News
Jubilation As Price Of Garri Drops
The price of garri, a staple food in most Nigerian households, has dropped by about 22 per cent in many markets in Enugu.
A survey by the News Agency of Nigeria correspondent in the city on Friday shows that a paint bucket of the white garri dropped from N3,500 to N2,500.
Also, the price of a paint bucket of the yellow variety sales for between N3,500 and N3,200 as against N4,000 and N3,700, depending on the brand.
Some of the dealers attributed the development to the ongoing cassava harvest in some part of the state.
A retailer at the New Market, Enugu, Nkechi Egbo, told NAN that a 100kg bag of white garri, which previously sold for N134,400, now goes for N105,000.
Mrs Egbo said that a 100kg bag of the yellow garri, which sold for N168,000 and N160,000, now sales for N142,000 and N147,000, respectively.
She further said that a milk cup of yellow garri that sold for N300 and N200 now goes for N250, N200 and N150 per cup.
Another retailer, who gave her name simply as Mama Ada, also attributed the drop in the price to high harvest in Ugbawka and Nara Communities in Nkanu East Local Government Council Areas.
She said that the price might further drop in the coming weeks as other communities in Enugu and Ebonyi States continue to harvest their last year cassava, while planting new ones.
Meanwhile, a farmer, Mathew Nwankwo, said the price of garri skyrocketed “because of the prices of other communities in the market and high cost of cultivating cassava”.
According to Mr Nwankwo, a farmer who sold garri will need to buy rice, beans and other commodities, which prices have doubled in the market.
“Aside this, we pay labourers N300 to prepare a ridge as against the previous N150.
“You will feed them twice a day and if you are farming in another person’s land, you also pay for the land.
“I live at Ugwuomu Nike and we pay for harvest, transportation, peeling, firewood, water, red oil to colour the garri as well as the people that fry it,” he said.
Mr Nwankwo said that he bought cassava stems worth N40,000 for his 10 plots of land and that it was not enough.
“All these expenses contributed to the high cost of the commodity in the market,” he further said.
A teacher, Vivian Okoro, described the drop in the price of garri as a welcome development.
Mrs Okoro said that many families in the country were finding it extremely difficult to buy the commodity due to its high price.
She, however, urged government at all levels to support farmers to make staple foods, such as rice, beans and garri, amongst others, affordable to the ordinary Nigerians.
News
Ahead Ondo Poll: IGP Bans Amotekun, Others
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has banned the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun and Vigilante Corps, among others, from participating in the Ondo governorship election.
No fewer than 17 political parties will participate in the election slated for November 16, 2024.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG ordered the deployment of officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, and K-9 Unit among others.
He added that aerial patrols would be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats would patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains.
Adejobi said, “As the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election, scheduled for November 16, 2024, draws near, the Inspector-General of Police has unequivocally assured the public of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering readiness to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process across all 18 Local Government Areas, 203 Wards, and 3,933 Polling Units in the state.
“The IGP has confirmed that comprehensive plans have been set in motion to guarantee a smooth election, including the strategic deployment of adequate personnel, resources, and state-of-the-art equipment.
“The deployment will see officers from various specialised units, including the Special Intervention Squad, Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit, K-9 Unit, Federal Investigation and Intelligence Response Team, and Federal Intelligence and Security Task Force working in concert with other security agencies. These agencies will adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Electoral Act, 2022, ensuring that all measures taken align with the principles of fairness, transparency, and order.
“In addition to ground personnel, aerial patrols will be conducted with police helicopters, while gunboats will patrol the state’s waterways and riverine areas to ensure security across all terrains. These comprehensive measures will serve as a deterrent to any attempt to disrupt the electoral process and will enhance the overall stability of the elections.”
Adejobi also said the IG vowed to deal with political thugs or individuals planning to disrupt the elections.
He said, “The IGP has also issued a stern warning to political thugs and any individuals or groups who may contemplate acts of violence or disruption before, during, or after the election: they will face the full force of the law. The message is clear — those who attempt to jeopardise the peace and security of the state will not go unpunished.”
Adejobi said the IG stated that only the federal security agencies and other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security would be allowed to participate in the election.
He said, “Furthermore, the IGP reaffirmed the established guidelines governing election security management in Nigeria, stressing that no quasi-security organisation, including state-backed groups like Vigilante Corps or Amotekun, will be permitted to participate in the election process.
The security of this election is a responsibility entrusted solely to the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies, along with the broader membership of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“The Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other federal security agencies, remains committed, vigilant, and fully prepared to ensure that the Ondo State Gubernatorial Election proceeds smoothly, without incident, and by the highest standards of electoral integrity.”
News
“SEE Top 5 Countries With Shortest People In The World’
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The global average height, approximately 166.99 centimeters (5 feet 5.7 inches), shows considerable variation across regions, with the shortest people primarily located in Southeast Asia.
In contrast, the Netherlands is home to some of the tallest people in the world, with an average height of 177.07 centimeters (5 feet 9.7 inches)—almost 10 centimeters above the global average. Countries with the shortest average heights are mostly found in Southeast Asia and parts of Central and South America, due to a combination of various factors
Below are the top five countries with the shortest average heights:
Timor Leste: 156.42 cm (5 feet 1.6 inches)
The world’s shortest average height is found in Timor Leste (East Timor), where the average height is estimated at 156.42 cm (5 feet 1.6 inches), which is mainly attributed to genetic factors that affect growth from childhood. The typical Timorese lady is approximately 151.15 cm (4 feet 11.5 inches), and the average Timorese male is approximately 159.79 cm (5 feet 2.9 inches).
Guatemala: 157.64 cm (5 feet 2 inches)
Guatemala has one of the lowest average heights in the world with the shortest people found therein. With an overall average height of roughly 157.64 cm (5 feet 2 inches). Women in this region have an average of about 149.38 cm (4 feet 10.8 inches), and men average about 163.4 cm (5 feet 4.3 inches). The reason for this is attributed to genetic factors that mostly influence indigenous cultures.
Laos: 157.94 cm (5 feet 2.2 inches)
In the Southeast Asian country, Laos, the average height is 157.94 cm (5 feet 2.2 inches), with women around 151.26 cm (4 feet 11.6 inches) tall, while males are about 160.51 cm (5 feet 3.2 inches). This is attributed to socioeconomic variables that impact diet health and hereditary factors.
Nepal: 158.38 cm (5 feet 2.4 inches)
Nepal is one of the nations with the smallest populations in the world with the average adult height in Nepal is around 158.38 cm (5 feet 2.4 inches), with women standing at 150.86 cm (4 feet 11.4 inches) and males standing at 162.31 cm (5 feet 3.9 inches). This is due to a mix of genetic and socioeconomic factors, especially those related to healthcare and nutrition.
Bangladesh: 158.73 cm (5 feet 2.5 inches)
Bangladesh’s average height is 158.73 cm (5 feet 2.5 inches), with women typically around 150.78 cm (4 feet 11.4 inches) tall, while men are typically 163.8 cm (5 feet 4.5 inches) ranking it among the lowest in the world.
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News
PDP Official: ‘Atiku Believes Our Ticket Is His Birthright , But We’re More Cautious Now
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
As Nigeria’s primary opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) prepares for the upcoming 2027 general elections, concerns are emerging regarding the leadership style of Atiku Abubakar, who has long been viewed as the party’s key figure in opposition politics.
Several party stakeholders have expressed reservations about his ability to effectively lead the opposition, particularly in light of his personal ambitions.
Some party insiders argue that Atiku’s leadership as the head of the opposition has been hindered by his overwhelming presidential aspirations, which they believe have compromised his focus and commitment to the party’s broader goals. These sources contend that Atiku’s actions and decisions often prioritize his ambitions over the collective interests of the PDP, which has led to disillusionment among certain party members.
A prominent PDP stakeholder, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared their concerns with Daily Independent, stating that Atiku’s financial involvement in the party’s activities has been lacking for an extended period. “For quite some time now, Atiku has not made any meaningful financial contribution to the party’s operations,” the source revealed. This lack of support, according to the insider, makes it challenging for Atiku to effectively fulfill the critical role of opposition leader.
The stakeholder pointed out that, despite this lack of tangible commitment, Atiku continues to seek the party’s presidential ticket, believing that his previous status and influence would guarantee his nomination. “When was the last time Atiku contributed anything of substance to the party?” the source asked, noting that his continued presidential ambitions seemed out of touch with the current state of the party. “He seems to think that anytime he decides to step forward, the party will automatically hand him the ticket. But the party is wiser now and will not just hand him the nomination without considering other factors,” the source added.
These sentiments reflect a growing sense of frustration within the PDP, where many members feel that the party needs fresh leadership and a more strategic approach if it is to regain its political relevance and challenge the ruling party in the next elections. The shift in party dynamics suggests that, going forward, Atiku’s ability to lead the opposition and secure the PDP’s presidential ticket may face significant challenges unless he can regain the trust and support of the party’s key stakeholders.
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