News
Sanwo-Olu tasks agro-food coys to reduce food prices
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on agro-food companies to collaborate with the government in bringing down the cost of food in the state.
He made the call while receiving the senior management team of Olam Agri Nigeria Ltd., led by the Managing Director, Mr Anil Nair, who were on a courtesy visit to the Lagos State House Marina, yesterday.
“There is no better security these days than food. Today being the first day of August, you can see in the streets in Nigeria there’s some sort of hunger protest.
“How I wish that you and I after this meeting will make a broadcast that food prices have gone down by 25 per cent, it will be great news for both of us.
“That speaks to the reason why we chose you to listen and hear and be able to work together. You are in a strategic position and you have that structure and that capacity,” he said.
The governor said that Olam remained a strategic brand that had caused great turnaround in Lagos State.
He recalled his days as a banker in the banking sector, saying that Olam was an account that everybody usually wanted to have.
Sanwo-Olu said everyone wanted Olam’s account for the simple reason that they are fast growing, aggressive and are in an industry that had cheques to deposit on a daily basis.
“It wasn’t a company where you need to wait 90 days or 100 days for their cheques. Bankers would hang around their offices, and as the sales were going on, they were just picking the cheques.
“So for us, as government, we watch that growth. I know you must have gone through your challenges along the line either government policies that have somersaulted or some of your good plans but you stayed the course,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He urged the brand to consider its longstanding relationship with the state and forge partnership with the state by looking beyond the current economic situation and leveraging it.
“We’re also happy that half of your entire workforce are in Lagos. These are all indicators that you are here for the long haul.
“Beyond that, I urge you to look at the market, to look at the industry as a critical industry; food security, food systems is as critical as people trying to safeguard either their medical security or even sovereign security in terms of war.
“I believe part of the things that you owe the state and the people that have also been loyal to your products is to consider what level of giveback you are making consciously.
“I don’t want to use the word, “Corporate Social Responsibility” but what level of slow down in shareholder appreciation are you going to throw back into the system,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu called for a sustainable partnership, saying: “At a difficult time like this, it shouldn’t be only government reducing cost or that is attempting to have a corner store in the market to buy and sell at reduced prices.
“You must be able to tell your shareholders that you’ve been in this environment for such a long time today that it should not be about profit-making.
“You should be willing to say let’s even go into this market and just cover our cost, let’s pass on, let the people feel our critical support.
“If we go by our Return on Investment, we should be selling this thing at N5000 but because we are committed and we have also made decent returns in this environment, we are able to say we will sell lower,” he said.
The governor said the longevity of the brand was essential than immediate gratification.
He added that this was the type of partnership that the country and state needed to keep at this period.
“Because of what essence will it be if we cannot guarantee that Olam will be here in the next 15 years?
“I want you to take this message back. The private sector needs to know that there are times when it does not have to be about value to the shareholders.
“Because of the food security that we seek, because of the logistics nightmare that is happening everywhere, and because of the economic challenges that are everywhere. Let us be able to say to our citizens and customers at difficult times, we still want you to see us as partners not as mere people.
“If that’s all you take away from here, I’d be a happier person,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He called on shareholders and stakeholders to be more deliberate and focus on giving back to the society.
“I want us all to see ourselves as stakeholders in this environment. It’s not us versus them, we are all joint stakeholders.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that nothing happens to any of your facilities and warehouses because we know the consequences.
“We need to slow down on shareholders’ return, we need to be alive for us to be be able to earn that dividend,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor further said that economic indices never lasted forever, adding that government and its partners needed to know what their roles are in the area of food security.
He urged the Olam executives to partner with government in pushing resources and investment into the food sector deliberately.
“We need to be alive today to be able to make profit tomorrow,” he said.
Nair commended the Sanwo-Olu-led administration for its commitment towards empowering its citizens and catering for residents’ needs.
News
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.
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