Category: General News

Sallah: Nigerians decry high cost of foodstuff

Price

Safia Abdulrahman

Abuja, June 17, 2024 (NAN) Some Nigerians living in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed worry over continuous increase in prices of foodstuffs and other commodities this Eid-el Kabir festive season.

A visit to some markets in the Abuja and its environs showed that the prices of good have continued to rise.

Some respondent told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Dutse Market, in Bwari Area Council that meeting their family needs was becoming increasingly difficult amidst lean resources.

Mallam Yahaya, a vegetable seller told NAN: “I am just trying to find happiness in my business since I don’t want to be idle. Making gain in this business is now a herculean task.

“I am selling perishable goods and I cannot keep them for too long because I want to make a lot of gains. If I don’t sell them I lose everything. They are not like other goods in the market’’, he said.

Mrs Hajiya Hassana, another petty trader told NAN that the prices of foodstuffs were now determined by what wholesalers sell to retailers.

“I know that some buyers may blame because they don’t know how we get these goods from the wholesalers; the challenge of transporting the goods to the market.

“It has not been like this before, things just changed automatically since the removal of fuel subsidy.

“For instance, how will I buy a mudu of beans at N3, 000 and sell it at a lesser price, it is not impossible. I would rather stay at home than to come to the market and sell with no profit.

“It’s so unfortunate that it’s the final consumers who are affected most because it is not easy for some Nigerians household now in the country,” she told NAN.

Hassana, nevertheless, said she was trying her best to satisfy her customers as well as ensuring that she makes some gains.

Similarly, Mr Mohammed Rabiu, a buyer said it was unfortunate that he could not afford what the feeding needs of his family due to high price of food items.

Rabiu, therefore, pleaded to government intervention in the situation by using relevant instruments and institutions to bring down the cost goods.

“A lot of people are ceasing the economic situation to dupe others and blame it on fuel subsidy removal.

“I witnessed how somebody will keep what she bought previously at certain amount but refused to sell those items.

“She kept them to watch when the prices will go higher so at to double the price and make make higher gain.

“Let government monitor the market with a view to controlling the prices of goods. This will help a lot in curtailing the rising cost of things’’ he said.

Similarly, Mrs Amina Bawa, another buyer, when asked how she was coping with the economy, she said: “When I hear prices of foodstuffs, I feel like committing suicide. But I can’t because it is not a good thing to do.

“I can’t remember the last time I ate to my satisfaction, I only eat to survive, ” she said.

Another respondent, Mr Idris Bello, urged government agencies to see the need for regulatory system in the country to avoid the unnecessary hike in, not only food items but all goods and services. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FIA/KUA

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Officials of the SAGE initiative and team lead of the UniCal International Demonstration Secondary School

SAGE

By Christian Njoku

Calabar, June 17, 2024 (NAN) The University of Calabar International Demonstration Secondary School has won the 2024 edition of the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) competition.

By coming tops at the national competition, the School will represent Nigeria at the global level in Tokyo.

The school presented a solar-powered Chi ECOSOL Freeze Storage System, equiped with off-grid capacity for areas with limited or unreliable traditional electricity.

The system uses high efficiency cooling storage unit to preserve fresh produce and vegetables.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Federal Government Girls College (FGGC) Abuloma, finished second with a project on Bio Fortification of Cassava Flour at the finals held in Calabar.

NAN also reports that FGGC Benin came third with their project on Tomato Powder.

It would be recalled that Nigeria has won 12 out of the 17 international SAGE completions held in different parts of the world after its premier edition in 2002 in America.

The theme for this year’s edition of the competition is: “Mobilising Education for Food Security”

Speaking during the award ceremony on Monday in Calabar, Mr Peter Odey, the Cross River Deputy Governor, said that the theme for the 2024 edition of the competition was apt and well thought-out.

Represented by Hilary Bisong, the member representing Boki Constituency II at the State House of Assembly, Odey, said that the theme touched on a major challenge in todays human society.

He said that there was need for a multifaceted global campaign against hunger and food scarcity.

“Nobody who has access to three square meals in a day will start thinking of crimes and violence.

“Our state has very fertile soil, the winning school has proffered solution to the challenge of food storage and preservation.

“For example, in Boki, we always have so much food after harvest, but a lot of the foods get wasted due to poor storage, so this project gives us a solution,” he said.

Also speaking, the President, SAGE Nigeria, Mr Agwu Amogu, said that the essence of the initiative was to make young people to become solution providers through entrepreneurship and community service.

Amogu said that the initiative had directly and indirectly impacted on no fewer than 200,000 people since 2005 when it took effect in Nigeria.

“Also, no fewer than 8,000 students have passed through the initiative, many of them have graduated, and are now alumni of SAGE.

“Our goal is to move the mindset of young Nigerians from entitlement to being solution and innovation providers.

“This new mindset will not only create jobs for them, it will even make them to become job creators and self-reliant,” he said.

On her part, 15 year old Miss Victory Idiku, the team lead of UniCal International Demonstration Secondary School, expressed her team’s joy after  wining the competition.

“It took us several weeks of research to create that innovative project, it also took a lot of hard work to effectively present it.

“We are happy to represent Nigeria at the global event in Tokyo, we promise to make our nation proud,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

CBN/AZU
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Edited by Azubuike Okeh

Speaker

Abuja, June 16, 2024(NAN) Dr Danladi Bako, former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Corporation, has congratulated Angela Didiza Thoko on her emergence as the Speaker of the South African Parliament.

Bako’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement titled “An amazon takes charge in South Aftica”, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

“This is to formally congratulate my friend and sister, Didiza Thoko Angela, for emerging as the new Speaker of the Parliament in South Africa, on Friday.

“Didiza has been a very staunch member of the African National Congress (ANC), and was also a former Minister of Agriculture.

“She was also Acting Speaker of Parliament on a few occasions.”

Bako said that the new Speaker was “highly respected” by former President Thabo Mbeki and Winnie Mandela, the late wife of South Africa’s first President, Nelson Mandela.

He recalled that Didiza had been to Nigeria once and had strong affiliations with a few notable Nigerians.

“Madam Speaker will certainly bring some zest, integrity and dignity to the office as Speaker of the Parliament in Cape Town,” he said. (NAN).
ETS/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Ezenwa emerges 9th chairman of ICAN Awka district society

Investiture
By Chimezie Anaso
Awka, June 16, 2024 (NAN) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Awka District Society, on Sunday, inaugurated Mr Francis Ezenwa as the body’s ninth Chairman.

Ezenwa was inaugurated alongside 13 other executive members at the investiture and N20 million fundraiser for the purchase of a bus for the district.

In an inaugural speech at the ceremony held in Awka, Ezenwa, an alumnus of the University of Benin (Accounting), promised to prioritise the welfare and capacity enhancement for members.

He said that the body, under his leadership, would entrench the culture of accounting by sponsoring prizes for students who did well in basic financial accounting in select schools in the state.

He expressed the hope that, with the support of members, he would take the association to greater heights.

Ezenwa, who succeeded Mr Emmanuel Modozie, promised that his executive would purchase an operational vehicle for the district.

The Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Dr Greg Ezeilo, delivered the investiture lecture, entitled “Accountants in the new world order: Using professional skills to save the world”.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Okechukwu Obi, expressed happiness that the association had continued to thrive over the years.

Obi hoped that the new chairman would lead and leave the district better than he met it.

Dignitaries from different walks of life, including the Traditional Ruler of Uga in Aguata Local Government Area, Igwe Stephen Ezenwugo, attended the colourful event. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

APC/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah

Oyebanji mourns ex-Commissioners, Adesua, Ojo

Condolences
By Bolanle Lawal
Ado-Ekiti, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has expressed sadness over the death of the immediate past Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development in the state, Chief Diran Adesua.

Adesua, who died on Friday, was Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development from 2018 to 2022.

Oyebanji, n a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, described Adesua’s death as shocking.

The governor noted that Adesua’s demise was an irreparable loss to the progressives fold of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and the state at large.

He said the deceased served the state meritoriously, and was reputed for contributing meaningfully to the development of the state.

“On behalf of my wife, the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the children and immediate family members of Chief Diran Adesua on the death of this illustrious son of Ekiti.

“Though his death is shocking and sad, we are consoled by the impactful life he lived as a community leader, distinguished professional and politician.

“It is our prayer that the good Lord will grant him eternal rest and comfort the family he left behind”, Oyebanji said.

Similarly, Oyebanji commiserated with the family of a former Commissioner for Education in the state, Mrs Titilayo Ojo.

Ojo, who served as Commissioner for Education during the administration of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, was a renowned progressive leader in Ikole Local Government and Ekiti State, and a rallying point for the women fold of the APC.

The governor who paid a condolence visit to the Ojo’s family home at Odo Ayedun Ekiti, commiserated with the deceased husband, Mr Ayo Ojo, the children and the entire APC family in Ikole Local Government.

He said the late Ojo lived a life of service to the state, the party and humanity, urging her husband and the children to be consoled with the fact that the former commissioner left behind legacies of service, honour and excellence.

“We shall miss Mama Titilayo Ojo, no doubt, but she will be remembered for her diligence, discipline and dedication to good causes.

“May God grant her eternal rest and comfort the family”, the Governor added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

FFB/IKU
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

Condolence

By Amen Gajira

Manchok, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Sunday Katung (PDP Kaduna South), on Sunday, sympathised with the family of late Malam Tagwai Sambo, Chief of Moro’a, in Kaura  Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Sambo, a first-class traditional ruler died peacefully in his sleep on Friday at 88, and had spent 58 years on the throne.

Katung, during a condolence visit to the family in Manchok, described Sambo’s demise as a huge loss to the nation.

The senator, who was accompanied by Rep. Daniel Amos (PDP- Jema’a/Sanga), disclosed that the late traditional leader was a great pillar of support to him.

He said: “Baba was a great pillar to me and for that, I am here to pay my last respect and appreciate him for being a great support to me.

“May his soul rest in peace.”

He added that Sambo had contributed immensely to the growth and development of not only Moro’a Chiefdom, but the entire Southern Kaduna.

“He had lived a very productive life and represented the virtues of truth, service and honesty in his 58 years on the throne.

“Baba’s leadership and goodwill attracted enormous development to the chiefdom and positivity impacted the lives of his people.

“The country has lost one of its longest-reigning traditional monarchs whose contributions to the promotion of unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians cannot be forgotten for years to come.

“Baba was a true leader; he was an upright person and God fearing. The only thing we can do to keep his name alive is to emulate his peaceful legacy,” the senator said.

While consoling the wife of the late monarch, Mrs Alisabatu Sambo, the senator urged the family to be comforted in the fact that late Sambo lived for God and humanity.

Responding, the Secretary of the Moro’a Traditional Council, Mr Emmanuel Musa, thanked the senator and his entourage for the condolence visit.

Musa also thanked the Senator for sponsoring a bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, to be sited in the Chiefdom.

He pointed out that the move, if successful, would bring growth and development not only to Moro’a Chiefdom, but the entire Kaduna State. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

AMEN/FDY

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Edited by Philip Yatai

Eid-el Kabir: Sen Danmarke supports journalists, widows, orphans in Katsina

Support

By Abbas Bamalli

Katsina, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Journalists, widows and orphans on Sunday received cash and other gifts offered by Sen. Lado Danmarke, the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 governorship election in Katsina State.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the gesture was to enable them celebrate the Eid-el Kabir festival with their families.

NAN reports that the gesture was extended to the physically challenged, politicians and many other less privileged individuals and groups in the state.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after distributing the largesse, Danmarke said that the gesture was meant to cushion the effect of the current economic realities and give the beneficiaries a sense of belonging.

“The cash assistance is to enable them celebrate Eid-el Kabir with ease.

“The harsh economic realities are biting many in the society. Inflation is at a very high level. I felt compelled to reach out,” he said.

He advised the beneficiaries to use the money wisely, and cautioned them against sinking everything into the Sallah festivity.

“They should be prudent and invest part of the money; that could help them long after the Sallah,” he said.

The senator also spoke on the activities of his Foundation.

“We have commenced the payment of registration fees for candidates seeking to write the National Examination Council (NECO)-organised senior secondary school certificate examination across the three senatorial zones of the state.

“The gesture is to bring relief to parents and enable the students pursue their education,” he said.

Some beneficiaries of the Sallah assistance, who spoke with NAN, said that Danmarke’s intervention was timely, in view of the current economic hardship.

They thanked the philanthropist for the assistance which, they said, would provide some relief to them. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

AABS/ETS

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Coexistence

By Bolu Akindoyin

Ogun, June 16, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Sunday appealed to Nigerians to promote peaceful co-existence and pray for the country’s leaders.

The governor made the appeal in a message during Eid-el Kabir celebration at Akeja Praying Ground in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government  Area of Ogun.

His message was delivered by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

Abiodun said that peace and unity were important for any meaningful development.

He added that prayers for Nigeria’s leaders would help them to do better.

Abiodun said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had formulated programmes and policies to tackle the country’schallenges.

He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration as it continued to strive to tackle the challenges.

The governor called on Muslims to show love and kindness in the spirit of Eid-el Kabir.

The Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, told the Muslim faithful that the celebration was in remembrance of the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim when God asked him to sacrifice his son.

He urged the faithful to always adhere to God’s instructions.

The royal father urged parents to train their children well to reduce vices. (NAN)

BO/IGO

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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola