News
Abuja traders decry rising food prices, seek government’s intervention
Some residents and foodstuff traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the instability of produce prices as well as the continued inflation in the country.
The residents and traders made their complaints in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja.
Mr Nduka Ndubisi, a food stuff trader at Aco AMAC Market, said that the unpredictability of food prices had limited the trade, as they could no longer take large stock.
Ndubisi said, “The prices of most food stuff items are currently unstable; we cannot even predict the prices anymore. This is tiring and frustrating.’’
A resident of Aco AMAC estate, Mr Victor Azikiwe, said that the rising cost of food items in the market was because of the hike in the price of petrol.
Azikiwe increasing the cost of a litre of petrol, saying some sell at N650 while others at N690, thereby affecting the cost of transportation of the goods.
“This contributed to the rise in food prices as the cost of transportation of foodstuffs across the country increased. For instance, Abuja to Ilorin is N18,000 as compared to N7,500 before now,”he said.
Another resident, Sherifat Musa, said that her major concern was on how people, especially the Muslims would cope with the situation during Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
Musa stressed the need for the authorities to do the needful before things get out of control.
“Our annual celebration is here. How do we buy all we need?
“I am scared of going to the Market because I don’t know what I’ll meet there. It’s scary too because the hike in price keeps going up every day, “she said.
On her part, Hajiya Amoke Omole, a tomato and pepper trader at Gosa market, said that the, “ups and downs’’ in the price of produce have made most traders wary of the trade.
“We do not even understand the situation; the price of foodstuff has been fluctuating for a while now.
“The price of tomatoes is also fluctuating because last week we bought for as high as N100, 000 per basket; but as at this week, it is N130,000 per basket which means the price is high and unpredictable.
“Sometimes, when pepper becomes affordable, tomatoes become more expensive, but now everything is on the high side. In fact, pepper is now more expensive than tomatoes, “she said.
Also, a civil servant, Mr Ibrahim Sule, described food as one of the most important basic needs for survival.
Sule said that its availability and accessibility were very important to any nation because its unavailability could lead to civil unrest, untimely death, malnourishment and more.
“Unfortunately, the price of food items in the markets has increased exponentially, daily.
“Nigerians have to spend more money these days before they can afford enough food for themselves and their families and this alone contributed enormously to the increase in food inflation.
“The current situation is beyond explanation. I think we need to pray and seek the face of God for his divine intervention,”he said.
Oluwaseun Soleye, a student in University of Abuja, said that only God could help in the situation affecting Nigerians and Nigeria as a whole.
Soleye believed that the country was suffering from a form of sin and God needed to forgive, so we could overcome the issues bedeviling the country.
“We have to turn to God and seek his forgiveness, because what is happening goes beyond human explanation. Imagine noddles (Super pack) of N80 before is now N400 per one.
“To many of us, life has never been so difficult than what we are going through presently. Many households cannot afford three meals in a day,” she said.
Mrs Juliana Arome, a food seller lamented low patronage by customers as a result of the hike in price of commodities and the low purchasing power of citizens.
Arome revealed that she had reduced the quantity of food she sells to her customers saying “Everything has gone high”.
She, however, called on the government to salvage the plight of the people adding that there was need for stability in food supply.
“Imagine, maggi moved from N700 to N1,300 per pack and Spaghetti is N850. We are not making any gain, government please help us, this is too much for us,”she said.
A trader, Mrs Bose Oluwole, who sells groceries and provisions at Wuse market, believed that President Tinubu could address the situation and provide solutions to the disturbing concern.
Oluwole said, “before, we used to buy a bag of milk for 5,500, now it is N15,000.
“The loaf of bread that I used to buy from bakers at N600, now sells for N1600 to N2000 because of the high cost of the flour, milk and sugar.
“As traders, we are tired, we just sit under the sun getting nothing and we pay for shop and shade in the market,” she lamented.(NAN)
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has cleared the backlog of outstanding tuition fees owed to beneficiaries of the state’s foreign scholarship scheme, offering major relief to affected students studying abroad.
The intervention, carried out in partnership with the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board under the leadership of Executive Secretary Prof. Yahya Saleh Ibrahim, spans multiple countries and institutions.
Several students who were previously stranded due to unpaid fees have now resumed or completed their academic programs.
Among the beneficiaries is Hauwa Bashir Liman, an MBBS student at the University of Debrecen in Hungary, who received $51,400. Also, Bashir Al Bashir and Ahmad Abubakar at the University of Wollongong in Dubai received $13,827.08 to cover tuition, visa, and other academic costs up to graduation.
Additionally, nine students—including Salisu Shehu Ramin Kura and King Henry Ishaya—who had earlier returned to Nigeria due to financial challenges had their tuition arrears totaling $81,135.76 fully cleared. The government also provided full-year stipends to both Salisu and Ishaya.
Furthermore, all pending tuition fees for medical and nursing graduates of the Islamic University of Uganda and Kampala International University have been settled, enabling them to commence their housemanship in hospitals across Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, Jigawa, and Borno states.
Despite inheriting a lean treasury, the Uba Sani administration has disbursed N402,799,973 in scholarships to more than 3,930 students enrolled in local institutions such as Kaduna State University (KASU), Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University Kano, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, and the College of Education, Gidan Waya.
Over 500 new scholarship awards are expected to be issued in the coming days to students at KASU, while continuing students across various institutions in the state are also receiving renewed support.
According to the Board, the intervention reflects Governor Uba Sani’s strong commitment to inclusive education and support for underprivileged students across Kaduna State.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Group and Chancellor of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH) Wudil, has pledged N15 billion for various capital projects in the university.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dangote announced the largesse at the university’s 5th combined convocation ceremony held on Saturday in Kano.
Dangote hinted that the funds would support a five-year development plan to upgrade the university to global standards.
He said the planned projects included design and construction of additional student hostels, design and construction of engineering labs.
Other projects were the design and construction of a world-class multipurpose computer laboratory with 24-hour internet access.
He said others were the design and construction of a befitting Senate building and post-NYSC career opportunities for high-performing students.
Dangote also commended Gov. Abba Yusuf for his efforts to address the issue of out-of-school children.
He encouraged wealthy individuals to support the government’s initiatives in enrolling children and emphasised that public contributions were essential for the country’s overall development.
Justice Abdu Aboki, Pro-Chancellor of the university, appreciated Dangote’s generosity, stating that it would bring modern development to the university.
He stated that the institution was working hard to produce graduates with expertise in both character and learning.
Also, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Musa-Tukur Yakasai, said the convocation ceremony celebrated hard work and resilience, disclosing that over 18,000 students graduated in the seven combined convocations.
He commended the Kano State Government for settling the university’s backlog of over N100 million and completing abandoned projects on campus.
The vice-chancellor explained that the recipients of honorary Doctorate Degrees were chosen based on merit and their contributions to the state and Nigeria.
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He also said that all the 45 courses offered by the university were fully accredited by the National University Commission (NUC).
Yakasai, however, commended the state government’s commitment to supporting the university’s development, while adding that the university’s researchers had gained international recognition.
Those confered with Honourary Doctorate Degrees were
Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Author Eze, Dr Adeniyi Raji (SAN) ,Alhaji Ado Mohammad-Mustapha (Amasco),and Sen. Rabiu Musa kwankwaso.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony drew personalities from across the country.
Yusuf, also the Visitor, congratulated the institution and the students on successfully completing their studies.
He pledged continued support for the institution’s optimal performance and announced two exciting opportunities for the top nine students.
They were granted automatic employment and foreign scholarships to study at universities of their choice, recognising their outstanding achievements.
The governor also congratulated Kwankwaso, the founder of the institution, and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the institution’s values.
Kwankwaso, who spoke on behalf of the awardees, expressed gratitude for Dangote’s commitment to investing N15 billion in the institution, which would facilitate its development.
Alhaji Dahiru Mangal also received commendation for his pledge to construct a 500-capacity female hostel.
The awardees vowed to continue supporting the institution’s growth and expressed their commitment to supporting the institution’s optimal performance.
(NAN)
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has facilitated the release of eight female inmates from the Goron-Dutse Correctional Centre after offsetting their fines and compensation fees.
The release of the inmates was secured during an unscheduled visit by Governor Yusuf to the facility alongside top government officials.
The spokesperson to the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa said among those released were two pregnant women and two nursing mothers.
The Governor, during the visit, expressed concern over the growing number of inmates awaiting trial, disclosing that out of 1,939 inmates in custody, only 382 had been convicted, while 1,536 were still awaiting trial.
Yusuf stated that his administration would collaborate with the judiciary to fast-track the dispensation of justice and ease congestion in correctional centres across the state.
As part of the measures to enhance Inmates’ welfare, the Governor also ordered the immediate provision of cows, foodstuffs, matresses, blankets, and assorted beverages to the facility.
In a related development, Governor Yusuf also visited the Janguza Maximum Security Correctional Facility where he announced the planned relocation of inmates from the overcrowded Kurmawa Correctional Centre to Janguza.
He further expressed satisfaction with the infrastructure and general condition at Janguza facility, describing it as more conducive for rehabilitation efforts.
The Governor acknowledged the contributions of former Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd.) over his role in the establishment of the Janguza Correctional Centre.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing phased releases for inmates serving jail terms for minor offences, while also supporting those willing to return to school or acquire vocational skills.