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Nigerians Begging For Survival, Can’t Afford Food – APC Chieftain Laments

Published

9 months ago

December 1, 2024

Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun, has said that the cost of food items in the country was becoming worrisome and unaffordable for the masses.

Oyintiloye, a member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), said this while speaking with newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo.

He lamented that most households could no longer afford good meals, with many begging to survive.

The APC chieftain said that there was urgent need for the governments at all levels to come to the rescue of the masses by providing solutions to the challenge.

Oyintiloye noted that the cost of basic foodstuffs such as rice, beans, garri, semovita, yam flour, among others, were getting out of the reach of the masses, making them to eat whatever was available.

According to him, the rise in food prices is mostly caused by insecurity, high cost of transportation, climate change and the instability in the exchange rate.

Oyintiloye added that the astronomical rise in the food prices had affected the purchasing power of citizens, leading to uncertainty, an increase in poverty and high cost of living.

He said that with food as a primary resource for human survival, “the government at every level should undertake tangible programmes to defeat hunger in the land.”

According to him, a recent survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also confirmed that food prices have risen by over 100 percent.

Oyintiloye said that the survey, which was the 2023/24 General Household Survey-Panel, commonly called (GHS-Panel), launched on Nov. 25, in Abuja, revealed that 65.8 per cent of the households were unable to eat healthy, nutritious or preferred foods due to low income.

The APC chieftain said that while President Bola Tinubu-led administration was doing everything possible to bring down the food prices, many Nigerians were still struggling to eat three square meals.

Oyintiloye said that despite the food waiver policy being implemented by the Federal Government and the Central Bank’s intervention to curb inflation through the monetary policy, the prices of food were still on a very high side.

“The exchange rate fluctuations further exacerbate this issue, particularly affecting the prices of imported food items.

“The situation on the prices of food is becoming worrisome and extremely unbearable for the masses.

“Many households can no longer afford nutrition meals, while many are begging for survival. This is pathetic and no longer bearable for the masses.

“I urge Governors and the Federal Government to intensify efforts and to stop further increase in the cost of food items.

“The situation may worsen, if factors leading to the increase are left unattended to,” he said.

Oyintiloye urged the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to continue to uphold its mandate by protecting and promoting the interest and welfare of the consumers by enhancing quality product at competitive prices.

He also urged governments at all levels to set up markets where food could be bought at subsidised rates as a temporary measure ahead of the festive period.

VANGUARD

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DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

24 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

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‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

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Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

1 day ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.