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Farmers laud drop in food inflation, seek sustainability
Local farmers have lauded the drop in July food inflation recently released by Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), while seeking its sustainability.
The farmers said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Lagos.
The Southwest Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Femi Oke, said the palliatives of the Federal Government to the sector also aided the drop in the July food inflation.
“It is laudable that the food inflation rate dropped in the month as reported by the NBS. It is good that the government is now taking cognisance of agriculture.
“The palliatives to the farmers and subsidisation of agro-inputs by the government has really been helpful this period. Their prices have been subsidised by the government,” Oke said.
He also noted that “We were also pre-informed on when to begin our farming because of effect of climate change. So this helped most farmers prevent loss of crops and capital.
“With these measures the government has put in a place for the benefit of the sector, we are not surprised the prices came down a bit in the month of July.
“If the government continues with its palliative measures definitely drop in food inflation rates will be sustainable.
“With the introduction of mechanised farming that the government is promoting there is no way a farmer cannot produce all year round if he so desires.
“The reason we were not able to produce all year round is because of the nonchalant attitude previously paid to the agriculture sector,” AFAN chairman said.
According to Oke, Currently the price of tomatoes and habenero pepper also known as “Ata rodo’ has drastically dropped, compared with previous months.
“Some state governments have also started giving interventions and helping various value-chains in the agriculture sector.
“We, however, need enough extension service agents to help educate farmers on adequate farming techniques for greater yields.
“They should be educated on seed varieties, soil tests, application of fertilisers and agrochemicals, to help increase yields,” he said.
Mr Mojeed Iyiola, Lagos State Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), also urged the government to put in more efforts for food price stability.
“The reason for the drop in food inflation rate in July is largely because of the harvest season as attested to by local farmers.
“However, after some time if adequate measures are not put in place and sustained, we may return to status quo.
“Two tubers of yams were sold at N5000 last week and this week, but weeks ago one tuber sold for as high as N7000. This price drop is only sustainable for a while because of the harvests.
“However, to a limited extent the government’s palliatives to the sector has also contributed to the drop in some food prices.
“We hope the government’s intervention in the sector will be sustainable, so we do not experience a price reduction just for few weeks and price hike in later weeks.
“We need a programme that will cushion the effect of the issues prompting food hike at least for a period of time,” Iyiola said.
He also reiterated the importance of investing in irrigation systems, to ensure consistent harvests.
“We also need to invest in irrigation systems due to inadequate rainfall, to achieve continuous harvests.
“Irrigation systems will help us ensure timely harvests, to stabilise food prices.
“If majority of local farmers are waiting for the rains, then this will be disastrous to food prices,” the PAN chairman said. (NAN
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.