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We’re yet to receive FG’s rice, Citizens in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina lament

Some residents of Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States say they have yet to receive the rice recently donated to the states by the Federal Government to them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government had doled out 20 trucks of rice to the 36 states and the FCT.

NAN also reports that this was part of its sustained efforts to ramp up food supplies in the country with a view to further bolstering food security.

It was also part of the Federal Government’s synergy with the sub-nationals to lessen the current hardship being faced by Nigerians.

This hardship was aggravated by the persistent food insecurity and ever -surging food prices.

However, with the recent bumper harvests in parts of Nigeria, Nigerians are heaving a sigh of relief, although there are palpable fears that the happy development may be temporary.

Some residents of Kaduna metropolis have lamented not receiving the Federal Government’s rice allocated to the state governments to cushion the hunger currently faced in the country.

Some of the residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that they only heard about the rice on the news.

Salisu Musa, a resident of the Rigasa area, said he and his family did not benefit from the rice, adding that he had not heard of anyone close to him who got the rice.

He said, “As a traditional title holder in the Rigasa community, we have not seen any rice from the Federal Government.

“However, we have received fertilizer and we appreciate it.”

Similarly, Ibrahim Yusuf, a resident of the Doka area, said he has not received the rice but has heard that a few bags were taken to a Mosque in the area.

He also acknowledged that fertilizers were shared in his area and numerous people had benefitted.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State Council, had on August 15 received some bags of rice from the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA).

The group had announced that it had received 2,400 bags provided by the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.

Mr Muhammad Ibrahim, one of the journalists who benefitted said the rice was shared to faith-based organisations and journalists, among others, adding he got a 25kg bag of rice

Also, in Kaduna state, some residents in parts of the Chikun Local Government Area have

complain of not getting the relief items to cushion the effects of the food crisis from the state government.

The few persons, who confirmed that they received some food items from the state officials said the quantity of such was too insignificant.

They also blamed some of the community leaders in charge of the distribution of the palliatives of being biased and not transparent.

However, a cross section of the residents in the city said they were yet to receive any item from the state officials in that regard.

One of the residents, Mrs Asabe Markus, claimed she had not received any palliative so far.

She, however,opined the items were only distributed to residents with political affiliation to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She said, “Since the food crisis began, I have been struggling to survive by relying on the support of friends and loved ones, who have food items and cash in abundance.”

Also, Mrs Rakiya Hadi, a resident, said she was only privileged to receive two measures of rice, which were distributed by a community leader

” My friend who is a community leader gave me two measures of rice, how can that feed a family for just a week?”she retorted

Hadi said the leader had to distribute the food item secretly to avoid commotion by the residents as the grain was not enough for all the people.

Another resident, Mr Audu Mallam, said nobody on his street around KASUPDA road In Sabon Tasha, has benefited from the government’s palliatives.

He recalled, “During the COVID-19 period, information was passed for the people to collect palliatives at the government schools, but as of now, no one is saying anything.”

Mrs Grace Waziri, another resident of the state, described the exercise as a ‘charade’, adding that the government was not being sincere with the people with the palliatives.

She disclosed that she has not received any relief item from the government, noting that few of her friends, who are civil servants, had collected such items from the office.

Waziri said, “Two of my friends who are civil servants showed me what the state government distributed as palliatives. It was very ridiculous and insulting.

“So, it’s clear that they are only sharing the palliatives to people who do not really need it and keep on lying that they have distributed food to vulnerable residents.”

In Kafanchan, some of the said residents also said they were yet to receive any rice palliatives from the Federal Government.

The residents made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kafanchan, headquarters of Jema’a Local Government Area.

Marta Maigari, a retired civil servant, said though she read in the media about the Federal Government’s donation of 20 truck of rice to each state, nothing of such had reached the people of Kafanchan.

“We have not seen any rice from the Federal Government here in Kafanchan.

“I say so because I always keep myself abreast of happenings, so I would have known if the government had gotten here,” she stated.

Maigari stated that the hardship faced by families and individuals at this time calls for decisive and compassionate action.

On his part, Godwin Kumai, the Coordinator of Jema’a Community Development Charter, a civil society organisation, said no rice palliatives from the Federal Government have been received and shared at the local government level.

Kumai explained that only bags of fertiliser from the state government were currently shared to some vulnerable people in the area.

A top official of the local government, who spoke on condition of anonymity concurred with Kumai.

He staed that the local government was yet to receive any rice allocation from the Federal Government.

“I don’t know if the state government has taken delivery of the items donated by the Federal Government.

“But as for use here in Jema’a Local Government Area, we are yet to receive anything from the centre through the state,” he added.

In Zaria, there were mixed reactions by different sources in the council over the distribution of the palliatives.

The Technical Assistant to the Council Chairman on Strategic Communications, Alhaji Bello Habib, said the council received 600 bags of maize and millet as intervention from the state government.

He explained that the 600 bags had been distributed to the 547 polling units across the 13 wards of the council.

“Each polling unit got one bag and the remaining bags were shared to the boarding secondary schools in Zaria.

“The beneficiary schools were Kufena College, Al Huda-Huda College, Barewa College and Government Girls’ Secondary School Zaria,” Habib said.

However, Habib declined to speak on the rice palliative to the council from the federal government.

Mohammed Abdullahi, a resident of Unguwar Fatika Area, Zaria told NAN that he was not aware of the distribution of any rice from the government.

Similarly, Haruna-Rasheed Musa of Kakaki Area, Zaria said he did not receive any intervention from either the state or local government.

Aliyu Idris-Ibrahim, Chairman, Zaria Local Government Council did not respond to calls and messages put on his cellphone on how the council distributed the Federal Government’s rice palliative.

Malam Aminu Bello, a resident of Layin Zomo Area,Basawa Ward, Sabon Gari Local Government Area, said he did not receive any support be it rice, maize or fertilizer from the government.

A source at the Sabon Gari Local Government which craved anonymity told NAN that a trailer load of rice was only seen at the Secretariat.

“The trailer went out of the council Secretariat to an unknown destination with the rice,”he said.

Alhaji Mohammed Usman, Chairman, Sabon Gari Local Government Council did not respond to calls and messages sent to his cellphone..

Sources at Giwa and Makarfi LGAs said the councils did not receive the rice from the government as at the time of filing this report.

However, all efforts to get the comments of Hajiya Rabi Salisu, Kaduna State Commissioner for Human Services and social Development proved abortive as she was said to have travelled out of Nigeria.

In Katsina State, a Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina State pledged to ensure that the rice distributed to the state by the Federal Government is shared to the targeted beneficiaries.

The Chairman of the coalition, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdullahi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Katsina.

NAN recalls that the state government had constituted a committee to oversee the distribution of the rice on July 29, and gave it a three-week deadline to submit its report.

The committee’s terms of reference were to ascertain and confirm the number of bags received, and develop a procedure for sharing the rice across the 34 local government areas.

The committee would also ensure that the distribution of the palliatives is done in a fair and transparent manner, targeting vulnerable individuals such as widows, divorcees, aged men and women, among others.

Abdullahi, who is also the Chairman, Katsina Social Protection (SP) Network, revealed to NAN that they are keenly monitoring the committee, as it was presently compiling the names of the beneficiaries.

He stated that the state and LGA levels committees were already formed and the CSOs have representation in all the committees across the 34 local governments.

“The SP network will leverage on the LGAs structures of the coalition of the CSOs in the state and monitor the implementation of the distribution and report their findings.

“The findings will be worked on and we will come up with our position at the end of the exercise,” according to Abdullahi.

NAN reports that the main committee at the state level was headed by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari.

Members of the committee included the Special Adviser on Public Service Administration Reform, Commissioners for Special Duties and Information.

Others were the representative of the State House of Assembly, Managing Director, of the state Irrigation Authority, Executive Chairman, Zakat and Waqf Board, Commander, Hisbah Board and the ALGON Chairman.

The remaining were representative of the Police, DSS, Katsina and Daura Emirate Councils, as well as that of the JIBWIS and Darika Islamic sects, the Youth Council of Nigeria, Nigeria Youths Congress

and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

Meanwhile, in Kano, the state government said it has distributed 130 trucks of foodstuffs it received as donation from the Federal Government to the beneficiaries across the 44 local government areas.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources,

Dr Danjuma Mahmud, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Kano on Wednesday.

Mahmud said the donation consisted of 40 trucks of 25kg rice,70 trucks of maize, millet and sulphur.

According to him, the food items were delivered at the headquarters of the 44 local governments for onward transportation to wards, villages and districts.

He said the beneficiaries of the gesture included: Civil Society Organizations(CSOs)and traditional rulers,religious leaders.

Others were the officials of the 44 local governments,the state Hisbah Commission, the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC).

The commissioner also disclosed that the state government had received 70 trucks of fertilizer from the warehouse of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) located in Minna, Niger.

Also collected from the warehouse,he said, were 30 trucks of urea.

He said the state government was now awaiting directives from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources on how to distribute the fertilizers to the farmers

National

65% of Nigeria’s poor people live in North – ActionAid

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An analysis of Nigeria’s Multidimensional poverty index by ActionAid Nigeria has revealed that about 65 percent of poor people, that is 86 million people live in the northern part of the country, while 36 percent, nearly 47 million people live in the South.

The analysis indicated the poorest states in the country to include Sokoto, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe, and Yobe, but cannot determine which of these states is the poorest.

The organisation disclosed this at the launch of its report on Austerity Measure, poverty and Gender Inequality in Nigeria in Abuja, saying Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) for 2022 found that 63% of the population, amounting to approximately 133mn Nigerians, are multidimensionally poor.

Analysing the report, the Country Director of ActionAid Andrew Mamedu noted that Poverty and inequality do not just happen; they result from economic, social, and political decisions made by the state and citizens.

He said “The critical policy decisions reflected in the key macroeconomic indicators show the rate and trend of poverty and inequality. Extant Nigerian negative indicators on gross domestic product (GDP) growth, inflation, interest rate, unemployment, debts, and deficits, among others, can only lead to one direction, increased poverty.”

Mamedu further stated that the underlying cause of the current spate of poverty is rooted in the heavy burden of austerity measures, imposed as part of broader macroeconomic policies.

He disclosed that based on their research, from 2010 to 2020, Nigeria’s debt stock ballooned by over 300%, reaching a staggering ₦31 trillion by the end of 2020 , and as of March 31st, 2024, debt stock stands at USD 91,463.99, an equivalent of N121, 670.49. trillion consuming 74% of government revenue and leaving little for vital sectors such as education, healthcare, and social protection.

He pointed out that keeping large numbers of people excluded from access to economic resources, employment, healthcare, adequate food, clean water and sanitation, education, skills, and technology, will result in a reduction of future productive human potential.

He stressed that well-designed and sustained investments in areas such as maternal and child health, education, and social protection would yield significant dividends for society.

“Conversely, no society can expect to achieve sustained economic and social progress while significant numbers of its population often disproportionately women and girls – are poorly nourished, in poor health, and lack the education and/or skills needed for their own and their families’ development,” he stated

The Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu who was represented by the Director of Microeconomic Philip Okwonkwo wondered if poverty and inequality could be tackled at the same time.

He maintained that the issue of poverty is a global phenomenon as it is not unique to Nigeria and Africa alone and harped on the need for stakeholders to collaborate to empower the poor people in society.

News

Tinubu Skips UNGA, Shettima to Lead Nigeria’s Delegation

The Presidency has announced that President Bola Tinubu will not be attending the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.

According to a statement released by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, President Tinubu has decided to prioritise domestic issues and address the country’s challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the recent devastating flooding.

As a result, Vice President Kashim Shettima has been directed to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the UNGA 79.

During the session, which runs from September 24 to 28, 2024, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, participate in key sideline events, and engage in bilateral meetings.

The high-level general debate will focus on the theme “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations.

STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT

VICE PRESIDENT SHETTIMA TO LEAD NIGERIA'S DELEGATION TO 79th UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.

The President has thus directed Vice…
— NTA News (@NTANewsNow) September 19, 2024

News

Southwest pensioners reject N70k minimum wage, urge new negotiations

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, South West zone, on Thursday rejected the N70,000 minimum wage that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) negotiated, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

They urged organised labour to return to the negotiating table while blaming them for allowing the Federal Government to trick them into accepting the amount in the first place.

The NUP Southwest noted that before the N70,000 was even implemented, the federal government had gone ahead to further increase the price of petrol, saying that the NLC and TUC that went into that negotiation were blindfolded and naïve.

The pensioners also said that they wholeheartedly support the autonomy of the local government, provided that whatever arrangement is being put in place, the pensions of primary school teachers and the local government pensioners at the local level are not to be tampered with.

The NUP Zonal Public Relations Officer and Secretary of Oyo State NUP, Dr Olusegun Abatan, stated this in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while addressing newsmen after the zonal meeting of the pensioners.

He said that labour leaders ought to be more clever when dealing with politicians.

“There are two burning issues that we need to put forward to the public domain. The first issue is the agreement between labour and the Federal Government over the minimum wage of N70,000,” he said.

“The NUP Southwest debated it extensively and we found out that before the N70,000 was even implemented, the federal government had gone ahead to further increase the price of petrol. And we concluded that the two labour centres that went into that negotiation were blindfolded; they went there naïve.

“They forgot that when you are dining with the devil, your spoon must be very long, and when you are dining with the politicians, your spoon must be longer than that of the devil. So, the federal government took advantage of their naivety and the inexperience of Comrade Ajaero and Osifo by tricking them into accepting N70,000 and that they would not increase fuel prices.

“But no sooner did they agree than the federal government went ahead to increase the price. To that extent, the NUP Southwest is rejecting the minimum wage that the labour has negotiated and advises that they should go back to the negotiating table and insist on the N250,000 they initially wanted.

“What is the value of N70,000? It is just about sixty litres of fuel. We say they should return to the negotiating table, and if going on strike will bring about an improvement, then we will support it. These people are not reducing their level of enjoyment; rather, their level of profligacy is increasing minute by minute. It is only the workers that are expected to tighten their belts; they don’t even have belts because their stomachs are too big to take a belt.”

On Local Government Autonomy, Abatan said, “NUP wholeheartedly supports it. But with the condition that whatever arrangement is being put in place, the pensions of primary school teachers and the local government pensioners at the local level are not to be tampered with. The salaries of working teachers should also continue. The salaries of LG workers and allowances of the traditional rulers should be taken care of as the first-line charges.”

News

Nigeria’s Super Eagles maintain 39th position on World Rankings

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have retained their 39th position in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings released on Thursday. During the review period, the Super Eagles played two matches.

They secured a 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs of Benin Republic and were held to a 0-0 draw by the Amavubi of Rwanda. Both matches were qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

On the African continent, the three-time AFCON champions are ranked sixth.

The top five teams in Africa are Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, and Tunisia.

News

Trending Kitchen Styles of 2024: Latest Design Inspirations

The kitchen, often considered the heart of the home, has evolved into a space where functionality meets style. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of interior design, 2024 brings forth a fresh wave of kitchen trends that blend innovation, sustainability, and timeless elegance. In this article, we’ll delve into the most sought-after kitchen styles, exploring their defining features, materials, and color palettes to inspire your next renovation or design project.

1. Modern Farmhouse

Characterized by:

Exposed beams and shiplap.
Rustic wood accents.
Matte black fixtures.
Soft neutral color schemes.

Image: A modern farmhouse kitchen featuring reclaimed wood cabinets, metal pendant lights, and a large island.

2. Industrial Chic

Defined by:

Exposed brick and concrete.
Metal accents and piping.
Reclaimed wood.
Bold color contrasts.

Image: An industrial-chic kitchen showcasing metal beam ceilings, concrete countertops, and vintage appliances.

3. Coastal Cool

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Features:

Light, airy color palettes
White or pastel-hued cabinets
Natural textures (woven baskets, jute rugs)
Glass or stainless steel accents

Image: A coastal kitchen with soft blue cabinets, white marble countertops, and a nautical-themed backsplash.

4. Mid-Century Modern

Characterized by:

Clean lines and minimal ornamentation
Walnut or teak cabinetry
Retro-inspired appliances
Bold, geometric patterns

Image: A mid-century modern kitchen featuring walnut cabinets, vintage-style lighting, and a geometric-tiled backsplash.

5. Scandinavian Minimalism

Defined by:

Light woods (birch, beech)
Minimal ornamentation
Functional, handle-less cabinets
Monochromatic color schemes

Image: A Scandinavian-inspired kitchen with birch cabinets, a minimalist island, and sleek, handle-less drawers.

6. Rustic Reimagined

Features:

Reclaimed or distressed wood
Earthy color palettes
Natural stone or brick
Vintage decorative accents

Image: A rustic kitchen with reclaimed wood cabinets, natural stone countertops, and vintage metalware.

7. Smart Kitchens

Characterized by:

Integrated smart home technology
Touchless faucets and voice-controlled appliances
High-gloss finishes
Sleek, modern cabinetry

Image: A smart kitchen featuring touchless faucets, voice-controlled lighting, and a sleek, high-gloss island.

8. Sustainable Kitchens

Defined by:

Eco-friendly materials (recycled glass, bamboo)
Energy-efficient appliances
Water-conserving fixtures
Natural, non-toxic finishes

Image: A sustainable kitchen showcasing recycled glass countertops, bamboo cabinets, and energy-efficient appliances.

As we explore these trending kitchen styles, remember to balance functionality with personal taste. Whether you’re drawn to modern farmhouse charm or Scandinavian minimalism, incorporate elements that reflect your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. With inspiration from these designs, create a kitchen that’s both beautiful and functional – the perfect heart of your home.

News

OPEC Boss: High Taxes, Not Oil Prices, Behind Global Fuel Price Increases

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Haitham Al Ghais, has attributed rising fuel costs primarily to the taxes imposed by major oil-consuming nations, rather than the price of oil itself.

In a recent statement, Al Ghais clarified that fuel prices at the pump are influenced by multiple factors, including crude oil prices, refining, transportation, marketing costs, oil company margins, and most notably, taxes.

His comments come at a time when Nigeria has witnessed several petrol price hikes over the past year.

The latest increase, announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Monday, saw prices rise to between N950 and N1,019.22 per liter at its retail outlets.

Al Ghais emphasized that revenues generated by oil-producing countries are frequently reinvested into their domestic oil sectors, supporting activities such as exploration, production, and transportation.

However, he noted that governments in oil-consuming nations collect substantial revenue through taxes on petroleum products.

He pointed out that in 2023, taxes made up an average of 44 percent of the final retail fuel price in Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, showing a year-on-year increase.

For many consumers, he explained, these taxes have a greater impact on their wallets than the crude oil price itself.

“It is the sovereign right of countries to set their own tax policies,” Al Ghais remarked.

“But when concerns arise about the impact of high fuel prices on people’s disposable income, it’s crucial to remember how much of the cost is due to taxes funneled to finance ministries globally.”