News
Government Slashes Rice Price to N40,000 per Bag In Regards To The High Cost of Food
The federal government has announced the sale of a 50kg bag of rice for N40,000 as part of its latest intervention to provide relief to Nigerians facing economic hardships.
In a statement made at the presidential villa on Monday, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, detailed the government’s efforts to address the ongoing concerns of citizens and to mitigate the impact of rising food prices.
Idris disclosed that 20 trucks of rice have been allocated to each state across the federation, with the aim of making the staple food more affordable.
The government has set up designated centers where these bags of rice are being sold at a reduced price of N40,000 each, which represents a 50 percent reduction from the current market rate. However, the minister did not specify the exact locations of these distribution centers.
“The president has heeded the concerns expressed by those planning a protest and wants to assure them that there is no need for such demonstrations,” Idris remarked.
He emphasized that the government is already taking proactive steps to address the issues raised, including making essential food items more accessible.
Idris highlighted that in addition to the distribution of rice, the government is also committed to providing support to the most vulnerable populations.
“We have recently announced that 20 trucks of rice have been dispatched to each state, aimed specifically at reaching those in dire need—particularly the poorest members of society.
This is just the beginning, as further interventions are planned to ensure more comprehensive support.”
The minister acknowledged that the current supply of rice may not be sufficient to meet all demands but stressed that these measures are intended to be temporary solutions.
He assured that additional steps are being taken to stabilize food prices in the long term, citing significant investments being made in the agricultural sector.
“The government’s efforts are not limited to immediate relief. We are also heavily investing in agriculture, including irrigation projects, which are expected to help reduce food prices as the rainy season progresses.”
Furthermore, Idris urged the youth to reconsider their planned nationwide protest, stating that the government is actively working to address various national challenges.
He mentioned the government’s efforts to create employment opportunities for young people through the MTT programme, which aims to provide jobs for around 3 million individuals.
“The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right, and the government acknowledges this.
However, we are concerned that such protests could be hijacked by individuals with malicious intentions, potentially leading to violence.
This could have detrimental effects on the country, which is why we are appealing for the protests to be postponed,” he added.
Idris reassured citizens that the government is committed to addressing their needs across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and education.
He emphasized that while it may take time for all these initiatives to fully take effect, the ongoing efforts are intended to ensure that no one is left behind.
In summary, the federal government is taking multiple steps to alleviate economic pressures on citizens, including subsidizing rice prices and investing in agricultural improvements.
Idris’s message underscores the government’s commitment to addressing public concerns while urging a reconsideration of planned protests.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has commended the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its use of technology to combat fraud and improve its operations.
He praised the NYSC for the transformation it has undergone and its use of technology to improve the deployment of corps members.
He said “I would like to commend you for all the transformation that you have brought to NYSC and the use of technology to ensure seamless operations and deployment of Corps Members.”
The NYSC has continued to strengthen its use of technology as part of efforts to tackle fraud, improve its processes and enhance the deployment of corps members.
It has been reported that there was an attack on the convoy of Peter Obi in Benue State as a crowd supporting the presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 elections was reportedly attacked.
The incident reportedly resulted in more than 10 youths sustaining injuries.
The injured victims were taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, for treatment. A hospital official confirmed that more than 10 wounded people were brought in for urgent medical attention.
Peter Obi has called for an investigation into the incident and accused the Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Youths of masterminding the attack and mobilising youths to stop the support movement.
The hospital official said: “Over 10 wounded victims were brought in here yesterday for urgent medical attention. They are being treated. I don’t know where they came from. We don’t know whether they were involved in Peter Obi’s incident yesterday or not.”
Kwara State is planning to increase livestock production in the state and create higher incomes for farmers and pastoralists.
The commissioner shared “Our ultimate objective is to move Kwara from livestock keeping to a commercially driven livestock economy capable of creating jobs, improving food security, strengthening rural livelihoods and increasing the income of farmers and pastoralists,” .
Meta Introduces AI Agent That Can Access Apps to Complete Tasks for Users
Education Minister Hails NYSC for Using Technology to Combat Fraud
