Residents of Apo Resettlement Area in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have decried the poor state of link roads and other social amenities in the area.
The residents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, said they always pass through a lot of difficulties accessing their homes.
The residents further said that accessing critical facilities such as schools and hospitals was also a major challenge due to lack of link roads.
Elder Babayinka Ojo, a resident of Apo, said that all link roads leading to the markets and some estates had remained inaccessible by both motorists and pedestrians over the years.
”Our city roads are full of potholes some of which have become craters.
”These potholes are hazardous to motorists and pedestrians alike as they increase the risk of accidents, falls and possible injuries.
“Driving at night is incredibly challenging and unsafe because of the dreadful roads and dilapidated link roads.
“The alternative road that is supposed to connect Agaba Estate junction to Main Market to decongest the excess traffic leading to the market is not accessible to both motorists and pedestrians,” he said.
He said that some abandoned structures in the area have been occupied by criminals and drug addicts who pose serious danger to the residents.
”The Sen. Zephaniah Jisalo neighbourhood roads are an eyesore.
”The worst is a cashew plantation in the area called Agwa TV, which Indian hemp smokers have turned to a ‘no go area’ between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily,” he alleged.
Ojo said that the road linking Lokogoma, Apo Mechanic, Shoprite/burial ground was another death trap to motorists.
Another resident, Mrs Esther Ekong, appealed to the Minister of FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, to come to their aid by fixing the bad roads in the area.
Ekong urged the minister to use his office to assist the community by allocating funds for the construction of roads in the area.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Some residents of Ado, One Man Village and Masaka in Nasarawa State, have commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts in fixing the nation’s economy.
The residents made the commendations in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mararaba.
While some residents hailed Tinubu for what he had done in his one year in the office, others urged him to do better in repositioning the country.
One of the residents, Mr Okoronkwo Okechukuwu, Chief Executive Officer of Okeson Industrial Chemicals, said Tinubu’s first year has been a ‘mixed bag’.
According to him, it is too early to judge his leadership, because he is still trying to correct past mistakes, so we should pray for him and his administration.
”The challenges faced by the President are enormous, and the fluctuation of the dollar is critical to the Nigerian economy, this has also affected business.
”My business is something we buy with the dollar, and as the dollar increases the prices of goods go high which affects the business badly,” he said.
Okechukwu said that in spite of these challenges, Tinubu has the potential to do better and therefore sought prayers for the President.
“I believe he can do better. His leadership will be better than the last leadership, therefore, fellow Nigerians, I urged us to pray for the government and those in authority and for President Tinubu.
”This is because if he does well, it is for the betterment of us all,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Graham Eberechukuwu, a resident of Masaka, said that Tinubu’s first year had been a tale of two halves.
Eberechukwu, who expressed concern over the price of fuel that has gone higher than it was before now, acknowledged the progress made by the President in reducing terrorism.
“As a country, the rate of terrorism has reduced, and this is the area that President Tinubu has impacted well,” he said.
He advised Nigerians to be self-reliant saying,” We cannot rely on the government alone. We need to be self-sufficient and find ways to overcome our challenges.”
Also, Mr Tosin Owolabi, a resident of Ado and a dealer on second-hand clothing, expressed optimism in spite of the challenges.
“We are still keeping the faith, in spite of the challenges. Tinubu promised to improve the livelihood of Nigerians and we are waiting to see the results,”
Owolabi, who acknowledged the difficulties faced by the citizens, urged them to exercise patience as things would be better soon.
Meanwhile, Miss Patience Abraham, a fashion designer, lamented that the economic hardship was caused by the removal of fuel subsidy.
“The first month Tinubu assumed office as the President, the first thing he did was to remove fuel subsidy, and that caused a lot of economic breakdown.
”This however, led to the increase of price of commodities in the market,” she said.
Abraham said the economic situation had affected her business seriously, adding that it called for an urgent action to fix the country.
”The fabrics I got for as low as N1,000 are now N2,500, and it is making the business unprofitable, and clients are complaining.
”Before, you can make a dress for N5,000, but now you cannot make that same dress for N10,000 because of the high cost of sewing materials,” she said.
Abraham said the high cost of transportation was also a major challenge, adding that it had contributed to the high cost of things generally.
“A common man can no longer feed three times a day now in Nigeria. A ‘mudu’ of beans is now N2,300, as against N800. Things have not been easy.
”As Tinubu marks his first year in office, I hope for a better future.
”Let us keep praying, work hard and hope that as the years go by the president will try to fix the country,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Some traders in Niger have decried the closure of the roadside market located in Madalla, along Abuja/Kaduna expressway, as ordered Gov. Umaru Bago.
The traders conveyed their displeasure in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Madalla.
NAN reports that the closure followed reports of frequent accidents on the road that always led to loss of lives.
Policemen were seen chasing marketers and preventing them from displaying their wares for business.
Mr Solomon Eze, a trader, told NAN that the notice given to them was short and too sudden for government to chase the traders away.
“I came to the market to display my okrika (thrift) for sale only to see Police officers chasing people around,” he said.
Another trader, who preferred to be identified as Mama Amina, decried the decision by the government to relocate them to where she described as a “bushy surrounding.’’
She said that the new place (market) was not conducive and spacious enough for the traders; hence the reluctance to relocate from the express market.
“In actual sense, government is supposed to build a modern market within this area, knowing quite well that the population is growing and the environment is attracting more people everyday.
“The new place that government is asking us to go needed to be cleared, ” Amina added.
Meanwhile, Hajiya Maijidda Nuhu, a trader on food stuff, said she was delighted over the decision by the governor to close the market, saying it was a welcome idea.
“The decision is a timely intervention by the government; because the space is now too small for the traders that were growing in number by the day.
“The traders have taken over the roads; making it difficult for free movement of vehicles with leads to frequent accidents.
“It has always been a terrible situation whenever drivers loss control within the market.
”We have had severe cases of accident and we should be happy for the government’s decision to relocate us from here, “she said.
Nuhu said she lost her husband 20 years ago as a result of an accident that occurred within the market.
”I would have also lost my life alongside my husband if not for God.
“As you can see, my face and hand are with scars; this is an unforgettable scar for me; it always reminded me of my late husband.
“I am happy with the government for relocating the market to a safer place; the marketers don’t understand that the government’s decision is for our own good.
“More so, the government has provided a place which is a better space behind, just few steps away from here,” she added.
Nuhu made an appeal to the state government to ensure that the new location was developed to be standard and conducive enough for the traders. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Oleh community in Delta has urged the State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to prevail on the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, from fuelling crisis in the town.
The appeal is contained in a petition to the Governor by some leaders in Oleh, Isoko South Local Govt, Delta, a copy of which was made available to newsmen on Friday.
In the petition signed by four leaders on behalf of the community, they alleged that the SSG
was unjustly interfering in the leadership succession in Oleh, an action capable of breaching the peace in the town.
The petition was signed on behalf of the community by Chief Zaakie Okupa, Hon. Osibi Henry, Mr Anthony Okeh, and Mr Ayo Ubara.
The SSG, however, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), denied all the allegations against him in the petition addressed to the governor.
The petitioners wrote: “your Excellency, it has become expedient to write you as a community and peace loving people, reporting the bias interference of the SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu in Oleh matters; an action threatening our peace and survival.
“Sir, it is worthy of note that considering the recently dastardly acts and attack witnessed by the state at the moment, Delta needs relative peace.
“As the Chief Security Officer of the State, it will be too dangerous if your Excellency remains silent as many fingers are already pointing at the SSG who had suddenly developed questionable intentions and vested interest to fight our collective interest in Oleh.
“It is in this context that we respectfully appeal to our governor, Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who do not toy with the rule of law to kindly call Dr Kingsley Emu to order.
“The SSG must end this erroneous desperation, stay neutral without allowing himself to be coerced into a matter that could affect us if not well handled.’’
On the succession issue in the community that the SSG was accused of meddling into, the petitioners said the former President-General of Oleh Community Development Union (OCDU), Chief Believe Alakri, refused to relinquish power when his tenure expired in December 2023.
They alleged that Alakri, hiding under the influence of government paraphernalia, breached the extant law, which stipulates that election shall be conducted at least, three (3) months before the expiration of the tenure of his office.
The petitioners said that rather than conducting the election, Alakri planned to impose stooges as the community leadership
They alleged that Alakri also failed to render an account to Oleh people as required by the constitution after his five years of stewardship.
“He made a lopsided appointment by placing his cousin as the Chairman, Oleh Electoral Committee, his closed ally, Secretary and other members without recourse to equity and traditional spread, thereby breaching the constitution.
“This unhealthy appointment was carried out for the reason that a sinister plan was in the offing to plant a surrogate as a successor,’’ they alleged.
The petitioners said following the infractions and to avert crisis, the aggrieved members of the community secured a valid order of a Delta State Chief Magistrate’ Court to right the wrongs.
Specifically, they said Chief Magistrate B.O. Williams ordered that an interim body should take over the leadership of the association, in line with the provisions of the constitution of OCDU.
They said the court directed the interim body to hold the annual conference of OCDU and conduct election into the leadership of the association within three months as stipulated by the constitution.
The petitioners said rather than obey the orders of the court, Alakri and one Chief Joe Arausi introduced a narrative that the leadership crisis in Oleh town had political colouration.
They alleged that the duo of Alakri and Arausi made the government to believe that the leadership infraction in Oleh had party affiliation.
“Your Excellency, it is sad, worrisome, and quite unfortunate that Dr Kingsley Emu (the SSG) had allowed himself to be brainwashed and misguided
“Regrettably, Dr Kingsley Emu had intentionally midwife several calls, not excluding calls to the late Magistrate, Chief Magistrate B.O. Williams (before she died), threatening and commanding that the conference should be held against our constitution.
“Your Excellency, if Dr Kingsley Emu denies this fact, we will apply to Court to licence the network providers to produce phone calls conversation within this specified time.
“The last time we checked, the SSG has not been assigned the herculean functions of Peace Building and Conflict Resolution in Delta State. The signals are very clear.
“He must end this erroneous desperation, stay neutral without allowing himself to be coerced into a matter that could affect the party tomorrow if not well handled,’’ the petitioners said.
In his reaction in a telephone interview with NAN, the SSG said he was aware of the petition, but the allegations therein were unfounded.
Emu said they waded into the crisis in the community to keep peace, because the state could not afford a repeat of Okuama and Okoloba crisis..
“Although, we are aware of the court cases, we cannot afford to watch and allow this crisis to degenerate
“Without prejudice to the cases in court, we summoned all the parties for a meeting. We did so in order to resolve the crisis through arbitration.
“We have waded into similar cases, such as they had in Isoko, and we resolved the crises amicably and peacefully among warring parties, we will continue to intervene to ensure peaceful co-existence.
“I am the SSG and a peace loving person. I cannot take side with any party. The Governor has his trust in me. I am not frivolous, reckless or irresponsible,’’ he said
According to the SSG, the allegation is coming from a misguided people who want to fan embers of crisis in the community.
“The major cause of the crisis is resources; it is about oil, leadership tussle and boundary.
“We will stop at nothing lawful to ensure peace in the state.’’ (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Scores of Iyara people, who were hit by rainstorm in Iyara community, headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi, could not celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr events as the natural disaster rendered them homeless.
Already, the National President of Iyara Development Association (IDA) Alhaji Aliyu Badaki, has cried out to the Federal and state governments for immediate assistance to the victims.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occured in the early hours of Monday.
The rainstorm reportedly wrecked havoc in the community after more than 100 houses had their roofs blown off, rendering them inhabitable.
Virtually all affected households are currently taking refuge with relations and friends in neighbouring communities.
Badaki urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), to assist the victims.
“As we speak, over 1,000 people have been affected by the disaster, mostly women and children that are in dire need of assistance.
“This is because the destruction was massive, beyond what the victims can handle, due to the current economic situation in the country.
“This Sallah celebration to them is bleak, therefore, we appeal to the state government through SEMA and the Federal Government via NEMA, to assist these victims,” he said.
While sympathising with the victims, he said the disaster” deserved urgent attention and assistance for victims.
The traditional ruler, (the Eleta Oluyara of Iyara) Oba Jacob Meduteni, described the rainstorm as “saddening” and “very unfortunate.
“It’s unfortunate that this disaster came at a time that the people are trying to manage the current economic hardship.
“We hope that both federal and state governments, well-to-do individuals and corporate bodies will assist the victims to ameliorate their sufferings,” he said.
Some of the victims who spoke to NAN, called for urgent assessment of the level of destruction done to their property for assistance.
Hajia Rabi Ibrahim, a house wife, said her family was asleep when suddenly they woke up in a pool of water.
“We ran for our dear lives, not knowing what exactly was happening, but for persistent thunder storms that registered flooding in our minds.
“”This is a very bad time for us this year. We hope the government and spirited wealthy individuals and corporate organisations will come to our aid, “she pleaded.
Mallam Habib Abdulrazak, a civil servant, described the incident as surprising and disastrous, considering the number of people rendered homeless.
He said that his family was taking shelter in a relation’s house in the next neighborhood and called for government to quickly assist them.
Abdulrazak added: “Life has become unbearable for us due to the prevailing economic situation in the country and we are in dire need of assistance.” (NAN)(www nannews.ng)
Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Kennedy Ohanenye, says the ministry is working with stakeholders for the establishment of mobile courts to get justice for women incarcerated for years in correctional facilities without trial.
The minister said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a women empowerment conference to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The conference, organised by Arise Monalisa Foundation in collaboration with One Percent International Management Services Limited, discussed issues affecting women, young female entrepreneurs and children.
Ohanenye said many women awaiting trial over minor offences have been abandoned in correctional facilities for years, with no hope of getting justice.
She said that the establishment of the mobile court would help such women and aid in decongesting the correctional facilities.
“Remember when I came in as minister and they said women were suffering I had to go to the prison yard, I saw many women abandoned in the prison for over four years awaiting trial over minor issues like owing debt of N10,000, N15,000, N20,000.
“Out of what I said before on inhumanity to humans, they just drop them there because they feel they don’t have anybody to speak for them, we don’t want that to continue to happen.
“That’s why I was looking for a mobile court to get these women released, and I went straight to Mr President and I asked for a mobile court and, Mr President said go ahead and gave me a nod,” she said.
According to the minister, she had contacted the Attorney General of the Federation and state governors to collaborate in the endeavour.
“I wrote to the governors’ forum and I was called to make a presentation and it was approved and the consent letter was given to me.
“I need to go now and ensure it’s implemented in all the states,” Ohanenye added.
She said in spite of some stumbling blocks, she was determined to get the mission accomplished.
“This is something that could allow our fellow women to breathe; this is something that can decongest the prisons.
“When people said it’s impossible to have a mobile court I said it will be possible, because this is something that will protect the lives of women and children,” the minister said. (NAN)
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has stressed the need for effective Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) coordination for economic prosperity, societal well-being, and sustainable development of the country.
Nnaji made the call on Monday, in Abuja at the opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit.
The conference was organised by Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development( RIKE SD) in collaboration with the West and Central African Research and Education Network ( WACREN), Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and RDI Coordination. org
The minister said that the theme of the gathering, “Advancing Nigeria’s Global Competitiveness Through a Resilient National RDI Coordination,” was not just a statement but a clarion call.
Nnaji said that the government was poised to reshape the future of the country by unleashing potential through unified RDI coordination.
He said that the conference was a pathway to redefine and reposition Nigeria on the global map of innovation, science, and technology.
“In today’s rapidly evolving world, the pace of technological advancements is not just fast; it is exponential.
“Nations that have recognised and harnessed the power of research, development, and innovation are leading the charge towards economic prosperity, societal well-being, and sustainable development.
“It is time for Nigeria to take its rightful place among these nations,” he said.
According to him, to achieve this, we must first acknowledge that our RDI ecosystem requires robust coordination, one that is resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
“Our goal is to create a system where academia, industry, government, and the community not only interact but thrive together, fostering an environment ripe for groundbreaking innovations.
“Our vision for Nigeria is to become a hub for African innovation, contributing significantly to the global knowledge economy,” he said.
According to him, this can be achieved by implementing a three-pronged approach which includes strengthening institutional frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships and investing in human capital.
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology( L) and Dr Mustapha Popoola, Global Impact lead, Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development (RIKE SD) at the opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit on Monday in Abuja.
He said that it was imperative to build and strengthen the institutional frameworks necessary for effective RDI coordination.
“This includes policy reforms that incentivize research and development, protect intellectual properties, and facilitate the commercialization of research outcomes.”
While giving further explanation on fostering public-private partnerships, Nnaji said the collaboration between the public sector, private industry, and academic institutions was crucial.
“By fostering partnerships that leverage the strengths of each sector, we can accelerate the translation of research into market-ready solutions that address our most pressing challenges,” he said.
He said that investing in human capital was also crucial to the development of the nation.
“At the heart of any successful RDI ecosystem are the people. Investing in education and training to build a skilled workforce ready to navigate and lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is non-negotiable.
“We must nurture our young talents and provide them with the platforms to excel and innovate.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the journey to enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness through resilient RDI coordination is a collective endeavor,” he said.
According to him, it requires commitment, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
“As we deliberate over the course of this summit, let us be guided by the principle that our unity in purpose and action is our most significant strength.”
Some participants at the opening of opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit, in Abuja on Monday
The Chief Strategy Officer, WACREN, Mr Omo Oaiya, said that the network focused on Pan-African initiatives to strengthen open science in Africa.
“As part of that, we are also working with countries in different events like this to drive cooperation and collaboration so that we can reap the benefits of such an endeavor.
“So, RIKE SD is our local facilitator here. But between both of us, we’ve been able to create a new impetus in the Nigerian RDI coordination space.
“The main goal of this activity is to bring the different RDI actors together to look at a way of co-creating a future that we can build on.
“We are trying to align this with the presidential priorities that have been announced and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
Oaiya said the essence of the summit was to bring international connections to support activity within Nigeria to drive RDI forward.
The Global Impact lead, RIKE SD, Dr Mustapha Popoola, said the essence of the summit was to enhance RDI coordination.
According to him, RIKE SD is a Nigerian Non-For-Profit Organisation that has a Pan-African scope.
“We are the first research as a service organisation in Nigeria who is looking at taking research, development, innovation, outcomes and output from Nigeria to other African countries.
“For the first time we know that for us to have results based on the directive of Mr President, we should actually institutionalise the use of research and development outcomes in ministry agencies and departments.
“It is important for us to get coordinated and know what we can offer.
“We are using an approach, we call it pentagonal nexus whereby the government is going to be working alongside with the industry, academia.
And, at the same time we are focusing on the communities that are going to use those outcomes of research at community level,” he said.
The President-elect Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, said the summit was expected to look into the eight areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“It will bring out how research and development, and in particular science, technology and innovation research can be used to significantly impact those eight areas of Mr President.
“It is to bring up what are needed to be undertaken to boost the development of the country through programs that involve research, development and innovation, and also through policy making.
“It is very important for the MDAs to incorporate in their yearly programmes, aspects that will be boosted through the outputs of research, development and innovation activities,” Sambo said.
Some participants at the opening of opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit, in Abuja on Monday
Also speaking, Dr. Shabihul Hassan, Chairman Tech India Ltd, said that the whole concept of research, development and innovation was collaboration.
“We have been connecting, collaborating with intellectuals, with members of the public and private sector to see how we can foster growth in the agri-sector, in the health sector, in the power sector, in the infrastructure sector.
“The key is teamwork. This is teamwork within the country, outside the country, collaborating nationally, internationally, and collaborating between the public and private sectors.
“So the private sector sets the way, it sets the standard. The public sector competes. The public sector also becomes competent, equally competent. So it’s collaborative work.
“The purpose of conferences like this is to bring people together, especially intellectuals, people with knowledge, different backgrounds, and different countries. And that is the key to development,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
Tea makers, popularly known as “Mai shayi”, say their business is witnessing low patronage, especially for noodles, as the price continues to increase rapidly.
They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday while reacting to the incessant increase in the price of Indomie instant noodles.
NAN reports that ‘Mai shayi’, which means tea makers in the Hausa language, is operated mainly by Hausa men in makeshift kiosks.
They are found in estates and by the roadside in different parts of Abuja and they also sell fast food like noodles, fried eggs, bread, and tea.
NAN reports that the price of Indomie noodles, a popular fast food in Nigeria enjoyed by both the young and old? skyrocketed within a short period.
From the market survey conducted by NAN, a carton of Indomie standard pack which is the smallest size with 40 pieces, is being sold for between N10,500 to N11,500.
A carton of the Super Pack, which contains 40 packs, is sold for between N17,800 to 18,700, and a cartoon of Hungry Man size which contains 24 packs is sold for between N16,800 to N17,500.
Also, a packet of the standard size sells for N300, while a packet of the Super Pack and Hungry Man is sold for N500 and N700.
However, NAN reports that in Supermarkets, the prices are much higher for the single packets and the cartons.
In one of the major supermarkets in Abuja, the standard size is selling for N330 per pack and N13,200 for a carton, while the Hungry Man size is being sold for N845 for a packet and N20,280 for a carton.
Abba Idris, a Mai Shayi in Apo said patronage had reduced for indomie because of the price increase.
“I make one hungry man now for N750, but a month ago I was making it for N400. Also, I sell one super pack for N550 as against N300 a month ago.
“Many of my customers are complaining because of the increase in price of indomie and they are not buying like before, ” he said.
Another Mai Shayi, Mustapha Abba, in Gaduwa, said his customers had reduced because they could no longer afford to buy indomie.
“I was making one super pack for N350 three weeks ago but now I make it for N600, while the hungry man was N450 now it is N850.”
According to him, before when you come to my stand, you will see many people in the morning and evening but they are no longer coming like before.
“Some people that used to buy two packs can only afford one pack now. Some don’t even request eggs again.
“We are not making much gain from this business. If we are to sell to make a good profit, we will not see anybody again,” he said.
Another Mai Shayi in Bwari Area Council, Gambo Haruna also said he had witnessed a drop in patronage for indomie due to the price increase.
“Before we used to buy indomie N5,000, it increased to N6,000 and continued increasing. Now it is over N10,000, some N11, 000, depending on the size.
” Customers must reduce, they cannot afford it again because of the price now,” he said.”
Also, Mohammed Hassan, who runs a Mai Shayi business in Wuse Zone 6, corroborated what his colleagues had earlier said.
“Hungry man is N800 and the super pack is N700 without egg. Before hungry man with two eggs was N850, while super pack with two eggs was N700.
” The price keeps increasing whenever I go to the market.
A carton of super pack was formerly N11,500 but now it is N18,500. My customers have really reduced. They say they can no longer afford it,” he said.
Azeez Lamidi, a vulcanizer, said he could no longer afford to buy indomie from the mai shayi because of the increase in price.
” Before, I used to buy one super pack with two eggs for N600, now it is N1,000, without egg it is N700.
By the time I remove that from the money I make a day for just one meal I have little to take home.
“Indomie used to be food for everybody, now it is big man food,” he said.
Mr Obinna Dozie, a retailer in Area 2 Market said patronage for indomie had reduced because of the continuous increase in its price.
“People are buying but not like before. If you cook two indomie super packs it can’t reach one spaghetti. Now people are going for cheaper things,” he said.
A wholesaler in Garki Market, Madame Zainab Ali said the price of indomie increased twice in one week leading to a drop in sales.
“Just two weeks ago, the price of indomie increased twice in that week.
” A carton of super pack was selling for N11,200 but two weeks ago it increased to N12,200 on Tuesday and by Thursday of that same week it increased to N17,200.
“The small cartoon which was N7,000 also increased on Tuesday to N8,000 and N10,000 by Thursday of that same week.
“We are not even making much profit from the sale of indomie and patronage has really dropped which is expected when the prices of anything increases.
“This is the current situation in the country with many food items,” she said.
Mrs Omozele Osagie, a Civil Servant and mother of four said she had stopped buying indomie because it had become too expensive.
” My children love indomie but we can no longer afford it. A carton of smallest size indomie is now N11,500. If you use N11,000 to buy just indomie then what is left from your salary to buy other food items which have also increased.
” I have told my children no more indomie for now. We can’t even afford to buy the packets either.
“One super pack is N500 and I will need like three to four packs for my four children. So we are talking about N1,500 to N2,000 for just one meal. We cannot afford it,” she said.
Mr Tj Onoja, a bachelor, said the increase in the price of indomie had become alarming, saying I don’t eat indomie frequently anymore.
“As the price of food items keeps increasing every day, one must apply wisdom when shopping.
” You cannot afford to buy everything you want anymore. Indomie is no longer within the reach of the common man,” he said. “(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed different views on why people draw tattoos on their body.
The residents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said some got tattoos for beautification while others did it for identification or representation.
Miss Famoofo Ayomitide, a virtual assistant, said that she admired those with body tattoos and believed they were tattooed for different reasons.
“I think they like the way it looks.
“I know a friend who got a tattoo because of the death of someone she holds close to her heart.
“She got it because of how significant it is and for the memories they shared,” she said.
Similarly Mr Mboho Ubong, a lawyer, said that he believed people design tattoos on their bodies because of how beautiful it looked on the skin.
“Sometimes, people get tattoos because of the memories or the pictures of it carries.
“Some people also draw tattoos to show their love to their lovers, either using their name or their image,” Ubong said.
Another resident, Mr Atomore John, a realtor, said that some people drew tattoos because they want to belong to the trend.
According to him, a category of people may fancy a celebrity who has tattoos; and in a way to identify with that celebrity, do same.
“Some go as far as getting the image of the celebrity drawn on their body as part of identification”, Atomore said.
Miss Happiness Eraighigbe, a student, said she believed some people just loved the beauty of art and would want to see it on their skin, rather than frames.
Others, she added, may have it drawn due to peer pressure.
She said that some tattooed symbols and graphics that had deeper meanings or represent something important to them.
“It will amaze you to know that some people are drawn to the feeling of pain the needle of the tattoo gun gives.
“It is like a sweet sour feeling they get and seem to enjoy it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mallam Yunusa Abubakar, a Muslim cleric, said that although people got tattoos for different reasons, it was considered haram in Islam.
According to him, it is like altering Allah’s creation.
“Prophet Abdullah Ibn Masud has cursed those who draw tattoos and the one who the tattoo was drawn for”, Abubakar said.
He, however, cautioned those who got tattoos to ensure they stayed free from infected devices in order not to endanger their lives.
In the same vein, Pastor Isaac Aderemi said drawing tattoo on the body was against biblical injunction and God frowns at it.
Quoting from the Bible in Leviticus 19 verse 28 “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord,” the cleric said beautification should not be done against God’s commandment.
According to him, apart from other implications of it, it is a sin to draw tattoo on the body and should not be encouraged in the society(NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
Residents of Pegi community in Kuje Area Council, FCT, have called on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to address the deplorable roads in their community.
The residents made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
They said that the current situation had led to high rate of insecurity and also made life to be difficult for the residents.
Mr Ale Alfred, a civil servant and a resident of the area, said that the bad roads were seriously aiding the activities of criminals in the community.
“We have been experiencing a lot of kidnapping and robbery incidents as a result of the bad roads.
“Just last week, there was an incident where two women were killed. The truck was carrying a load and the two women were walking on the road when the tragedy occured.
“We have been suffering from this in the last 14 years, from the time of Malam Nasir El-Rufai as the FCT Minister,” he said.
Alfred said this was after the demolition of Karimu, and people were relocated to Pegi community.
“I am appealing to the FCT Minster, Wike, to fix the roads in Pegi community to make life easy for residents and non-residents.
Mrs Omolola Asiwaju, a business woman, said that traders find it difficult to move their things from the market to their stores because of bad roads.
According to her, traders bear the brunt more because they end up incurring more losses as a result of loss of perishable goods.
“As I was coming from the market, my goods spilled on the road, and sometimes I end up having broken items which I eat because I can’t sell them to my customers.
“Because of the bad roads, I even pay extra transport to carry my goods to the market to avoid them being damaged,” she said.
Asiwaju said that many residents have relocated from the community because of the deplorable roads.
Michael Peters, a civil servant and a resident of Pegi, said that people usually sustain injuries from motorcycle accidents as a result of the bad roads.
He urged the government to build good drainage system to divert erosion from the roads.
“Government should fix the roads to lessen the hardship and sufferings of the Pegi residents,” he said. (NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Joseph Edeh
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