Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state says his government has reduced the price of rice by over 50 percent.
The governor said the state government had acquired 280 trucks of rice at the cost of N14.4 billion.
A bag of 50 kilogramme rice is currently sold at between N80,000 and N100,000.
The Sokoto helmsman made this known on Wednesday while inaugurating the sales of subsidised rice and other essential commodities at 55 per cent discount rates in the state.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the inauguration of
took place in Kware LGA, and it’s to be replicated in the 244 wards in the state.
Governor Aliyu said the programme is part of his administration’s quest to make food cheap and affordable to the people of the state, regardless of political considerations, noting that the initiative will be sustained to ensure food security.
“We have made the process transparent and non-political with a view to ensuring the success of this initiative in supporting the entire population of the state.
“Our goal is to ensure that all residents of Sokoto, regardless of political affiliation or religious background, benefit from this programme,” he assured.
“Each ward will receive 600 bags of 50 kg rice, sold at a 55 per cent discount rate. We have reduced the price of a 50 kg bag to N38,700, a 25 kg bag to N19,350, and a 10 kg bag to N7,740.”
The World Bank says Nigeria’s Naira is among the worst performing currencies in Africa. The Nigerian currency is ranked among floundering currencies in the continent, others include the Angola and Sierra Leone currencies, the Bretton Wood US based global financial institution said.
The bank statement is coming on the heels of a remark by Yemi Cardoso, Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, that a weak naira is good for the economy.
The currency is experiencing its worst performance in years, as it’s not exchanged for N1, 650 to the dollar.
The CBN governor made this known on Wednesday during the Nigerian Economic Summit, NES, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Cardoso explained that a weak naira will strengthens Nigeria’s export, stressing that Nigerians should take advantage of the moment.
The World bank revealed this in it latest Africa’s Pulse report, noting that the naira has lost as much as 43 percent in its value in the last one year, with no end in site to recovery.
According to the global financial institution, the naira woes has been worsened due to the high demand for the US dollars mostly at the parallel foreign exchange market.
The bank said, “By August 2024, the Ethiopian birr, Nigerian naira, and South Sudanese pound were among the worst performers in the region. The Nigerian naira continued losing value, with a year-to-date depreciation of about 43 per cent as of August.
“Surges in demand for US dollars in the parallel market, driven by financial institutions, money managers, and non-financial end-users, combined with limited dollar inflows and slow foreign exchange disbursements to currency exchange bureaus by the central bank, explain the weakening of the naira.”
The magazine reported that Cardoso, had earlier in February claimed that the naira was undervalued, promising to ensure that the currency regained its actual value among other major currencies.
He blamed the continued devaluation of the currency on manipulation and distortion in the forex market, which he promised to fix.
“We believe that the naira is currently undervalued and, coupled with coordinated measures on the fiscal side, we will expedite genuine price discovery in the near term. This coordinated approach will contribute to a more balanced and stable exchange rate,” he said.
The Flamingos of Nigeria coasted to a 4-1 victory over the New Zealand Female Under-17 Team in the opening match of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup at the Santiago de los Caballeros Stadium in Dominican Republic Wednesday night.
The Nigerians dominated the match with Dhakirat Moshood scoring one of the competition’s fastest goals since it was launched 16 years ago, when she rounded the defence of the girls from down under to score the first goal after only 80 seconds at the CFC Stadium.
The precocious Faridat Abdulwahab rocked the crossbar seven minutes later from 23 yards, and in the 13th minute, Nigeria went two goals up when defender Taiwo Adegoke’s shot from well outside the box was misjudged by the goalkeeper who palmed the ball over the line before scrambling in vain to push it out.
A check with the Video Assistant Referee confirmed that the ball had, indeed, crossed the line, giving the Flamingos a 2-0 lead over their Oceania counterpart.
Firing from all cylinders, Nigeria again rattled the opposing goalkeeper in the 17th minute, with a sharp shot from Moshood that was punched over the bar.
Four minutes later, Peace Effiong, all over the pitch, heaved the ball too high from six yards, while in the 26th minute, Harmony Chidi rounded the goalkeeper who made a great block on the second attempt.
Captain Taiwo Afolabi stung the goalkeeper’s palms from close range in the 28th minute, and from the resultant corner kick, Abdulwahab easily lifted the ball over the goalie from 16 yards for Nigeria’s third goal.
In the second half, the Flamingos continued their raid on the opposition goal, and eight minutes into the restart, it was 4-0 after Afolabi’s looping header from Adegoke’s cross from the right sailed over the goalkeeper into the net.
On the hour, Saxon scored a goal right from the training ground, collecting the ball from a corner kick and doing a smart turn to shoot past goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma, thus pulling one back for the New Zealanders.
Although Chidi, Nigeria’s top scorer from the qualifying series, was again foiled in the 75th minute, the Flamingos finished on the ascendancy and will look forward to another three points against debutants Ecuador on Saturday, that will take them to the tournament’s knockout stage.
In the other Group A fixture, Ecuador defeated host, Dominican Republic 2-0.
The Nigerian Team top the Group with superior goal difference, but are tied with Ecuador on Three Points.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has clarified that there is no leadership vacuum in the country, despite the absence of the President and his Vice from the Country.
Both President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, are out of the Country.
Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday, also stated that this would not be the first time that the President and Vice will not be on their seat in Abuja.
Onanuga’s statement reads “It is important to note that the President and Vice President are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.
“President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.
“The Vice President departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.
“All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.
“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.
“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum.
“Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.
“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organised by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.
“The Constitution, a testament to our adaptability in the virtual age, does not explicitly require the physical presence of either the president or the vice president in the country at all times to fulfil his duties.”
To colleagues and fans, he was known as “Bobo B” due to his youthful dress sense when not on screen.
Though he is, also, known for his role as a Chief and elderly person in films he has featured.
The news of Ayobami Olabiyi’s passing came as a shock to the Yoruba genre of Nollywood.
He was said to have been admitted at the University College Hospital, UCH, after his health deteriorated in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he eventually passed on.
According to sources, the late thespian was supposed to be on a movie set in Oyo last month, but could not make it due to his deteriorating health.
Akintola, in a statement on the passing said: “I have a directive of the Oyo state TAMPAN Governor, Her Excellency Yeye Bose Akinola, to announce the death of our TAMPAN National General Secretary, Chief Alhaji Musadshir Ayobami Olabiyi ‘Bobo B. May God give his family and the entire TAMPAN members globally the fortitude to bear the loss. Insha Allah, Amen.”
Another colleague, Abidemi Temitayo while paying tribute said: “I remembered what happened vividly the night I took that second slide with you after shooting…we were both on the set of the shoot when the director was giving us a line, Say Y was the director then and asked us to do CR, I said there is no need for it, the director was like will you? Bobo B then replied Bidemi is sure of herself, ki se Omode actor now, we all laughed and we shot the movie, no tape 2 or more, we then took a picture with my person, three of us, and then took the crew too before leaving but today that same jovial man is no more hearing about your death is so shocking
“Alhaji Mudashir Ayobami Olabiyi. This is so sad. Rest well Bobo B…. The industry will surely miss you, even the world at large.”
Before his demise, Olabiyi, was the former governor of the TAMPAN in Oyo state and its current national secretary, died after a brief illness.
The Federal Government is seeking ways to permanently put an end to perennial strikes at the Ivory tower.
To that effect, it may have dumped the 2009 agreement reached with Unions in the universities and seek a more viable and implementable agreement.
To this end, it has inaugurated the reconstituted Renegotiation Committee on the 2009 agreements with university based unions.
Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, while inaugurating the Committee on Wednesday, on behalf of the Federal Government, said it is expected to review the proposed agreements with the various University-based Unions.
Mamman said part of the Terms of Reference of the Committee is to liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders to guide the position of the Federal Government on the issues in the draft proposed FGN/University.
It will renegotiate in realistic and workable terms, the 2009 Agreement with other University-based Unions, Negotiate and recommend any other issue the Committee deems relevant to reposition the Nigerian University System (NUS) for global competitiveness; and submit proposed draft agreements within three months from the date of inauguration.
The minister urged the committee members to double their effort towards concluding the assignment and producing a realistic and workable agreements that would holistically tackle the challenges confronting the NUS, and reposition it to effectively play its very important role in national development.
He noted that the re-negotiation of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and the University based staff Unions namely ASUU, NAAT, SSANU, and NASU) commenced on Monday, February 13, 2017 and expressed regrets that this had lingered for this long due to a number of unforeseen circumstances.
“It is important to state that the immediate past leadership of the Renegotiation Committee under Professor Nimi Briggs, produced a draft report with significant areas covered, and agreed on what would be a spring board to hinge on going forward to conclude the exercise.
“There is no gain saying that the earnest desire of every stakeholder in the Nigerian University System (NUS) and, indeed, at large, is to conclude this re-negotiation exercise within the shortest possible period.”
Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Yayale Ahmed, pointed out that the whole issue since the 2009 agreement that include, the unconcluded Nimi-Brigs agreement and other issues that affected and constrained the performance of the university system were well known over the years.
“Our committee will not be here just to reinvent the wheel. All the documents pertaining to this important issue are available.
“While some of us were privileged to be active participants over the years, never did I get a message that one day I would come after seven years to relive what we have tried to do over the years.
“You mentioned that the 2009 agreement may not and does not appear to be fully implementable. We would like it reviewed. Therefore, seeking the cooperation of ASUU and other unions to reflect and review as the current circumstances may demand,” he said.
The President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke expressed the hope that the new committee would not be like all the previous committees which have failed to resolve the issues, saying that they spent over two years talking, with nothing to show for it.
“We are all already for renegotiation. We will provide all the documents for the committee to look at and if there are issues, we will start from there.
“We love this country and must all ensure that we work together to have it when the children of the President, Senators and Ministers will be in the same classroom with the children of their drivers and farmers as it used to be in the 60s.”
An All Progressive Congress APC chieftain in Kano, Dr Iliyasu Musa Kwankwaso, has cautioned against any move to welcome Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso back into the party’s fold.
This is is just as he pointedly accused the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP in the 2023 Presidential Election of orchestrating the suspension of the duo of Dr Baffa Suleiman Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and the Transport Commissioner Muhammad Diggol, from the Party.
At a Media briefing on Wednesday October 16, 2024 the Commissioner for Rural and Community Development in the state, urged President Bola Tinubu and the National top hierarchy of the APC, to perish any thought of wooing and/or welcoming back the former Governor of Kano State into the party.
He warned that Kwankwaso’s re-entry into the party will pose great danger to its unity and cohesion.
“While the APC is open to new members, our leaders must be cautious of allowing into the party’s fold those with disruptive influence and tendencies which, in turn, can undermine the progress of the party ” Illiyasu Kwankwaso stated
According to him, President Tinubu and the Party leadership should not be deceived into believing that Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso was instrumental to the ousting of APC in the State in 2023 General Elections .
The APC stalwart insisted that the defeat of APC was due mainly to the efforts of Senator Abdulraham Suleiman Kawu, the Northern Senators Forum spokesman, Hon Kabiru Al-Hassan Rurum and a host of others who defected from the party to the NNPP during the election.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso
Further Speaking on the current internal crisis rocking the former member of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council in the state, he warned that the fate which has befallen the SSG and the Transport Commissioner is just a tip of what will come in days ahead.
Musa Kwankwaso posited that the Senator, in line with Emperor-like disposition, will instigate more disciplinary actions against perceived dissenting voices .
According to him, it has never been in the character of the National leader of the NNPP to entertain opposition views.
He noted that the suspension of the twosome was carried out single-handedly by the chairman of the party in the state, Hashim Dungurawa, under the directives of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The APC chieftain insisted that even Governor Abba Yusuf, whom he described as a man of integrity, was not aware of the suspension of key officials of his Government.
He, therefore, called on the Governor to take urgent steps to free himself from the iron grip of his godfather before it too late to do so .
“The Suspension of the SSG has proven that my impressions about Rabiu. Kwankwaso are correct. He has shown that he is ready yo deal ruthlessly with anyone who crosses his path in his desperate pursuit of political power .
“I have always said that his ultimate ambition is to completely control the Governor in the pursuit of his 2027 presidential ambition.
“This is just the beginning .The SSG’s suspension is just to test the waters. More prominent NNPP members will face same fate if perceived as potential threats” he noted .
The Source reports that the SSG and the Transport Commissioner. were on Monday axed by the party over alleged anti-party activities and disloyalty to the party leadership in their wards and Local councils .
However, there are strong speculations that there are more to the development than have been revealed by the party authorities .
Some party sources have indicated that the pre-Supreme Court verdict understanding reached between the two parties and the need to respect it is said to be pitting some vocal elements against “the owners of NNPP in the state ”
The defection of Governor Yusuf to APC and power sharing between members of the two parties are said to be essential parts of the unwritten agreement.
Kwankwaso is strongly believed to be opposed to it, insisting that he was not privy to the deal.
It was another reunion of sorts as the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun played host to some of his predecessors in office on Wednesday in Abuja.
Under the auspices of Committee of Retired Inspectors-General of Police (IGPs), the forum turned out to be another opportunity for the past Police Chiefs and the incumbent to exchange ideas on security matter and other issues paramount to the office.
During the occasion, the former IGPs pledged to support the incumbent Egbetokun on the issues of policy and security as well as strategy in the country.
The meeting was attended by past IGP Aliyu Attah; Sunday Ehindero, IGP Mike Okiro, Mohammed Abubakar and the 21st Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman.
Speaking after the meeting, IGP Mohammed Abubakar (Rtd), who spoke on behalf of the retired IGPs stated that they have come together to facilitate a meaningful dialogue for the purpose of fortifying the foundation of effective policing in Nigeria.
“The essence of our coming today is to sit down with the Inspectors General of Police to rub minds on the issues of policy and security and strategy in this country.
“And we shall continue to do this because we are police and police is us, just like you are. You know the challenging situation in this country and therefore the Inspectors General of Police and all of you need experience, expertise and technical know-how to be able to discharge your responsibilities of protection of life and property”
IGP Egbetokun acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the past IGPs who are doyens in Policing, emphasizing that their tenures have constructed solid foundations for the NPF, with each past IGP playing a pivotal role in reforming the Nigeria Police Force to match up with its peers across the globe.
“All of you contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Nigerian Police Force. And I want to assure you that we are building on the foundations that you laid.
“I also want to say that for about one hour that I have been in meeting with these retired inspectors general police, I found out that the engagement I had with them this morning had been the most useful engagement I’ve ever had since I became district general police.”
The Ebonyi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, said within the third quarter ended September, 2024, it arrested 149 suspects in connection with hard drugs trafficking and consumption in the State.
Similarly, a total of 115,226 kilograms of banned substances were seized within the same period.
This much was revealed on Wednesday October 16, 2024 by the State Commander, Peter Ogar, while briefing the media on the activities of Command.
According to him, the number of arrests and seized drugs were from across the State.
Out of the 149 arrested persons, 112 are male while 37 women are involved.
The arrested suspects all fall within the age brackets of between 26 and 72 years .
They were severally and collectively arrested for their suspected involvement in hard drugs trafficking ,and consumption.
The NDLEA Command stated that the intercepted hard drugs include crack cocaine , Cannabis Sativa, codeine syrups and tramadol tablets and capsules .
Others, he said are methamphetamine, bromazepam, diazepam ,Lorazepam ,Monkey tail and others .
While noting that it successfully secured the conviction of one person, the Command said its priority is in educating and sensitizing the people, particularly the youth on the imperativeness of shunning hard drugs trafficking and consumption.
According to Ogah, various awareness programmes were held for the youths, students in both primary and secondary schools and community leaders across the state within the last few months
He said the emphasis is on pulling the youths who are perceived as the most vulnerable to drug abuse out of the dangerous habit.
Part of the engagement process, he noted, were provision of counseling services to those who are involved in drug related problems.
Within the period under review the Ebonyi NDLEA boss said about 82 persons,64 male and 18 female benefitted from the counseling and rehabilitation programmes.
He reassured of the commitment of the Command towards combating drugs trafficking and consumption in the state .
He appreciated other sister regulatory bodies and security agencies for their collaborative efforts and support.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the human carnage recorded in the fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa state on Tuesday night.
This is even as he called for a drastic review of measures for the transportation of fuel and other petroleum products across the country.
The Source reports that late Tuesday night October 15, a tanker laden with fuel exploded in Majiya town, Taura local Council, Jigawa claiming about 90 lives, with over 50 persons severely injured.
The incident was said to have occurred at about 11.45 pm and lasted till the early hours of Wednesday morning October 16.
The Exploded Tanker in Jigawa state
Jigawa State Police Command spokesperson, Shi’isu Adam, informed that the driver of the ill-fated tanker was heading for Nguru in Yobe State from Kano, the commercial nerve centre of the Northern region.
According to him, the reason for the huge casualty figure was due to people amassing around the scene of the tanker accident.
” People gathered around the accident scene, that was the reason for the mass casualty.
“We are worried that inspite of police warnings for people to steer clear of accident scenes involving fuel tankers ,they still engage in such acts” Adam stated .
In a statement on Wednesday October 16, the Vice President, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, extended his condolences to the families of the dead, and all other victims of the unfortunate incident.
” My heart aches for those who have had their families torn apart by this disaster.
“This devastating incident has shaken us all to the core. The Federal Government stands with the people of Jigawa.
“We are mobilizing all necessary resources to support the injured and assist the families affected by this calamity.
“As we contend with this tragedy, let us also reflect on the importance of safety measures and public awareness to prevent such incidents in the future. Every life is precious and we must do all we can to protect our citizens” Shettima noted.
While Commending all those who are involved in the rescue operations for their commitment and tireless efforts,he directed the immediate deployment of officials of the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA to Jigawa state to coordinate rescue and relief efforts.
