₦airaland Forum

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Baptist Conference has issued an urgent call to President Bola Tinubu, urging his administration to take immediate action to address the growing hunger crisis plaguing millions of Nigerians.

This appeal was made during the conference’s 10th-anniversary celebration in Abuja over the weekend, where church leaders condemned the stark contrast between the extravagant lifestyles of political elites and the daily struggles of ordinary citizens to afford basic necessities.

Reverend Dr. Israel Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, and Reverend Dr. Dogara Raphael Gwana, President of the FCT Baptist Conference, were among the key speakers at the event.

Reverend Akanji stressed the urgent need for decisive government intervention, lamenting that many Nigerians are on the brink of starvation. He called for:

Increased subsidies for education.

Improved access to healthcare to reduce financial burdens.

Support for farmers facing conflicts and natural disasters.

“Many Nigerians are facing severe hunger and desperate circumstances. While we appreciate the government’s current measures, more needs to be done,” Akanji said.

He further criticized the extravagant allowances of political leaders, stating that the growing wealth gap is causing deep frustration among the people.

“Nigeria has the capacity to produce enough food to feed itself and even export to other nations. We must focus on inclusive policies that empower all citizens,” he added.

Reverend Dr. Gwana, reflecting on the conference’s growth since its inception in 2015, highlighted its expansion to nearly 250 churches and over 200 pastors. He encouraged members to remain committed to church growth, missions, and social outreach.

“Though we are only ten years old, we have achieved significant milestones. Our faith and dedication will continue to drive our impact in the years ahead,” he said.

The event also recognized the pivotal role of women and youth in the church’s development.

Pastor Saadatu Yashin, Director of the Baptist Women Missionary Union, emphasized the need to empower young believers and address societal issues like sexual harassment and gender inequality in leadership.

“We are raising a generation that knows God, understands His Word, and lives responsibly. If young men truly understand the value of women, they will treat them with respect,” she stated.


The conference concluded with a renewed call for unity, social responsibility, and immediate government action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

DelilahMakinde:
Look well at the eyes of the youthful IBB in photos ...those are not northerner eyes.

From the East to the West and North to South, rice traders across Nigeria share a common story of struggle.

According to the traders, they encounter numerous challenges in selling Nigerian rice, including financial burdens from deposits made to millers and the high costs associated with selling the product.

These, they said, often result in losses as rice that remains on the shelf for extended periods can change colour and lose its value.

“Nigerian rice has a short shelf life — typically only 2 to 3 months—before it changes colour and develops an unpleasant odour in heat”, one of the traders said.

But the claim degenerated into rancour as Peter Dama, President of the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN), immediately fired back, saying traders alleging Nigeria rice changes colour after three months went to get it from those who are not millers.

“Millers mill according to standards. Many go into business and claim they are rice millers. Those women complaining must have gone through the wrong hands”, Dama told Sunday Vanguard.

“They didn’t go through proper millers. Registered millers follow Standard Organisation and NAFDAC standards for them to be able to produce and sell and they are always checked”.

The RIMA leader went on to say that the current hardship faced by traders and consumers are unlikely to improve unless the underlying issues affecting farmers and rice millers are addressed.

He highlighted challenges such as the soaring costs of fertilizers and production due to the removal of fuel subsidies, as well as insecurity that has led to the deaths of farmers and resulting in a scarcity of the essential raw material, paddy.


Rising costs

Rice, a staple food for families across Nigeria, is consumed widely regardless of production levels.

Unfortunately, the rising cost of the product has exceeded the minimum wage for Nigerian workers, which is set at N70, 000.

50kg bag of locally produced rice currently sells for N90, 000

A family of four that relies solely on rice could easily consume an entire bag or more within a month.

The situation worsened after the government closed the Seme border with the Benin Republic in August 2019, leading to significant price increases.

During former President Buhari’s administration, notable progress was made in rice production, exemplified by the establishment of rice pyramids comprising one million paddy through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

Launched in 2015, this initiative aimed to boost agricultural output and improve Nigeria’s negative balance of payments concerning food. The ABP was designed to strengthen the agricultural sector, contributing to economic growth, job creation, reduced reliance on imported food and raw materials, and conservation of foreign exchange.

Reports indicate that Nigeria hosts over 100 large-scale integrated rice processing facilities spread across various regions.

Traders believe government has supported millers and farmers to achieve food security and economic diversification, but said they and consumers are not reaping the benefits.

They (traders) continue to face escalating costs for Nigerian rice, which has pushed many into poverty.

Dire situation

Mrs. Bukola Osagie, a rice dealer at Mile 12 Market, Lagos highlighted the dire situation: “Many women are suffering. This is due to frustration as we are now indebted to banks.

“If it weren’t for my religious foundation providing me peace amid these challenges, I might not have survived what I’ve been through. “I find myself trapped in a cycle of debt due to Nigerian rice.”

She explained that many traders, including herself, took loans from banks to procure Nigerian rice after the border closure.

“We formed groups, took loans and approached millers in Kano and Kebbi to secure rice for sale”, Osagie narrated.

“Initially, we were promised deliveries within two weeks to a month, but delays became commonplace.

“When we checked back, many mills had shut down, leaving us as debtors.

“Thanks to human rights lawyers who intervened for the banks to stop the interest on the loans, we managed to negotiate with the banks to repay our loans monthly, even for rice we never received.”

The dealer noted that while there are larger millers available, their prices are prohibitive, and they do not sell directly to small traders.

“By the time we purchase from intermediaries, prices have skyrocketed, making it impossible for consumers to buy”, Osagie added.

She urged the government to extend support to off-takers.

“If the government helped us as much as it does to farmers and millers, prices would drop, and we wouldn’t be drowning in debt”, she said.

“Many of us have resorted to buying smuggled rice just to keep our businesses afloat.

“Ironically, the same law enforcement agencies that accept money to allow smuggled rice are the ones who arrest us.

“The stress has caused many traders severe health issues; some have even died from shock. We need urgent government intervention — policies that favour both off-takers and consumers will lead to food abundance and improved livelihoods for everyone.”

Traumatic

Dr. (Mrs.) Macaulay, an executive member of the Lagos State Rice Distributors Association, echoed these sentiments: “Despite governmental efforts encouraging traders to source from local millers, our experiences with them have been nothing short of traumatic.

“I began purchasing Nigerian rice in 2015 with an investment of N6 million.

“Now, acquiring a ton costs over N40 million, and my last stock was priced at N42 million.

“To stock Nigerian rice today, you need at least N50 million for a ton.

“This money comes from loans, which we have to secure despite selling at a profit margin of only N500 to N1, 000 per bag.

“Since August 2024, I have stored 600 bags, but I haven’t sold even half of them because demand is low.

“Foreign rice is cheaper, and given the economic hardships in the country, many people are indifferent to nutritional differences. “If there’s just N1, 000 difference in price, they’ll opt for the cheaper option.

“Currently, foreign rice is priced just above N70, 000, while Nigerian rice exceeds N90, 000 — so consumers are forced to choose the foreign option.

“Before the EndSARS protests, I bought a ton of rice at N23, 000 per bag.

“When the protests began, sales plummeted, and soon after, the borders reopened, allowing foreign rice to flood the market at prices as low as N17, 000.

“Who would choose to buy Nigerian rice at N25, 000 when cheaper options are available? I am still in debt from that purchase and I am gradually paying it off.

“We even had to sell some bags at N5, 000 each because Nigerian rice has a short shelf life — typically only 2 to 3 months—before it changes colour and develops an unpleasant odour in heat.

“For two tons (1,200 bags), I incurred a loss of N20, 000 per bag because demand was non-existent and the rice started changing colour.

“We had no choice but to sell at that price. “While there are over 10,000 millers in Kano and Kebbi, many have ceased production due to a lack of paddy in Nigeria; it’s now being imported.

“Paddy prices have risen to about N79, 000, and millers still have to factor in transportation costs, processing, packaging, machinery maintenance, diesel, and staff salaries.

“The same issues affecting paddy are also impacting fish feed and chicken feed.

“Flooding has devastated production in Kebbi, and insecurity in the North is hindering farmers from cultivating paddy.

“For now, rice price won’t decrease because no miller can afford to sell for less than N85, 000.

“Our government needs to intervene. We are hesitant to stock rice as millers are asking us for help to stock their rice since they’re struggling to sell.

“I couldn’t assist them because I still have around 300 bags in my shop that haven’t been sold. We’re also burdened with shop rents and staff salaries.

“Even if there were paddy available, people aren’t buying as such because prices are too high.

“The decline in foreign rice prices will continue to negatively impact us since Nigerian rice is priced at above N90, 000.

“I’ve experienced issues with one of my suppliers who shut down while holding my payment for five tons. The banks won’t consider our plight.

“The risks in this business are extremely high. If you attempt to compete by purchasing foreign rice upfront and it is seized by security agencies, you’re left helpless.

“Many have suffered severe losses or even closed their shops due to these challenges.

“All the companies that owe us money cannot produce because there’s no paddy available. “The government must assist us; without production support, we cannot obtain our goods or recover our funds.

“We are dying”.

Arbitrary

In Kwara, Vanguard correspondent reported that more than 80% of Nigeria rice on display across the markets in the state is produced in Patigi, Edu,Kaiama and Baruten northern parts of the state where the product is highly prevalent, but arbitrary hike in prices by millers in a bid to exploit consumers is a big issue.

According to a trader at Adexprime Food Store on Yoruba Road, Ilorin, who spoke anonymously, the Federal Government should not entirely ban foreign rice if they’re not ready to resolve the problems Nigerian producers are facing.

Alhaja Risikat Abdullahi, another trader at New Market, Baboko, Ilorin, emphasized that since almost every family eats rice, government should support millers by subsidizing their operations and ensuring that the rice they produce is far cheaper than the imported ones.

“The price should also be regulated. This way, people will be solely consuming local rice, nobody will buy foreign rice again”, she said.

Also speaking on the issue, Mrs Felicia Ige, who runs a supermarket at Muritala Road, Ilorin, said the fundamental problems Nigerians face in producing local rice were a reflection of the type of leaders we have.

“The way millers arbitrarily fix the price of rice grown in Nigeria shouldn’t be if they want off-takers and consumers to survive. We shouldn’t continue this way,” she added.

‘Nigerian factor’

One of the staff members of a big milling company in Kebbi, who craved anonymity, spoke about the challenges facing Nigeria rice production: ”The government has every role to play in making Nigerian rice available and affordable.

“For instance, they can remove multiple taxes on millers.

“We have the capacity to produce the rice that Nigeria needs but we are limited by the ‘Nigerian factor’”.

In Delta State, our correspondence spoke to Mr Owhosode Hope, a wholesaler at Ughelli, who said: “Rice was cheaper before government said we should go back to eating Nigeria rice. “Then the price went up and the astronomical increase became unbearable.

“It is not funny for us because the business we are dealing in is basically on loans and paying back the loans is not easy.

“We thought there will be drop in prices but as it is now, they are telling us the prices will even go higher.

“I learned that the problem is due to the scarcity of rice paddy and that is where the government should come in.

“Government should invest in rice planting and when it is time for harvest, let them sell the paddy to millers.

“If they sell to millers, they can decide on what price the millers should sell which should be lower than what we have now.”

Humongous challenges

On his part, Dama, RIMAN President, said price increases started with the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government.

“Millers use fuel to produce; electricity is not stable and so people have to use generators in order to mill their rice”, he argued.

“There are some places where you can hardly have electricity for three hours a day and you have to mill rice for eight hours.

“So, we have to depend on diesel or petrol to power our generators to be able to continue production and it’s expensive.

“Also farmers who produce the raw materials for milling of rice called paddy are facing many difficulties.

“The cost of production like fertilizer, pumping of water, labour is very high.

“Nothing is cheap in this country again. The labourer who used to take N500 an hour now takes N2, 000 to N3, 000 per hour.

“So, you don’t expect rice miller to mill his rice without making profit.

“The profit margin is even nothing to write home about. “Because of the cost of production, millers are not able to sell at a profitable level. “It is a fact that a lot of millers have stopped milling because they cannot continue to produce at a loss.

“In addition to that, insecurity is affecting farmers. “Farmers go to their farms and they are killed by bandits, kidnappers, terrorists. So people go to farm and they don’t come back alive. “Production has really reduced.

“Also government came out with a policy that they are going to open a window to import rice paddy. What about the high exchange rate that ultimately makes the price prohibitive?

“We are still waiting on the government to tackle the situation to see if the prices of things generally will go down.

“We are in the harvest period. Even then the cost of production keeps pushing prices up.

Bank loan

“On the women indebted to banks, millers are also indebted to banks.

“We borrow money to purchase machines from China, India, Malaysia, Europe and once these machines work for some time, they need to be serviced and parts changed and exporters in those countries don’t take Naira.

“Electricity for consumers on Band A, Band B, C and D is another issue which is pushing prices up everywhere.

“To also transport a trailer of rice before was costing N300, 000, but now we are talking about N45 million.

“Off-loading and on-loading costs have also moved from N50 to about N500 to N1, 000.

“We have been talking with government and government said they are working and we are hoping that their plan will see the light of the day”.

Cheaper rice

The RIMAN President said imported rice is cheaper because it attracted subsidy in the countries from where it was smuggled after being kept in silos for 10 -15 years.

“When it lands in Nigeria, consumers say it is cheap. This type of rice is not nutritious. They use preservatives on it and when you eat it, you begin to have all kinds of diseases like cancer”, he said.

“Nigeria rice is fresh and nutritious. It is directly from the farm to the mills”.

Shell life

Dama said the dealers who said Nigeria rice changes colour after three months went to get rice from those who are not millers.

“Millers mill according to standards. Many go into business and claim they are rice millers. “Those women complaining must have gone through the wrong hands.

“They didn’t go through proper millers. Registered millers follow Standard Organisation and NAFDAC standards for them to be able to produce and sell and they are always checked.

“We always supervise rice milling and ensure they produce to standard.

“The shelf life is two to three years and Standard Organization and NAFDAC clearly say that”.

Scarcity of paddy

The RIMAN President continued: “Paddy production is not enough when you consider our population, but that notwithstanding, we still have a little bit of paddy and millers are able to produce. “That is why if you go to the markets, you will find Nigeria rice there although it might not be cheap because of the challenges I enumerated earlier.

Cost

“If you are operating from the northern region, you buy between 75k and 80k, but in the East or West, you get it between 85k and 90k.

Hope

“We depend on the government. It is the government that came with policies that affected everything. “Before now, rice was selling for 10k to 25k, but with the removal of subsidy, the price shot up to what we are seeing. And it is not only rice. So we are waiting on the government to see what they can do.

“It is not just the millers.

“We hope the government will listen and some of the policies they have come up with, we are waiting for the improvement as they said the situation will improve.

“On the people producing substandard local rice, we have complained to relevant agencies. “They should checkmate them”.

EeyanMayweather:
I had a classmate in school whom we regarded as a Northerner . He actually claims Niger state and phenotypically looks Hausa .

What first gave him away was his mastery of the Yoruba language . It was even clearer than majority of my mates whom were Yoruba and even grew up in the South west .
This dude grew up in Suleja and attended secondary school in Abj. When asked how he got to know so much Yoruba, he claimed he learnt from his neighbors .
That didn’t look right for a guy who lived all his life in the North and was a border for 6 years after which he got admission immediately into a federal university in the south west .
Nah! That Yoruba was mother’s tongue

Eventually, his cover was soon blown when another dude whom they grew up together and attended same primary school in Suleja told us our Northerner was indeed Yoruba . And that his parents were originally from Ogbomoso .

So , these things happen in Nigeria .
I’ve indeed read in different fora about IBB’s opaque ancestry but it is what it is .

Tinubu might be Kanuri after all 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Ekaette Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed allegations of sexual harassment leveled against her husband by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central, had in an interview with Arise Television on Friday accused the Senate President of sexual harassment.

The Kogi lawmaker also alleged that Akpabio blocked her motions from being heard on the floor of the Senate because she rejected his sexual advances.

Akpoti-Uduaghan added that by rejecting Apkabio’s advances, she was subjected to persistent harassment and malignment.


However, speaking to newsmen on Friday at her Abuja residence, Mrs. Akpabio dismissed Natasha’s allegations as a figment of wild imagination.


She also recounted the cordial relationship that existed between her family and Natasha’s family, as she

She said, “The allegations are unfounded, as she was present at her family residence on the alleged date 8th December, 2023.


“Both families enjoy a long-standing cordial relationship that predates Senator Natasha’s marriage to her husband.”

Mrs. Akpabio praised her husband’s discipline as a man who loves and respects his family, citing his track record of supporting women’s inclusion in government even before his emergence as Senate President.

She, therefore, urged women to desist from peddling such false allegations, as she vowed to seek legal redress on the matter.

The Lagos State Police Command has clarified that the withdrawal of the security details of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, was an administrative decision and not politically motivated.

The withdrawal, according to the Command, was due to the lack of valid approval for the policemen assigned to VIPs in the state.

Police sources hinted that several VIPs who did not get valid approval for police protection also had their security details withdrawn.

Sources explained that “As part of efforts to instill professionalism and due process, the new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command , CP Olohundare Moshood, sent a directive that all policemen of the command on VIP protection duties without due approval should be withdrawn immediately.

“The Police have maintained neutrality throughout the process. The directive was not about the Speaker. There are some traditional rulers in the state who have had police personnel guarding them for almost 20 years without approval.

“The normal procedure is, when police protection is needed by VIPs, they are expected to officially write to the police and upon approval, personnel will be assigned to them.

“The Speaker of the House of Assembly is entitled to police protection under the law and she does not need to write as a person. But the normal procedure is that the outgoing administration will write to the police formally to notify of a change in leadership, stating the names of the new office holders deserving of Police protection.

“In this instance, no such communication has been sent to the police and so, that is probably why the policemen withdrew because they knew there was no letter posting them to that duty,” sources said..

Two attacks by “armed bandits” in southwestern Niger have killed 16 people, according to state radio.

While the perpetrators have not been identified, the attacks were similar to jihadist raids that have plagued the central Sahel region in recent months.


State radio said Wednesday that the bandits gathered people from a village in Dioundiou on the night of February 22-23 and “opened fire, killing 14 people”.


Two nights later, attackers killed two people in a neighbouring town.

The area around Dioundiou, which borders Nigeria and Benin, is a haven for jihadist groups, according to Niger authorities.

It is crossed by a 2,000-kilometre (around 1,200-mile) pipeline that transports Niger oil to Benin.

Gunmen Reportedly Abduct Several Motorists, Passengers Near Military Barracks In Abuja

The wave of abductions in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has taken a new turn as gunmen struck again, kidnapping an unspecified number of motorists and passengers near Abacha Barracks bypass in Guzape, late on Tuesday night.

The latest incident, which occurred at about 11:31pm on February 25, has heightened fears among residents as insecurity continues to escalate in the nation's capital.

This comes just weeks after multiple abductions in Bwari, Kuje, and Gwagwalada areas, where armed gangs kidnapped scores of individuals, including schoolchildren and commuters.

Police Intelligence sources who confirmed the attack to a source, Zagazola Makama, revealed that upon responding to the distress call, officers discovered two abandoned vehicles: a black Toyota Prado Land Cruiser with registration number Abuja RBC 900 SF, reportedly belonging to Hon. Shagala Samuel, and a Honda Civic with registration number RSH 181 TH.

Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna State, has criticised the appointments made by President Bola Tinubu since assuming office.

Speaking on Monday during an interview on Arise TV, El-Rufai said Tinubu is only appointing his “boys” from Lagos into political offices.

He cautioned against blaming the entire South-West for the sin of the president when, in fact, the lopsided appointment is being committed by the president.


He said: “President Tinubu’s appointment are quite imbalance. Don’t blame the South-West for what one individual is doing.

“The president’s appointments are not being made because the appointees are Yoruba, but because they are his own boys, and most of the appointments do not even reasonably cover the South-West.


“So, people should stop confusing the truth. The appointments are not balanced. Yes, definitely, definitely, right? You cannot argue that, but it’s not a Yoruba thing. Please don’t punish the Yorubas as you have been punishing northerners for the sins of the military.

“Let’s focus on individuals and hold them accountable.

“President Tinubu needs to do something about that. It’s still not too late. He can correct it, but there is palpable anger in the north.”

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Princess Mojisola Meranda, may step down, paving the way for either Mr. David Setonji or Mr. Wale Rauf to assume the position.

This development follows intervention efforts by prominent political figures, including former APC National Chairman and ex-Osun State Governor Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun State Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and Chief Pius Akinyelure, Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Meranda made history as the first female Speaker of the House on January 13 after the removal of Mudashiru Obasa, who faced allegations of corruption, abuse of office, and high-handedness. However, Obasa has since challenged his removal in court, arguing that due process was not followed.

Sources reveal that key political figures held an initial meeting with principal officers and House members over the weekend, with another meeting expected soon.

It is speculated that Meranda may be asked to return to her former position as Deputy Speaker, while one of the two lawmakers from Lagos West—David Setonji (Badagry 2) or Wale Rauf (Amuwo Odofin 2)—could become the next Speaker.

David Setonji is currently the Chief Whip of the House and has served as a lawmaker since 2015.

Wale Rauf has been in the House since 2019.

This arrangement is reportedly influenced by regional representation in state leadership. Presently, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mojisola Meranda are both from Lagos Central, leaving Lagos West without a top leadership position. Given that Obasa hails from Lagos West, stakeholders have recommended that the next Speaker be chosen from the district.

Despite these developments, 36 out of 40 lawmakers passed a vote of confidence in Meranda on Monday, February 17, affirming their support for her continued leadership. However, the House adjourned sitting indefinitely, leaving room for further negotiations.

Germany has headed to the polls this Sunday for snap federal elections in a vote that will shape the course of the EU's largest member state and its biggest economy for the next four years.

The incoming government will inherit an economy that has shrunk for two years in a row for the first time in decades, burdened by bureaucracy, rising energy costs and a once-crucial car industry struggling to keep up with demand for electric vehicles.

Germany's conservative parties and far-right AfD lead in the polls, with the centre-right CDU’s Friedrich Merz likely to become chancellor, replacing Olaf Scholz from the centre-left SPD.

Merz's party is pushing for tax cuts, reform of the country's ailing military and a radical overhaul of its immigration and asylum rules.

Meanwhile, AfD leader Alice Weidel has made headlines for her unexpected bond with South African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk. The AfD has long been critical of the European Union and has said Germany should exit the bloc.

Euronews' TV show is live from 5:30 pm, in which a number of notable guests analyse the political meaning of the results and the impact on Europe. We will also follow the first reactions from the German leaders. Tune in and watch our live coverage in the player above.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 5 am to 5 pm on Saturday as the state holds the local government election.

A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Friday, subsequently directed the security agencies to enforce the restriction.

The governor also said they should allow only voters and accredited media and civil society organisations to move around for the continued peace and security of the state.

The statement read, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered restriction of vehicular movement from 5 am to 5 pm on Saturday 22nd February 2022 across Osun state.

“The directive of the State Governor was sequel to the statewide local government elections that are scheduled to be held tomorrow across the state.

“Governor Adeleke who reiterated his commitment to peace and security said the movement restriction is necessary to prevent importation of hoodlums into the state amidst local elections.


“He therefore directed security agencies to enforce the restriction and only allow voters and accredited media and civil society organisations for the continued peace and security of Osun State.”

A dispute between the APC and PDP in the state erupted following the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the dismissal of APC local government chairmen and councillors.

While the PDP argued that the February 10 ruling by the Court of Appeal in Akure did not reinstate the sacked APC officials elected in 2022, the APC maintained that they had the right to resume office.

Tensions escalated on Monday as both parties attempted to take control of local government secretariats across Osun State.

The police confirmed that six people were killed and several others injured in the ensuing violence.