Metro

Protest: FG To Begin Sale Of 50kg Rice For ₦40,000 – Minister

Published

1 year ago

July 30, 2024

Editor

The Federal Government has called for calm on the proposed nationwide protest, saying it had created centres across the country where Nigerians can purchase a 50kg bag of rice for ₦40,000.

This was revealed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris while briefing correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja on Mond

According to Idris, the initiative was part of initiatives by the Tinubu administration to ease living conditions for citizens.

He argued that there was no longer a need for the nationwide protests since the president was already attending to the needs of the protest organisers.

“The position of the FEC is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are actually being addressed by the Federal Government and, therefore, it is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again.

“Most of the things that the protesters are putting forward are already being addressed by the government. And like we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government.

“The President has listened to the voices of all planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it. Indeed, the President is already protesting on their behalf by doing what they want the government to do,” said Idris.

He enumerated the recent efforts by the FG which distributed 740 trucks of grains to states, announcing that 50kg bags of rice can now be obtained for N40,000 at designated centres nationwide.

Idris said, “For example, at the last Council meeting, we announced that 20 trucks had been given to each state governor for onward distribution to those who actually needed them, to the poorest of the poor in society.

“But the government did not stop. Rice is also being sold at about 50 per cent of its cost; a bag of rice is being sold as we speak. This rice has been taken to various centres across all the states of the federation and is being sold at N40,000. Centres have been created so that those who need this rice can go there and buy this rice at N40,000.

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

He said the FG expects the price of food items to reduce since “the rainy season is here.”

“We expect that the prices of food items will come down as investments are also being made in traditional agricultural production and irrigation activities in many of these states in the federation,” Idris added.

The minister cited the student loan scheme and the expected disbursement of CNG kits as part of efforts to ease the cost of living.

Metro

JUST IN: Yinka Ayefele In Tears As Fire Guts Fresh FM

Published

5 hours ago

August 15, 2025

Editor

A fire outbreak has been reported at a popular Ibadan-based radio station, Fresh FM, at Felele area in Ibadan South-West local government area of the state capital on Friday.

The incident, which started a few hours ago, has disrupted other related activities at the station.

Newsmen could not confirm neither the cause nor extent of the damage as at the time of filing this report.

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services, Rev Akinyemi Akinyinka said, “our men are on the ground. The situation is under control.”

Founded by popular musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, Fresh FM is one of the most listened-to radio stations in Ibadan.

Click link below to watch video:

https://cdn.pmnewsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4YarRfs4-AQPEpS7eh4Sj40BSksJ46sTcwVZZAOsq-ibfVmfuQPhOk5ETRyO-ynZLu4qMgK2n6JR220C0oTevEDxrkfItsdBP66n3H7KR0u2_EYfLrs2ZsQ.mp4?_=1

Metro

Lagos Woman Remanded For False Foreign Currency Declaration

Published

1 day ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded Ifunanya Phil-Olumba in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over allegations of falsely declaring and failing to declare foreign currency totaling $14,567, £1,030, and CA$40 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had preferred three counts against the defendant, accusing her of making false declarations to the Nigeria Customs Service and failing to declare foreign currency, contrary to Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

At the resumed proceedings, before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, the prosecution, led by Okezie Chineye, called two witnesses.

The first prosecution witness, an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Stella Ogar, told the court that the defendant was intercepted during inward clearance from the United Kingdom.

According to Ogar, the defendant declared only CA$4,000, despite allegedly being in possession of CA$14,000, alongside other undeclared sums.

“We arrested her and handed her over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation,” Ogar testified.

The second prosecution witness, an EFCC operative, Felicia Paul, confirmed that the defendant was handed over to the commission by the customs.

She stated that the defendant was interrogated and opted to make a written statement, which the prosecution sought to tender in evidence.

However, defence counsel, Edwin Anikwem, objected to the admissibility of the statement, contending that it was not obtained voluntarily and was made without the presence of counsel, contrary to legal requirements.

However, Justice Dipeolu adjourned further hearing to August 19 for continuation of the trial.

The EFCC alleged that on July 22, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, the defendant falsely declared the sum of $4,000 while in possession of $14,567; failed to declare CA$40; and falsely declared £1,000 while in possession of £1,030.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences committed contravened Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Metro

Two Varsity Students Die In Bayelsa Road Crash

Published

2 days ago

August 14, 2025

Editor

A head-on collision between a truck and a commercial tricycle on the Yenagoa/Amassoma Road, Bayelsa State, has claimed the lives of two students from Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

The accident which occurred on Wednesday also left other passengers of the ill-fated tricycle critically injured.

Residents attributed the accident to absence of road signs and overspending by drivers as the crash occurred at a bend on the road.

The truck negotiated the bend at high speed, lost control and hit the tricycle at top speed, crushing it.

A trader, Godspower Okilo told The PUNCH on Thursday that the truck driver was moving too fast, and by the time he realised the danger, it was already too late.

He said, “The Keke (tricycle) had no chance of escaping the danger because the tipper was already close to it.
“We’ve been complaining about reckless truck drivers on this road for years, but nothing changes.

“The dangerous impact left the tricycle damaged beyond recognition. Good Samaritans rushed to the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa.

“The bodies of the deceased were later evacuated to a nearby morgue.

“This incident has renewed calls for stricter traffic enforcement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the State Police Command should intensify patrols, introduce speed breakers, and conduct regular safety checks on heavy-duty vehicles.”

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Ebike Ekain, said if the appropriate authorities do not act now, more lives will be lost to accidents in the nearest future.

The Yenagoa/Amassoma Road is without doubt the most dangerous road in Bayelsa State due to the number of accidents that occur every year.
The reconstruction of the stretch from the Etegwe Roundabout to Tombia Community resulted in several turns which motorists do not consider as they often drive at dangerous speeds.

The Federal Road Safety Commission usually dispatches an ambulance to the road which is stationed at Tombia Community and sometimes at the roundabout leading to Agudama-Ekpetiama Community.

Spokesman for the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the accident, said investigation is ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.

“Yes, an accident happened there and we are investigating the causes of the accident,” he stated.