when evidence that was adduced before it, showed that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, acted in breach of extant laws and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.

     

    He accused the PEPC of reaching its unanimous decision based on gross misconstruction and misrepresentation of provisions of both the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2022.

     

    More details soon

     

  • UAE Lifting of Visa Ban, NIDCOM Commends Pres. Tinubu’s Landmark Intervention

    UAE Lifting of Visa Ban, NIDCOM Commends Pres. Tinubu’s Landmark Intervention

     

    By Biola Lawal

    Abuja:  (Flowerbudnews)   The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his swift intervention with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which resulted in the recent lifting of visa ban on Nigerians.

    The Intervention also resulted in the  resumption of Etihad and Emirates Airlines flights into Nigeria.

    Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson/CEO of the Commission, who gave the commendation in Abuja, noted that with President Tinubu’s landmark diplomatic achievement , Nigerians working in the UAE, who could not have their work permits renewed can now heave a sigh of relief.

    In a statement in Abuja by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Head of Media and Public Relations of the Commission, the NIDCOM boss said that the intervention would usher in, a new era of collaboration and friendship between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.

    Besides, the lifting of ban and resumption of flights into Nigeria, Dabiri-Erewa said that  bilateral parley also laid a robust foundation for substantial investments in various sectors in Nigeria.

    The NIDCOM Chairman, who has been bombarded with calls from excited Nigerians living in the UAE, urged them to continue to be good Ambassadors of the country.

    It will be recalled that diplomatic row broke out between the two countries over a year ago due to some unresolved differences which had brought untold hardship to travelling Nigerians as well as those living in UAE.

    The diplomatic parley thus resolved as follows:
    Immediate lifting of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travellers by the UAE.

    Resumption of flight schedules into and out of Nigeria by Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines, without any immediate payment required from the Nigerian government.

    An agreed framework for new investments worth several billions of U.S. dollars into the Nigerian economy by the UAE government, covering multiple sectors including defense and agriculture.

    A new joint foreign exchange liquidity programme between Nigeria and the UAE, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.

    A commitment to normalize and enhance the relations between the two countries, fostered by the collaboration between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed  Al Nahyan. (Flowerbudnews)

     

  • NITDA is committed to bridging digital-divide, digital literacy, equitable access to technology – D-G

    NITDA is committed to bridging digital-divide, digital literacy, equitable access to technology – D-G

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it is committed to bridging digital-divide, enhancing digital literacy, and ensuring equitable access to technology for all Nigerians within all locations.

     

    The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Abdulahi, said this in Enugu during a Stakeholders Engagement and Eco-System Development Programme with the themed: “Creating Opportunities, Breaking Boundaries Towards Digitalisation and Entrepreneurial Evolution”.

     

    Abdulahi, represented by Dr Babajide Ajayi, noted that in the quest for digitalisation, inclusivity must be our guiding principle, adding that the true measure of digital success lies not just in the strides made by some, but in the progress achieved by all.

    According to him, bridging the digital-divide, enhancing digital literacy, and ensuring equitable access to technology are vital components of our journey as an Agency with clear-cut mandate.

     

    “NITDA is currently drafting the National Digital Equality Strategy for Women (NDESW), which seeks to ensure equitable access and opportunities in the digital environment, empowering women to fully participate in the digital economy.

     

    “Also, the National Digital Skills Strategy (NDSS) is a strategic road-map that will aid digital literacy and talent development in Nigeria,” he said.

    The director-general said that digitalisation is when digital technology becomes a part of every aspect of society; thus, causes big changes in industries and innovations.

     

    He explained that digitalisation changes the way we do business, take care of our health, educate ourselves, and even govern, adding that it changes things for the better, eliminates obstacles, and creates new chances.

     

    On the theme, Abdulahi said that NITDA stands as a beacon of guidance in providing an enabling environment, a framework of support, and a platform for collaboration that empowers all stakeholders to be catalysts of change.

    The director-general, represented by Dr Babajide Ajayi, said that the Agency’s would be made available to the stakeholders and “our doors are open to partnerships that pave the way for a digitally empowered future”.

    “Therefore, we view this meeting as a veritable platform to pool knowledge, experience, and expertise, and to co-create solutions, articulate strategies, and extend our services to all stakeholders, especially at the grassroots.

     

    “Consequently, the objectives of the program are to: Offer our stakeholders in the State ICT eco-system the opportunity to express their views and opinions on matters related to the Agency’s implementation of its mandate.

    “Provide an avenue for sensitisation, familiarisation and enhancement of the working relationship between the Agency and the key IT Stakeholders at the state level.

    “Establish a sustainable model of collaborations and consistent channels for feedback and the exchange of ideas,” he said.

     

    The director-general charged the stakeholders to take the lead and be the architects of a future where opportunities are abundant, boundaries are shattered, and every entrepreneur’s vision finds a productive ground to flourish.

     

    In a keynote address, Gov. Peter Mbah said that the current administration had a vision to position Enugu State among the top three states in Nigeria, not just in terms of Trade, Investment, and Industry, but as a digital powerhouse.

     

    Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Mrs Adaora Chukwu, noted that NITDA mission aligns seamlessly with the state’s vision, adding that NITDA expertise to foster a digital Nigeria makes the Agency an invaluable partner to the state.

     

    The governor said: “We have initiated a series of transformative steps to bolster our digital presence.

    “From spearheading e-governance reforms and digitising our MDAs, to introducing our state-of-the-art Datacenter, expanding a robust fiber optic network across our state and empowering our youth with essential tech skills – we are charting a course towards a digital renaissance.

     

    “But beyond infrastructure, we are fostering an environment where innovation thrives. Our process automation systems which ensures a Certificate-of-Occupancy generation within 72 hours, is a testament to our commitment to ease of doing business”.

     

    Dr Micheal Edeh, State Chairman of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Enugu State Chapter, appreciated NITDA for the engagement of the technology stakeholders, answering critical questions on policies as well as forging connectivity among stakeholders and NITDA officials. (Flowerbudnews)

  • 2024 Hajj: NAHCON allocates 1,518 seats to Jigawa

    2024 Hajj: NAHCON allocates 1,518 seats to Jigawa

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has allocated 1,518 seats to Jigawa  for the  2024 Hajj Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

    Alhaji Ahmad Labbo,  Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board, disclosed the figure at a news conference in Dutse on Tuesday.

    Labbo said the board had distributed the seats to its Centre Officers in the 13 zonal offices of the board for sell to intending pilgrims across the 27 local government areas of the state.

    He explained that 1045 of the 1,518 seats would be allocated to local governments areas,  out of which 638, representing 60 per cent would be sold to fresh payers while 407, representing 40 per cent would be sold to those that deposited through Jaiz bank, while the rest would be reserved for officials that would accompany the  intending pilgrims.

    The executive secretary, however, pointed out that those who wished  to pay through Jaiz bank must fill a form to be provided by the board before  making payment.

    According to him, the gesture is part of proactive measures put in place by the board  to know the exact number of people paying so as to avoid over selling the seats.

    “The introduction of this form is to  avoid a situation where people will be paying through Jaiz bank without our knowledge but with this initiative, we will be able to know the exact number so that at the end of day,  there will be no  complain of paying and not getting the seat,” he explained.

    Labbo further stated that each intending pilgrim is  expected to pay N4.5 million as deposit, pending the announcement of the 2024 Hajj by NAHCON.

    He added that the authorities of Saudi Arabia would close visa issuance 50 days before Arafat, hence the need for the board to begin early preparations in order to enable intending pilgrims to secure their visas on time.

    “And the board will soon take a Pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia as part of its early preparations and with a view to securing a befitting accommodation for our pilgrims,” he said.

    The executive secretary added that the  board had reviewed its 2023 operation with all stakeholders where successes and challenges were identified  to enhance its subsequent operations.

    “As you’re aware, the conduct of successful operation requires the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.

    “And we are grateful  to all our stakeholders, particularly the state government for its support and commitment, especially the feeding of pilgrims.

    “And its also our hope that the same gesture will be extended to the 2024 pilgrims,” the official said.

    He, therefore, advised the zonal and centre officers  to be fair and just in the discharge of their duties, pointing out that the board would strictly monitor the sale of seats.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that 1,570 seats were allocated to the state for the 2022 Hajj and 1,576 pilgrims were able to perform the exercise, while three could not make it due to sickness and other reasons.

    NAN

  • Appeal Court upholds election of Bauchi Rep member Jafaru Leko

    Appeal Court upholds election of Bauchi Rep member Jafaru Leko

     

    Abuja:  The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Rep Jafaru Leko as member representing Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State in the House of Representatives.

    The three-member panel, presided by Justice Lawal Shuaibu, dismissed the appeal filed by Kefas Magaji of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the grounds that it lacked merit.

    The court held that the petitioners (Magaji and PDP) failed to prove their case on the preponderance of evidence.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (NAN) had declared Leko of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the Feb. 25 general election into the federal constituency seat.

    Dissatisfied with the victory, Magaji and the PDP filed a petition challenging Leko’s declaration.
    But the National and State Houses of Assembly Elections Tribunal dismissed the petition.

    The petitioners proceeded to the Court of Appeal via Appeal No: CA/J/EPT/BA/HR/05/2023 between Barrister Kefas M. Magaji and PDP Vs. Jafaru Gambo Leko, APC and INEC.

    Delivering the judgment on Friday, the Appeal Court agreed with the submission of Mr Johnson Usman, SAN, counsel to Leko, that the trial tribunal was right when it dismissed the petition.

    The court, which wondered while most of the witnesses presented by the petitioners testified in Hausa Language while their witness statements were made in English, consequently dismissed the appeal and upheld that Jafaru Leko was the winner of the poll.

    Speaking to NAN on the outcome of the appeal, Mr Usman said the decision was a victory for democracy.

    The senior lawyer said that the court was right when it affirmed the decision of the trial court by holding that the petitioners/appellants failed in its entirety to prove their case both at trial and on appeal.

    Mr Israel Usman, lawyer to the petitioner, declined to comment on the development.
    He simply said: “Until my client ask me to speak before I can make a comment about the judgment.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) /Flowerbudnews

  • Court dismisses Bulkachuwa’s suit seeking to stop ICPC, DSS, from investigating him

    Court dismisses Bulkachuwa’s suit seeking to stop ICPC, DSS, from investigating him

     

    Abuja:  A Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed the suit filed by Sen. Adamu Bulkachuwa seeking to stop the ICPC from investigating him over the comment he made during the valedictory session of the 9th National Assembly (NASS).

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the suit lacked merit and ought to be dismissed.
    Justice Ekwo said that Bulkachuwa, being a lawmaker, ought to understand the implication of the statement that he made on the floor of the Senate.

    According to him, the legislative immunity which the plaintiff (Bulkachuwa) claims in this case does not avail him.

    “It is the duty of every law-abiding citizen to assist and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in their quest to carry out their statutory function.

    “It is only where a law enforcement agency breaches the fundamental right of a citizen in the process of carrying out their statutory function, then a cause of action could be said to have arisen,” the judge said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bulkachuwa had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the NASS clerk, State Security Service, ICPC and the Nigeria Police Force as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    The plaintiff asked the court to declare that he “is covered, privileged and protected by the parliamentary immunity as enshrined in Section 1 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017 and freedom of speech and expression made thereto is privileged.”

    He also prayed the court to declare that without exhausting the internal disciplinary mechanism, recommendations and approval of the 9th House of Senate, no other law enforcement agent of the Federal Government, including the defendants can invite any member of the Senate for questioning/interview.

    Justice Ekwo said the utterance made by Bulkachuwa on the floor of the Debate on June 10 was not covered by Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    ”The provision is that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”

    According to the judge, the clear words of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be interpreted to mean that a person can say anything he likes.

    “In a formal setting like that plenary session or committee proceedings of the Senate, It is not expected-a person who is privileged to voice any expression will utter words or express opinion or impart Ideas or gives’ Information that cannot be defended under the constitution.

    “Upon studying the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it Is my opinion, that the words uttered by the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on Saturday, 10th June, 2023 was a confession of doing an act that is prohibited by law.

    “When a person confesses that he influenced a judicial officer to help his friends and colleagues, such a person has gone beyond the limit of freedom of speech that is reasonably covered and protected by the provision of Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

    “A person who has used the opportunity given to him by the constitution to express himself freely and uses the opportunity to expose his actions or conduct which the law of the land criminalises, has unwittingly invited law enforcement agencies to question him.

    “This is what the plaintiff did in this case.
    “I therefore find that that the speech of the plaintiff on the floor of the Senate on June 10, was a confession of illegal act and Section 39 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot be invoked to cover such and I so hold,” he declared.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

    Details later

  • Out-of-school: Nigeria needs 20,000 more schools, 907,769 classrooms—UBEC

    Out-of-school: Nigeria needs 20,000 more schools, 907,769 classrooms—UBEC

    By Funmilayo Adeyemi

    The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Boboye has said that the country needed additional 20,000 schools and 907,769 classrooms to absorb the growing number of out-of-School Children.
    Boboye was speaking in Abuja on Tuesday while briefing the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman and the minister of State, Dr Yusuf Sununu.
    He identified Infrastructural gaps, inadequate manpower as some of the challenges facing the commission in its efforts towards ensuring equitable access to quality basic education
    Responding, Pro. Mamman said that the ministry under him would prioritise basic education in the country.
    Mamman also emphasised that the foundation level was the most critical segment in the sector that must be properly developed in order to impact positively on other tiers of the sector and overall national
    development.
    He called on all the states of the federation to show greater commitment towards providing counterpart funding to accelerate the development of basic education in the country.
    He added the government of President Bola Tinubu would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that every
    Nigeria child was brought on board the ship of education.
    According to him, the forthcoming National Census will put paid to the controversies surrounding the actual figures of out-of-school children.
    Also speaking, Dr Sununu said all hands must be on deck to ensure that Nigerian children get the desired education to prepare them for the future.
    Sununu directed the UBEC Chief Executive to take the struggle for counterpart funding to the door step of state governors explaining that an uneducated child is a clear danger to himself and society at large.
    NAN