Food Imports Hit ₦‎3 Trillion Over Flooding, Insecurity – CBN

The fall in food inflation on a month-on-month basis was caused by a fall in the rate of increase in the average prices of yam, water yam, Irish potatoes (under potatoes, yam & other tubers class), beer, local beer (under tobacco class), Milo, Bournvita, Nescafe (under coffee, tea, and Coco Class), groundnut oil, palm oil (under oil and fats class), egg, fresh milk, powdered milk, tin milk (under milk, cheese, and eggs class), soft drinks e.g. Malt Guinness, Coco-cola, etc, spirit (local production), Chelsea, Seaman Schnapps (under Spirit Class), Wine and Fruit e.g., Water Melon, Pineapple, Banana, Pawpaw, etc.

“The average annual rate of Food inflation for the twelve-month ending April 2024 over the previous twelve-month average was 32.74 per cent, which was a 9.52 per cent points increase from the average annual rate of change recorded in April 2023 (23.22 per cent) .”

Commenting on the issue, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, stated that Nigeria had never claimed to be entirely free from imports; rather, we have only achieved freedom from importing certain items.

He also projected that the figure would likely increase this year due to the continued dependence on food importation.

Kabir said, “If you look at the regime we came out of on the dependence of importation and the numbers before that 2023 figure. We spent more on food importation before 2015 but between 2016 and 2021, the figure dropped from our observations. However, it went up in 2022 and 2023 and I am fearful that the figure may be higher this year because you can see the challenges that we have been facing due to insecurity, flooding and other challenges of the purchasing power of farmers.

“Nigeria has never boasted of being free from import, we have only been free from import of some items. We tried to draw a line between things that had no sufficiency and those we had seen as insufficient. All the cries you see about food unavailability and not being affordable may even become more serious between July and September when we are in the thick part of the farming season and we would have finished harvest from the previous farming season and that is when things get very critical.”

On his part, the Managing Director, of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Professor Yusuf Muda, advocated for verifiable data to differentiate between total food consumption and the expenditure on food imports.

The economist stressed, “We need to know what kind of food is being imported. If they are talking about things like wheat, then that is justified because we make bread, flour, spaghetti and noodles from wheat. We also have to get the total amount of food consumed yearly. What percentage of it is imported and what is produced in the country? That data is needed to compare and make correct assumptions on it.”

Bishops, Northern Elders Lament Over Rising Inflation, Hardship, Insecurity

Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, yesterday, called on elected officials to desist from giving excuses for worsening inflation, insecurity and economic hardship confronting Nigerians.

NEF said it was deeply concerned about the unchecked rise in inflation, saying it posed a significant threat to the well-being of Nigerians.  The forum also said the cost of living had been steadily increasing, particularly in terms of food prices, leading to widespread hunger and malnourishment.

NEF, in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said the situation required immediate attention and action from the government.

He said: “It is disheartening to witness the disconnect between the reality on the ground and the actions, or lack thereof, of our leaders. While millions of Nigerians are struggling to put food on the table and make ends meet, those in power seem to be living in isolation or denial. This indifference to the suffering of the people they are meant to serve is deeply troubling.

“The consequences of this unchecked rise in inflation are devastating for ordinary Nigerians. Families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford necessities, as the prices of essential commodities such as rice, beans, and cooking oil continue to skyrocket. This dire situation has resulted in a rise in malnutrition, particularly among children, as families are forced to prioritise their limited resources.”

SIMILARLY, the bishops said the ship of Nigeria was floundering and that the nation was in desperate need of restoration. The bishops, in a communiqué issued by the province, comprising Ibadan Archdiocese, Ilorin, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Osogbo dioceses, after their first meeting for 2024 at the Jubilee Conference Centre, Ibadan, between February 5 and 6, decried killings, different forms of insecurity and economic hardship and called on political leaders to do something fast and desist from giving excuses.

The clerics, in the communiqué, titled: “Nigeria: In Desperate Need for Restoration,” signed by their Chairman, Most Rev ‘Leke Gabriel Abegunrin, and Secretary, Most Rev John Akin Oyejola, said: “Any country run on corruption and falsehood will crumble under the weight of self-inflicted evil.

“Our dear country Nigeria is fast becoming a hostile, killing field. The ship of the nation is foundering under the weight of pervasive insecurity, economic hardship due to hyperinflation and the collapse of the naira, cybercrime, high cost of food, lackadaisical governance and widespread corruption. Day-to-day living is fast becoming an ordeal for millions of Nigerians because pervasive poverty, driven by the harsh environment has driven many to desperation and even suicide.

“It would be nothing short of hypocritical to put all the misery being suffered by Nigerians today down to change in world economy. The truth is that often Nigerians are simply left to their own devices and left at the mercy of the most cruel and aggressive criminals by inept and selfish political and civil leaders.

“In all this, governments often seem weak or altogether absent. Any remedy now is even already too late for many Nigerians who have lost their lives to terrorists, hunger, kidnapping and sundry disasters. We plead for urgent action from all our leaders to save the Nigeria ship from sinking. The much-vaunted renewed hope is turning to utter desperation in many places and there is not much time left.” 

Insecurity: Why We Can’t Confront Terrorists, Bandits Directly – Buhari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said it was difficult to crush bandits because of the use of captives as human shields.

The President said this while receiving some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sallah homage at State House, Abuja.

He also spoke on the train attack in Kaduna State, directing security agencies to ensure rescue of the victims.

Terrorists had on March 28 attacked the AK9 Abuja–Kaduna train, killing at least nine people, wounding several others, and abducting an unknown number of passengers.

President Buhari, who assured families that efforts were ongoing to ensure safe return of all those being held by terrorists, said the government would explore every opportunity to secure the captives, alive and unhurt.

He said, “As we celebrate this occasion with joy amidst friends and family members, we are fully conscious of the fact that many families in our country are in a state of fear and anxiety on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will, including those taken away after the tragic bombing of the Abuja – Kaduna train.

“I have directed security agencies to ensure quick and safe recovery of all victims of kidnapping. I urge the railway management to immediately set up a situation room for the coordination of the rescue mission and for a minute by minute engagement with the families of the captives.

“This should ease their pain and anxiety as we push the military to finding a safe return to their families. My aim is to see all those in captivity safely rescued.

“Let me assure Nigerians that the bandits are just pushing their luck, but this is only for a while before they are finally crushed. They are using civilians as human shields, thereby making it difficult to confront them directly,” he said.

According to the President, bandits and terrorists, unlike professional soldiers, don’t respect the rules of engagement and could resort to harming hostages when attacked.

“They don’t care about killing their hostages if they come under attack. It’s a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience. Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success.

“The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome. It’s a complex situation that demands proper handling. The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive.

“Let me make it clear, however, that defeating the terrorists and bandits requires more than weapons; we also need human intelligence which is necessary to frustrate terrorist plans. The people and community leaders should help our security officials with information about the activities or movements of criminal groups,” he added.

President Buhari urged Nigerians to create a hostile environment for criminals hiding in communities.

The President said a stronger synergy between security agencies and communities will make a huge difference in defeating banditry and terrorism in the country.

President Buhari allayed fears that bandits would grow to yet another big challenge as faced by the Boko Haram threat, assuring that the administration would not allow such to happen.

 

Insecurity: Kaduna Bishops Back Northern Elders, Ask Buhari To Resign

 

The Anglican Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Timothy Yahaya, and his Catholic counterpart, Mathew Manoso Ndagoso, on Sunday, backed the Northern Elders Forum in their call for the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari over the spate of insecurity in the country.

The NEF on Tuesday asked Buhari to resign for allegedly failing to secure the country.

The forum made the demand in a statement by its spokesperson, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed. It said it was disappointing that after nearly seven years of being in office, Buhari still had no answers to security challenges across the country.

The statement had read in part, “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari does not appear to have answers to the challenges of security to which we are exposed.

“We cannot continue to live and die under the dictates of killers, kidnappers, rapists, and sundry criminal groups that have deprived us of our rights to live in peace and security.

“Our constitution has provisions for leaders to voluntarily step down if they are challenged by personal reasons or they prove incapable of leading.”

However, the presidency had since replied to the northern elders, describing them as failed politicians seeking cheap publicity.

But in apparent support of the NEF’s call for Buhari to quit the stage, the bishops in separate Easter messages to Nigerians in Kaduna on Sunday, said the right thing for the president to do was to resign over the insecurity across the country.

The Anglican Bishop noted that the right thing to do for a leader who could not perform was to bow out of office.

“I don’t want to join issues with the Northern elders because I am not a politician. But the truth about leadership is that there is morality in leadership. If you cannot deliver as a leader in a civilised clime, the right thing and best thing to do is to bow out,” Yahaya said.

On his part, the Catholic Bishop of Kaduna Diocese noted that it was hard to disagree with Northern elders’ position on the President.

According to Ndagoso, the only thing the people get each time scores of Nigerians are killed, maimed, and abducted, are empty assurances and reassurances of security by political leaders

“Given where we are right now in terms of insecurity and the government’s handling of the situation thus far, it is hard for one to disagree with Bulama Bukarti’s assertion that the Buhari government is incompetent, inept, and careless and the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) maintains that “his leadership has proven spectacularly incapable of providing security over Nigeria,” he said.

Meanwhile, on the state pardon granted to former governors of Taraba and Plateau States, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, the Anglican Bishop said, “As Femi Falana said, somebody stole Indomie and you sent him to six months imprisonment, and somebody stole billions of naira you set him free.

“Therefore, let’s go to our prisons and begin to apologise to the prisoners. You cannot set free those who stole patrimony of the people and sent them to prison to languish those who stole five thousand naira or one hundred thousand naira in this country. Are you telling me that what is good for the goose is not good for the gander? Are you telling me that it is an animal farm that we have as Nigeria?” he asked.

Breaking :Online Campaign Kick Off From Northerners, Demand Buhari’s Resignation Over Insecurity

 

Using the hashtag #NorthIsBleeding, some Nigerians from the Northern part of the country have taken to Twitter, a microblogging and social networking service, to demand President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation over his failure to combat increasing insecurity in the region.

Microblogging and social networking service, to demand President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation over his failure to combat increasing insecurity in the region.

Buhari has no single element of empathy & he surrounded himself with likeminded people.
But on the other hand, how can we have 360 HRM,109 Senators and no single one among them could raised an impeachment motion against the President for all this incompetence

They also condemned Buhari’s visit to Lagos for the book launch of a political ally a few days after bandits burnt to ashes over 45 travellers in Sokoto.

They Lamented that Northerners wasted their votes in electing the President.

They also condemned Buhari’s visit to Lagos for the book launch of a political ally a few days after bandits burnt to ashes over 45 travellers in Sokoto.

he surrounded himself with likeminded people.
But on the other hand, how can we have 360 HRM,109 Senators and no single one among them could raised an impeachment motion against the President for all this incompetence.# north bleeding.

Our leaders are in Abuja feeling secured
We are in towns feeling secured
Our people i are getting killed everyday in rural areas
Our rural regions are our roots, our foundations, if they go down, we go down, itâ™s scary how we have accepted these killings as normal. #Northbledding

Why We Will Allow Repentant Boko Haram Terrorists Go Scot-free – Borno Governor, Zulum Reveals

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has said the state government will not prosecute ‘repentant’ Boko Haram insurgents.

While presenting the 2022 budget at the State House Of Assembly, Zulum said terrorists will not be encouraged to eschew violence if they see ‘repentant’ ones being prosecuted.

Addressing the House of Assembly, the governor said, “Mr. Speaker, honourable members, we need Allah’s guidance and the utmost wisdom to work for an end to the crisis facing our dear state.

“Prosecuting all the criminals (insurgents) would have been most appropriate but if we insist on it, we would discourage others out there that are willing to lay down their arms.

“The terrorists’ ranks could swell and our innocent fellow citizens, particularly those in local government areas, could become more vulnerable to attacks and abductions.

Noting that the exercise to de-radicalise terrorists is being handled by security forces, Zulum said the initiative does not give terrorists the freedom to kill and immediately seek pardon.

He said none of the ‘repentant’ terrorists had been reintegrated into society yet, adding that terrorists willing to surrender must immediately “stop further attacks on civilians, security agents and facilities”.

Bandits Kill Former Zamfara APC Governorship Aspirant

Sagir Hamidu, former governorship aspirant have been killed by unknown gunmen suspected to be bandit.

Late Sagir Hamidu was a former governorship aspirant in the 2019 election in Zamfara State.

Hamidu was killed on Sunday along Abuja-Kaduna expressway.

The late politician had vied for governorship on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was shot dead by the attackers when they opened fire on travellers near Rijana along the busy expressway around 4 pm.

Security sources who confirmed his death said “he was among those hit by the kidnappers bullets”.

A survivor who spoke on condition of anonymity said the incident occurred around the Rijana area.

“The kidnappers took advantage of the damage on the road, which forced on and off-coming motorists to move slowly on a single lane,” he said.

Sheirk Gumi Is Helping Nigeria Fight Insecurity, We Can’t Stop Him – Chief Of Defence Staff, Irabo Says

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, has revealed why the Nigeria Army can’t stop Sheirkh Gumi

General Lucky Irabo has said that controversial Islamic scholar Ahmad Gumi is playing his part to tame the menace of insecurity in the country and would not be stopped by the military.

Mr Irabor, speaking at a ministerial briefing organised by the you communications team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, says that while Mr Gumi does not work for the military, the military will not prevent anyone from contributing to the country’s security.

Mr Gumi, a self-appointed mediator between bandits and the government, has been at the forefront of articulating the position of bandits wreaking havoc across the North.

The influential Islamic cleric recently stated that one-third of Nigeria’s budget for battling insecurity should be spent on bandits through techniques other than fighting, such as enlightenment and listening to their problems.

During a recent speaking engagement at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Mr Gumi stated that the humane side of bandits could be optimised by by showing them understanding and respect.

He said he has been able to undertake several visits and negotiations with the brigands simply by showing empathy to their yearnings.

The advocacy of Mr Gumi for bandits drew flaks from the presidency weeks past.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesman Femi Adesina slammed him as “bandits-lover”.

Many Nigerians have also called for Mr Gumi’s interrogation.

Mr Irabor also announced that the military has received all 12 A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets ordered from the United States.

Seek Foreign Help To Fight Insecurity In Nigeria – PDP Tells Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West on Monday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office over his incompetence to curb the high rate of killings and other security challenges across the country.

The call was made by the PDP South-West Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, who lamented that the killers had now shifted the battle to the military and other security agencies, leaving the citizens helpless and hopeless.

Atofarati further advised the Nigerian Government to get foreign assistance on insecurity in the interest of peace and socio-political and economic development of the country.

He said, “It is a gross incompetence on the part of the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress Federal Government that Nigeria has become a graveyard.”

Atofarati expressed his views in a statement titled, ‘Killing Spree: Why Buhari must resign now.’

The statement which was made available in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, was to react to the recent attacks by bandits and gunmen on military formations as well as police stations and personnel.

He said, “Between 2015 and now, more than 20,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to the inability of the government to protect the lives and property of its citizens, from the likes of Jihadist herdsmen, Boko Haram, bandits and highway kidnappers. It is safe to say that the APC government remains insensitive to the welfare of Nigerians, otherwise, by now Buhari should have voluntarily resigned to cry for help.

“A country where the agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing its citizens have suddenly become weak and incapacitated. A country where governors’ convoys are attacked at will; monarchs are kidnapped even under the president’s nose in his home state, a country where there is no war but mass burial weekly. It is high time Nigeria seeks foreign help to curb the insecurity lest we are all captured.”

US Spent A Trillion Dollars In Afghanistan In 20 Years Still Lost, Why Are We Complaining About Bandits, Terrorists In Nigeria – Lai Mohammed Ask

President Buhari Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said the Muhammadu Buhari-led government is winning the war against terrorism, banditry, and other forms of insecurity in the country.

This is despite the incessant attacks, killings, and kidnappings by Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents and bandits in many parts across the country.

Mohammed, in an interview with BBC Africa on Thursday, said, “The good news is that the government is winning the war against insecurity, be it Boko Haram, be it banditry, be it the separatist, you know, movements. We are winning the war.”

But when asked how that was possible with the recent attacks on schools, Mohammed said, “I didn’t say that we stopped banditry or that we stopped. . .I said that we are winning the war against them. Even the safest country in the world will still witness crimes, you know, on a daily basis, but it is the response of that government to the crimes that makes all the difference.

“And I say, if the number of Boko Haram insurgents that have given up, their soldiers who have surrendered in the last few weeks is anything to go by, if the successes of the military (here I’m talking about both the Air Force and the ground force) is anything to go about in the war against bandits, we are winning the war.”

“Probably the world would better appreciate what Nigeria has achieved when they see that the US after 20 years, a trillion dollars down the drain, thousands of lives killed, it took the Talibans only a few weeks to come back. That is not happening in Nigeria,” he added.