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JUST IN: Tinubu Declares State Of Emergency On Food Security

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President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, declared a state of emergency on food security.⁣

Tinubu also approved that all matters pertaining to food and water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.⁣

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Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after consultations with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. ⁣

He said that the President has directed an immediate release of fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.⁣

According to him, “We will immediately release fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.⁣

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“There will be an organic synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the use of water resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee that food is available all years round. ⁣

“As a country, Mr. President has made it clear that we are no longer comfortable with seasonal farming. We can no longer afford to have farming downtime.” ⁣

The Presidential spokesman further explained that the Federal Government will partner with states to create ranches in those that are willing to avail lands.

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He said the ranches will have sections dedicated as grazing reserves.

According to him, “We will establish ranches in collaboration with state government and the federal government will pay for the land.”

READ ALSO: Subsidy: 12m Families To Receive N8,000 For Six Months – Tinubu

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Alake explained that the government at the centre will activate land banks nationwide, which currently stand at 500,000 hectares mapped “to increase the availability of arable land for farming which will immediately impact food output.”⁣

This is as the Central Bank has advised middlemen withholding grains to release supplies at their disposal as prices are likely to fall when the government begins to distribute grains.⁣

Alake was accompanied to the press briefing by the Special to the President on Revenue, Zacch Adedeji, Special Adviser on Industry, Trade and Investment, John Uwajimogu and the acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Wale Adeniyi among others.

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He explained that the briefing was to update the public on President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s immediate response to the current food inflation in the country.

He said, “As a hands-on- leader who follows developments across the country everyday, Mr. President is not unmindful of the rising cost of food and how it affects the citizens. While availability is not a problem, affordability has been a major issue to many Nigerians in all parts of the country. This has led a significant drop in demand thereby undermining the viability of the entire agriculture and food value chain.

“Accordingly, in line with this administration’s position on ensuring that the most vulnerable are supported, Mr. President has declared, with immediate effect the following actions:

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“That a state of emergency on food security be announced immediately, and that all matters pertaining to food & water availability and affordability, as essential livelihood items, be included within the purview of the National Security Council.

“As a direct and immediate response to this crisis, a number of initiatives will be deployed in the coming weeks to reverse this inflationary trend and guarantee future uninterrupted supplies of affordable foods to ordinary Nigerians.

“As with most emergencies, there are immediate, medium- and long-term interventions and solutions.

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“In the immediate term, we intend to deploy some savings from the fuel subsidy removal into the Agricultural sector focusing on revamping the agricultural sector.

“In an earlier meeting with Agriculture Stakeholders (today), we drafted a memorandum of partnership between the government and the individual stakeholder representatives that encompasses the decisions taken and actions proposed from our engagements.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Writes Senate, Seeks Additional $800m Loan From World Bank

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“The immediate intervention strategies are as follows: We will immediately release fertilizers and grains to farmers and households to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.

“There must be an urgent synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water Resources to ensure adequate irrigation of farmlands and to guarantee that food is produced all-year round.

“We shall create and support a National Commodity Board that will review and continuously assess food prices as well as maintain a strategic food reserve that will be used as a price stabilisation mechanism for critical grains and other food items.

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“Through this board, government will moderate spikes and dips in food prices. To achieve this, we have the following stakeholders on board to support the intervention effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu:

“The National Commodity Exchange (NCX), Seed Companies, National Seed Council and Research institutes, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, Food Processing/ Agric Processing associations, private sector holders & Prime Anchors, small holder farmers, crop associations and Fertilizer producers, blenders and suppliers associations to mention a few.

“We will engage our security architecture to protect the farms and the farmers so that farmers can return to the farmlands without fear of attacks.

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“The Central Bank will continue to play a major role of funding the agricultural value chain.

“Activation of land banks. There is currently 500,000 hectares of already mapped land that will be used to increase availability of arable land for farming which will immediately impact food output.

“Mechanization and land clearing- The government will also collaborate with mechanization companies to clear more forests & make them available for farming.

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“River basins- there are currently 11 rivers basins that will ensure planting of crops during the dry season with irrigation schemes that will guarantee continuous farming production all year round, to stem the seasonal glut and scarcity that we usually experience.

“We will deploy concessionary capital/funding to the sector especially towards fertilizer, processing, mechanization, seeds, chemicals, equipment, feed, labour, etc.”

Continuing, he said, “The concessionary funds will ensure food is always available and affordable thereby having a direct impact on Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI). This administration is focused on ensuring the HCI numbers, which currently ranks as the 3rd lowest in the world, are improved for increased productivity.

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“Transportation and Storage: The cost of transporting Agricultural products has been a major challenge (due to permits, toll gates, and other associated costs). When the costs of moving farm produce is significantly impacted-

“…it will immediately be passed to the consumers, which will affect the price of food- the government will explore other means of transportation including rail and water transport, to reduce freight costs and in turn impact the food prices.

“As for storage, existing warehouses and tanks will be revamped to cut waste & ensure efficient preservation of food items.

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READ ALSO: BREAKING: Tinubu Makes Fresh Appointment

“We will Increase revenue from food and agricultural exports. As we ensure there is sufficient, affordable food for the populace, we will concurrently work on stimulating the export capacity of the Agric sector.

“Trade Facilitation: Transportation, storage and export will be improved by working with the Nigerian Customs, who have assured us that the bottlenecks experienced in exporting and importing food items as well as intra-city transportation through tolling will be removed.

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“These are some of the immediate interventions this government will put in place to tackle this crisis.

“Principally, one of the major positive outcomes of these interventions will be a massive boost in employment and job creation.

“Indeed, agriculture already accounts for about 35.21 percent of employment in Nigeria (as at 2021), the target is to double this percentage to about 70% in the long term.”

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Alake said that President Tinubu’s mandate to create jobs for the teeming youth population will be achieved with between five to ten million more jobs created within the value chain, working with the current 500,000 hectares of arable land and the several hundreds of thousands more farmlands to be developed in the medium term.

He said, “In closing, this administration understands that food and water are the bedrock of survival and therefore is calling on all Nigerians to partner us in ensuring the success of this strategic intervention. This administration is working assiduously to ensure that Nigerians do not struggle with their essential needs.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wishes to use this medium to continue to assure Nigerians that this administration will not relent in its efforts until all strategic interventions are deployed efficiently and effectively and until every household is positively impacted.

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“Our president is the president of all Nigerians and the father of the nation. The renewed hope mandate remains alive and no one, absolutely no one, will be left behind.”

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2Baba’s Wife, Natasha Wins Best Legislator Awards

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Wife of legendary singer Innocent Idibia popularly known as 2Baba, and lawmaker Representing Egor Constituency at Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Natasha Osawawru has been honoured with Best Legislator Awards.

The Edo-born lawmaker was honoured at the 2025 National Leadership Awards held at the Nigerian Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.

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The female lawmaker had championed bills and embarked on initiatives which focused on women empowerment, education, healthcare and youth development.

READ ALSO:‘This Is Not Me’ – 2Baba Apologises To Wife Natasha, Children Over Controversial Comments

Other laudable projects she has embarked upon in her constituency include scholarships, free medical outreach, and skills acquisition programmes that have directly benefited her constituents.

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Speaking after receiving the award, Osawaru dedicated the honour to the people of Egor Constituency and reaffirmed her commitment to “serve with integrity, passion, and dedication.”

The National Leadership Awards celebrates excellence and service across sectors in Nigeria.

Osawaru’s recognition further cements her reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic and impactful young legislators.

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Lunar Eclipse To Hit Nigeria, Other African Countries

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Nigerians, alongside residents of some African nations, are set to witness a rare celestial spectacle on Sunday, September 7, when a total lunar eclipse lights up the skies from 8:00 p.m. West Africa Time.

The phenomenon, which will last about 83 minutes, is expected to turn the Moon a vivid reddish colour, drawing the attention of sky watchers across the region.

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According to the National Television Authority (NTA), scientists confirmed that the eclipse will be visible across much of Africa.

READ ALSO:2024 Solar Eclipse: See When, Where It Will Happen

“Countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin, Togo, Niger, Chad, and São Tomé and Príncipe will experience the eclipse, though the westernmost areas may miss parts of the early penumbral or partial phases due to the Moon rising closer to or during totality,” the network reported on Sunday.

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Although some westernmost areas may not see the early phases, much of Nigeria will enjoy a clear view of the event, which scientists describe as safe and awe-inspiring.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration stated on its website that a lunar eclipse may be total, partial, or penumbral, and predicted that Sunday’s total eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

READ ALSO:Eight Amazing Facts You Should Know About Solar Eclipse 2024

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The Moon’s red glow, often referred to as a “blood moon,” comes from sunlight bending through Earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon NASA recently linked to temperature variations on the lunar surface during such events.

Unlike solar eclipses, which require protective eyewear, this lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye.

A total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, with Earth’s shadow falling across the Moon.

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DSS Gives X Ultimatum To Pull Down Sowore’s Tweet

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The Department of State Services (DSS) has demanded that X (formerly Twitter) remove a tweet against President Bola Tinubu by activist Omoyele Sowore, giving the social media platform a 24-hour ultimatum to comply.

The DSS claims the tweet “disparages” President Bola Tinubu and poses a threat to Nigeria’s national security.

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In a letter signed on behalf of the Director-General, the DSS cited a tweet from Sowore’s verified handle, @YeleSowore, dated August 25, 2025. The tweet, which has now been widely reported, reads: “This criminal @officialABAT actually went to Brazil to state that there is NO MORE corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”

The DSS’s notice to X stated that the tweet is a “disparaging” and “dangerous” publication that could incite unrest and create “political tension.”

READ ALSO:JUST IN: DSS Writes X, Wants Sowore’s Account Deactivated Over Tweet Targeting Tinubu

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The tweet under reference is against the transparency on X and Government has frowned at it and found it extremely dangerous, false, privacy violation behaviour that manipulate and negatively impacts on the person of the President and the Country.”

The said tweet is still in circulation and has attracted widespread condemnation by majority of Nigerians, some of whom may resort to unwholesome activities to vent their grievance over it, especially supporters of the President who have started taking to the streets in protest, thereby creating political tension and threatening the country’s national security. This is in addition to the disparaging effect the tweet has on the reputation of Mr. President and the country before the comity of nations.”

The service claimed that the tweet, directed at the President’s official X account, has already led to protests from his supporters.

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The letter also asserted that the tweet violates several Nigerian laws, including the Cyber Crimes Act 2025, the Criminal Code Act, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The DSS alleged that the words used by Sowore constitute “misleading information, online harassment and abuse,” and an attempt to “cause disunity” and “discredit the President.”

READ ALSO:DSS Charges Top Ansaru Leaders Over Terrorism, Kuje Prison Break Roles

The security agency warned of “far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures” if X fails to take down the tweet and its attendant retweets within the stipulated 24-hour period.

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It is against the above highlighted backdrop that we make an immediate and urgent demand on your Corporation to as a matter of its own policy, immediately TAKE DOWN the tweet and its attendant re-tweets. This demand is unequivocal with its attendant consequence. Should you fail, neglect and refuse to comply with the command in this notice, the Federal Government will be compelled to take far-reaching, sweeping and across-the-board measures through our Organisation, whose mandate covers such criminal acts. In the light of the above having been made official to you, 24 hours is sufficient enough to take necessary action.”

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