News
Bakers Issue 14-Day Ultimatum To FG
Lovers of bread in Nigeria may soon have to do without the staple food as bakers in seven states have threatened to down tools unless the Federal Government intervenes in the skyrocketing prices of the ingredients of the products.
Bakers from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara States yesterday protested in Lagos an gave the federal government, a 14–day ultimatum to urgently intervene in the plight of bakers as well as the general masses in the country.
Armed with placards, with inscription such as : “Bread may disappear in 14 days, if situation does not change , Masses are suffering , bread is no longer affordable, too many job losses in the baking industry, federal government, baking sector must not collapse and Bakers throughout the country may down tools very soon if flour prices are not reduced, the bakers claimed that many of them had gone bankrupt.
The south-west chairman of the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria, Alhaji Abibu Abolusodun, while speaking during the protest also said that the Nigerian masses cannot afford another hike in the price of bread again.
The vice chairman of the association, Prince Jacob Adejorin also said that the price of baking ingredients had gone up by about 100 % in the last two years.
Alhaji Abolusodun passionately appealed to the federal government of Nigeria to reduce the 70% import duty on wheat importation as a way of forcing millers to reduce the cost of wheat flour.
He also wants “ flour millers to be given access to dollar / foreign currencies directly from the Central Bank of Nigeria to purchase their raw materials and that the” empowerment charge of #1000 levied on 50kg of flour be stopped forthwith.”
He also advised that “ the accrued amount of the # 1000 so far collected be used to empower bakers nationwide as a way of alleviating the hardship that they have been going through.”
Alhaji Abolusodun opined that “ the master bakers is of the opinion that when the federal government intercedes, the flour millers should revert the prices of wheat flour and sugar to its original price. Those are the two major ingredients that determine the price of bread in the market.”
“ Between January and February 2016, a 50 kg of wheat flour was sold for # 6500, while a 50kg of sugar was #8000 and right now as I am addressing you a 50 kg of wheat flour is sold for # 11,200, while a 50kg of sugar is sold for #17 000 ex-factory. In the south-east and the north, the prices are unimaginable,” the bakers’ chairman said.
Adejorin said that the bakers gave the government the 14–day ultimatum to save the Nigerian masses from further hardship and to prevent millions of bakers from being rendered jobless.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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