General

Easter: FCT residents lament increasing prices of food items

Published

2 years ago

April 8, 2023

Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have lamented the continuous rise in the prices of food items.

The residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja, said they were unable to adequately stock their homes for the festive season.

NAN recalls that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Selected Food Prices Watch for February showed that prices of food items such as yam, rice, and beef witnessed increases in February.

Mrs Chritiana Adeyemi, a Civil Servant, said she had to prioritise her shopping list because she could not afford to buy all she wanted.

“Every day you go to the market, the prices of food items have increased. Sometimes you just have to forfeit buying some things

“Last week, I bought a kilo of goat meat for N2, 500, now it is N2, 800. That is a difference of N300 which I could have added to buy some other items.

“When I got to the market I was not happy because I could not buy all I wanted and I had to start making adjustments on what not to buy.”

Mrs Ngozi Samuel, a Public Servant and mother of three, said her family could no longer eat a balanced diet because of the prices of food items.

Samuel, however, said the rise in prices was a global issue but the government needed to find ways to cushion its effects on Nigerians.

“Many people cannot afford to eat a meal a day. That is how bad things have become. It is a difficult time for the country.

“Before, I could afford to buy fruits but now I have to channel that money to some other items. We have not talked about buying gas or kerosene which are also on the increase.”

Mrs Florence Bassey, a Businesswoman, and mother of four said the increase in prices of food was alarming, adding that she could not afford to buy in bulk anymore.

“When I got to the market I was shocked at the high increase, especially in tomatoes. A big basket used to be N8,000 last month, but it is about N22,000 or even more in some markets.

“Also pepper, tatashe, and other items like plantation have also increased. The sellers claim it is due to the fasting.”

Mr Paul Kato, a security guard, said the increase in food items was affecting his consumption rate.

“I used to buy a small plate of tomatoes for N100 to N150 in February, now it is N250 to N300 depending on where you go to buy.

“We used to buy N400 onions and it would last my family for two weeks, now N400 onions only last a week. After which you begin to look for money to buy again.”

“I appeal to the government to come and help us. Everything is expensive, how can the poor man cope?”

Mrs Bukola Adewunmi, a Businesswoman and Coordinator of Praying Women, said it had become difficult to do acts of charity because of the high cost of food items.

“It is difficult to be a blessing because of the high cost of things in the market and this might discourage people from doing the little they need to do to help the less privileged.

“But I will love to appeal to well-meaning Nigerians not to be discouraged because these motherless children and the poor need our collective support.

“They need food, drugs, clothing, and a show of love. Let us not stop giving,” she said.

The NBS Food Price Watch for February shows that the average price of 1kg of boneless beef increased on a month-on-month basis by 1.12 per cent from N2,418.91 recorded in January 2023 to N2,445.96 in February 2023.

The report showed that the average price of 1kg rice (local, sold loose) N514.83 increased on a month-on-month basis by 1.17 per cent from January 2023 to N520.84 in February 2023.

The NBS also said the average price of 1kg of tomato on a month-on-month basis, rose by 0.22 per cent from N467.04 in January 2023 to N468.09 in February 2023.

The report showed the average price of one bottle of vegetable oil stood at N1,196.68 in February 2023, showing an increase of 1.10 per cent from N1,183.67 recorded in January 2023.’’

Similarly, it said the average price of 1kg of onion bulb rose by 0.81 per cent on a month-on-month basis from N446.44 in January 2023 to N450.07 in February 2023.

(NAN)

General

Atiku Honored On 77th Birthday As AUN Marks Founder’s Day

Published

12 months ago

November 27, 2023

Matthew Eloyi

Atiku Honored On 77th Birthday As AUN Marks Founder’s Day

By Ibrahim Abubakar

Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State and its environs, was in a festive mood to celebrate the 77th birthday of its illustrious son, Atiku Abubakar, who was being honored by the American University of Nigeria (AUN), the institution that he established to advance the course of education in Nigeria, on its founder’s ceremony.

In his address, Atiku did a critical appraisal of the performance of the university in its 19 years of existence.

He noted that 19 years is the age of accountability, stating that it is time for stock-taking.

Quoting Socrates, the legendary Greek philosopher, he said that: “unexamined life is not worth living.”

The 2023 PDP presidential candidate raised some fundamental questions about whether the school has followed the vision of its founder in providing American-styled educational system that focuses on leadership development, critical thinking and problem solving and skills, noting that even if the school is not established for profit making purposes, it should generate enough revenue for self-sustenance and to plough back for future development.

Atiku declared that part of his vision was to make the university grow and serve humanity and not to make money for him, stating that he has never collected any money from the school in the 19 years of its establishment.

He said the school is a gift from him to the society and humanity to provide world-class educational platform to develop future leaders.

Atiku therefore enjoined the university administration to be more dynamic and align more proactively to the changing economic and technological world.

He charged them to re-examine their strategies, define their priorities and look for new ways and tools to generate revenue to be self-sustaining.

The high point of the occasion was the commissioning of the Law Faculty of the university by the founder.

In the welcome address at the event attended by many dignitaries from across the country, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Senator Ben Obi welcomed the guests while wishing Atiku Abubakar a happy birthday.

He explained that the purpose of the occasion was to celebrate the founder and the former vice president of the country (1999-2007) and to inaugurate the new president of the university.

Speaking at the occasion, the keynote speaker, Dr. Steven Titus, who is a veteran college administrator and the President Emeritus of the Iowa Wesleyan University, hinted on the importance of the occasion.

He praised the founder for his commitment to education and the vision of establishing the university.

And while presenting a birthday gift to Atiku on behalf of his family, he said that he was moved by the founder’s passion and love for education, describing Atiku as a gift to the world of education.

In his own speech, Professor De Wayne Frazier who is installed as the 6th President of the University thanked Atiku for his vision, generosity for establishing the University, and the opportunity given to him to be part of that vision.

He also thanked the chairman of the governing council for the support, stating that his inauguration marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the university.

He promised to uphold the values of excellence and integrity as enshrined in the foundation of the university, pledging to build on the already laid foundation to move the institution to greater heights.

General

NEMA, SEMA distribute food items to Sokoto flood victims

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2023

Matthew Eloyi

NEMA, SEMA distribute food items to Sokoto flood victims

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has commenced the distribution of food and non-consumables to victims of the 2023 flood in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement signed on Wednesday and made available to newsmen by SEMA’s Information Officer, Abubakar Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the distribution which started on Tuesday, was part of efforts to leverage the pains suffered by residents of the Kebbe Local Government Area of the state over the flood.

SEMA Special Adviser, Nasiru Kalambaina, who was represented by the Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mustapha Umar, urged the beneficiaries to make use of the items judiciously.

While speaking in his remarks before the flag-off, the Sole Administrator, Kebbe LGA, Sanusi Kebbe, used the medium to thank and commend the Sokoto SEMA for the quick facilitation of items brought to them by the NEMA.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with newsmen commended NEMA and the state government for the timely arrival of the items.

Meanwhile, SEMA and the state’s NEMA operation office jointly assessed the situation of banditry incidents that led to the displacement of various communities in the Sangi, Ungushi, Girkau and Margai wards of the LGA.

During the assessment, the joint team discovered that over 200 households were affected by the banditry incidence out of which many were said to be killed by the bandits.

Speaking during the inspection, Kebbe commended the joint team for coming to assess the situation.

In his remarks, Umar sympathised with the affected communities on behalf of the state government and assured them that after the assessment, a report would be compiled by both agencies to be forwarded to the appropriate concerned authorities for further necessary actions.

The assessment was witnessed and also coordinated by SEMA’s Director of Finance, Kabiru Garba, while NEMA Sokoto’s head of operation was represented by Amìnu Ambursa.

NEMA, SEMA distribute food items to Sokoto flood victims

General

Appeal Court declares Natasha winner of Kogi Central Senatorial election

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2023

Matthew Eloyi

Natasha sworn in as Kogi Central Senator

Appeal Court declares Natasha winner of Kogi Central Senatorial election

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial Election held in February 2023.

The court further dismissed the appeal filed by Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking in merit.

Recall that the state’s Election Petitions Tribunal, in September, had invalidated the victory of Ohere and declared Akpoti-Uduagan winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako, delivered the unanimous judgment of the three-man panel, revealing that Ohere’s results were inflated in nine polling units in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission reduced Natasha’s results in those areas and omitted the results of three other polling units meant for Natasha in the same LGA.

The Tribunal judgment led Ohere to seek redress. However, the Appeal Court further maintained that Akpoti-Uduagan won the election.

Reacting to the appeal court verdict, Akpoti-Uduagan posted on her official Facebook page “We won the Appeal. Joy amidst tears. Thank you Kogi Central. This is us together 🙏🏽”