₦airaland Forum

mid dire hunger necessitated by food price inflation in Nigeria, the President Muhammadu Buhari regime has proposed to spend an alarming N508 million on food and catering supplies for the State House in 2022.

A copy of the 2023 Appropriation Bill seen by Peoples Gazette, shows that N301,138,860 has been proposed for “food stuff/catering supplies”.

Another N30,652,500 will go for “refreshment and meals”. These figures are supposed to take care of feeding at Mr Buhari’s wing of the State House.

For Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, N156,662,400 is proposed for “food stuff/catering supplies”, and another N20,264,397 for “meals and refreshments.”

This comes amid a hike in food prices across the country and plans by Mr Buhari’s regime to borrow to finance the N6.258 trillion deficit in the proposed 2022 budget.

In his Independence Day celebration speech, Mr Buhari admitted that there is food price hike under his watch, blaming it on middlemen’s drive for excess profit.

The Gazette in a market survey had reported a bag of beans that formerly sold for N30,000 now selling for N100,000, while cooking gas that was N3,500 now sells for N8,000.

According to the Nigerian Domestic and Foreign Debt Report published this year by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the country’s total public debt under Mr Buhari’s watch as of September 2020 stood at N32.2 trillion ($84.57 billion).

In July, the United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) warned of a looming food crisis in Nigeria, estimating about 13 million Nigerians to face food insecurity.

awesonjr:
u no even thank GOD say u see that one what if na Stone them use

vibre:
And they still put ribbon to commission it

murphyibiam15:
You're senseless and don't know what happens

murphyibiam15:
These are actually the sponsors of IPOB, if you know you know

Gandollar:
Temitemi of Fayose fame. Mahn where are those guys sef?
If they left NL for good, then I say a big congratulations them because this forum is now more toxic than ever.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has expressed optimism that Nigeria would emerge from its challenges stronger.

“We have challenges just like any other country in the world but we are going to overcome. Some countries have not even experienced half of what we are going through before they collapsed but everybody must do his own bit.

“It is unfortunate today that many people are waiting for the country to disintegrate and many of them are disappointed that we are still standing on our feet.

“We will continue to wax stronger because these detractors and vocal nay-sayers are in the minority,’’ he said when he featured at a special forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, yesterday.

The minister charged every Nigerian to take ownership of the country and ensure it is not plunged into war.

He said Nigerians should resist the temptation by some selfish elites campaigning that Nigeria was better divided.

“It is because there is a country call Nigeria that is why there are journalists, professors, doctors and what have you. If you know what happened during the Liberian war, professors were working in bakeries in Lagos just to survive.

“When you look at some write ups in our newspapers and social media, you begin to wonder whether the writers are patriots. If you don’t live in Nigeria and you are reading what they are writing, you will think every part of Nigeria is at war.’’

Mohammed urged social commentators and critics to be dispassionate in their assessment and judgment on issues.

“We are not saying don’t criticise the government, you are at liberty to do so. However, stop de-marketing Nigeria. Stop setting one ethnic group or religion against the other and have the courage to be honest and forthright.”

Mohammed said Nigerians must take possession of their country because if they did not build it, nobody would fix it for them.

He described allegation that the Federal Government is pampering bandits and being hard on self-determination groups such as the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a misconception and fake news rolled into one.

“I want to say without any hesitation that this is a fallacy. It is a misrepresentation, misinformation and fake news all rolled into one.

“The truth of the matter is that the Federal Government does not make a distinction between terrorists and bandits. As far as the Federal Government is concerned, they are all criminals and they are treated the same way. It is very important to set the record straight. Why do I say this? Because, it is a continuation of the destructive rhetoric of some commentators.”

The ministercautioned against politicisation of security issue.

“Security is security. Bandits kill soldiers; they kill policemen and innocent people. So, why will the military be softer on one set of criminals than the other?”

He said government is winning the war against insurgency in the North East, adding that the military has heightened assaults and attacks against insurgents which have enabled it to reclaim more territories.He insisted that the surrendering of Boko Haram insurgents shows that peace is returning to the war-ravaged region.

“A few years ago, when we came in 2015 — of the 20 local government areas in Borno, about 13 were under the effective control of Boko Haram.

“On December 5, 2015, we travelled to Bama, Konduga, Kaure and Maiduguri. The distance from Maiduguri to Bama is about 78 kilometres, but no single vehicle is on the way. It was like a suicide mission.

“The week after we left, a commander was killed on the same route. When we got to Bama, of the over 6,000 houses in Bama, not one was standing. They have all been bombed by Boko Haram. Today, go to Bama and see for yourselves. And when we went in 2015, you couldn’t travel more than a few kilometres outside Maiduguri metropolis. So, there is no doubt in my mind that we are winning. And thousands of insurgents that are surrendering speak volumes.

“We were in Maiduguri two weeks ago for another very successful town hall meeting where all stakeholders were in attendance like the traditional rulers, the military, police and CSOs. The governor confirmed that the heightened assaults and attacks by the military in the theatre had led to the surrender of many insurgents. And again, the military has recently acquired more platforms and these are making life difficult for the terrorists. That’s why any time they attempt to come in, they are being repelled fiercely.

“There is no doubt in our minds that the federal government is winning the war, very very much.

“In some places, the activities of Boko Haram and bandits have dovetailed. This is because of the pummeling they are receiving from the military in the north-east, they are moving toward parts of the north-central.

“And here they are linking up with bandits, so there are some handshakes of some sorts. It is just like if you displace water, it will flow somewhere so that’s what is happening.

“But the military is aware of this and I can assure you that in the next few days; that also will be history. The military is doing its best and we are not giving up at all.”

National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said only God, the giver of life, could take his life. Tinubu made the remarks on Sunday at the Lagos House, Marina, in his “Thank you speech” during a reception to welcome him back home, organised by Governor Bababjide Samwo-Olu of Lagos State, on behalf of the state government. “I am standing before you hale and hearty,” the former governor declared at the event tagged, “Welcome Back Home Asiwaju.”

Tinubu, who returned to the country on Friday night after a successful surgery on his right knee, spent over three months in London. His arrival to the country came barely 24 hours after a campaign group, South West Agenda (SWAGA 2023), was launched in Lagos by Governor Sanwo-Olu to champion Tinubu’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 polls.

The reception featured prayers for Tinubu, who expressed gratitude to God for bringing him back to Nigeria safely. He also thanked all the political leaders and groups that had wished him well.

He said, “I am a little emotional, but I am happy to be back home. God is the giver of life and He alone can take it. I’m grateful to Him for giving me the privilege to be alive. I’m Hale and hearty, I can’t but praise and thank Him.”

Earlier, Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; and Senator Adeola Olamilekan, said in their speeches that they were working to ensure Tinubu’s mandate in 2023.

Sanwo-Olu said, “On behalf of the teeming Lagosians that cannot come to this premises to welcome you back home. Today, being the 10th of October, God has brought you back home.”

The governor thanked those who had prayed for the safe return of Tinubu, saying, “The best is yet to come.”

Gbajabiamila, too, prayed, saying, “From today, the best days of your past will be the worst days of your future.”

He added that the northern caucus of the House of Representatives’ visit to Tinubu in London was a strong statement, and that the southern caucus had planned to make similar visit before Tinubu’s arrival on Friday.

Gbajabiamila said, “Where you are going, is destined. We are ready in the National Assembly. There are men and there are men. The history of Nigeria cannot be written politically without you occupying three quarters of the pages.”

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, said, “It is a great honour to be here and be part of this gathering, particularly, to welcome our leader and mentor. We told them you are hale and hearty. We thank you for your guidance, we pray, we will continue to enjoy your mentorship.”

Hamzat said, “It is only God that is constant; He cannot sick. Any human being can be subjected to anything but we thank God that our father has come back.”

Representing Lagos Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Stephen Adegbite, quoting Psalm 91 from the Holy Bible, prayed copiously for Tinubu’s good health and his 2023 ambition, saying, “We are praying for you. You will get there. You will not die.”

Others at the reception included wife of the state governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Tinubui’s wife, Senator Oluremi; former Lagos Deputy governors, Mrs. Idiat Adebule, and Abiodun Ogunleye; members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC); local government chairmen; Secretary to the State Government, Folasade Jaji; Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde and other members of the state Executive Council, members of the House of Representatives; members of the Lagos State House of Assembly; party chieftains, clergymen, and market leaders.

mignone:
Even d youths, it amazes me all d time.

Iyaebe:
He should return all the sex he had with her too,after that then she will in turn return the bride price.Its that simple.

Tinubu is good, Tinubu is a presidential material, Tinubu is this, Tinubu is that.

If he is that good why couldn't he build a world class hospital in Lagos state to be treated there when he falls sick than going to a hospital in UK to get his treatment?

Nwodosis:
Beautiful patterns but unfortunately snake can never be beautiful!

djevino:
Nothing to add again..
Their lives are not important

NWABUKA007:



reverse Family planning

lols

Bola146:
Dear Lord we pray that you should help us to put an end to these killings in Nigeria. We want peace to reign all over the nation. Amen

Omoluabi1stborn:


Can the government give us the figures of North East?

doggedfighter:
You were like ........
Mehn, I am a real spec


It feels cool and comforting when your guy wraps you up with his long legs and arms.

Kyase:
Lol
Take your time boss

Kyase:
Intelligent respond though I have never heard about how Kalu tried blocking OBJ second term, it’s new to me (cc BeeBeeOoh come ooo this is new to me)
And secondly the south east governors felt the their south west counterparts want to play smart on them, so the withdrawal
Though I still believe Kalu is IBB’s boy
Lastly for you to win an all south affair you need the north
Bless you brother

lichocho:
dem no get joy for dst hospital ..

Kyase:
Don’t even know what to say again, you have said everything

Let’s just see how next year pan-out