Dons EzeNO FOOD, NO FUEL, NO POWER, NO FOREX, NO HOPE, BY DELE SOBOWALE
NO FOOD, NO FUEL, NO POWER, NO FOREX, NO HOPE, BY DELE SOBOWALERight now several millions of Nigerians’ stomachs are empty; and movement has virtually stopped. Unfortunately, it is not only the scarcity of food and high prices which are slowing us down, scarcity of all the things which make life worth living in the new millennium imperil us. Fuel is scarce; and will remain so indefinitely. The Minister of Power is powerless and can seldom supply beyond 4,000MW per day. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, after the initial attempt to force down exchange rate, is now tired and bewildered.Everybody in Nigeria, including its authors, apparently, has forgotten there was once a document titled Renewed Hope. Pervasive scarcity was predicted by Vanguard Newspaper in December 2023. We were preaching to the deaf. Indisputable and punishing truths now stare us in the face. Because, for me, food comes first, permit me to give the floor to a real victim of on-going famine in Nigeria. It is heart-rending.The story appeared on the back page of the Weekend Trust, written by Dr Fatima Damagun, titled, ‘‘Nigeria’s hunger crises’’. I was tempted to ignore it. After all, what else can be said about the subject? But, Fatima is an engaging writer and her articles are must-read for me. For somebody passionate about the food crisis, I was shocked to the bone marrows. Please read.“On days when they cannot afford to eat rice or tuwo for dinner, the wife treks to a nearby village where women like her pick a type of leaf called Tafasa Senna Tora. The plant grows wild in most of the tropics and is considered a weed in many places. When the plant is not available, his wife usually buys it at N200 per bowl and then takes it home to prepare it. The leaves are washed and mixed with oil, maggi and pepper and consumed as a local salad.Those who have eaten this leaf attest to its foul taste. No amount of maggi or pepper can mask its foul taste. It is eaten solely to subdue the pangs of hunger.”Merely reading the story about a family in her community was enough to make one throw up. The fact that this foul-smelling leaf had been commercialised provides conclusive proof that other families and individuals are now forced to swallow it. That should also warn all of us about the food calamity which lies ahead. Only God knows how many of us are now compelled to eat from other peoples’ dust bins.There are more dangers ahead. Here is why.More floods expected nationwide“Declare emergency on flood, ravages states, N-HYPPADEC begs FG” – Vanguard news report on September 3, 2024.The report by Wole Mosadomi, pointed out why the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) is making this needless appeal to the Federal Government – which is blissfully unaware that Tinubu’s food security programmes are in shreds on account of floods in about 29 states.Specifically, the Commission drew attention to loss of lives in Niger and Kebbi states; 634 communities and 30,000 farmlands affected in Benue; 6,959 households and 10,000 farmlands in Kebbi state.Before N-HYPPADEC raised its own alarm, reports from Yobe and Adamawa states indicate widespread flooding in the North-East before the release of water from Lagdo dam in Cameroon – which inevitably brings disaster every time. Obviously, the worst food tragedies are still ahead of us. The temporary relief provided by the drop in food prices of perishable food items like tomatoes and peppers might lure us into a false sense of progress – when indeed the reverse is the case. This year’s harvest, in the aggregate, might still be the worst ever in a long time.Time to think out of the box“Impress…
FG GIVES TRADERS ONE MONTH DEADLINE TO CRASH PRICES OF GOODS NATIONWIDE
FG GIVES TRADERS ONE MONTH DEADLINE TO CRASH PRICES OF GOODS NATIONWIDE The Federal Government through the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a one-month ultimatum to traders and market stakeholders to slash prices of goods and services nationwide. Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Tunji Bello, made the announcement at a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, warning that enforcement actions will follow after the moratorium. Bello cited examples of exorbitant pricing, including a fruit blender priced at $89 in the US but sold for N944,999 in Lagos. He said that such practices threaten the economy and urged stakeholders to cooperate, noting that violators face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. ”Under Section 155, violators whether individuals or corporate entities face severe penalties including substantial fines and imprisonment if found guilty by the court. ”This is intended to deter all parties involved in such illicit activities. ”However, our approach today is not punitive. I, therefore, call on all stakeholders to embrace the spirit of patriotism and cooperation. ”It is in this spirit that we are giving a moratorium of one month before the Commission will start firm enforcement,” he said. Adding his part, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, the Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Traders, FCT Chapter, said the charges on imported goods at the ports have also played a role in the surge in prices. Meanwhile, market stakeholders attributed price hikes to factors like import charges, transportation costs, insecurity, and multiple taxation.
GIVING PALLIATIVES DOES NOT MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE – OLABODE GEORGE
GIVING PALLIATIVES DOES N’OT MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE – BODE GEORGE Chief Olabode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday says President Bola Tinubu is being advised by voodoo economists. Speaking on Arise TV, George also frowned at the palliatives being given by the Federal Government across the country, saying it doesn’t make any economic sense. According to him, after finishing the palliatives, the people will go hungry again and start looking for the next meal. “The issue of palliatives doesn’t make any economic sense to me. Look, teach people how to fish so you can feed them forever. How many times are you going to keep buying rice and supplying it to people? Some of those palliatives are so bad. You cannot do that. This country is massive”. The former military governor of Ondo state also offered advice to the government on how to address the hardship in the country and better the lives of Nigerians. “There are other ways you can follow to positively impact on the people. Micro credit, very low interest rates, special rates for farmers. You can buy fertilisers to support them for production”. ‘If it’s only consumption you are looking at, then i don’t know the voodoo economists that are there advising the president. This is very disappointing”.
HUNGER AFFECTING BREAST MILK QUALITY, QUANTITY; EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING DIFFICULT
HUNGER AFFECTING BREAST MILK QUALITY, QUANTITY; EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING DIFFICULT The mothers in an interview as the Bauchi government, international partners and stakeholders create awareness on exclusive breastfeeding, to mark the 2024 annual World Breastfeeding Week, said that hunger is affecting them seriously. They said due to the current economic situation, they cannot increase their intake of nutrient-dense foods like meat, chicken, fish, vegetables and others which are very important for a new mother. Nuratu Maigari, a 28-year-old mother of a three-month-old baby, said, ”I fear that this age long tradition of breastfeeding a baby for atleast six months exclusively, may not continue due to the present economic hardship. I breastfed by other two children exclusively and that was a life sharing experience. I cannot do that with this baby due to the present hardship. ”It is important for a new mother to eat meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans and vegetables at atleast two to three times per day so that she can have enough milk for the baby and energy for herself.” She said mothers felt hungrier and thirstier while breastfeeding. Eating well, she said, did have a big effect on the “amount or quality of your milk.” Jamila Usman, a new mother, said things had been difficult that she and her family could not afford daily meals. ”I will have to start introducing water for my baby. I cannot do the exclusive breastfeeding as I was adviced during my antenatal,” she said. Another first time mother, Asabe Umar, said during antenatal clinic, she was told to feed her baby exclusively on breast milk for the first six months with continued breastfeeding for 12 months or longer. Ms Umar said, ”My baby is just two months. It has not been easy on my husband because he is the only one providing for us now. I was told that the foods I eat while breastfeeding are important for my health and my baby’s. I was told to eat meat, eggs, beans and vegetables, Where will we get money for me to eat these food for six months?” However, Talatu Mahmoud, a new mother, said, “I knew I was going to have my baby in July. So, I used my empty sacks and buckets to plant vegetables to take advantage of the rainy season. ”I planted Ugu, bitterleaf,water leaf, moringa and tomatoes so that no matter how little food I get I will simply add all my vegetables which are very important for a breastfeeding mothersm.” Abdurrazak Shehu, officer incharge of the federal low-cost primary health centre, said during antenatal, postnatal and immunisation days, women were educated on nutrition to improve their households diet using simple gardening techniques. He said the facility recorded 31 exclusive breastfed babies in June 2024 and in July 40 babies were recorded. He said the figure indicated that despite the economic situation, mothers adhere to campaigns on exclusive breastfeeding.
ENUGU GOVERNOR , PETER MBAH, ASSURES FARMERS OF CONTINUED SUPPORT
ENUGU GOVERNOR, PETER MBAH, ASSURES FARMERS OF CONTINUED SUPPORT Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has identified agriculture as a veritable sector for economic development, food security as well as poverty eradication, and expressed commitment to supporting rural farmers with agro inputs and machinery to scale-up their production. Mbah gave the assurance on Thursday when he flagged off the distribution of free Fertilizer, Power Tillers, Agro inputs to registered farmers and other social interventions to the rural communities held at Okpare Square Enugu. While performing the symbolic function, Gov Mbah said it was imperative to nurture small scale entrepreneurs for sustainable growth through the provision of the key enablers since they remain the lifeblood of economic development. He said the administration would be carrying out an extensive revamp of a number of rural roads to ensure that the farming clusters springing up across the rural belt of the state do not exist as isolated units. While assuring that the Agro inputs will be distributed directly to the identified farmers in the state, the governor noted that the target is to make Enugu a food production state for both local consumption and exports and be able to diversify the state economy through the sector. Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Patrick Ugwu enjoined the farmers and other beneficiaries to reciprocate government’s massive support through prudent application of the inputs and grants to create jobs, trigger revolution in the agricultural industry, and boost the state’s economy. Also, the Acting General Manager, Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Mrs Ugochukwu Ugwunnadi and the acting state project coordinator, FADAMA, Mr Geoffrey Eze said the agencies are the implementation platforms for Nigeria’s COVID-19 Action Recovery Stimulus Program, also known as EN-NG CARES. They said the agencies are responsible for the provision of machinery and other farming inputs as well as to carry out developmental projects in various communities.
FG SUSPENDS PLAN TO SELL 50KG BAGS OF RICE TO CIVIL SERVANTS
FG SUSPENDS PLAN TO SELL 50KG BAGS OF RICE TO CIVIL SERVANTS The Federal Government has suspended the plan to sell subsidised 50kg bags of rice to civil servants for N40,000. The decision was made known in a circular titled, ‘Withdrawal of Internal Circular on Sale of Subsidized Rice to Public Servants’, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs (Human Resources Management Department). The circular was addressed to Directors and Heads of Departments. It read: “I am directed to refer to our internal circular in the Ministry (Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs) of 1st August, 2024 on the above subject matter and to inform you that the Internal Circular is hereby withdrawn. “Further details will be communicated in due course. Please bring the contents of this internal circular to the attention of staff in your respective Departments and Units for their information and proper guidance,” the circular reads. The previous memo from the Ministry, dated August 1, and signed by Mrs Jaiyesim Abimbola Aderonke, Director of Human Resource Management, had outlined the procedure for civil servants to purchase the rice. However, no reason was provided for withdrawal of the plan, which certainly will leave many civil servants who had registered for the subsidised rice in a state of uncertainty. The initial plan was announced by the Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, stating that the government intended to mitigate the effects of the current food crisis by offering 50kg bags of rice at a subsidised rate to civil servants in Abuja.
TINUBU’S PALLIATIVE: ANXIETY AS 740 TRUCKS OF RICE FAIL TO ARRIVE MOST STATES
TINUBU PALLIATIVE: ANXIETY AS 740 TRUCKS OF RICE FAIL TO ARRIVE MOST STATES Only a few states appear to have received the 20 trucks of rice palliative earmarked for each of the 36 states by the Federal Government and the issue is causing anxiety, Sunday Vanguard understands. A survey at the weekend shows no northern state apart from Kano had received the consignment of rice while in the South-West, only Oyo claimed that the trucks had arrived. In the South-South, Akwa–Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa States’ officials confirmed receiving the latest palliative while others said they had not arrived. Delta State government said the rice had not been received as of Friday noon while Edo and Cross River States’ officials did not respond to inquiries. The Federal Government had, last Monday, said it had allocated 740 trucks of rice to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. Each state including the FCT, under the arrangement, is expected to get 20 trucks containing 1,200 bags of 25kg each and the rice is to be distributed to the most vulnerable in the society. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Minister, who was flanked by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that the President directed the Minister of Agriculture to ensure that food is made available to Nigerians. He explained that the distribution of trucks of rice was also to ensure that the hardship in the country is ameliorated, adding that it’s expected that the state governors will distribute the trucks of rice to the most vulnerable. Delta: No rice yet – Ahon, CPSChief Press Secretary to the Governor of Delta State, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed to Sunday Vanguard that the state had not received its share of the palliative. Koku-Obiyai, Bayelsa State Information Commissioner, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, who confirmed receipt of the rice in Yenagoa, the state capital, said, ”Yes, the state has received the palliative. “I just confirmed from the Chairman of SEMA that the state has received 20 truckloads of 25 kg bags of rice. “The governor will be informed. In Bayelsa State, we do not distribute palliative along party lines. Everybody is suffering, when I was in the House of Assembly, Governor Diri insisted that everybody should benefit from such distributions.” Chair of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Hon Walama Igrubia, also confirmed the delivery of the palliative when contacted. ‘A-Ibom received 24,000 bags’In Akwa Ibom State, the Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, acknowledged receipt of 24,000 bags of 25 kg rice from the Federal Government to cushion the hardship of the current food crisis in the country. He explained that the state government added another 24,000 bags of 25 kg from the Federal Government to increase the quantity to 48,000 bags to ensure that more families benefit from the intervention. His words: “Through this food intervention, the government will share 20 bags of rice each to 2,272 villages in the state. “This is in addition to the over 100,000 families drawn from the social register, who have already received and others who will be receiving free food items from the state government through the Bulk Purchase Agency. “This food intervention by the government is aimed at cushioning the effect of the hardship currently faced by our citizens, and reducing extreme hunger and poverty as stipulated by Sustainable Development Goal 1. “However, the long-term and sustainable solution remains the back-to-farm initiative of the state government to boost local food production, which is why the governor…
BREAKING: STATES, FCT GET 20 TRUCKS OF RICE EACH TO CUSHION FOOD CRISIS
BREAKING: STATES, FCT GET 20 TRUCKS OF RICE EACH TO CUSHION FOOD CRISIS The Federal Government has said it has completed the distribution of 20 trucks of rice to each of the 36 state governments as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, for distribution to the most vulnerable persons as part of efforts to cushion the impact of hunger in the country. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday, after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu. According to the Minister, FEC deliberated extensively on the food crisis rocking the country and has instructed that each state get 20 trucks of rice for distribution to vulnerable persons to help them cushion the effect of hunger in the land. He said, “Council deliberated extensively on food supply and shortage of food in the country, so 20 trucks of rice has already been distributed to each state across the country, including the FCT.“The Federal Government decided on this as a first step to cushion the hardship faced by Nigerians, but the food relief would go to the most vulnerable members of the society.”
IMPORTATION OF FOOD MAY DESTROY AGRIC SECTOR – AFDP
IMPORTATION OF FOOD MAY DESTROY AGRIC SECTOR – AfDB PRESIDENT, ADESINA The President, African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has warned that the decision by the Federal Government to allow massive food importation may destroy the country’s agriculture sector. Adesina, who spoke at a retreat by the African Primates of the Anglican Church in Abuja, advised the Nigerian government to produce more food and create jobs through agriculture. On July 10, 2024, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced that the Federal Government would suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through the country’s land and sea borders, for 150 days. Kyari had said, “To ameliorate food inflation in the country caused by affordability and exacerbated by availability, the government has taken a raft of measures to be implemented over the next 180 days: “A 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities, suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities (through land and sea borders). These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas. Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price.” The minister had stated that in addition to the importation by the private sector, the “Federal Government will import 250,000MT of wheat and 250,000MT of maize. The imported food commodities in their semi-processed state will target supplies to the small-scale processors and millers across the country.” Reacting to this plan, in a speech made at the retreat held on Friday in Abuja, and posted on the website of AfDB on Saturday, Adesina faulted the policy. Adesina, a former agriculture minister, said, “Nigeria’s recently announced policy to open its borders for massive food imports, just to tackle short-term food price hikes, is depressing.” He warned that the policy could undermine all the hard work and private investments that had gone into Nigeria’s agriculture sector. “Nigeria cannot rely on the importation of food to stabilise prices. Nigeria should be producing more food to stabilise food prices while creating jobs and reducing foreign exchange spending, that will further help stabilise the naira. “Nigeria cannot import its way out of food insecurity. Nigeria must not be turned into a food import-dependent nation,” he stated. Adesina who spoke on the theme, ‘Food security and financial sustainability in Africa: The role of the Church’, said Nigeria “must feed itself with pride,” warning, “a nation that depends on others to feed itself, is independent only in name.” “It is clear therefore that unless we transform agriculture, Africa cannot eliminate poverty,” he insisted. “Essentially, food is money. The size of the food and agriculture market in Africa will reach $1tn by 2030,” Adesina added.The bank chief stated that the clergymen had assembled in Abuja under the umbrella of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, representing more than 40 million Anglicans across the continent.
FG INAUGURATES COMMITTEE TO TACKLE FOOD CRISIS
FG INAUGURATES COMMITTEE TO TACKLE FOOD CRISIS The Federal Government has inaugurated the Presidential Food Systems Coordination Unit (PFSCU) as part of its efforts to tackle the prevailing hardship in the land. While inaugurating the unit at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Friday, Vice President Kashim Shettima said it was part of the present administration’s ongoing plan to tackle hunger. The presidency has also engaged the states, development partners and other critical stakeholders in the efforts to address the soaring prices of commodities and general food insecurity in the country. Addressing members comprising governors, cabinet ministers and representatives of development partners, Shettima said, “the nation is facing a rare food security crisis and the sooner we come to terms with the reality, the better. “Food insecurity endangers the very basis of our democratic experiment and this is why all hands have to be on deck. We are in a food security crisis but it also provides us the opportunity to re-engineer and reposition the nation on a firmer footing”. Outlining the mandate of the PFSCU, the Vice President said the unit was not created to usurp the functions of the Ministry of Agriculture, noting that the urgency and seriousness of the matter at hand requires the ideas and resources of all stakeholders. Shettima also made reference to the Green Imperative Programme, a government-catalyzed, private sector-driven, agricultural industrialization programme, as one initiative which the PFSCU must work assiduously to activate and operationalize. He stated that with improved farming practices, improved seeds, use of fertilizers, Nigeria’s agricultural productivity could be turned around for the better. Speaking earlier, governors on the committee outlined plans to modernise farming practices, increase crop yields, and transform Nigeria into a self-sufficient food producer. Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River said his state is looking to feed the country, adding that his government must modernize agriculture to feed the population. “We are an agrarian state, and we have stepped up our game,” Governor Otu noted. On his part, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, emphasised the need for a coordinated approach, citing low productivity and population growth as a major challenge to the nation’s food security drive. He called for investment in commercial agriculture, improved funding, and enhanced security for farmers. Also, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, highlighted the state’s potential to achieve food security. “All that is needed is the political will to drive the process. Our lands are very fertile. In Jigawa, there are places where we are yielding ten tonnes per hectare of rice. There are so many places like that. As of today, our average in Jigawa State is about 12.56 per hectare. We are on the right course. What we need is sustained political will,” the governor explained. On his part, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, proposed his state as a pilot for the President’s food security initiative.He claimed that Niger has invested over N100 billion in agricultural mechanization, with 5,000 tractors and twenty pilot irrigation systems available.