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Butchers fear shutdown as cow price soars to N2m
The Lagos State Butchers’ Association has lamented the soaring cost of cows threatening the livelihoods of its members and called for the Federal Government’s intervention to save the sector from an imminent collapse.
The association’s Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Rasak, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.
Rasak said the persistent surge in cow prices had pushed Lagos butchers to the brink with many struggling to maintain profit margins and stay in business.
“At the moment, the cheapest cow you can get is N700,000 against N200,000 to N350,000.
“Some cows are as high as N2m now, depending on the size.
“It is going to be more expensive now that we are in the Ramadan season,” Rasak said.
He said the development had led to reduced profit margins with many butchers battling to survive, while some could shut down their businesses if the situation persists.
“The impact of rising cow prices on Lagos butchers cannot be overstated. Many are struggling to survive and some may be forced to shut down their businesses if the situation doesn’t improve.
“The usually vibrant Oja Awolowo Market here in Mushin has fallen quiet with meat sellers facing a dire shortage that left their stalls nearly bare.
“While I acknowledge the government’s efforts to improve the lives of Lagos butchers, I urge them to swiftly address the mounting challenges in the sector that demand a more rapid and effective response,” he said.
Rasak described the government’s funding of meat production as the needed vital investment in the livestock sector.
He said the support would enable butchers and farmers to remain in business, even in the face of skyrocketing cow prices.
“The interventions can help bridge the gap between supply and demand, ultimately benefiting consumers.
“By supporting meat production, the government can contribute to food security, economic growth, and the well-being of its citizens.
“To effectively alleviate the challenges faced by meat sellers, the government must ensure that palliative loans are disbursed efficiently to reach the intended beneficiaries.
“Those who genuinely require financial support to sustain their businesses must be sought after.
“It is crucial that the government establishes a transparent and equitable system for distributing palliative loans, guaranteeing that these funds are directed towards meat sellers who are struggling to cope with the rising costs and need assistance to stay afloat,” he said.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Monday that the United States was cancelling 83 per cent of programmes at the US Agency for International Development.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January demanding a freeze on all US foreign aid to give his administration time to assess overseas spending, with an eye to gutting programs not aligned with his “America First” agenda.
“After a six-week review we are officially cancelling 83% of the programmes at USAID,” Rubio said on social media platform X.
“The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States,” he added.
USAID distributes US humanitarian aid around the world, with health and emergency programs in around 120 countries.
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The State Department, which oversees USAID, announced on February 26 its intention to cut 92 per cent of the agency’s program funding, identifying 5,800 grants to be eliminated.
Rubio on Monday notably thanked the Department of Government Efficiency, which billionaire Elon Musk is leading in a drive to slash costs and cut jobs across government departments.
Trump and his allies have argued that foreign assistance is wasteful and does not serve US interests.
But aid groups argue much of the assistance supports US interests by promoting stability and health overseas, and warn that cutting aid threatens the lives of vulnerable people.
AFP
The caution note was to ensure data security and integrity.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has advised Nigerians to modify their National Identification Number (NIN) details only through its official self-service portal.
In a statement signed by Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC, on Monday, said the caution note was to ensure data security and integrity.
The agency reassured Nigerians that its self-service portal is secure, reliable, and provides users with the convenience of updating their information from anywhere.
The commission emphasised that NIN modifications should only be done on SelfserviceModification.nimc.gov.ng, warning the public against using unauthorised websites.
It noted “The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) wishes to state that in order to ensure the security and integrity of your National Identification Number (NIN) data, modifications can only be done on the official NIMC self-service portal: Selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng.”
It cautioned Nigerians against attempting to modify their NIN data on third-party platforms, stressing that such actions could expose personal information to fraudsters.
“Do not attempt to modify your NIN data on any unauthorized websites, as this may compromise your personal information and put you at risk of identity theft,” the statement read.
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Highlighting the benefits of the new portal, NIMC noted that the platform ensures data integrity while allowing Nigerians to modify their details without visiting an enrollment center.
“By using the official NIMC self-service portal, you can be rest assured that your data is secure and protected. You’ll also enjoy the convenience of updating your information from anywhere, at any time,” the commission stated.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday adjourned the suit filed by the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, to March 25, 2025.
The adjournment followed a submission by the respondents, who informed the court that they had not been served with the necessary documents.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the Federal High Court, seeking an order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from investigating her.
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Delivering a ruling on the application on March 5, 2025, the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, barred the committee from proceeding with the probe.
Details shortly…