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Nigerians can now buy bag of rice at N40,000, no need for protests, says FG

With 48 hours to go in the countdown to the nationwide protests against hunger, Nigerians planning to join should begin to rethink their stance.

The glimmer of hope came yesterday as Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris revealed that the government has launched several initiatives aimed at alleviating the economic hardships facing Nigerians.

Idris spoke to reporters after the ninth sitting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, which President Tinubu chaired at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the minister, the federal government has trucked rice to various centres across the country, and the commodity is currently being sold for N40,000.

“The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the federal government. Therefore, it is the government’s view that there is really no need for the protests. And like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government,” he said.

Idris stressed: “The President has listened to the voices of all those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing those things that they want a government to do, for example, the effort that the government is making to ensure that food is being made available.”

The minister clarified: “At the last council meeting here, at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks, 20 precisely, had been given to the state governors for onward distribution to the poorest of the poor in society and those who are actually in need. But the government did not stop there. There is also rice which is being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold at N40,000 as we speak now.

“This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy it.

“In the first instance, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states, and indeed, this is just the beginning. I know that some of the comments you hear are that it is never enough. The government has not pretended that these supplies are indeed enough. But these are necessary first steps.”

The minister appealed to the would-be protesters to reconsider their actions, warning of the potential for demonstrations to be hijacked by “unscrupulous elements.”

He stressed that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, the government believes the current circumstances do not warrant such actions.

“There is just no need for that,” Idris insisted, urging citizens to allow time for the government’s interventions to take full effect across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will hold an emergency plenary tomorrow.

In a memo dated July 28, 2024, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen directed the lawmakers to attend.

Although the memo didn’t state the reason for the plenary, it was gathered that it was not unconnected with the planned protests.

The memo reads, “On the directive of the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, please be informed that there will be a plenary sitting on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. You are kindly requested to make necessary arrangements to attend as important matters will be deliberated upon during this session.

“We regret any inconvenience caused by the interruption of the yearly recess. However, we count on the dedication and patriotism that the 10th Assembly is known for.

“Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.”

This was as the Nigerian capital, Abuja, began witnessing the deployment of security operatives to strategic areas, a move that indicates the government’s determination to maintain law and order.

Armed personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been sighted in Hilux vans at Lokogoma, Unity Fountain, Eagle Square and others.

However, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, directed the top brass of the police to protect the intended participants in the planned protests.

This was contained in a letter from the IGP at the request of human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.

Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had written the IGP on July 26, 2024, to provide police coverage for protesters. He wrote on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups planning the protest.

The IGP, in his response letter dated July 29, 2024, directed senior police officers to attend to the request of the senior lawyer.

Egbetokun’s response was signed by his Principal Staff Officer, CP Johnson Adenola.

The IGP also requested to meet with Adegboruwa in Abuja today “to deliberate further” on his request.

Adenola said: “I am to inform you that the Inspector General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Operations and Intelligence), the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters and the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of State Commands across the country to attend to your request.

“I am also to inform you that the Inspector General of Police wishes to meet with you at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, 30th July 2024, to deliberate further on your request.”

Relatedly, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, ordered commandants and state commanders nationwide to review strategies and deploy personnel across hotspots to prevent the protest from being hijacked by criminal elements.

At a meeting with the officers in Abuja, Audi said intelligence shows that hoodlums plan to hijack the protests therefore, the NSCDC will deploy 30,000 personnel to protect critical national assets and infrastructure as well as civilians.

He said: “We don’t want violence, we don’t want destruction, we don’t want killings, we don’t want burning of properties. Do your job professionally and make sure you don’t molest any citizen.

“Nigerians have the right to protest, but tracing the history of protests in Nigeria, most have been hijacked by bad elements. Your duty is to make sure that the protest is peaceful.”

Audi also called for calm, urging the public to trust the current administration in solving Nigeria’s economic hardship.

AHEAD of the planned protests, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) called for caution and urged those behind it to reconsider.

The association urged the federal government, organisers, and supporters to call off the protest and come together for a more frank and sincere discussion on what must be done to immediately begin to turn around the people’s plight for good.

In a statement, the outgoing NBA President, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, said mechanisms should be put in place for regular government and people engagement.

Titled ‘Our call on government and appeal to the people of Nigeria on the planned nationwide protest,’ Maikyau said timelines for certain specific actions should be established and implemented as the circumstances dictate.

The NBA boss called on members of the federal and state legislatures to immediately engage with their constituents based on the plans of government at the federal and subnational levels to address the demands of the people.

“We further recommend that a National Security Summit be convened, where serving and retired military, police, intelligence, and other law enforcement officers will assemble to re-examine our security situation and proffer workable solutions and implementation strategies.

“Traditional institutions and religious leaders should be co-opted and given specific tasks in this regard. Civil society organisations should be engaged at all levels of the proposed dialogue and in monitoring the implementation of the decisions that may be reached,” the statement noted.

The NBA also called on the Tinubu administration to announce deadlines for specific fundamental economic steps that would be taken towards economic recovery.

Similarly, in a statement, the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) reiterated the need for dialogue and engagement between the government and concerned citizens.

The statement reads: “The OPSN, encompassing the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), has carefully considered the planned protest by certain citizens in response to current challenges affecting public welfare.

“As an apolitical umbrella body representing major business membership organisations in Nigeria, the OPSN prioritises the importance of dialogue and engagement between the government and concerned citizens. We firmly believe that open and constructive dialogue is the most effective tool for addressing the nation’s challenges and encouraging the desired changes. We urge all parties to embrace this path of dialogue to achieve meaningful and lasting solutions for the benefit of our country.

“However, should the decision to protest be made, we earnestly appeal for it to be conducted in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere. A peaceful protest will ensure that citizens can express their concerns without infringing upon the rights of others or disrupting legal and lawful activities. It will also allow the government to respond appropriately and facilitate a productive engagement that could lead to future collaboration on the outcomes of such engagements.

“As representatives of the business community, we are acutely aware of the potential economic impact of mass protests. Our members are crucial drivers of economic growth and job creation; therefore, any disruption to business operations could have significant repercussions on the economy and the livelihoods of the people.”

The OPS added, “We have continuously engaged with the government at various levels to find lasting solutions to the economic challenges facing our nation. It is crucial to remember that many businesses are still recovering from the substantial losses incurred during the hijacked #EndSARS protests a few years ago.

“We call upon security agencies to protect life and property during this period. The OPSN remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to promote a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens.”

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FIBA Africa gives more responsibilities to the Zones

Confirms host of Afrobasket men and women events …Madagascar’s Jean Michel appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa

By Maxwell Kumoye The governing body of the game of basketball on the continent, FIBA Africa has given the seven zones under it structure more responsibilities and power as it seeks to reposition the slamming and dunking game on the continent.

FIBA Africa Central Board at its meeting in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire between the 17th and 19th of this month said each of the Zones should take more interest in the various National Federations under their watch.

The meeting which was the first to be attended by the new FIBA Africa Executive Member and President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu, charged the Zone Presidents to carry our an audit of all the National Federations facilities under their watch to see which of the can host top class FIBA competitions.

This move is born out of the fact that among the 54 membes of FIBA Africa, some big National Federations like Nigeria cannot boast of world class facilities for major competition.

In the last five years, all major FIBA Africa competitions have been held in just eight National Federations countries like:✓ Angola✓ Cameroon ✓ Cote D’Ivoire ✓ Egypt✓ Mozambique ✓ Rwanda ✓ Senegal ✓ Tunisia It’s instructive to note that all the host for FIBA Africa major competitions until 2027 have been designated.

Your authoritative and award-winning news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, understands that FIBA Africa has also confirmed Abidjan the capital of Cote D’Ivoire will host the 2025 Afrobasket Women’s Championship while Luanda, Angola will host the men’s event the same year.

The Women Afrobasket takes place in July and D’Tigress of Nigeria are the defending champions and Afrobasket for men will follow in August.Meanwhile, Mr. Julien Farran has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of FIBA Africa. He is expected to take over from Mr. Yira Yacouba who is retiring.

In a related development, Mr. Jean Michel of Madagascar, a member of FIBA Central Board and President of FIBA Africa Development Commission has been appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa.

We gathered that BAL Elite 16 East Division will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 28th Nov to 3rd December, 2024.

If there is one issue that is giving FIBA Africa sleepless nights is the deadly, damaging and prevalent practice of using overaged players in aged grade competitions like the U-16 and U-18.

To this end, a TASK FORCE will be set up to curtail this ugle trend and the TASK FORCE will not only spell out the punishment for using overaged players in aged grade competitions but will also be presented with a sledge hammer to deal with offenders.

The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu said, “Training for Secretary Generals of National Federations was proposed and approved during the FIBA Africa Central Board Meeting and that National Federations should ensure more organization and participation in 3×3 activities.”

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FIBA Africa gives more responsibilities to the Zones…Confirms host of Afrobasket men and women events…Madagascar’s Jean Michel appointed as Vice

FIBA Africa gives more responsibilities to the Zones
…Confirms host of Afrobasket men and women events
…Madagascar’s Jean Michel appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa

The governing body of the game of basketball on the continent, FIBA Africa has given the seven zones under it structure more responsibilities and power as it seeks to reposition the slamming and dunking game on the continent.

FIBA Africa Central Board at its meeting in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire between the 17th and 19th of this month said each of the Zones should take more interest in the various National Federations under their watch.

The meeting which was the first to be attended by the new FIBA Africa Executive Member and President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu, charged the Zone Presidents to carry our an audit of all the National Federations facilities under their watch to see which of the can host top class FIBA competitions.

This move is born out of the fact that among the 54 membes of FIBA Africa, some big National Federations like Nigeria cannot boast of world class facilities for major competition.

In the last five years, all major FIBA Africa competitions have been held in just eight National Federations countries like:
✓ Angola
✓ Cameroon
✓ Cote D’Ivoire
✓ Egypt
✓ Mozambique
✓ Rwanda
✓ Senegal
✓ Tunisia

It’s instructive to note that all the host for FIBA Africa major competitions until 2027 have been designated.

Your authoritative and award-winning news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, understands that FIBA Africa has also confirmed Abidjan the capital of Cote D’Ivoire will host the 2025 Afrobasket Women’s Championship while Luanda, Angola will host the men’s event the same year.

The Women Afrobasket takes place in July and D’Tigress of Nigeria are the defending champions and Afrobasket for men will follow in August.

Meanwhile, Mr. Julien Farran has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of FIBA Africa. He is expected to take over from Mr. Yira Yacouba who is retiring.

In a related development, Mr. Jean Michel of Madagascar, a member of FIBA Central Board and President of FIBA Africa Development Commission has been appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa.

We gathered that BAL Elite 16 East Division will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 28th Nov to 3rd December, 2024.

If there is one issue that is giving FIBA Africa sleepless nights is the deadly, damaging and prevalent practice of using overaged players in aged grade competitions like the U-16 and U-18.

To this end, a TASK FORCE will be set up to curtail this ugle trend and the TASK FORCE will not only spell out the punishment for using overaged players in aged grade competitions but will also be presented with a sledge hammer to deal with offenders.

The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu said, “Training for Secretary Generals of National Federations was proposed and approved during the FIBA Africa Central Board Meeting and that National Federations should ensure more organization and participation in 3×3 activities.”

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NFF President, Gusau, elected 1st Vice President of WAFU B

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected as the 1st Vice President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) B zone.

The election took place in Niamey, Niger Republic on Friday, on the margin of this year’s CAF African Schools Football Championship (WAFU B qualifying tournament) taking place in that country.

President of Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku, was elected President of the zone, while Oumarou Sawadogo, President of the Burkinabe Football Federation, was elected as the 2nd Vice President.

The WAFU B zone is made up of seven countries, viz Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Cote d’Ivoire.

Gusau, who became President of NFF in September 2022, has served in several high-level capacities in African football, including being on the Organizing Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and serving as a top security officer of both FIFA and CAF.

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Mark Lawrenson Predicts Premier League Results for the Weekend Fixtures

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has shared his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League matches, offering insights into the potential outcomes of key fixtures.

Fans are eager to see how the games unfold as the league continues to deliver intense battles and surprises.

The action kicks off on Saturday with an early match at the King Power Stadium, where Leicester City will host Chelsea.

Lawrenson expects Chelsea to edge out a narrow victory, predicting a 2-1 win for the Blues. Chelsea will aim to continue their upward trajectory, while Leicester will hope to capitalize on home advantage to pull off an upset.

Later that evening, Arsenal will welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners, looking to solidify their title credentials, are predicted to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Mikel Arteta’s men have been in excellent form, and Nottingham Forest will have a tough task trying to stifle their attacking prowess.

Premier League champions Manchester City will face Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium in one of the weekend’s most anticipated matches.

Lawrenson has backed Pep Guardiola’s side to claim a 2-0 win, continuing their strong form at home. Spurs will need to be at their very best to stand a chance against City’s relentless attacking force.

In other Saturday fixtures, Aston Villa is expected to dominate Crystal Palace at Villa Park with a 3-0 victory.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth and Brighton are tipped to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw, as both teams look to maintain their mid-table standings.

Everton and Brentford are also predicted to end their match in a 1-1 stalemate, with both sides struggling for consistency this season.

Fulham is expected to edge out Wolves at Craven Cottage with a 2-1 victory, as Marco Silva’s team aims to climb higher in the league table.

On Sunday, Southampton will host Liverpool at St. Mary’s Stadium. Lawrenson predicts a 3-1 victory for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, who will be eager to maintain their push for the top spots. Southampton, battling relegation, face a daunting task against a Liverpool side firing on all cylinders.

Manchester United will travel to face Ipswich Town in an away fixture. Lawrenson foresees a 2-1 win for the Red Devils, though Ipswich will aim to cause an upset.

The weekend concludes with Newcastle United hosting West Ham at St. James’ Park. The Magpies are tipped to secure a commanding 3-0 victory, as they continue their impressive form in front of their passionate home fans.

The Premier League weekend promises excitement, drama, and potentially season-defining results as teams battle for crucial points.

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons Drawn Against Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana in Group B of 2024 WAFCON

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will lock horns with Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana in Group B at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The draw, which took place on Friday evening, was held at the Technical Centre of the Mohamed VI Football Complex in Sale, just outside Rabat, Morocco.

The prestigious tournament will see 12 of Africa’s finest women’s football teams battle for supremacy in a three-week final event scheduled to run from July 5 to July 26, 2025. Morocco, the host nation, will welcome the continent’s best players as they strive to lift the coveted trophy.

For the nine-time African champions, Nigeria, the tournament offers another opportunity to demonstrate their dominance in women’s football on the continent.

Placed in Group B, the Super Falcons are no strangers to their North African rivals Algeria and Tunisia, though their encounter with the latter will mark the first competitive meeting between the two teams in WAFCON history.

Nigeria has an encouraging record against Algeria, having recently defeated the Fennecs in a two-legged friendly encounter.

The victories have bolstered the confidence of Randy Waldrum’s squad as they prepare to extend their winning streak against Algeria in Morocco.

Botswana, another Group B opponent, will also be familiar territory for the Super Falcons.

In the last edition of the competition, Nigeria secured a narrow 1-0 victory over the southern African side in their group-stage clash.

However, Botswana will be determined to upset the odds and improve their record against the defending giants.

Tunisia, the second North African team in the group, will pose an interesting challenge for the Super Falcons. Though this will be their first competitive meeting at WAFCON, Tunisia’s steady progress in women’s football in recent years could make them a formidable opponent.

Elsewhere in the tournament, Group A features the host nation Morocco alongside Zambia, Senegal, and DR Congo. Morocco, the 2022 WAFCON runners-up, will be eager to capitalize on home advantage and challenge for the title.

Group C includes South Africa, the defending champions, who will face tough opposition from Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.

The South Africans are aiming to retain their title after their historic triumph in the 2022 edition.

The 2024 WAFCON promises to deliver thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments as Africa’s elite women footballers converge in Morocco.

Fans of the Super Falcons will hope their team can reclaim the crown and further solidify their reputation as the powerhouse of African women’s football.

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Again, Naira gains massively against the US Dollars

The naira appreciated against the dollar in both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets, closing the week on a positive note as FX supply increased.

According to data from FMDQ, the naira strengthened to ₦1652.62 per dollar on Friday, an improvement from ₦1658.57 per dollar recorded on Thursday.

This represents a gain of ₦5.95 in the official market within a single day.In the last 48 hours, the naira has seen a cumulative gain of ₦35 against the dollar, signaling a rebound in the local currency’s performance.

This trend was also evident in the black market, where the naira firmed to ₦1750 per dollar on Friday, improving from ₦1755 per dollar the previous day.

The appreciation in both markets reflects a growing supply of foreign exchange and improved sentiment.

The uptick in FX supply was evident in the rise of transaction turnover in the official market. On Friday, FX transaction turnover increased significantly to $243.05 million, up from the $163.66 million recorded on Thursday.

This 48.5% surge in turnover highlights improved liquidity and market activity, which contributed to the naira’s recovery.

Despite the positive developments in recent days, a week-on-week analysis shows a marginal depreciation of the naira in the official market. Compared to last Friday’s exchange rate of ₦1652.25 per dollar, the naira lost ₦0.35, highlighting some lingering pressure on the local currency.

Nevertheless, the recent gains provide optimism for sustained recovery in the coming weeks.In the broader economic context, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reported an increase in the country’s external reserves, which rose to $40.277 billion as of November 20, 2024.

This marks a critical development, as higher reserves bolster the CBN’s ability to intervene in the FX market and stabilize the naira.

The naira’s improved performance can be attributed to several factors, including increased FX inflows, a more active interbank market, and efforts by financial authorities to boost dollar supply.

These efforts have eased pressure on the naira, particularly in the parallel market, where speculative activities had previously driven rates higher.

As Nigeria continues to address challenges in its FX market, the recent appreciation offers hope for a more stable exchange rate regime.

Market analysts, however, caution that sustaining this momentum will require consistent policy measures, increased foreign investment inflows, and further improvements in economic fundamentals.

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