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Hunger: LASG Launches ‘Ounje Eko’ Discounted Food Prices

March 16, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has launched the ‘Ounje Eko’ Food Market for Lagos Residents.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that the Food Market should begin from March 17 across the State.

The markets have been tasked with selling discounted food items across the five divisions.

The State Government made the announcement in a statement by the Commissioner, Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho on Saturday.

It noted that “In order to prevent sharp practices and ensure the foodstuff reaches a large number of Lagosians, a voucher system will be introduced as the pilot scheme kicks off.

“Independent payment solution providers and food vendors have been identified and carefully selected to operate the process.

“They will also provide real-time data on the exercise for monitoring.

“ For the purpose of transparency, prices of the items have also been listed. A 5kg bag of rice would sell for N5,325 while 1kg goes for N1,065; 5kg bag of Beans – N6,225 while 1kg would sell for N1,245. Prices of other staple food items will also be made available through various media outlets.

“The markets will be open at 27 locations in Ikeja; six in Lagos Island; nine in Ikorodu; five in Epe; and 10 in Badagry divisions.

“Mr. Governor has called on all Lagosians to cooperate with the operators at the various locations, monitor the process, and provide feedback through official channels of the Lagos State Government.”

The List of Prices of the Produce are;

5kg bag of rice – N5,325

1kg bag of rice – N1,065

5kg bag of Beans – N6,225

1kg bag of Beans – N1,245

5kg bag of Garri – N3,975

1kg bag of Garri – N795

2kg Tomatoes – N1,800

1kg Atarodo – N1,875

1kg Tatashe – N1,275

1kg Onions – N450

1 crate of eggs – N2,700

Bread – N750

The Market Locations are; Eti Osa LGA – Ikota Primary School, Lekki -Epe Expressway, Ikota

Eti-Osa East LCDA – Admiralty Farmers Market: Plot 33 Admiralty way, Lekki Phase 1

Ikoyi Obalende LCDA – Old Nursing Ground, 1-9 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi

Iru Victoria Island LCDA – Victory Island Snr. Secondary, School, Opposite Eko Hotel

Lagos Island LGA – Elegbata Junior High School

Lagos Island East LCDA – Lafiaji Senior Secondary School

Ikorodu

Ikorodu LGA – Ikorodu Grammar Schoo

Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA – Zumuratu Islamiya Grammar School, Igbogbo

Ijede LCDA – Luwasa Jnr High School, ljede

Ikorodu North LCDA – Odogunyan Grammar School, Odogunyan

Ikorodu West LCDA – Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School

Imota LCDA – LGA Pry. School, Imota

Kosofe LGA – St Emmanuel Pry Sch, Ogudu

Ikosi Isheri LCDA – Ikosi High School, Ketu

Agboyi Ketu LCDA – Comprehensive Jnr High School, Agboyi Ketu

Ikeja

Agege LGA – Dairy Farm Secondary School

Orile Agege LCDA – Saka Tinubu Memorial School, Orile Agege

Ajeromi-Ifelodun – AFRICAN Primary School, (Close to the Secretariat)

Ifelodun LCDA – LA Primary School Layeni, beside the Layeni Police Station, Ojo Road, Ajegunte, Apapa

Alimosho LGA – Ebenezer/Egbeda Primary School, Egbeda

Mosan Okunola LCDA – Alimosho Secondary School, Alimosho

Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA – Oke Odo Primary School

Igando-Ikotun LCDA – Igando Community Grammar School, Igando

Ayobo -Ipaja LCDA – St Andrews Anglican Pry School, Church Bus Stop, Ipaja

Lagos Mainland LGA – Nawarudeen Secondary School, Cemetry Street, Ebute Metta

Yaba LCDA – Lagos City College, Sabo, Yaba

Odi Olowo Ojuwoye LCDA – Ilupeju Grammar School, Ilupeju

Oshodi-Isolo – Owoseni Primary School, Oshodi

Ejigbo LCDA – Oke Afa Snr. Secondary, Jankande Estate

Isolo LCDA – Ire Akari Snr Secondary School, Isolo

Shomolu LGA – Gbagada Comprehensive Jr High School.

Bariga LCDA – Alubarika Primary School

Surulere LGA – Lagos Progressive Pry. Sch, Mbah Str. Surulere

Coker Aguda LCDA – Aguda Community Senior Secondary School

Itire-Ikate L…

Presidency Says FG Will Not Import Foods Amid Rising Hunger

Akinwale Kasali

March 16, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has said that it is deploying resources to critical sectors in order to significantly impact on the welfare of Nigerians. It, also, insisted that the administration will not import food amid the rising hunger facing Nigerians.

Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential Spokesman to emphasised that the Government would not allow the importation of food but rather turn the lack in the country into abundance.

President Bola Tinubu made the commitment at a meeting with the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) led by its National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, at the State House on Friday in Abuja.

The President assured that the Government was working round the clock to improve the living conditions of all Nigerians.

He called on leaders at the grassroots to encourage citizens to get their National Identification Number for planning, structured interventions and full integration into government relief programmes.

“The programme of our government will be truly progressive; student loans, a national consumer credit system, and social welfare for the unemployed, as well as graduates.

“Every Nigerian will find a place of belonging in our country.

“In the eye of even the biggest hurricane, we will find that place of tranquility and prosperous harmony for the benefit of all.

“Nigerians will all partake on this national journey to prosperity,’’ the President said.

Tinubu told the APC State chairmen that his Government had already drawn up a blueprint for large-scale livestock farming.

“We are bringing mechanised farming to the fore. Yesterday’s crisis will become today’s opportunity.

“Fertilizers are being supplied to farmers as we speak. Agriculture and economic diversification provide the answers to our problems.

“We will not continue to import food. We know how to turn lack into abundance, and the world will watch us do it again,’’ he said.

Tinubu added that the repositioning of the economy was a top national priority and urged party members not to wait for appointment before embarking on exemplary civic engagements.

“As we are fighting corruption, smugglers, and old subsidy beneficiaries, they most certainly will fight back.

“All those who falsified records and became losers with the subsidy removal, they will fight back, but we will defend our people.”

He urged all party chairmen in states, regardless of party affiliation, to mobilise citizens to go for NIN registration.

“Some are poor Nigerians who have not experienced formal education and have no understanding of what NIN is and how it will benefit their lives. We must teach them. We must care for them.

“We will be making faulty moves without accurate data and iron-clad, digital intervention structures,” Tinubu said.

He said a Committee of Governors, headed by Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is working on what must be done to further lift the people.

Ganduje had earlier told the President that the Party was set to establish an Institute of Policy and Development, for the benefit of its members and the broader Nigerian public.

He pledged their loyalty and support as the administration strives to implement its economic programmes and policies.

Professor Yusuf To Akpabio: “Return N21b You Took For Constituency Project And Resign From Office”

The Source

March 16, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

Usman Yusuph, a Professor of Haematology/Oncology and a specialist in Bone Marrow Transplant, has called for the resignation of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, from office.

Professor Usman, a regular commentator on political issues and former Executive Secretary of the NHIS spoke on Arise Television Saturday just as the ante has continued to go up over the allegation of padding the 2024 Budget made against the Senate by Senator Abdul Ningi.

Ningi, PDP, representing Bauchi Central District, had, in an interview with BBC Hausa Service, alleged that the Senate padded the Budget with the sum of N3.7trn. He also alleged there are two different versions of the Budget.

Irked by his allegations which they dismissed as totally false, and according to the Senate Leader, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, a civilian coup, Ningi was slammed with a three-month suspension on Tuesday, during Plenary.

However, instead of the allegations to go away, they have been worsened by more uncomfortable revelations. For instance, a couple of Senators who spoke at Plenary, revealed that each Senator received a whopping sum of between N200m and N500m for what they called Constituency Project.

Senator Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe revealed that some Senators got N500m from the Budget, a revelation confirmed by Bamidele. In confirming it, Bamidele asked constituents to watch out if the money would not be spent by their Senators within one year. Revelations were also made of (another) two to five billion Naira to Senators for their Constituencies. Ningi, for instance said while his Constituency got two billion Naira, only, some others got five billion.

However, the most confounding was the revelation that Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, got an unbelievable sum of N21bn for his Constituency.

Professor Usman, who expressed outrage over what has been described as “an obscene so-called money for Constituency Project” to National Assembly Members, told Arise Television that he was ashamed of the Senate. He urged the Senators to return the hundreds of millions of Naira given to them for Constituency Projects, and noted that they should be ashamed of carting such an amount of money while the masses were dying of hunger. But he reserved the harshest criticism for Akpabio.

While describing the N21bn allegedly allocated to Akpabio for his Constituency as sacrilegious, he asked the Senate President to not only return the money but to resign from office.

For the records, Usman is not the only one who has called for the resignation of Akpabio from office. Main Opposition Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in its reaction to the “largesse”, also, asked Akpabio to step down. But in a swift response, the Senate has said Akpabio is going nowhere.

And lending its voice to the raging controversy, the Association of Northern Nigerian Students issued a 48-hour notice to the Senate to recall Ningi to the Senate or expect an occupation of the National Assembly by its members.

While the controversy rages, Senator Ningi has alerted of a plan to arrest him. But arrest or not, one thing is certain. The sh$t has already hit the fan, and confirms Ningi’s assertion that neither he nor the Senate can contain the can of worms he has opened – courtesy, his BBC Hausa Service outing.

Obi Berates AG’s Office Over Workshop In London, Says It’s Insensitivity To The Plight Of Nigerians

The Source

March 16, 2024

The main opposition voice and Labour Party’s standard bearer, Peter Obi has criticized the holding of the Workshop in London by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation saying it smacks the insensitivity of the office to the worrisome situation in the country.

Obi said Nigerians must resist and denounce such recklessness and clear a show of feelingless

Writing on his X handle on Saturday Obi said “Nigerians must vehemently denounce and condemn the decision of Nigeria’s Accountant-General’s Office to hold a workshop in London. This decision is not only unacceptable but also deeply troubling on multiple levels.

“Given the prevailing hardship in the country and the pitiable State of our national currency, any public function abroad amounts to insensitivity on the part of the government and any agency or individuals involved.

“First and foremost, it represents a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility and prudent expenditure of public funds. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges, including inflation, currency devaluation, and a widening budget deficit, it is utterly irresponsible to squander taxpayer money on extravagant overseas workshops. The resources allocated for such purposes should be directed towards addressing pressing domestic needs, such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.

“Furthermore, holding a workshop in London sends the wrong message to the Nigerian people and the international community. It perpetuates the perception of government officials indulging in luxury and extravagance at the expense of the common citizen. It fosters a culture of elitism and detachment from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, who struggle daily to make ends meet amidst rising living costs and limited access to essential services.

“Moreover, there are serious questions regarding the necessity and effectiveness of conducting a workshop abroad, particularly in a city as expensive as London. Nigeria is home to numerous highly qualified professionals and experts who are more than capable of providing the required training and expertise. By outsourcing such activities to foreign countries the government not only undermines local expertise but also fails to leverage the wealth of knowledge and experience within its borders.

“Additionally, holding a workshop in London raises concerns about transparency and accountability in government procurement processes. There must be full disclosure and justification for why London was chosen as the venue, as well as how the selection of vendors and contractors was made. Any hint of impropriety or favouritism in awarding contracts for such events must be thoroughly investigated and addressed.”

Alleged Fake Certificate Against Ondo Gov Aiyedatiwa: Lawyer Seeks WAEC’s Clarification

Ayodele Oni

March 16, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

As intrigues and blackmail among politicians jostling for governorship ticket of political parties in Ondo state, rage on, an activist lawyer, Kayode Megbojuri, has sought to authenticate the academic records of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

He has written to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to confirm the result of the Governor and issues surrounding it.

There have been insinuations that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s secondary school certificate with which e was cleared to be running mate of late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is fake.

Megbojuri relies on the Freedom of Information Act in asking the examination body for the details of the governor’s result.

The FOI Act gives Nigerian citizens the right to access public information and records.

The lawyer’s request from the WAEC includes: “Information of the candidate with the examination number 019 with center number 15592 with the name, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for the 1982 May/June, Examination.

“Whether or not in the year 1982, anyone with the name Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa wrote GCE exams with centre number 15592 and examination number 019.

“List of schools accredited for WAEC examinations in Lagos State in the year 1982 and List of Centre’s and schools accredited for GCE in the year 1982.

Another lawyer had before now petitioned the Nigerian Police over the secondary school certificate results of the Governor and over which a police report has been issued.

The status of the WAEC result of the governor and issues surrounding it will go a long way to determine what becomes of him and his aspiration for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP Chairman In Edo Kidnapped, Whereabouts Unknown

Ayodele Oni

March 16, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

As political parties are preparing for September governorship election in Edo state, Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State, Dr Tony Aizegbemi has been abducted by gunmen.

The party confirmed that Aizegbemi was kidnapped Saturday.

It was gathered that the Edo PDP Chairman was kidnapped as he was taking a routine walk outside his residence.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the family nor the State chapter of PDP has received any communication from the abductors.

Horror In Delta State As Commanding Officer, 15 Soldiers, On Peace Mission Are Killed By, Allegedly, Youths

Ayodele Oni

March 16, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Musa has confirmed the killing of a Commanding Officer and other members of troops from 181 Amphibious Battalion on a Peace Mission to Okuoma in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta state.

The Defence Chief, stated that the incident happened on Thursday and was allegedly perpetrated by some community youths.

He has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the act gruesome act and be made to face justice.

Military spokesperson, the acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. General Tukur Gusau in a statement on Saturday, said the incident has been reported to the Delta State government.

According to him, the unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.

The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.

He said the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.

“So far, a few arrests have been made while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.”

Uzodimma, Oramah Meet In Egypt, Explore Investment Potentials In Imo

The Source

March 16, 2024

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has met with the President of Africa Export Import (Afrexim) Bank, Prof Benedict Oramah in Cairo, Egypt where the duo discussed in details the investment potentials of Imo State.

During his inauguration for a second term in office early this year, Governor Uzodimma assured that he would intensify efforts at exploring avenues that would make the abundant human and natural resources in Imo State exploitable.

The Governor is passionate about turning the huge arable land, gas deposits and other abundant natural resources in Imo State into sources of revenue generation for the State and employment opportunities for the unemployed youth demography.

At the Cairo meeting with Oramah during the week, Governor Uzodimma and his host explored, among other things, the huge investment potentials that is Imo State for a win win situation.

An excited Governor Uzodimma is not only confident that the meeting was fruitful and will yield the desired results, he also expressed joy that Imo State would be better off based on the matters under discussion with Oramah.

Taking to his social media platform on Friday, Governor Uzodimma said: “I am delighted to share an exciting development as I seized an opportunity in Cairo to meet with our esteemed brother, Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, President of Afrexim Bank.

“We explored potential partnership terms aimed at catalyzing investments in our State’s economy and I am thrilled to announce that our efforts have borne fruit, as we have made significant strides in advancing discussions for potential investments totaling up to USD 1.5 billion.

“This collaboration holds immense promise for the prosperity and growth of our beloved State as we continue to work diligently towards realizing our shared vision of a thriving and vibrant economy.”

During Governor Uzodimma’s first term, he attracted a lot of funds from development partners, taking advantage of his private sector background and desire to turn the economic fortunes of Imo State around.

As an avid advocate of government of inclusiveness and shared prosperity, Governor Uzodimma believes that government’s recourse to Public Private Partnership (PPP) will quicken the pace of economic recovery of Imo State with the concomitant growth and development effects across sectors.

Abia Medicine Dealers Back Gov. Otti’s Planned Reconstruction Of Market’s, Call For Resettlement Of Displaced Traders

The Source

March 16, 2024

The Abia State Patent Medicine Dealers Association, Ekumi Plaza Aba, has thrown its weight behind the State Government’s plan to remodel and reconstruct major markets in the State to align with global best standards.

This is even as it has called on Governor Alex Otti,to enure the fulfillment of his electioneering campaign promise of resettling the over 20 thousand traders who lost their shops and business premises to the Ariaria International Market reconstruction efforts of the immediate past administration in the state .

The umbrella body of the arguably single largest traders body in Abia Markets, with an estimated membership strength of ten thousand, spoke through its out-gone Chairman, Chief Chukwuka Okorie, on Thursday, March 14, during the election of a new Executive Body to pilot its affairs.

Chief Okorie said the planned market reconstruction by the State Government, if diligently executed, will lift the status of the markets and mitigate the high rate of fire incidents and flooding that have continued to dog most of the markets ,particularly in Aba .

“The State Government’s decision to remodel and reconstruct some of the major markets is a welcome development. We, the traders, are in complete support of the planned effort.

“For one, most of the markets were established some thirty to forty years ago,and in all honesty, there is the need to bring them to at least National best standards, if not global .

“In building them, certain necessary facilities that add value and provide safety were not considered and we believe that with the planned remodeling and reconstruction efforts, all the identified fault lines will be addressed.

“However, our concern is that the exercise should be carried out in such a way that the original shop owners are carried along and guaranteed of the safety of their investments.

“We are saying this because the efforts of the immediate past administration at Ariaria International Market has, today, left several thousands of original shop owners in pain, with some dead as a result of the loss of their means of livelihood.

“The demolition that preceded the reconstruction efforts saw several thousands of traders losing their shops, the most hard hit being we, the Medicine dealers, and others on the popular A and B lines of Ariaria.

“Some of the Medicine dealers who could afford it had to relocate to the Ecumi Plaza ,while several thousands of others who survived the shock are still stranded”, Okorie stated

He, therefore, appealed to Governor Otti, to make good his promise of returning to the original owners their shops, and added that the traders will forever appreciate him for any efforts to bring succor to them.

“During the last elections, majority of the traders threw their support behind the Governor because we sincerely believed that he will wipe away our tears .

“So far, the Governor Otti has not disappointed going by the serious transformation going on in all facets of Abia State . He has shown capacity, commitment, dedication, and sincerity of purpose within the short period in the saddle, and we are optimistic that his transformation agenda will trickle down to the point of resettling all displaced traders as he promised during the election”

The former Chairman of the Medicine Dealers, also, urged the new leadership of the body to ensure the sustenance of the understanding, cooperation, mutual respect and collaboration that have been existing between the body ,National Food Drugs and Administration Control NAFDAC, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, and added that the cordial relationship has brought about the reign of sanity in the medicine distribution chain at the market .

“Before the election, I appealed to our people on the need to elect credible and committed leadership, which will ensure that sanity continue to dominate in the system. Consumers will be better served and businesses thrive if sanity is allowed to reign” Okorie emphasised

The activities of the medicine dealers will now be coordinated by Chima Amadi, Chukwudi Anams ,Sunday Nwugo as Chairman ,Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively.

CDS Musa Speaks Tough, Urges EFCC To Intensify Effort In Tracking Terrorism Funding

Akinwale Kasali

March 15, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to intensify its effort in tracking terrorism funding in the country, stressing that this is a means of curbing Terrorism globally.

Musa added that the EFCC needs to further beam its searchlight by tracing funds related to terrorism.

A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, stated that the CDS said this during a visit to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja.

Musa also described the legal system of the country as “soft”, lamenting that the system is delaying the prosecution of suspects.

According to him, the delay experienced in the prosecution of suspects had become one of the major challenges for the military.

The statement partly reads:

“The CDS called for the tracking of terrorism funding in Nigeria, being one of the non-kinetic means of fighting terrorism across the globe.

“The CDS further informed the Chairman of the Anti-Graft body that AFN synergises with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and other stakeholders to fight oil theft in the country.

“He lamented that the issues of blocking loopholes brought about by the siphoning of oil and the soft legal system which delays the prosecution of suspects have been major challenges.

“The CDS also called for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras at strategic locations, adding that it would help in the fight against crime in the country.

“He harped on the use of census, and installation of Closed-Circuit Television Cameras in strategic points to contain cases of corruption, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity in the country,” Musa said.

He noted that the military had zero tolerance for corrupt practices.

“The AFN adopts the proceedings of a General Court Martial to checkmate culpable personnel, ” the CDS added.

Musa, however, urged the EFCC boss to encourage public office holders and other Nigerians in positions of authority to uphold good governance to forestall economic breakdown and insecurity.

Tye EFCC Chairman, Olukoyede, stated that the war against corruption must be won as the menace has destroyed the nation’s economy and at the same time dented the image of the country.

He warned that if drastic measures are not taken, the country would be put into jeopardy in the next 10 years.

“As a means to mitigate the menace caused by corruption and insecurity, the chairman posited that cognitive responsibility has to be embraced by the military and other security agencies, adding that the war against corruption should be seen as everybody’s business. Furthermore, he said EFCC, the military, and other security agencies have to join forces in fighting corruption, ” the statement added.

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