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Pregnant women groan as hunger persists, calls on govts to address problem
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By Francesca Hangeior
As the prices of food continue to rise unabated with no end in sight, some pregnant women in Nigeria have cried
out to both the federal and state governments to address the problem, claiming that they now go to bed on empty stomachs.
The expectant mothers also lamented that they are unable to meet the daily dietary requirements expected of persons in their state due to high costs.
For many families in the country, the upsurge in the prices of food since the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 has been a cause of worry, especially for pregnant women, children and other vulnerable groups.
Meat, fish, and other more nutritious food sources have been replaced on several family dinner tables by cheaper food items, even though they do not necessarily provide the same nutritional benefits.
This is a cause for concern, as nutrition and child health experts say the rising food prices are bound to have short and long-term effects on expectant mothers and their unborn babies.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s annual inflation rate rose to 31.70 per cent in February from 29.90 per cent in January.
The NBS said the rise in food inflation yearly is caused by increased prices of bread and cereals, potatoes, yam and other tubers, fish, oil and fat, meat, fruit, coffee, tea, and cocoa.
Some of the pregnant women, claim that they are passing through tough times, even as hunger bites harder.
A 28 -year-old mother of one, who is pregnant with her second child, Mrs. Blessing Bode told our correspondent that if she knew that things would be so difficult for her and her family during this period, she would not have become pregnant.
The Lagos housewife, who is six months pregnant, said the hardship in the country has denied her access to a balanced diet as her husband’s shoe-making business is near closure.
“We now feed from hand to mouth. Breakfast and dinner are unaffordable, and even the food we manage to eat is mainly rice concoction. The situation is making me restless”, Bode said with a voice laced with anger.
She further lamented that the situation has made to start overthinking, restless and frustrated,
Bode said in exasperation, “My challenge is that other people can endure hunger but a pregnant woman can’t!
“The suffering is too much. I pray that hunger will not finish me with this pregnancy.”
Another woman, Mrs Adejoke Taiwo, 32, who is four months pregnant, said the economic hardship had inflicted poverty on her family.
The local tailor and mother-of-three said she and her husband were not prepared for the hardship, complaining that she cannot afford to buy fruits and vegetables or other nutritious diet at the moment.
Also, a petty trader, Mrs Ngozi Nnaemeka, said, “I only manage to eat once a day now, and I’m tired of the carbohydrates that I’m eating. Today garri, tomorrow rice.”
“My pregnancy will be six months next week, yet we can’t make plans for antenatal registration and care because there is no money. The situation is biting harder,” another pregnant Lagos resident simply identified as Felicia lamented.
News
Army Nabs Wanted Soldier Accused Of Supplying Uniforms To Terrorists While Escaping to Cameroon
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have nabbed a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military wares to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
The suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility (NAOTF), Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander.
Preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted by the Army, the soldier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, where he allegedly went into hiding.
Investigators further established that he was allegedly sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.
Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 7 Provost Group placed the suspect under 24-hour surveillance before intercepting and arresting him at Jidari Bus Stop while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.
The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.Government
Military sources described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplice.
Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has promoted 547 employees and approved salary step increments for 579 others as part of a broad workforce development programme designed to reward outstanding performance, strengthen staff motivation and drive organisational excellence.
The exercise, which benefitted 1,126 employees, followed the successful completion of the company’s 2025 Performance Appraisal Exercise and underscores AEDC’s commitment to building a high-performing, customer-focused workforce.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the initiative reflects the company’s resolve to place employees at the heart of its transformation agenda, stressing that investment in human capital remains critical to achieving sustainable growth.
He described the promotions and salary adjustments as a recognition of diligence, professionalism and commitment, noting that the company would continue to reward excellence while creating opportunities for career advancement.
According to him, AEDC is intentionally fostering a work environment where merit, innovation, continuous learning and teamwork determine career progression, adding that employee welfare remains a key pillar of the company’s long-term strategy.
“Our people remain our greatest asset and the foundation upon which AEDC’s future will be built. This is more than a reward for performance; it is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence should always be recognised, talent should be nurtured and hard work should create opportunities for growth,” Okwuokenye said.
He explained that the organisation is committed to providing employees with fulfilling career opportunities that enable them to maximise their potential while contributing to AEDC’s ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading electricity distribution companies.
The AEDC chief also urged employees who were not promoted in the current appraisal cycle to remain committed, assuring them that the company’s performance management system is structured to support continuous improvement, skills development and future career progression.
AEDC said the promotion and salary increment exercise forms part of its broader strategy to cultivate a performance-driven culture, encourage professionalism and recognise employees who contribute significantly to the company’s growth.
The company added that as it continues to modernise operations, improve electricity service delivery and enhance customer experience, it will sustain investments in staff development to strengthen productivity and reinforce its position as one of Nigeria’s preferred employers in the power sector.
Some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Sunday stormed a permanent voter’s card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, the headquarters of the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state, and carted away two packs of PVCs.
The INEC officials were busy distributing the cards at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, when the thugs suddenly arrived and started shooting sporadically into the air, scaring residents and officials, and took two packs of cards and left the venue before police could arrive at the scene.
The spokesperson of the Osun State Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said that about ten armed hoodlums invaded the centre, fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of PVCs before fleeing the scene.
Ojelabi disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the attack and directed a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Reacting to the development, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, condemned the attack. She said she was to get the detailed report on the attack, adding that she is yet to know the exact number of PVCs carted away by the hoodlums.
The REC, however, assured the people of the state that the governorship election would be free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent.
Army Nabs Wanted Soldier Accused Of Supplying Uniforms To Terrorists While Escaping to Cameroon
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