KICNEWS

Category: Lifestyle

  • Food inflation: Students groan on campuses

    Food inflation: Students groan on campuses

     

    Food inflation: Students groan on campuses

    • •My son came home malnourished, I hadly recognised him —Parent
    • •We’re hungry, restless —Students
    • •Something has to be done —NAPTAN
    • •Reintroduce subsidised meals for students —NANS

    •Students can apply for Upkeep Allowance Loan —NELFUND

     

    By Adesina Wahab

     

    LAGOS: When Elisha (other names withheld), a student in one of the public universities in Lagos State came home during a break, his father could barely recognise him, as though not sick, he was visibly emaciated, no thanks to malnutrition.

     

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    On campus, the accounting education student told his inquisitive father that he was only able to afford bread and beans since most food items had gone out of the reach of average citizens.

     

    “I was outside the house when I saw him coming on a commercial motorbike. Even from afar, I could see how lean he was. When he came down and greeted me, I asked him whether he fell sick in school and he said nothing of such happened. I asked him whether he knew he had emaciated and what he thought was the reason.

     

    “The reply I got was shocking. He said he mostly ate bread and beans on campus. They cannot cook in the hostels, which are even overcrowded. To eat what we call “swallows” is a luxury most of the time.

     

    ”I felt bad but apart from him, I still have three other children in the same university. And this is a school where we paid less than N40,000 as fees just a couple of years ago and we are now being made to pay nearly N200,000,” Elisha’s father, a medical worker in a Lagos teaching hospital, said.

     

    Food inflation in Nigeria

    Recently, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said headline inflation for June 2024, was dominantly driven by food inflation, which rose to 40.9 per cent year-on-year, up from 40.7 in May 2024 and significantly higher than 25.3 per cent in June 2023. Similarly, core inflation rose to 27.4 per cent in June 2024, from 27.0 per cent in May 2024 and 20.1 per cent in June 2023.

     

    It added further that all measures of inflation rate rose in June 2024, albeit at a slower pace. Headline inflation increased to 34.2 per cent in June 2024 from 22.8 per cent in June 2023 and 34.0 per cent in May 2024.

     

    The inflationary pressures remain driven by currency depreciation, with the official exchange rate averaging N1471/$ in June, compared to N769/$ in June 2023 and rising imported food inflation (36.4 per cent y/y).

     

    Cost of meal in UNILAG

    For a 300-level student of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka, surviving in school is now becoming difficult. The student, who craved anonymity, explained that previously, N5OO could suffice for snacks per day, and N1,500 for a meal. Now, N800 cannot get the same quantity of snacks.

     

    “I am in the Department of History Education at UNILAG. Previously, I used to spend about N500 on snacks and drinks; and N1,500 on meals per day. But now, N800 can’t guarantee a snack and a drink. For meals, it is even worse.”

     

    On the cost of the cheapest meal, she noted that: “The cheapest plate of meal for someone like me that doesn’t eat much is N1,300. But to get a full portion is between N2,800 and N3,000. I had to stop buying food from some places in school.”

     

    Another student of UNILAG, who simply gave his name as Musa, told Vanguard: “Before the hike in food prices, I was spending between N5,000 and N10,000 on feeding weekly. And sometimes, I would not spend up to that amount.

     

    ”Now, I spend close to N20,000. Most of the time, this money is not enough. So, to survive I had to stop going to some restaurants to eat.”

     

    Another student, Israel Chukwuemeka, a 300 level student of the Department of English, explained that feeding at home saved him the trauma of hunger at school.

     

    “Since I go to school from home, I usually eat before leaving home, so that I won’t feel too hungry in school. Occasionally, one would still need to top it up in school. Whenever there is need for that, I spend N500 per day. However, the school management should simply subsidise food items for students.”

     

    Scoop of rice is N300 in LASUED

    Despite the fact that Lagos State University of Education, LASUED, Ijanikin, Lagos, is close to the Nigeria-Benin border, where most traders bring rice to the state, rice is still unaffordable for many students. A scoop of cooked rice goes for N300, and five of such cannot satisfy an adult.

     

    A 200 level student in the school, Elizabeth Emmanuel, called on the government to reduce the cost of food items.

     

    Lamenting that students who depend on rice, one of the country’s staple and cheapest foods before the hike, could no longer afford it as a scoop of rice goes for N300.

     

    “Before now, I can manage N4,000 for a week. However, the same is no longer feasible now. Common rice is being sold for N300 per scoop. What the government can do is to drastically reduce the cost of food items. because they cannot give us cooked meals.

     

    I spend N3,000 daily on feeding- Covenant University student

    For a 200 level student of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, the government needs to bring down the cost of food items. He also lamented the fact that parents were facing serious challenges keeping their wards in school.

     

    The student, who craved anonymity, explained: “Before the hike in prices of food items, my feeding was okay as I was able to follow my food timetable, budget and savings compared to now. While I spent N1,500 daily on feeding then, if I decided to feed twice, now, I spend N3,000 also feeding twice.

     

    “The government needs to bring down the prices of food items because after paying school fees, our parents still have to worry about the cost of feeding us.”

     

    We’re barely surviving on feeding allowance- UNILORIN student

     

    For Ruka Ibrahim, a 400 level student of the Department of Mass Communication, UNILORIN, students are eating not to get satisfied but to survive.

     

    “It’s a known fact that Nigerian students don’t feed well when they’re away from home. However, the recent hike in prices of food items has made things unbearably difficult. Students don’t eat to get satisfied anymore, they eat to survive!“

     

    I am always hungry and restless

    Another student of UNILORIN has this to say: “My feeding before the hike in the prices of food items was not that consistent since I’m not from a well-to-do family, but I was able to afford three square meals per day at least with enough protein and nutrients.”

     

    A student, who refused to divulge his name or department, explained: “Before, I spent N1,000 daily, but now, I spend N3,000. As a result, I am always hungry and restless.”

     

    On what he wants the government and his school management to do, he said:

     

    They should focus on the students too. The transport fare in my school is taking all our feeding allowances, coupled with the hike in the prices of food, we are barely surviving as students and it is affecting our academics.”

     

    School fellowship my saving grace – UNIBEN student

    According to Favour Binchang, a Linguistics Studies student of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Benin City, being part of a school fellowship has been of great value.

     

    “Then, N20,000 augmented with the foodstuffs from home was okay for me in a month. Currently, things are so bad that I can’t even make such calculations anymore. I’ve had to go back home twice this semester just to keep up with food supplies.

     

    “To survive now is hell. If you patronise a ‘Bukateria’ at school, the cost of the cheapest food is about N1,200 per plate and it can barely satisfy you. So, I’ve had to juggle between home and school.

     

    ”Other times, I would travel to my sister’s house to spend the weekend and have three days of free food. My campus fellowship and friends have had to come through and succour me through the storms of hunger.

     

    “To save students from hunger, as it was in the 70s/80s, the government should make food free on campus cafeteria with students using their food cards. It’s not for students to be thinking about what to eat and academic rigours at the same time.”

     

    What schools are doing

    When fees were increased at the start of the ongoing session at UNILAG, the management faced a lot of pressure from students who could not cope with the situation. Apart from those students who said they were unable to pay the new fees, there were those who had difficulties feeding.

     

    According to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the management of the school, corporate bodies and even alumni association came to the rescue.

     

    “Some students said they were able to pay the fees, but that they had difficulties feeding. In line with our belief that no student would drop out for any reason, the management of the university is providing meals for 40 of such students daily.

     

    ”We feed them thrice and we have also increased the number of participants in our work study scheme as well as increase the amount we pay them,” she said.

     

    What we want the government to do – Parents

    Parents, under the auspices of the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, have called on the government to act fast in making life better for citizens, including students.

    The Deputy National President, Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, told Vanguard that most people were going through difficult times.

     

    “The government should ease things for the citizens because people are going through a lot, including students. The recent pronouncement by the federal government that there would be import waivers for some staple food items such as rice, beans etc, is commendable.

     

    ”Though the government said it would be for six months, I would suggest it lasts for as long as the hunger situation is brought under control.

     

    “Our land borders can also be opened for a month or two to allow essential food items come in. I am not saying the borders should just be flung open forever, that is going to affect our local farmers but we need to make things easier for all. Now, the cost of some items are coming down, especially pepper and tomatoes.

     

    “Most students in our higher institutions are teenagers who are at ages they need good nutrition, but many parents are unable to take care of their needs.”

     

    Our suggestions – NANS

    The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, said it had been difficult for students to cope under the current economic situation.

    “How much can parents give their children that will be enough now? The cost of living is high and prices keep changing, going up daily. Coupled with that is the fact that parents are also having their financial powers eroded, as their real incomes diminish.

     

    ”Government can subsidise feeding for students on campuses. They did that in those days and students used their meal tickets to eat in cafeterias.

     

    “We can do it again if we are willing and ready to do it. The resources are there and we just have to manage them judiciously. Also, government should think about the students during the distribution of palliatives. Empowerment should be given to students on campuses too.”

     

    Students can take upkeep allowance loan – FG

    The Federal Government, which recently started disbursing loans to students through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, said the scheme had many parts which were intended to address different issues.

     

    Spokesman of NELFUND, Mr Nasir Ayitogo, said the scheme had a programme to address such issue.

    “The student loan scheme is not limited to helping students pay their fees. We do more than that. For instance, some students live off campus and may need to pay house rent, we can help do that if they apply for it.

     

    ”Also, students can apply for upkeep allowance loan too. That will help them on day-to-day feeding and general upkeep of their bodies and souls. Those in need of that can apply and when found okay, will be granted the loans NELFUND is about making learning comfortable for students by assisting with their fees, accommodation expenses and welfare,” he explained.

     

    •Additional reports by Elizabeth Osayande, Ebunoluwa Sessou & Damilola Akapo

     

     

  • Foreigners asked to leave Lebanon as war fears surge

    Foreigners asked to leave Lebanon as war fears surge

    Foreigners asked to leave Lebanon as war fears surge

     

    Urgent calls grew for foreign nationals to leave Lebanon, which would be on the front line of a regional war, as Iran and its allies readied their response to high-profile killings blamed on Israel.

     

    While diplomats worked to avert a feared conflagration, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Jordan’s King Abdullah II said Sunday a regional military escalation must be avoided “at all costs”, the French presidency said after they held a telephone call.

     

    With major military action from Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and others widely expected, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said: “If they dare to attack us, they will pay a heavy price.”

     

    The nearly 10-month-old war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has already led to a violent fallout which has become routine around the region.

    In the deadliest incident on Sunday in Gaza, the Civil Defence agency said an Israeli strike hit two Gaza City schools housing displaced people, killing at least 30.

     

    This brings to at least 11 the number of schools hit in Gaza since July 6.

     

    Israel’s army confirmed the latest strike, saying Hamas was using the schools.

    Near the Israeli commercial hub of Tel Aviv, medics and police said two people were killed in a stabbing attack.

     

    The assailant, a Palestinian from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was “neutralised” by police and taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

     

    • ‘Highly volatile’ –

     

    Hezbollah, which has traded near-daily fire with Israeli forces since the Gaza war broke out in October, announced the deaths of two of its fighters without specifying where.

     

    The Lebanese health ministry said an Israeli strike on the southern border village of Hula killed two people.

     

    Lebanon’s official National News Agency had reported Israeli strikes on various areas of south Lebanon, after Hezbollah said it had fired a fresh barrage of rockets at northern Israel.

     

    The Israeli military said most of the 30 projectiles launched from Lebanon were intercepted.

    Sirens sounded again early Monday in northern Israel’s Upper Galilee region after “numerous suspicious aerial targets were identified crossing from Lebanon”, the Israeli military said.

     

    The attack triggered a fire and an officer and a soldier were “moderately injured”, it said on Telegram.

     

    The cross-border violence since October has killed some 547 people in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also including 115 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

     

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    Saudi Arabia and France became the latest of several countries calling on their citizens to leave Lebanon.

     

    “In a highly volatile security context”, the foreign ministry in Paris “urgently asked” its nationals to avoid travelling to Lebanon and suggested those already in the country leave “as soon as possible”.

     

    France also urged its nationals living in Iran to “temporarily leave”.

     

    Several Western airlines have suspended flights to Lebanon and other airports in the region.

    Qatar Airways said the Doha-Beirut route would “operate exclusively during daylight hours” at least until Monday.

     

    • Ceasefire hopes dimmed –

     

    Wednesday’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, hours after the Israeli killing of Hezbollah’s military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut, has triggered vows of vengeance from Iran and the “axis of resistance” of Tehran-backed armed groups.

     

    Israel, accused by Hamas, Iran and others of killing Haniyeh, has not directly commented on the attack.

     

    Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for its unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

     

    Militants also seized 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held captive in Gaza, including 39 the military says are dead.

    Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed at least 39,583 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry, which does not give details of civilian and militant deaths.

     

    Haniyeh was Hamas’s lead negotiator in efforts to end the war. His killing, and that of Shukr, “does not suggest Israel is sincerely interested in a ceasefire”, said Middle East expert Andreas Krieg.

     

    Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators have for months tried to broker a truce and hostage-release deal.

     

    • ‘Greatest peril’ –

    Analysts have told AFP that a joint but measured action from Iran and its allies was likely, while Tehran said it expects Hezbollah to hit deeper inside Israel and no longer be confined to military targets.

     

    Israel’s ally the United States said it was moving additional warships and fighter jets to the region.

     

    In an interview with ABC News, White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer said the United States was “doing everything possible to make sure that this situation does not boil over”.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments in Baby Food Tins, Cloths Going to US, UK

    NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments in Baby Food Tins, Cloths Going to US, UK

    NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments in Baby Food Tins, Cloths Going to US, UK

     

    Consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of baby food cans and cloths have been intercepted by the NDLEA.

    Multiple consignments of illicit drugs concealed in tins of baby food cans and cloths going to the United States and United Kingdom have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and a courier firm in Lagos.

     

    A press statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi said no less than 36 parcels of a strong strain of cannabis concealed in six cartons of tins of baby food, with six containers in each package were recovered at the SAHCOL export shed of Lagos airport last Wednesday, noting that the psychotropic substance has a total weight of 18.5 kilogrammes.

     

    He said that a freight agent, Salaudeen Abiola who presented the consignment for export to the UK was promptly arrested while a follow up operation to Ibadan, Oyo state on Saturday led to the arrest of the sender of the cargo, Bello Folu at her No. 20 Mofoluwasho Estate, Elewuro, Akobo area of the Oyo state capital.

     

    He added that the food tins were all factory-sealed at the top while they tampered with the bottom through which they put the substances covered with loose quantities of the infant cereal meal to prevent discovery, an effort that ended in futility as vigilant NDLEA officers were able to foil the attempt.

     

    He said in the same vein, five different shipments of opioids and other psychoactive substances, such as promethazine, pentazocine, diazepam, tramadol, and morphine concealed in cloths and other items meant for export to the US and UK were equally intercepted by NDLEA operatives in Lagos.

     

    While one of the shipments containing 820 grammes of promethazine and pentazocine injections was going to the United States, the remaining four parcels consisting of over two kilogrammes of opioids such as tramadol 225mg, molly and NPS were heading to the United Kingdom. They were all intercepted last Monday at a logistics company in Lagos.

     

    Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Tincan port in Lagos last Friday recovered 77 packages of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis from the body compartments of four vehicles: Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Sienna imported from Canada during a joint examination of some containers with men of the Customs Service and other stakeholders.

    The seized consignments have a total weight of 38.5 kilogrammes while two suspects: Salami Sunday, 34 and Lekan Atoyebi, 33, assigned to clear the shipments have been taken into custody, while Isiagu Sunday was arrested in Mushin Ojuwoye Lagos last Thursday with 1,740 bottles of codeine syrup weighing 174 litres and 1,070 tablets of Molly weighing 600grams, no less than 50 bags of cannabis with a gross weight of 520 kilogrammes were recovered in the bush at Isuada, Owo council area of Ondo state just as five suspects were arrested at Itaogbolu forest, Akure North local government area of the state.

     

    The suspects nabbed in connection with the seizure of 42 kilogrammes of same psychoactive substance include: Jimoh Omotosho, 63; Donald Obi, 62; Emmanuel Patrick, 21; Kayode Oluwaseun, 39; and John Nsikan, 34.

     

    In Edo state, twenty-two and a half bags of cannabis weighing 220 kilogrammes were recovered from Egbeta community, Ovia North East area of Edo state last Tuesday while a suspect, Osayede Aghoma was arrested. Another suspect, Ibrahim Abubakar, 55, was last Wednesday nabbed with 40 blocks of same substance weighing 19.2 kilogrammes along Okene-Lokoja highway in a commercial bus coming from Lagos enroute Kano.

     

    He noted with the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

     

    While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Kogi, Edo, Ondo, Lagos, and Tincan, Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the zeal and tempo.

     

     

     

     

  • Anthony Ammirati’s manhood prevents him from winning medal at Paris Olympics

    Anthony Ammirati’s manhood prevents him from winning medal at Paris Olympics

     

    Image credit: Getty

     

    French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati’s quest for an Olympic medal at the Paris Games came to an unexpected halt due to a bizarre mishap involving his crotch.

     

    During his third attempt at clearing 5.70 meters in the qualification round, Ammirati’s manhood made contact with the bar, causing it to fall and ending his chances of advancing to the final.

     

    Anthony Ammirati, who cleared 5.60 meters, finished 12th in Group A. The unusual end to his Olympic journey drew both surprise and amusement from spectators.

     

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    Ammirati’s French compatriots, Robin Emig and Thibaut Collet, also failed to advance past the qualifying rounds.

     

    A visibly disappointed Collet remarked, “When people say that the Games are different, well, it really is different. Today, I missed my competition. I knew that this qualification was going to be tough and now I’m taking it in the face. The Olympic Games are over. I’m going to pack my bags before going home.”

     

    Meanwhile, no British athletes competed in the men’s pole vault, but Molly Caudery is anticipated to be a strong contender in the women’s event.

     

    The qualifying rounds for the women’s pole vault will begin on Monday, with the final scheduled for two days later.

  • BREAKING: Gunshots In Imo Capital As Militants Attack Owerri Prison In Attempted Jailbreak

    BREAKING: Gunshots In Imo Capital As Militants Attack Owerri Prison In Attempted Jailbreak

    Security Intelligence in post shared on X attributed the shooting to unknown gunmen.

    There is pandemonium in Owerri, the Imo State capital as sporadic shooting is going on across the city.

    A security Eons Intelligence in post shared on X attributed the shooting to unknown gunmen.

    It wrote: “At 11:30 am today 31st July, 2024, Owerri Prison under attack by Unknown gunmen as prison armed Squad in gun duel.

    “Reinforcement from military and other security formation ongoing.”

    It further tweeted, “Report of sporadic shooting across Owerri Municipal by UGM. Suspected Hoodlums also attacked the UBA bank at Wetheral Road.

    “Avoid the area until normalcy is restored.”

    While some witnesses attributed the gunshots to unknown gunmen, sources from Imo State capital, who witnessed the incident told SaharaReporters that the shooting could not be from unknown gunmen.

    According to one of the sources, the shooting is simultaneously going on at the Okigwe road, World Bank, Control, in front of Government House, Onitsha road, Amaku-Ohia – Akwaku road, and Aba road and Wetheral Road.

    The source said: “We believe that the Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration were behind the shooting to scare and send fear to the people who might be planning to come out tomorrow to participate on the nationwide ‘Day of Rage’ protests against hunger and misgovernance in Nigeria in the state.”

    “You must have seen the video of Owerri, the State capital, it has been completely deserted. In those videos do you see security agencies moving around to contain it. That shows you that the shooting was government plan to scare would be protesters from coming tomorrow. That’s is the main agenda.

    “Police, military and other security agencies are resided in the capital, with increased checkpoints in every streets in Owerri, from where did the so called gunmen came in from.”

    Meanwhile, SaharaReporters’ efforts to speak with the State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Command’s spokesperson ASP Henry Okoye could not take his call nor respond to a text message as of the time of filing this report.

  • Hunger Protests: US Issues New Security Alert, Cancels All Visa Appointments

    Hunger Protests: US Issues New Security Alert, Cancels All Visa Appointments

    Hunger Protests: US Issues New Security Alert, Cancels All Visa Appointments

     

    The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a new security alert to its citizens in the country as the #EndBadGovernance protests commenced across Nigeria yesterday even as it has cancelled all visa appointments between August 1 and 2nd.

     

    In a statement tagged, “Security Risks related to Potential Nationwide Protests”it said that out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos will operate with essential staff only on Thursday August 1, 2024, and on Friday August 2, 2024.

     

    It noted that non-essential staffers are advised to remain at home to avoid any disruptions that may result from the potential nationwide protests that continue to be reported in the media.

     

    The statement said, „Media reports indicate that protesters are expected to begin gathering at Eagles Square in Abuja mid to late morning. In Lagos, protests may start as early as 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. and primary locations have been identified as Alausa Park, Freedom Park, and Peace Park.

     

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    „Additional possible protest sites in Lagos include Nahco Bus Stop (Airport Road), Marwa Bus Stop (Lekki-Epe Expressway), and Ikeja „Under the Bridge“ (Intersection of Obafemi Awolowo and Allen Avenue).

     

    „However, protests may occur at other times and locations in Abuja and Lagos, as well as in other cities and population centers in Nigeria over the coming days. Based on past occurrences, protests may involve roadblocks, checkpoints, traffic congestion, and physical confrontations.

     

    „There is a risk of terror attacks in Nigeria and terrorist groups may take advantage of opportunities created during the potential nationwide protests to conduct attacks.“

     

    The US mission therefore advised its citizens in Nigeria to avoid the areas of protest, avoid crowds and exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.

     

    The citizens were also advised to monitor local media for updates, keep a low profile, and verify flight schedules with their airline, if they have travel plans and review their personal security plans, keep their cell phones charged in case of emergency and carry proper identification.

     

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    „The Consular Sections of Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos will offer reduced emergency American Citizen Services only. All visa appointments have been cancelled,“ the statement said.

     

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  • Oyo Distributes FG’s 21,000 Bags Of Fertiliser To 250 Farmers

    Oyo Distributes FG’s 21,000 Bags Of Fertiliser To 250 Farmers

     

    Oyo Distributes FG’s 21,000 Bags Of Fertiliser To 250 Farmers

     

    The federal government, in collaboration with Oyo State government, has began the distribution of 21,000 bags of fertilisers to over 10,500 farmers in the state.

     

    At the flag-off ceremony held at OYSADA Ware House, Fertiliser Store, Laniya, Ojongbodu area of Oyo town, no fewer than 250 farmers from Akinyele local government received two bags of fertilisers each to boost their agricultural businesses.

     

    The commissioner for agriculture and rural department , Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye flagged off the distribution .

     

    He explained that the fertilisers donated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, are aimed at cushioning the effects of oil subsidy removal on farmers across the country.

    Commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye,

     

    He therefore encouraged farmers not to resell the fertilizer but apply it on their farmland for abundant food items in the state.

     

    Oyo State coordinator, federal ministry of agriculture and food security, Dr. Florence Kakulu represented by agriculture officer of the ministry, Mrs. Bilikis Abdulateef, said in its support to cushion economic effect on food production, CBN donated 2,000,000 bags of assorted fertilizer to federal government to enhance food security in Nigeria.

     

    She, therefore, charged beneficiaries to let the efforts of both state and federal governments reflect in their productivity during the harvest.

     

    Some of the farmers that benefited from free distribution of the 21, 000 bags of fertilizer, pledged to reciprocate gestures of federal and state governments which they described as timely for dry season farming, assuring that the impact would be felt among the populace through better yield.

     

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    Also, in a gesture aimed at supporting education and alleviating the burden of school expenses on parents, First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, has distributed free notebooks to students in public schools across Oyo State.

     

    The distribution, which continued on Monday in Ibadan, the state capital, was flagged off in Iseyin by the Oyo First Lady who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Nigerians behind success stories of many foreign nations —- Collins Idahosa

    Nigerians behind success stories of many foreign nations —- Collins Idahosa

    Nigerians behind success stories of many foreign nations —- Collins Idahosa

    The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Europe chapter, led by Ambassador Collins Idahosa has urged the youths in the Diaspora to consolidate their stay in Europe by investing greatly in the economy in order to create jobs for other youths and also grow the home economy.

     

    Idahosa, a graduate of Philosophy from the University of Lagos, in this interview with Saturday Vanguard commended President Bola Tinubu on his initiative on the local government autonomy, just as he reflected on the activities of the council created in 1964, as well as plans to roll out the drums in celebration of 60th anniversary of the council.

     

    Excerpts:

    How does a Nigerian youth fare in Europe?

     

    The first thing is to be integrated into the system in Europe and this can be done by buying shares in any company that is being controlled by the government. This is another way of investing and impacting their society. As their shares grow, they will be able to recommend people to work in such organisations. This is what the Chinese are doing. In Sweden, Chinese have bigger shares because they started early to invest in shares. Today, any Chinese who is coming into any country in Europe knows where he is going to work. I expect Nigerians in the Diaspora to do the same, integrate into the system by way of making substantial impact in the economy.

    Those who go into all sorts of crime should desist, because crime does not pay. They should consider how they can make enduring contributions to the system positively. I initiated the idea of buying shares in one of the biggest companies, and from there we can continue to have a positive impact in the economy.

    Who knows, we can be the biggest shareholders in some companies and make a positive impact in the lives of other Nigerians. If you become the Chairman, you can decide to have a branch in your country, and that will create jobs for people at home. If you have more jobs for the youth, the crime rate will reduce.

    So, I encourage all the youth Ambassadors to also do the same. You can start small and grow with it. Many Nigerians are looking up to us to change their lives. If you don’t have a good structure, you cannot build others. But if we integrate and invest in the system, nobody will disturb any Nigerian looking for a job here.

    Your 10 or 20% contribution into the economy gives you and other Nigerians leverage for employment. So, it is something we can do if we come together.

     

    A group in the UK said recently that many Nigerian youths were becoming a nuisance after failing to get jobs that they were promised before leaving Nigeria for the UK. What is your council doing about this?

     

    Europe is a well organised place. Those who are desperate to leave Nigeria should also be desperate to verify which job is available for them to do. Right now, the world is a global village. Nobody lies to you about what is happening in another country. With a click on your phone, you can know what is happening around the world. Nigerians are doing well in Europe generally, but that is not to say there are no bad ones. Unfortunately, we are always hearing negative reports about them. There is no country where you won’t find Nigerians, and when it comes to African commerce, Nigeria takes 40 to 50%. So, we should not always concentrate on the negative side. If you are working and earning a salary, you will do better than anyone who is into crime. If you do your research well, you will find some bad citizens in some of these countries, so, we don’t have to dwell on the negative side of Nigerians, we should see the impact they are making in the economy of their host country.

     

    Tell us about the activities of the NYCN in Europe.

     

    The Council was created in 1964. I was privileged to be the first to be appointed to manage the youth affairs in the Europe chapter and the Diaspora in 2023. The Europe chapter of the council is just one-year-old. But we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Council in Switzerland. The occasion will attract almost all the Nigerian youth across Europe and America, including the home country. We are also expecting our leaders from Nigeria as well as individuals from around the world. Apart from our leaders from the home country, we are also expecting some eminent personalities in Europe and other parts of the world. A committee has been set up, headed by a youth ambassador in the Diaspora. The event will be held on September 21, 2024. We expect all our dignitaries to arrive by September 20, and the following day, we will have a World Press conference and lecture, which will be followed by panel discussion. On Sunday, there will be a Thanksgiving in the church before people leave for their respective countries. It is not sponsored by anybody other than the youth themselves, who have been contributing to the success of this programme.

     

    What has the council done in the area of capacity building, empowerment, and skill acquisition to make the youth, especially the jobless, self-reliant?

  • How 14-month-old stolen baby, sold to three persons was rescued

    How 14-month-old stolen baby, sold to three persons was rescued

    How 14-month-old stolen baby, sold to three persons was rescued

     

    In the bustling streets of Oredola in Oko-Oba, Lagos, a mother’s worstnightmare became a reality on July 11, 2024, after her closest neighbor absconded with her one-year-two-month-old child, leaving her with a sense of unease and emotional trauma.

     

     

    The days that followed were a blur of shock and grief for her, as she struggled to come to terms with the loss of her precious baby. Fate finally smiled on her 15 days later after policemen attached to the New Oko-Oba Division of the Lagos State Police Command traced the baby to Ikorodu, Lagos, where he was bought for N2.3 million.

     

     

    It was gathered that the baby had been sold to not one, not two, but three different persons in Akwa-Ibom and Ogun states before his final destination in Ikorodu. Each time, the baby had been passed off as a legitimate adoption, with fake documents and convincing stories. Coincidentally, the latest buyer, Mrs. Mercy Uwam, was having the naming ceremony of the baby the same day of the arrest.

     

     

    At the end of the painstaking investigation, five persons, among them the fleeing neighbor and a Pastor, have been arrested.

     

     

    In this interview with Crime Guard, the arrested neighbor and mother of two, 37-year-old Gloria Sunday, alleged that she was convinced by Pastor Peter Udoh (one of the suspects) to bring the baby for sale.

    She said: “I have been living in the same compound with the mother of the baby for two years. On that fateful day, I took the child to church. At the close of service, I took him to Ikene, Ogun State, to Pastor Peter’s place. He said he wanted to give him to somebody that needed a baby. He assured me that the person would take care of the baby. He bought him for N650,000, and I went to my village in Akwa-Ibom, from where I was arrested. I regret my actions; it was the handiwork of the devil”, she stated.

    But Pastor Peter Udoh (63) said Mrs. Sunday told him the baby was her late sister’s and that she could not take care of him. According to him: “Gloria Sunday never told me she stole the child. She said he was her late sister’s baby and that she couldn’t take care of him because she has five children of her own. That was why I asked her to come with the baby. I contacted Mrs. Laurentta (another suspect), who bought the baby for N1.450 million.”

    The third suspect, Loretta Nelson (54), admitted that she bought the baby from Pastor Udoh and sold him to Mrs Mercy Uwam for N2.3 million. She admitted also to have realized N900,000 from the sale.

    She said: “Pastor and I met at 2nd Rainbow. He said the baby’s mother was dead, and his sister (Gloria) could not care for him because she is a widow. I noticed that the baby’s hair was improperly cut. When I asked, he said Gloria cut the baby’s hair because she didn’t have money to celebrate his one-year birthday. Thereafter, I contacted Mercy (another suspect), who bought the baby for N2.3 million.”

     

    Renewed

    hope dashed

    The last buyer, with whom the baby was eventually found after two weeks and one day of hazardous search, Mrs. Mercy Uwam, sat huddled among the group of arrested individuals, her body language exuding defeat and despair. Her head was bowed, her eyes cast downward, as if unable to meet the gaze of this reporter when approached.

    She wrapped her arms tightly around her torso, as if trying to protect herself from the harsh reality of her situation. When asked why she was the guest of the Police, with eyes brimming with tears that seemed to well up from the very depths of her soul, the 44-year-old woman said: “I got married in 2009 without having a child of my own. I have visited many motherless babies’ homes in Anambra, Ogun and Lagos states and I was told the number of people who wanted to adopt was very large. In the process of my search, somebody referred me to Madam Laurentta (pointing to the suspect next to her), who said she could be of help but that I needed to pay N50,000 as registration fee. After some months, she called me to say she had a baby boy ready. I took the child, paid her N2.4 million, including N50,000 for registration.

    “I was happy and took the baby home. There were spots on his body; I bought medicine and food for him. I was taking care of the baby, unknown to me that he was stolen. By the way, I did not seek my husband’s consent when I made the payment. He was once married and has a child. But I needed mine. I felt he was not interested because he already has his. When he came back, he was not happy with me.

    “On Friday, July 26, 2024, I decided to have the naming ceremony. I intended to name him Favour, as his Christian name and Chiemerem ( meaning God has done it for me). I just wanted a small gathering of ten people for the naming ceremony. I was cooking for the occasion when the Police came and arrested me,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.

     

    Tears of Joy

    While Mercy’s tears were those of regret and the sad reality of the situation she was enmeshed in, those of the mother of the baby, Mrs Kemi Shodiya were of joy and relief. She said the moment of reuniting with her once-lost baby was like a balm to her soul.

    Expressing appreciation to the Police for being instrumental in her joy, she narrated:

    “The children of the woman who stole my baby usually came to play with my children. I never raised an eyebrow the day she took my baby to church because that was not the first time she was taking him to church. They left by 5 pm, but by 8 pm, when they were supposed to return, I started looking for her. I called her phone, but it was switched off. It took us two weeks and one day of waiting and praying. By the time I got my baby, his hair had been cut. I thank Oko-Oba Police Station, my neighbors, in-law, and my traditional ruler. I learned never to be too trusting.”

    The Crime Guard gathered that Divisional Police Officer, Oko-Oba , CSP Waliu Yusuf, on the directive of the Lagos State Police boss, CP Adegoke Fayoade, led a team of policemen to Akwa-Ibom state where the fleeing neighbor, Gloria Sunday was arrested. Her arrest led to others’ arrest and the rescue of the stolen baby.

    All the suspects, according to spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hudenyin, have been charged to court.

  • Olympic Games: Team Nigeria’s bag of scandals

    Olympic Games: Team Nigeria’s bag of scandals

    Olympic Games: Team Nigeria’s bag of scandals

     

    The enthusiasm and optimism exuded by the Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh at Team Nigeria’s send forth to the Olympics must be eroding and gradually turning to frustration, one week into the Paris 2024 Olympics. He was full of hope; not just for medals, but also for a hitch-free participation in the games that would be free of controversies.

     

    The Paris 2004 Olympics is the minister’s first. Coming from a background, not too conversant with the demands of the sporting sector, he had hoped to start on a clean slate, using his early months as a learning curve. On resumption of office, the Cross River State-born minister told Nigerians that “it is no longer going to be business as usual.” He hardly knew the magnitude of what he was into.

     

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    If the Senator must know, the story of Nigeria’s participation in the Olympics is one of twists and turns, dotted with pockets of successes and failures. Above all,hardly had there been one Olympic Games in which Team Nigeria would not have one scandal or another, coupled with the administrative ineptitude of officials. This has become a recurring decimal.

     

    In the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Team Nigeria was engulfed in a reported sex scandal. A Lagos-based national newspaper published a story which alleged that the country’s delegation was rocked by a sex scandal in Moscow. Although it turned out to be a hoax, that scandal did a lot of damage to the psyche of Nigerian athletes.

     

    Hameed Adio was team Nigeria captain to the Moscow 1980 Olympics held in Russia. He told www.aclsports.com that the story was not true but it had a negative impact on athletes’ concentration, training and mental toughness during the Olympics. Nigeria returned empty-handed.

     

    Fast forward to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Team Nigeria was again distracted by so many scandals. The failure of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria to properly guide Nigerian athletes on doping regulations led to the disqualification of ten athletes of Team Nigeria. The athletes were disqualified from competing after they failed to undergo mandatory out-of-competition tests before the global sports fiesta.

     

    Events at the Tokyo Games snowballed into the hunting down and subsequent ban on Blessing Okagbare, Divine Oduduru and lately Grace Nwokocha by the the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) . Blessing Okagbare was handed a 10-year ban in 2022, while Divine Oduduru got a six-year ban in 2023. Grace Nwokocha was given a three-year ban for using prohibited substances.6 June 2024.

     

    Apart from the failure to properly guide her athletes on doping regulations, the AFN and the Sports Ministry under the leadership of Sunday Dare were locked in a kitting controversy.

     

    A picture shared by the team after the visit of the Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Abubakar Moriki, to the team’s camp, showed many of the athletes and officials in different attires, with one of the officials in the picture wearing an Arsenal jersey. Other videos shared by Nigerian athletes in Japan also showed them in different sportswears, like Nike and Adidas.

     

    This came to the fore when Nigeria’s shot putter, Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, washed the lone jersey issued to him by the Nigerian officials ahead of his final game at the Olympics.

     

    The TikTok video, uploaded by the athlete on his Instagram page, @thechuksay, before he deleted it due to pressure from the Ministry, had the caption: “When you made the Olympic Finals, but you only have one jersey.”

     

    This drew a social media rant which described the video as the “latest embarrassment from Team Nigeria Tokyo2020 drama series.”

     

    The one jersey per athlete issue was brought about by Sunday Dare’s rejection of the jerseys supplied by PUMA to the Nigerian contingent. The former Minister of Youth and Sports Development insisted that the contingent would not wear the German sportswear kits because of a leadership tussle between the AFN board lead by Ibrahim Gusau and another faction championed by the Minister, Sunday Dare.

     

    This crisis came to a head when the German company announced the termination of the four-year deal with the AFN in a letter dated August 4, which was signed by PUMA’s Director Manuel Edlheimb. It was rumoured that Puma would sue Nigeria for breach of contract. Nobody knows what became of that case, four years after.

     

    When Senator Owan Enoh sent forth the Team Nigeria contingent to the ongoing Paris Games, his thoughts were on how well it would end as he believed, like most Nigerians, that Team Nigeria could pull the chestnuts from the fire this time round. The likes of Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume, Favour Ofili, Blessing Oborodudu, Oduayo Adekuroye, the D’Tigress were all seen as very bright medal prospects. No Nigerian boxer had qualified for the boxing event at the Olympics since 2016. This time, three qualified. Unfortunately, one got injured while preparing for the games and he withdrew, the other got beaten in the first fight; while the third, a lady was disqualified for doping offences.

     

    In the main, Senator Owan Enoh’s young era has not escaped from tradition. Cynthia Ogunsemilore’s drug failure and subsequent expulsion from Team Nigeria camp and the Olympic village is another scandal bound to leave a huge impact on the Nigerian contingent.

     

    As if that is not enough, the mishandling of Favour Oifili’s omission from the 100 mtrs race has raised a lot of questions. The affected athlete cried blue murder as she had trained and conditioned herself to participate in the race having qualified. Ofili won the Nigerian national title in June with a time of 11.06 seconds . Her personal best time of 10.93 may have probably put her in the final of the event at the Olympics. She will, however, be available for the 200 metres 1×400 mtetres relay.

     

    A senior colleague, Onochie Anibeze believes the exclusion of Ofili from the 100 mtrs dash could have been deliberate by an official. “He could have done that for the good of the athlete,” he reasoned, adding, “she is expected to concentrate on 200 mtr which is her speciality and the relays,” Onochie guessed. Even at that, he was of the opinion that “if it is as I think, the said official should have done that with her consent. She should have been consulted and guided. Not telling her before now makes it bad.” But Anibeze did not also rule out an oversight, a complete error on the side of the officials.

     

    After one week of competition, Nigeria no longer has any stake in boxing, badminton, women’s football among others, swimming, etc. The minister must be realising the cleansing he has to champion in Nigerian sports.