Connect with us

NEWS

Nigeria Has The Cheapest Food In W/Africa, Says NGF

Published

on

AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State has asserted that food in Nigeria is the most affordable in West Africa.

During a visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, he, along with Governors from Taraba, Kogi, and Ondo States, expressed the need for Nigeria to reach a point where it can export its food.

Abdul Razaq acknowledged the difficulties faced with the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme, describing it as a challenging endeavor.

He said “What I’ve also noticed is that in West Africa, food in Nigeria is the cheapest in West Africa and our neighbours are using our food to trade.

“We have also noted that food in Nigeria is the cheapest in West Africa, and our neighbours are using our food to trade. They are taking our soybeans and other stuff to make a foreign exchange for themselves

“That is not a bad thing; what we need to do is ramp up production and increase yield per hectare so that we can feed West Africa, feed ourselves 100 per cent, and export food. That is the goal we must achieve.

AbdulRazaq further emphasized that addressing food security is a comprehensive task, highlighting the importance of focusing on Nigeria’s initiatives for dry-season farming.

He added “We have come to the realisation that we now have a new Ministry of Agriculture. Because over the last four years, before this administration, the engagement was not too productive because the CBN had taken over most of what the Agriculture Ministry was doing. Our trips to the ministry at that time were not fruitful.”

Earlier, the minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, outlined a strategic vision aimed at significantly boosting year-round agricultural production.

The primary goals include curbing food inflation, fostering employment, reducing poverty, stimulating economic growth, and promoting inclusivity.

Expressing confidence in collaborative efforts, Kyari informed governors about the initiation of the second phase of the Dry Season Food Production Programme under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NASG-AP).

He shared that responses from the Governors of the 36 States and FCT to Expressions of Interest have been encouraging.

He said “There is no question that if we get things right now, and without an iota of doubt with all hands on the plough, future programmes and projects will enable us to more seamlessly achieve all-year-round agricultural production with beneficial consequences for economic empowerment, inclusiveness, and ultimately wider opportunities for value addition, food and nutrition security, as well as industrialization.

“We are putting behind us the challenges encountered during the first phase of dry-season farming with wheat in 15 participating states.

“After a detailed and careful evaluation of some of the glitches that characterised that phase and with collective stakeholders’ proposals, there will be additional implementation guidelines for the second phase commencing soon.

“Your Excellencies, the phase we are about to get into is particularly crucial because, unlike phase one for wheat production, which involved only 15 states, the second phase will cover the entire country.

“We would therefore like you to use the instrumentality of your offices as governors to ensure the readiness of your respective states for optimal participation in this second phase for the cultivation of rice, maize, and cassava.” he added

NEWS

DPRP Slashes PMS to ₦1,165/Litre, Diesel to ₦1,570/Litre

Published

on

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a reduction in the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel).

A company statement on Wednesday has it that the price reduction, which is part of reaffirmation of the company’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market is effective Thursday 6th of August, 2026.

Under the new pricing structure, the refinery has reduced the ex-depot price of PMS to N1,165 per litre, down from N1,215 per litre, representing a reduction of N50 per litre. Similarly, the ex-depot price of Diesel has been reduced to N1,570 per litre from N1,650 per litre, amounting to a decrease of N80 per litre.

ALSO READ: NLNG: How Cooking Gas Offtakers Greed Fuel Scarcity, High Prices

The price review reflects Dangote Refinery’s ongoing efforts to enhance energy affordability, improve access to refined petroleum products, and support economic activities across Nigeria. The refinery remains committed to ensuring stable supply while leveraging operational efficiencies to deliver value to consumers, businesses, and stakeholders.

As Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote Petroleum Refinery continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting the nation’s economic development through the supply of world-class petroleum products.

The company reaffirmed its dedication to contributing to the growth of the Nigerian economy and passing on the benefits of improved operational efficiencies to consumers whenever market conditions permit.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Wrong-Way Crane Leaves Three Dead, Three Injured in Ogun Auto Crash

Published

on

Woman Dies After Setting Self Ablaze Over N70,000 Loan In Ogun

Three people have lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a tragic road accident involving a crane and a truck along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.

The fatal crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday near Babcock Junction in Ikenne Local Government Area.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the accident involved a white Mercedes-Benz truck with registration number LG 59 BLF and a yellow crane without a registration number.

SEE ALSO: Gas Explosion Kills 16 In Fatal Ogun Auto Crash

According to Akinbiyi, preliminary investigations showed that the crane was travelling against traffic at excessive speed when it collided head-on with the oncoming truck.

He disclosed that six people—three males and three females—were involved in the crash.

“A total of three persons, comprising two males and one female, lost their lives, while three male victims sustained varying degrees of injuries,” Akinbiyi said.

He added that emergency responders from TRACE, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and a rescue team known as “Papa Oscar” swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue victims and manage the situation.

The injured victims were taken to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) morgue in Sagamu.

To ease traffic flow, authorities diverted vehicles from Delabo Junction to the second carriageway as efforts continued to evacuate the damaged vehicles from the highway.

Akinbiyi commiserated with the families of the deceased and cautioned motorists against dangerous traffic violations.

“Motorists should avoid route violation and driving against traffic, considering the grave consequences associated with such dangerous acts,” he said.

 

Continue Reading

NEWS

Businessman Alleges Paying PFIPC DG ₦400m To Secure Gov’t Contract

Published

on

A businessman, Gbenga Collins, has told the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) that he paid ₦400 million to the council’s embattled Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, to facilitate the award of a government contract.

Collins made the allegation on Wednesday while testifying before the committee probing the establishment and operations of the controversial council.

According to the businessman, he travelled to Abuja where he was officially received by Adeyemi in what he described as an atmosphere befitting the head of a government agency, a development that convinced him the council was legitimate.

SEE ALSO: PFIPCgate: Wike Fires Back at Opposition Over Calls to Sack Gbajabiamila

He told lawmakers that Adeyemi later handed him a contract award letter, the scope of work, and an agreement authorising his company to execute the renovation and furnishing of the Director-General’s official residence.

“He gave me a contract award letter, the scope of work and, at the same time, the agreement with my company to execute that refurbishment project and asked me to pay the sum of ₦400 million for the facilitation of that project to show my strength that I would be able to handle it and that it would also fast-track the mobilisation for the contract,” Collins told the committee.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed that Adeyemi’s continued absence from the hearings was because he is currently in police custody and is also being investigated by anti-graft agencies.

Gagdi further revealed that the committee intends to meet with Adeyemi discreetly as part of its ongoing investigation.

As part of the probe, the committee also summoned the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over the alleged use of official Federal Government number plates on vehicles linked to the disputed council.

The House panel is investigating allegations that the PFIPC operated without lawful authority despite being captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act.

The probe followed allegations by Adeyemi that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, demanded 48 per cent of the council’s proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant. Adeyemi also alleged that the Chief of Staff received ₦400 million through a proxy and later requested an additional ₦200 million to facilitate presidential approvals.

Gbajabiamila has denied all the allegations, maintaining that he has no personal, official or professional relationship with Adeyemi.

He also rejected claims that he demanded or received money, interfered with investigations, or had any connection to allegations surrounding the death of Babatunde Tanimola or an alleged assassination attempt on Adeyemi.

Following the allegations, President Bola Tinubu directed the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.

The House of Representatives subsequently constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the PFIPC, how it was included in the 2026 Appropriation Act, and the alleged allocation of about ₦1.3 billion to the council.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, had earlier informed the committee that none of the funds appropriated for the PFIPC had been released or spent because the statutory conditions required for their disbursement and utilisation were never met.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x