₦airaland Forum

The scarcity of paddy rice, which is processed into finished rice, has sparked fear of food insecurity in Kano, as rice now sells at N40,000 per bag.

Before the scarcity, in Kano, rice was sold at less than N30,000. However, checks by our correspondent show that the commodity even sells for as much as N42,000 per bag in some areas.

Rice millers in Kano, who initially bought a tonne of paddy for N330,000 in June, now buy the same quantity at N400,000 to meet the high demand.

It is feared that the rise in the cost of local rice may give rise to a demand for foreign rice, nullifying the relative success the Federal Government has recorded in local rice production in the last eight years.

Speaking with journalists on the ugly trend at the weekend, Chairman, Northern Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alh. Dalhatu Abubakar revealed the development is already affecting millers’ production in the state.

Abubakar, who is also the Chairman, Al-Hamsad Integrated Rice Mill, lamented the resultant implication of the paddy scarcity would, among other things, include an increase in the price of rice and an increase in the activities of smugglers.

He stressed that several millers had reduced production from 24 to 12 hours while laying off factory workers. He called for government intervention in mechanization and assisting the farmers with needed input to enable all-year-round production.

“Today, hundreds of millers, both the integrated and small scale, are in a serious dilemma and finding it extremely difficult to break even. It is difficult to sustain production now because of the scarcity of paddy. As I speak, I know many millers that have completely closed their factories.

“And those that are yet to close because they still have limited paddy in their reserve cannot operate 24 hours. Like me, I have reduced my production to 12 hours because I don’t have paddy. By implication, several workers will be rendered jobless.

“Wherever you see paddy now, you buy it at an exorbitant price, and you will still be compelled to face the high cost of fuel, pay tax, electricity bill. How many factories would survive this hard economy? The only hard way now is the cost of finished rice which Nigerians will soon face,” Abubakar noted.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Nigeria is presently the largest producer of rice in Africa, producing about 8,435,000 tonnes annually, followed by Egypt, Madagascar, Tanzania and Mali.

https://.ng/2023/08/14/rice-now-n40000-per-bag-as-millers-face-paddy-shortage-rising-production-cost-in-kano/

Neymar has reached an agreement to join Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain, according to L’Equipe.

The Brazilian is set to put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Saudi Pro League side that would see him earn €160 million.

PSG have already agreed to sell Neymar, and the player has given the green light.

Neymar has been told by the Ligue 1 champions that he is surplus to requirements.

The 31-year-old has been out of action since March after undergoing reconstructive ankle ligament surgery.

While Kylian Mbappe has been reintegrated into PSG’s first team, Neymar’s six-year spell in France seems to be over.

More details later…...

https://.ng/2023/08/14/transfer-neymar-agrees-e160m-deal-to-leave-psg/

Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:

1. Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has named Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaro as his running mate for the November governorship election. Uzodinma, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the election, unveiled his running mate in Owerri, the State capital, on Saturday.

2. Niger President, Mohamed Bazoum who has been detained since being ousted by members of his guard last month was seen by his doctor Saturday, his entourage said, amid mounting concern. Fears have been mounting over the health and detention conditions of democratically elected Bazoum, his wife and 20-year-old son since the military seized power and took them captive on July 26.

3. The Military High Command on Saturday said there are plots from different quarters to instigate members of Armed Forces of Nigeria to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. It, however, said the attempt will fail, insisting that the military is happy and better under democracy, and as such will not get involved in any act to sabotage the hard-earned democracy of Nigeria.

4. Death toll from the Zaria Central Mosque, which collapsed on Friday, rose to 12 yesterday. The new development followed the death of some of the injured victims who were earlier rescued from the site. The victims were observing the Asr (evening prayer) when the building collapsed at about 4 pm.

5. The Anambra elders forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to increase the number of ministerial slots for the South East. The elders, while briefing reporters on Saturday in Awka, asked Mr President to remember the sacrifices some of the party members made during the struggle to make the party solid in the zone.

6. The Nigeria Police Force has arrested the national president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa. Baruwa was arrested at the NURTW national secretariat in Abuja alongside three other officials of the union.

7. President Bola Tinubu on Saturday said his administration would make adequate provision for the enhancement of the operational capability of security and law enforcement agencies and improved welfare of personnel in its renewed drive to address security and related concerns across the country.

8. A grandfather identified as Monday Chukwuka has been arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for allegedly selling his one-day-old grandchild for N700,000. The Command, in a statement signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, said the suspect was arrested at his hideout in the Ibafo area of Ogun State following credible intelligence.

9. The Indigenous People of Biafra has begun the distribution of flyers and posters across the South-East to notify residents of the cancellation of sit-at-home exercise in the region. In a statement on Saturday, the spokesman for the group, Emma Powerful, said, any person or persons talking about a non-existent sit-at-home in the region is an enemy of the people and shall be dealt with accordingly.

10. Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has delivered a seventh-round knockout of Robert Helenius in their heavyweight affair making it his first KO win since he defeated Kubrat Puliev on December 12, 2020.

https://.ng/2023/08/13/nigerian-newspapers-10-things-you-need-to-know-this-sunday-morning/

President of the Students’ Union Government at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Anele Miracle, who was seen in a viral photo with bodyguards, tells DENNIS NAKU, why he chose to arm himself with security details and over 12 other aides, among other issues



When were you elected as SUG President at Rivers State University?

My name is Anele Miracle, the President of the Students’ Union Government at Rivers State University. I am a 300-level student in the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences. I was elected on October 14, 2022, and inaugurated on January 30, 2023.

How would you describe the electioneering and outcome of the election that brought you into office as SUG leader?

So, my election was such that the students’ community got so much involved in it. Over time, the students’ community felt that the process of electing their leaders was not solely in their hands. So, for them to change the narrative, the election took a different turn, by getting a lot of them involved. The students were the ones who picked me, who took over the elections, and the campaign process. On the day of the election, they came out en masse as against the normal routine of the electioneering period. In fact, my election had a significant number of votes as against the past elections held in the institution. I won with a margin of over 1,000 votes. I had over 2,700 votes, while my opponent had 1,500 votes. The other one had 500 votes and all that. So, in the past SUG elections, the position of President was such a competitive one, that the margin one could only win with could just be 100 to 300 votes.

How did your opponents react to your emergence?

It was very evident to everybody and apparently, they knew that the students wanted me. So, without any sentiment, they had to embrace the outcome. Some of them came to me seeking to work together, and we are working together, while some of them – you know nobody likes failure – decided to go back to their shells and continue their normal lives.

Have you reached out to the disgruntled ones?

Yes, I believe that my position is just an interim one. It is just for one year, and there is life after school. So, not winning today doesn’t make them a failure. Of course, I have reached out to them and opined that they should work with me to achieve their aspirations. For them to have contested, they must have visions for the students which can be realised through my administration. So, yes, I gave them that inclusiveness.

You were seen in a viral photo recently, surrounded by armed bodyguards. Can you explain what it was all about?

They are not armed bodyguards. They are normal students. You know the position of the office of the President is accompanied by a lot of respect and dignity. So for me, I decided to add more value to the office just to make sure that the beauty of the office comes out. And they (bodyguards) are normal students, members of the Man O’ War. So, the only thing we do is just to make sure that we kit them up to look more respectable and more valued. They are just for occasions, you know. You saw me working around, and I don’t think you saw me walking with anybody or people gathered around me.

How did you hire them to work with you?

No, they are normal students and Man O’ War officials assigned to work with me.

Who assigned them to work with you?

The management. The moment you’re elected as the SUG President, you have the privilege to work with Man O’ War officers because the office is such a sensitive one. So to avoid harassment, embarrassment and all that. For me, I just added value to it by making sure I kit them up,and it looks like they’re were hired from outside. No, they were not. They are students and members of the community.

How did you kit them up?

It’s just by getting their security outfits. If you saw the pictures on the Internet, you would have seen them wearing kits for bouncers. One of them wore a suit. They are not armed at all, the management will not allow that. I’m still a student aside from the position, so why would I go about with armed security? Although, there was an occasion I was harassed sometime ago. Aside from that, I have not received any issue of harassment from any student or anybody. So, why would I arm the security (aides) working with me?

On what occasion were you harassed and where?

Oh, that was the day of the town hall meeting with a former governor, Nyesom Wike, at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt. Some cultists came up with the notion that some dollars were given to the SUG president, so they stampeded me with some other SUG presidents. Even some of our guys were stabbed and all that. So, my security aides helped me to escape the scenario and rescued some of our colleagues. So, that was the benefit of having them around me.

The kind of security aides you have suggests that your life is not safe. Are there issues of insecurity or cultism at RSU that raise concerns and bother you?

To be very frank with you, the issue of cultism and insecurity in the Rivers State Union has been addressed a long time ago before I emerged as the president. This university, some years, say five years ago or so, was noted to be a school where cult activities were recorded. But in recent times, the vice-chancellor, chief security officer and other management staff with the support of the Students’ Union Government have been able to tackle that issue. So, we cannot say that we have any issue of insecurity. The little ones that could be found daily are minor issues that are addressed by the chief security officer and with my support and my team. So I must say that there has been peace in the school.

How many security aides do you have?

They are just two as you may have seen in the picture. My chief security officer and my aide-de-camp.

How much do you pay them as aides, considering the risk involved?

No, I don’t pay them. We are all working for the students’ community. Nobody pays me; it’s community service, if you ask me. It’s a privilege for me to serve, and maybe a little allowance can come to the office of the president. They are recognised by the management of the university, but they work with me, and from time to time, they could be given incentives. But the management doesn’t pay me or anybody. It is something we pledged to do as a service to the community. So, why would they pay us for it?

Aside from the CSO and ADC, how many other aides do you have?

The SUG constitution allows me to make five appointments. The CSO, the chief press secretary, the personal assistant, the attorney general and the chief of staff. However, the president is at liberty to make other appointments. So, what I have is my social capital project committee, which comprises one person per faculty. We have 12 faculties, so I have 12 representatives that could serve as liaison officers between the SUG and faculties.

I also have my committee members for programmes; whenever I’m organising programmes, there is a directorate for programmes. Then I have the directorate for projects because there are things I want to achieve and these people help me to do the planning and execution of the projects. Aside from that, I don’t have any other. I have a head of media and communication who works under the CPS and is very important.

With your retinue, are you not concerned that other students may see your lifestyle as extravagant and a waste of levies paid by RSU students to fund the SUG?

First off, everything we do is based on transparency and accountability. The university is very much concerned about the management of the funds given to us. So, for you to be given any money, you must account for it and there should be something very convincing that you did with the money. So, we don’t have direct access to the money, the management will not allow us to take money that we are not going to use for the benefit of the students. So, I’m not living an extravagant life.

I try my best to communicate my intentions in a very light and subtle way to the management and the community. And my video or picture seen on the Internet was not funded by anybody. It is something we chose to do for ourselves. The only thing we tried to magnify was to make it look as though we hire them (security aides) or we pay them. Everybody has their style of leadership. So for me, I try to make it more presentable and more valuable.

How would you describe the relationship between the SUG and the management of the university?

Well, the Students’ Union Government cannot work independently. We are a middle body between the management and the students’ community. So for you to succeed as a body, you must make sure you have a very cordial relationship with the management and also ensure your relationship with the management doesn’t affect your constituents.

It was reported recently that some government universities increased their tuition. What is the situation at RSU?

The vice-chancellor and the management are very compassionate about the welfare of the students. So, it has not considered that (increasing the school fees) and I pray it doesn’t even think of introducing any increment because it knows that it is not favourable to us as students. So, the management has not informed me of any intention to increase the fees, and I believe it won’t have such an intention.

If that happens, how would you handle it?

If that happens, I will have to consult my colleagues.

Sometime last year, the university banned indecent dressing, a decision that sparked a protest. How did you handle the situation?

Well, you cannot outgrow the management of the institution and I believe whatever decision they are making is in the best interest of the students. You see the reason RSU is prestigious is because you are not only certified in your field of study, you’re also found worthy in character. So indecent dressing is not part of moral behaviour and we have to condemn it in its entirety. The management wants to make sure students are trained to be recognised anywhere they find themselves in the world and excel in anything they do. Yes, the issue of indecent dressing sparked a lot of reactions. Yes, the management did it because we were very deliberate about the progress of the school and the students but as time went on, we kept communicating to them (female students) that the management meant well for us. Most of them have complied and things are going on smoothly. The few deviants are being tackled accordingly.

What are the major problems affecting RSU students and what suggestions would you give to solve them?

Well, the problems we have here as students are not different from what affects every normal student out there in other higher institutions. Students are complaining about the hike in the cost of transportation and the bad economy affecting the cost of living on campus because the moment the economy is not favourable down to the grassroots, everybody feels the consequences. Another thing is that we need more infrastructure. Some of our classrooms are overcrowded because RSU is a first-choice university in Nigeria. So, we are appealing to the management and the state government to help us with infrastructure. Of course, the Rivers State Government is doing very well, but we need more in that regard. We need more accommodation. It is affecting us. Again, we need a sports complex. We don’t have a place for sporting activities as part of our extracurricular activities. I have received a myriad of complaints from students over their dissatisfaction with the fact that there is no provisional for that.

Source: https://.ng/2023/08/12/rivers-varsity-sug-president-explains-the-reason-he-is-surrounded-by-bodyguards/

It is very essential to know the worst National Youth Service Corps, NYSC camps in Nigeria because that will make you choose what is best for you during the NYSC Registration and run from what is not good for you. Which camp makes it to the top 10 worst NYSC Orientation Camp in Nigeria this year 2023?

Are you a prospective Corp Member and you are looking for the worst NYSC orientation camp in Nigeria, so you can avoid them? Then, this is the right place for you.

While you might not have a choice when it comes to picking your orientation camp, it wouldn’t hurt to know what to expect during your three weeks in the orientation camp. I hope you won’t fall into this category of orientation camps but at the same time try as much as possible to make it fun for yourself and enjoy your time there!


Top 10 worst NYSC Orientation Camp in Nigeria
So, below are the top 10 worst NYSC Orientation Camp in Nigeria you need to avoid.

10. Adamawa State NYSC Orientation Camp

It is located in Lapondo Road, Damare, Girei LGA, Adamawa State.

Because of security concerns, the Adamawa NYSC orientation camp is regarded as one of Nigeria’s worst NYSC sites. In fact, the camp was closed for about three years before being reopened. It also lacks many of the fundamental facilities that make camping enjoyable and intriguing for corps members.

9. Sokoto State NYSC Orientation Camp

It is located in Wamakko,Wamakko Local Govt Area, Sokoto State.

Sokoto state orientation camp is not left out among the worst camps in Nigeria. This camp is no different from a desert and it is very dry and dusty.


8. Niger State NYSC Orientation Camp

Address: NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, (Former Abubakar, Dada Senior Secondary School), Paiko, Niger State.

The situation at the NYSC Orientation camp in Niger state is so bad and obvious that the Director-General of the NYSC program has expressed his displeasure. The camp is in poor condition and resembles a desert. Even for the NYSC employees, the camp is inhospitable.

7. Kebbi State NYSC Orientation Camp

Address: NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Dakingari Local Government Area, Kebbi State.

The NYSC orientation camp in Kebbi State is as dull as the state itself. It is not a dynamic area to serve, and those who come from Nigeria’s larger cities will find it difficult to adapt in this state. More importantly, as with most of the NYSC camps on this list, the orientation camp is under-equipped and lacks several essential facilities that would make the camp experience more enjoyable.

6. Ekiti State NYSC Camp

It is located in Ise-Orun/Emure Local Government Area, Ekiti State.

The Ekiti state orientation camp isn’t as exciting as you may think. The camp is not the same as the conditions stated previously and afterwards. The camp is not interconnected, and there aren’t enough basic amenities or accommodations for campers.

5. Yobe State NYSC Camp

Address: NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Dazigau, KM 5 Potiskum-Kano Road, Nangere Local Government Area, Yobe State.

Yobe State Orientation Camp is also one of Nigeria’s most dreadful, if not the worst, orientation camps. The camp usually lacks everything necessary for a pleasant camp experience.

4. Kaduna State NYSC Camp

Address: NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Kaduna – Abuja Road, Kaduna State.

Despite the fact that Kaduna state is a land of opportunity as one of Nigeria’s important northern states, their NYSC orientation camp is among the country’s worst, earning it a spot among the Top 10 Worst NYSC Camps.


The camp is similar to a secondary school in that it is not tarred or interlocked, and it might be dusty and lacking in basic utilities.

3. Taraba State NYSC Camp

It is located along Sibre Airport Road, Jalingo, Taraba State.

Corps members from the south and east will struggle to adjust to life in this state, and the majority will return home or re-deploy to a more suitable state. From the orientation camp onwards, the state is dull, with little entertaining activities to partake in. The camp’s amenities are subpar, making life in the camp miserable.

2. Benue State NYSC Camp

It is located in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, Kilometer 35 Makurdi Gboko Road, Benue State.

The infrastructure of the NYSC orientation camp in Benue state is inadequate, and the camp is not up to grade. The camp is no different than a high school, and it is not well-equipped.

1. Borno State NYSC Camp

Address: College of Peace and Disaster Management, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Babbar-Ruga Batsari Road Katsina, Katsina State.

The Borno State NYSC Orientation Camp is one of Nigeria’s Top 10 Worst NYSC Camps, owing to the state’s high level of security. In actuality, the camp is now being used as an Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) camp and has yet to be opened.

Before then, the camp lacks basic amenities, the floors are bare grounds and can be very dusty.

Top 10 worst NYSC Orientation Camp in Nigeria Summary

1. Borno State NYSC Orientation Camp

2. Benue State NYSC Orientation Camp

3. Taraba State NYSC Orientation Camp

4. Kaduna State NYSC Orientation Camp

6. Yobe State NYSC Orientation Camp

7. Ekiti State NYSC Orientation Camp

8. Kebbi State NYSC Orientation Camp

9. Niger State NYSC Orientation Camp

10. Sokoto State NYSC Orientation Camp

11. Adamawa State NYSC Orientation Camp

Corpers frequently see orientation camp as the highlight of their NYSC experience, so I would urge you to have as much fun as possible while staying safe.

Regarding the top worst NYSC orientation camps in Nigeria, you should also try to authenticate their camping experience with corps members already serving in the state, particularly the most recent batch.

Are you in camp at the moment or you just leave camp? Feel free to share your experience with people.

Frequently Asked Questions about NYSC Orientation Camp

Which is the best NYSC orientation camp in Nigeria?

Where is the Best NYSC Orientation Camp in Nigeria? The best Orientation Camp in Nigeria is Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp which is located along Ikenne Road, Sagamu Local Government Area, Sagamu, Ogun State. All the camping equipment and facilities are entirely new at work and functioning correctly. Every room in the camp, every corner has a functional socket for charging close by and well-tiled and ventilated rooms to house about 45 corpers. The camp also has an ATM for corpers to withdraw money at specific times.

Can I go to NYSC Camp late?
Can I be late to NYSC camp? Of course you are free to do as you like. You can be late to camp to the extent that soldiers will not allow you to enter again. You only have the grace of three days. If you exceed three days, then prepare to give a valid excuse.

If you have any suggestions, kindly drop them in the comment section.

Source: https://legitschools.com.ng/2023/07/28/top-10-worst-nysc-orientation-camp-in-nigeria-2023-2024/