The price of tomatoes has crashed in Lagos and some other parts of the country over what farmers attributed to the glut being experienced due to the harvest season.

A tomato glut, which occurs annually from January to March in Nigeria, is a situation where there is an excess of tomatoes, often leading to a fall in price. This can happen when tomato plants produce more fruits than can be sold.

Tomatoes sell for as low as N10,000 to 12,000 for a 50kg basket, depending on the species. A 25kg plastic crate of tomatoes sells between N6,000 and N7,000 up North.

A big basket of tomatoes in Lagos goes for between N13,000 and N15,000 against N140,000 and N150,000 in May 2024.

Rabiu Zuntu, the chairman, Tomatoes Growers and Processors Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, attributed the development to harvest season.

“One of the problems we face in the tomato sector is that the period from January, February, and March is the tomato glut (excess harvest of tomatoes).

“During this glut period, households can buy it at a cheaper price and preserve it for the time when the price goes up,” Mr Zuntu said.

Some tomato vendors in Lagos State also acknowledged the price drop and the need for households to preserve the produce now that it is in surplus.

Queen Oloyede, a trader in the Surulere area of the state, said, “Since a week ago, a basket of 50kg tomatoes sells at the Mile 12 market for between N15,000 and N20,000.

“I advise customers to begin to stock up for the time the produce will be scarce in the market.”

Another trader, Judith Amen, said the current price of the highest quality of tomatoes is still a bit expensive.

“Presently, the highest quality of tomatoes at the Mile 12 market sells between N35,000 and N37,000 for a 50kg basket. People should preserve the quantity they can buy,” Ms Amen said.

Similarly, some consumers shared their experiences with journalists on the price of the produce and their preservation efforts.

Catherine Eigbedion, a resident of the Agege area of the Lagos State, said the inconsistent electricity supply hinders her preservation efforts.

“If I know how to preserve tomatoes without freezing them, I will buy more,” Ms Eigbedion said.

On her part, Ebere Dudu, a housewife in the Dopemu area, admitted that the price of tomatoes was affordable presently but unpredictable.

“I bought a small basket at N3,000 recently. That same quantity used to sell for as high as N8,000 or N9,000 months back. If you have the ability to preserve tomatoes, this is the time to use that ability,” Ms Duru said.

Also, Queen Akpan said if she could afford the price, she would preserve the produce for future use.

“If I can afford to buy in bulk, I will do so and save funds for the days it will become expensive,” Ms Akpan said.

(NAN)

The founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola has agreed to drop all defamation charges against the human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

The decision of Babalola was sequel to the intervention of the Ooni of Ife and other prominent Obas in the country.

Farotimi had authored a book “Nigeria and it’s Criminal Justice System where he alleged that Aare Afe Babalola corrupted the Judiciary and procured judgements in the supreme Court.

This development led to his arrest and arraigned in court for defamation.

Addressing newsmen at the school premises in Ado Ekiti, Aare Babalola said today is a special day to him because he is a Yoruba man and very proud to be one.

He said different traditional ruler and personalities both within and outside the country have been on his kneck to pardon Farotimi including Bishop Kukah and Obasanjo.

He said as a Yoruba man, he has no choice than to obey the commandments of the traditional institutions led by Ooni adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba traditional from time immemorial is a command.

He said:”I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why any one would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for.

I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment, I am happy each time I give.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi had earlier appealed passionately to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities that have intervened in the matter including former president Obasanjo to please pardon Dele Farotimi.

The monarch praised Babalola and commended his contribution to the development of the Yoruba race, the Nation and the world at large.

He said Afe Babalola has done things that inscribed his name in gold, he said the traditional institution is proud of him.

He said:”We all came together to discuss the matter with him and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and agreed.

Ooni said the Obas can attest to the hard work of Babalola and how he had invested so hard to build his name and that can not be ternished and rubbished by anyone.

He said Babalola has proven to the world that he cherished his name and the world has heard him loud and clear.

Dele Farotimi is your son, we give birth to different children in this world and as elders when our children offend us as Yoruba after a little spank, we also pardon such children.

He appealed to Babalola to drop charges against Farotimi.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike has been commended for signing over one thousand Certificate of Occupancy to house owners in the sprawling River Park Estate, Abuja.

Mr. Paul Odili who now acquires full ownership of the estate commended the magnanimity of the minister in signing such a huge number of C- of- Os for an estate at once.

He said the kind gesture of the FCT minister will go a long way in encouraging investment in real estate and build robust confidence in house owners .

Odili on Saturday alongside other dignitaries at a brief ceremony held during a meeting at the estate handed over the Certificates to lucky house owners.

Lauding Wike, he said “the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike has graciously signed over a thousand Certificates of Occupancy for beneficiaries on River Park Estate.

“I want to commend him, appreciate him for this noble gesture. He has helped us build more confidence to invest in real estate in Nigeria, Abuja especially.

“And I want to use this medium to thank the Director of Land in the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) .

“He has done marvelously well in ensuring the signing of these C – of – Os and it has greatly helped our project on this Estate

“I also thank all staff of FCDA secretariat like the Urban and Regional Department, Mapping and Survey Department, Estate Department and most especially the Land Department. My sincere gratitude goes to the administration of the FCT.

On the issuance of the Certificates, Odili said “this meeting was called to give them their C- of- Os because it was given to us in trust for those who are beneficiaries.

“That is why we have to call the Press to witness that it was actually delivered as was agreed by the FCT administration that, I Paul Odili, the developer, should take it and give it to them because I am the one that allocated these properties to them and that is why I have to make sure it is seen by all, that they were delivered as told”

During the meeting, Odili informed investors in the estate that he has fully acquired 100 percent stake in the business and he owned the estate completely.

Speaking on the new ownership, Odili said “Houses for Africa Holdings was owned by John Townley- Johnson who has 80 percent stake and he became our international partner for the development of the estate.

“But now, he has sold all the shares owned by Houses for Africa to me and now, I Paul Odili is now 100 percent owner of the River Park Estate, Jonah Capital Limited and Houses for Africa Nigeria.

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“Adrian Ogun was the founder of Jonah Capital before Houses for Africa Holdings came to invest here.

“Now, both of them have relinquished their shares to me. Payment has been made, agreement signed and by January 30th, 2025, I will become the 100 percent owner of River Park Estate”

Confirming the new ownership status, John Townley – Johnson said “we no longer have interest in Houses for Africa Nigeria and we have now transfered our rights to Mr. Paul Odili.

“We think it was the best thing to do because he is credible in the real estate developing sector.

“We have absolute confidence in him, Odili, to handle the business. I think his involvement shows that the houses will be completed to the standard he has set for the estate”.

Also, Mr. Adrian Ogun confirmed the new ownership and expressed confidence in the new ownership.

He said he has come a long way as business partner with Paul Odili and was sure that the estate is in a good hand and that house owners will enjoy full services for their investments in the estate.

Some of the lucky house owners whose certificates of occupancy were issued praised the sincerity of Mr. Odili in dealing with investors on the estate.

Engr. Benjamin Ogwuche, President of KRPC Cooperative Society, Kaduna said “this is dream come true. We have come a long way with Paulo Homes. We have over 100 properties here . I am delighted that our members own houses here. These C- of- Os issued to us today are proof of ownership”.

Mr. Daniel Okoebor said he felt very happy receiving the certificate. He said “this show that my investment is now secured. It shows that I have title document and that my house is safe”.