‘Our salaries can’t feed us anymore’ – Nigerians workers lament high cost of food items, others – Newstrends
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‘Our salaries can’t feed us anymore’ – Nigerians workers lament high cost of food items, others

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The standard of living of an average Nigerian under President Muhammadu Buhari government is steadily declining every day as prices of food continue to skyrocket daily.

Without any doubt, the current increase in prices of goods and services is tied to low farming activities, low productivity as a result of the worsening insecurity, especially in the Northern region. Many farmers flee their farms out of fear for their lives as bandits, Boko Haram, and herdsmen attack communities and kidnap families.

The current realities are forcing families into hunger, as an average Nigerian who could afford to feed three times in a day are now struggling to feed twice or less, because of the economic situation in the country.

On a monthly basis, prices of food items appear to be increasing in major cities in Nigeria. For example, the prices of flour products such as ‘bread’, grains such as ‘rice, beans, garri’, and regular beverages have experienced unimaginable hike in price within the last one month if compared with previous months within the year.

DAILY POST findings reveal that, “the price of the regular ready to eat can fish ‘Sardine’ sold at N300 now goes for N600 at the market and sell at N700 in supermarkets across the country. A bag of beans sold at N30,000 early last month ‘September’ now costs between N50,000 and N100,000. Also, sachets of beverages (e.g, milk, milo) sold at N700 now sells at N1200, cooking gas 5kg sold at N2000 now sells at N3000”. Bread that used to sell for between N350 to N400 now sells for N700. Almost all the prices of consumables have doubled within the last 1 month.

Millions of working-class Nigerians can no longer live a decent life on their income not to talk of those earning lower than the minimum wage. The question that brothers most Nigerians is, “how does a Nigerian who earns a minimum wage of N30,000 survive with the current hike in the price of food? How do families feed?” Sadly, these questions remain unanswered.

The country’s national minimum wage is N30,000 per month, mainly applicable to civil servants as some private sectors pay as low as N15,000 to workers. Also, many state governments are yet to implement the new minimum wage.

DAILY POST interacted with some Nigerians who expressed their sadness over the situation, calling on the government to act immediately.

A worker simply identified as Gloria said it’s been hard for her to feed as a spinster since the change in price.

She said, “I used to eat three times a day with breakfast but now I just manage to feed twice. During Goodluck time, I used to eat three times but now I eat once, my salary increase doesn’t even matter because I could afford more things years ago than I can now, but I spend way higher.”

Mr Dapo, a civil servant, lamented that he has two kids and is finding it hard to cater to them. He said, “I go to work every day and I cannot boast of my salary taking care of my family anymore. The lunch pack for my kids has reduced because even biscuits have increased. The other day, I went to buy gas for N10kg, it has increased too. My wife keeps complaining that the money she uses to feed the family for a month can barely sustain us for two weeks. What does Buhari want us to do? Is this the change he promised us? I don’t think we have anything like average Nigerians, it’s either you’re poor or rich under this Buhari government.”

One Mr Akin who works at a private company in Wuse 2 lamented that these days, he misses lunch break at work twice in a week because of the increase in prices of stuff in order not to be stranded before the end of the month. He said, “I wouldn’t lie to you madam, things are becoming worse oh! Imagine lunch I buy every day at N500 is now N700 and its even in smaller quantities. The woman in the canteen does not even sell N100 plantain; it starts from N200. How does Buhari want responsible workers to live a good life? As a young man, now I can’t even think of having a girlfriend not to talk of taking her on a date because of how expensive things are. This government just wants us to struggle and not be able to even live a decent life. I don’t even know what the government is doing to stop this, but they need to help us regulate these prices. We can’t live like this till 2023. Please help us talk to them, at least they’ll listen to the media”.

Recall that on October 1st, President Buhari during his Independence Day speech blamed the middlemen for the rise in food prices, stating that the middlemen have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering. He directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.

The president said, “To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance groundwater supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture”.

The House of Representatives, days ago also set up a special committee to conduct an investigative hearing with all critical stakeholders in the country and carry out the root cause analysis on the rising cost of food items.

But if the government fails to find a lasting solution to insecurity issues such as bandits attack in communities, herdsmen attacks on farmers and villages, the prices of food will continue to rise, and the unemployment rate will increase.

The current realities have caused businesses to shut down over the cost of production. Experts believe the trend has an adverse effect on unemployment rate which is already high.

DAILY POST observes that unemployment chain is already too high but the number of companies leaving Nigeria due to insecurity and lack of investors is pushing more Nigerians into unemployment while universities still churn out graduates.

Investors will consider countries where the security of their staff, property is guaranteed.

DAILY POST

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JUST IN: Tinubu confers national honours on fallen soldiers, approves house, scholarships for families 

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JUST IN: Tinubu confers national honours on fallen soldiers, approves house, scholarships for families 

President Bola Tinubu has conferred posthumous national honours on the four officers and 13 soldiers killed in Okuama, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.

The four officers have been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON) while the 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives were awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

The President said that the Federal Government would provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

He also approved scholarships for all the children of the deceased up to the university level.

The President mandated the Military to, within the next 90 days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.

Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria spoke on Wednesday at the National Cemetery in Abuja during the burial of the fallen soldiers.

Tinubu stated that Nigeria owes the valiant soldiers and their families debt of gratitude.

The President vowed that those who committed the heinous crime of killing the officers and soldiers would not go unpunished, stressing, “We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.”

The fallen heroes are as follows:

Lieutenant Colonel Ali

Major D.E Obi

Major S.D. Ashafa

Captain U. Zakari

Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu

Corporal Danbaba Yahaya

Corporal Kabir Bashir

Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim

Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna

Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi

Lance Corporal Bello Anas

Private Alhaji Isah

Private Clement Francis

Private Abubakar Ali

Private Adamu Ibrahim

Private Hamman Peter

Private Ibrahim Adamu

 

Part of Tinubu’s Speech

“It is with heavy heart that I join you today to commit to earth, the remains of our officers and men who died in the course of duty on 14 March 2024 in Okuama Community, Delta State.

“The officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats. Their sacrifice will be remembered and honoured for generations to come and their.

“On 14 March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community.

“They went as peace makers and peace keepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.

“Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff briefed me, enjoyed great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.

“Ali kept faith with his military calling till the end.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.

“Each man now belongs to the hallowed list of servicemen and women who defended our country and protected their fellow Nigerians not minding the risk to their own lives.

“They have all been awarded posthumous national honours. The four gallant Officers have been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON). The thirteen courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal.

“I commiserate with the families of our fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces. I share in the pain and grief you carry today. It is my prayer that God will comfort all who are bereaved as a result of this tragedy.”

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FG declares March 29, April 1 Easter holiday

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FG declares March 29, April 1 Easter holiday

The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced this in a statement on Wednesday by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aishetu Ndayako.

Part of the message read, “Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness, and compassion, which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

“While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu-led administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity for all.”

The minister urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged among them.

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BREAKING: Bodies of 17 officers murdered in Delta arrive Abuja military cemetery

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BREAKING: Bodies of 17 officers murdered in Delta arrive Abuja military cemetery

The remains of the military personnel killed in Delta State on March 14, 2024 have arrived the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:26pm on Wednesday, were conveyed by the Military Ambulance Emergency vehicles and was accompanied by the FCT Ambulance Emergency services.

Our correspondent reports that top military echelons from various formations across the country are currently on ground to pay last respect to the fallen heroes.

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Distraught relatives and relations of the deceased personnel as well as wives of other military officers are also on ground. The burial is billed to also have the President, Bola Tinubu in attendance.

Recall the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State while on peace mission to Okuoma Community were surrounded and killed by some irate youths in the community.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuoma and Okoloba communities both in Delta.

BREAKING: Bodies of 17 officers murdered in Delta arrive Abuja military cemetery

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