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Nigeria should not be importing food – Edun
By Francesca Hangeior.
Nigeria is set to drastically reduce its dependence on food imports, according to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who outlined a bold strategy to boost domestic agricultural production and increase food security.
Edun, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday to mark the country’s 64th Independence Day declared that the era of heavy food importation must end, positioning this shift as a cornerstone of the government’s economic recovery plan.
“We should not be importing food,” Edun stated, stressing that Nigeria’s future lies in self-sufficiency.
The government, he said, was committed to supporting small-scale farmers by providing critical inputs like seeds and fertilizer under schemes such as the Nigerian Agricultural Growth Scheme.
The support will focus on enhancing both the wet and dry season harvests, reducing the need for imports in the short term while boosting productivity in the long term.
As an immediate measure, the government has ordered maize and wheat imports to stabilise the food market.
However, Edun stressed the importance of balancing this with domestic production.
“It is critical that we do not disrupt domestic production of food. It is critical that we do not disrupt farming in Nigeria by flooding the market with imports,” he warned.
As Edun made clear, the shift from food imports is not just an economic necessity but a critical step toward Nigeria’s future self-sufficiency.
“This is not where we should be,” he said of the country’s reliance on imported food. The new strategy, he argued, will put Nigeria on the path to economic independence and food security.
Edun’s remarks came as Nigeria grapples with rising food prices and a struggling agricultural sector that produces significantly lower yields than global standards.
The government’s long-term goal is to more than double agricultural productivity through improved local seedlings and better farming practices.
The drive to boost agriculture forms a key part of a broader economic overhaul, as the country also navigates the impact of the recent removal of fuel subsidies.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Joint Security Patrol team led by the Anambra state police command has neutralized a notorious suspected kidnapper along the Enugu/Ukwu road .
The operation according to the state police command spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga was carried out with local vigilante group who identified the suspect before he was chased and engaged in an exchange before he was neutralized.
The joint security patrol team was said to have responded to a distress call of the planned attack by the gang members of the suspect, before acting swiftly to the scene and engaged them, which led to some of the gang members escaping with bullet wounds.
One AK 47 rifle, two magazines and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, as manhunt for the fleeing suspects continue according to the police. The Anambra police command urges residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their area to the nearest police station for prompt action.
The Dangote Group has announced a reduction in the price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N970 per liter.
This was contained in a statement issued by Anthony Chiejina, the Group’s Chief Branding and Communications Officer, on Sunday.
Chiejina stated that the refinery has lowered its petrol price for marketers from N990 to N970 per liter, providing them with a N20 discount per liter.
Furthermore, he emphasized that despite the price reduction, the quality of the company’s products remains uncompromised.
The statement regarding the price adjustment reads:
“Dangote Petroleum Refinery has effected a reduction in the prevailing price of its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N990/litre to N970/litre for the marketers.
“As the year comes to an end, this is our way of appreciating the good people of Nigeria for their unwavering support in making the Refinery a dream come true. In addition, this is to thank the government for their support as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being.
While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply.”
Bandits have k!lled seven farmers, including a vigilante, and burnt 50 bags of maize inside a truck in Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources on Saturday, November 23, told Daily Trust that the victims had gone to bring the harvested maize home from their farm when the bandits ambushed them, k!lled all the occupants in the truck and set the truck.
Bandits have killed seven of our farmers who had gone to farm to bring the maize they had harvested home. The attackers hid and waited until after the victims had loaded the 50 bags of maize into the truck and were about to take off to return home when they opened fire on them. After k!lling the victims, they also set the truck and the 50 bags of maize already loaded ablaze,” a source said.
He said it was difficult for farmers in Mariga to harvest their crops this year due to k!llings and kidnappings by bandits.
Joint Security Patrol Team wastes Kidnapper in gun duel along Enugu/Ukwu Road
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