“I sincerely also wish to use this opportunity to encourage Nigerians to remain steadfast and be patient with Mr. President as his numerous efforts to enhance food security will soon begin to pay off.”
News
FG begins sale of 50kg bag of rice for N40,000
FG begins sale of 50kg bag of rice for N40,000
Amid squeezing hunger across the country, the Federal Government, Thursday, flagged off the sales of 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice at N40,000 per 50kg bag to Nigerians as a measure to cushion the impact of high food prices that have persisted for over one year.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, did the flag-off of the rice sale at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Kyari said: “It is indeed my pleasure to welcome you all to this historical, all-important, and long-awaited flag-off of the sales of 30,000 MT of FGN milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidised rate of N40,000 per 50 kg.
“This kind gesture was made possible at the expense and directives of the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who does not want Nigerian citizens to go to bed hungry and, in his wisdom, deemed it important to initiate this food intervention.
“We are all aware that in the recent past, precisely aftermath of COVID-19, and due to the Russian-Ukraine war, the climate change, amidst other localized factors/challenges, food prices, farm yields, and food chains, were distorted globally, and Nigeria is not an exception.
“This has led to increased concern and risk of food insecurity and general decline in the standard of living globally. I therefore urge us to understand that the present challenges are not peculiar to our great country.
“This food intervention can be said to be timely considering the times and challenges we are in as citizens of this great nation.
READ ALSO:
- Man arrested in Bayelsa for sharing girl nude video on social media
- Naira falls by N34 to dollar in 24hrs
- WAEC, NECO not restricted to 18 years — FG
“As one of the numerous efforts of the present administration to cushion the effect of high cost of food commodities, kindly join me to applaud the immense efforts of the present administration, such as the release of 42,000 MT of Assorted Food Commodities (AFC) to vulnerable and the 30,000 MT of milled rice that is being flagged off for sales to Nigerians today, 5th September, 2024.”
However, the Minister said to make the sales more transparent and well monitored, saying, “The Federal Government, being aware of the potential challenges associated with the sales of an important staple such as rice, at this critical period has deployed a multi-disciplinary machinery of government, as well as put in place certain processes and conditions to ensure the transparency, wider reach, and success of this exercise.
“This includes one man and one 50 kg of rice; others are the verification of intended beneficiaries using relevant identification mediums such as the National Identification Number (NIN) and phone numbers to forestall multiple access to this food commodity by fraudulent individuals at the detriment of other citizens.
“In view of the above, I therefore urge our dear citizens to cooperate with the relevant agencies of government who will try to serve you to achieve this great initiative of government.
Meanwhile, he appealed to Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration, “Let us work together to ensure that the dream of the present administration to uphold the fundamental right to food for all Nigerians is achieved.”
He expressed optimism that “it is expected that with the injection of 30,000 MT (1000 trucks of 30 MT each) of this important staple into Nigeria’s food balance sheet, it will not only crash the price of rice but also other closer food substitutes and alternatives.
“On behalf of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, I hereby flag-off the sales of the FGN-milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidised rate.
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
READ ALSO:
- Dangote, Tinubu, Lookman, Badenoch named among 100 most influential Africans in 2024
- Heavy security in Ilesa as ex-Osun deputy gov emerges new Owa-Obokun
- Hacker has stolen N180m from my NGO account – VeryDarkMan cries out
The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
READ ALSO:
- Kolawole Erinle: Appeal court affirms sentence for ex-convict over $1.4m fraud
- We’ve forced Lakurawa terrorists back to Mali, says FG
- Petrol: MRS enforces N935 per litre nationwide
“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
News
Tinubu: Food stampede incidents, grave error
Tinubu: Food stampede incidents, grave error
..Don’t publicise gifts distribution if you don’t have enough
President Bola Tinubu has described the recent three stampede incidents during distribution of relief materials to children and others as a grave error.
He told people to be more organised and stay away from giving palliative or publicity of the giving if they had insufficient materials.
He stated this during his first presidential media chat on Monday.
The President said he had been sharing palliatives in his Lagos residence for 25 years without any incident and blamed the recent food stampedes in the country on poor organisation.
A total of 35 children died on December 18 during a stampede that happened at a funfair event in Ibadan, Oyo State.
10 people, including children, also died on December 21 in another stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama district of Abuja during the distribution of palliatives.
Another 22 people were reported dead during a rice distribution event at Amaranta Stadium in Ojika, Ihiala LGA, on the same day.
“It’s unfortunate and very sad, but we will continue to learn from our mistakes. I see this as a grave error on the part of the organisers,” he said.
But the President insisted that the incidents should not dampen the “happiness of the season”.
“It is very sad that people are not well organised. We just have to be more disciplined in our society. Condolences to those who lost members, but it is good to give,” Tinubu said.
“I’ve been giving out foodstuff and commodities, including envelopes in Bourdillon, for the last 25 years, and I’ve never experienced this kind of incident because we are organised and disciplined.
“If you know you won’t have enough to give, don’t attempt to give or publicise it.”
The President compared the situation to food banks in countries such as the United States of America (USA) and Britain, noting their structured approach.
“Every society, even in America, has food banks. They have hungry people. In Britain, they have food banks and warehouses, and they are organised. They take turns m lining up and collect,” he added.
-
metro3 days agoINTERPOL declares 14 Nigerians wanted for drug, human trafficking
-
metro2 days agoJigawa State governor loses son 24 hours after mother’s death
-
Business3 days agoNNPCL launches production monitoring centre
-
metro3 days agoIbadan stampede: She was treated like a terrorist, Queen Naomi’s sister says about her condition
-
Business2 days agoBe creative, monarch, others challenge Muslim professionals on economic revival
-
Entertainment23 hours agoMultiChoice announces free access to all DSTV channels for 3 days
-
Auto19 hours agoLSM MD extols founder’s qualities after latter posthumous industry award
-
metro17 hours agoHeavy security in Ilesa as ex-Osun deputy gov emerges new Owa-Obokun