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Nigerians shun bread, pastries as prices continue to soar

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By Francesca Hangeior

Some consumers of confectionaries in Bwari Area Council of the FCT, have stopped buying bread, meat pies and other pastries, due to continuous hike in price of the commodities.

According to the consumers, the increasing cost of food commodities had forced them to seek alternatives for breakfast.

Mrs Ada Christopher, a mother of four, said the price of bread had persistently increased and was almost unaffordable for the average Nigerian.

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She said that although her children loved to eat bread with tea for breakfast but could not afford it any longer as a big loaf costs between N1,700 and N2,000.

Christopher said a medium size loaf costs between N1,200 and N1,500 at a popular bakery in the area.

“I have four children and we buy two loaves of bread every day before now, but I had to reduce to buying thrice a week when it became N1,000 per loaf.

“With the latest price, I don’t think it is sustainable and we have to look for something else as an alternative for breakfast.”

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Christopher added that pastries such as egg/fish rolls and meat pies, which could serve as fast foods have also become out of reach as such cost more than N500.

Christopher attributed the cost on the constant rise of flour and other baking essentials in the market, which she added, must be the reason bakers kept increasing the price.

Similarly, another consumer, Mrs Patricia Amos, said that she had tagged bread, cakes and other pastries as luxuries because they cost too much to afford.

Amos, who said that she had a large family, added that buying bread for her family every day would cost her a fortune because she would buy two or more loaves.

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She added that although foodstuff had increased in price, she would rather look for alternative foods to serve as breakfast for her family.

“I now go for alternatives like pap, moi-moi, bambara nut commonly called ‘okpa’ and sweet potatoes to replace bread with tea for my family.

However, Mr Shadrach Ayani, a baker, told NAN that the hike in price was not deliberate as it was done according to the price of flour, sugar and other major ingredients of baking.

He attributed the unstable price change to economic inflation and other constraints toward getting the products at a favourable price.

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“You know most baking ingredients are imported and it is usually affected by the global wheat price increase, transportation and logistics challenges within Nigeria.

“The rise in exchange rate is further straining both small and larger bakeries and no consumer wants to buy and eat bread that is not rich or nutritious.

“Everyone wants soft, sweet and fresh bread and to get this preference, it is difficult to find cheaper ways to produce a good bread or pastry that can sell well, so the ingredients are quite essential,” he said.

Ayani said that although his bakery had reduced the quantity of bread it produced weekly because of a drop in patronage.

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He, however, added that it was not so much that the bakery would stop production.

“Some days, you bake and bread remains for three-four days on the shelf and we are forced to take them off because they may get spoilt.

“So, we just reduce the quantity we produce so we don’t run at a loss, but we will continue to produce for our retail partners and few consumers.”

He prayed that the situation would come to an end soonest while advising consumers to ensure they patronise good and hygienic confectionaries and desist from patronising cheap and substandard foods

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SAD! Woman Reportedly Poisons Boyfriend To D3ath For Cheating On Her

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…conceals Body Under Bed

A young woman allegedly poisoned her boyfriend to d3ath for cheating on her in Iyo Polo community, Marine Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was gathered that after k!lling the deceased, she hid his body under the bed inside his room for three days.

According to local reports, residents of the area became suspicious after noticing a foul odor emanating from the victim’s residence.

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Concerned neighbors attempted to reach the deceased but received no response.

Their suspicions grew when they observed the suspect acting strangely and refusing entry into the apartment.

Upon notifying law enforcement, officers arrived at the scene and forced their way into the room, where they discovered the decomposing body of the victim.

The suspect was immediately arrested and taken into police custody for further investigation.

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Authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the motive behind the alleged m8rder.

However, preliminary findings suggest that the incident may have stemmed from a domestic dispute.

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Protesters call for suspension of FUOYE VC over alleged sexual harassment

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A group of protesters have converged on the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja, calling for the suspension of Professor Abayomi Fasina as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), to allow proper investigation into sexual harassment allegation.

Protesters armed with placards-bearing slogans such as ‘Ekiti Deserves Better’ and ‘Protect Our Women,’ argued that the Vice-Chancellor cannot remain in office while facing investigation for sexual harassment allegations.

The embattled VC has been under investigations over allegations made in a leaked voice note regarding a sexual harassment case against one of his married subordinates.

Speaking to journalists after submitting a petition to the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, the leader of the protesters under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption, Victor Adetola, said suspending the VC would give room for thorough investigations into the matter.

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Adetola said: “We have looked at the developing story that has been going on in that university as an organisation that is fronting for the welfare of Nigerian students and the community or the educational community generally.

“The issue will be festering if there is no thorough investigation, and we need that place to be sanitised. Honestly, currently there is a disciplinary action investigation that is going on that was first given a three-week ultimatum.

“After that, they requested for another three weeks ultimatum, even inclusive of the governing council. And for the past six months, nothing has been done. We see that a lot of undiagnosed, a lot of corruption has been festering.

“In fact, one of the most critical issues happening is the sexual harassment that has happened to one of the married assistant directors in that school.

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“Specifically, it’s necessary that the leader of the university steps down first, or the governing council relieves him of that position first, so that independent investigation can be carried out on all the petitions that we have written.”

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NJC, NBA raises concerns as Uzodimma names Nzeukwu Imo’s acting Chief Judge

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The National Judicial Council (NJC) has distanced itself from the purported appointment by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge of Imo State.

The NJC, in a statement by its Deputy Director (Information), Mrs. Kemi Ogendengbe said it was yet to consider a request by Uzodinma to appoint Justice Nzeukwu, who is currently number four in the hierarchy of judges’ seniority in Imo State High Court.

The statement reads: “The attention of the council has been drawn to the news making rounds that the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, had purportedly appointed Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of judges seniority in Imo State High Court, as the acting Chief Judge of the state, in view of the recent disciplinary action taken against the erstwhile Chief Judge of the state.

“The National Judicial Council, by this press release, wants to clarify to the public that the Governor of Imo State had earlier written to the council requesting for its approval to appoint Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of seniority as acting Chief Judge of the state.

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“The governor in his said correspondence to the council, gave reasons why in his own view, the three most senior judges are not appointable.

“The council is informing the public that the said letter is yet to be considered, as deliberation on the request is slated for the next council meeting, which is scheduled to hold on 29th and 30th April, 2025.

“The council is therefore, by this press release, informing the public that the governor’s request is yet to be considered by the council.

“The council has not given approval to the governor for the appointment of the acting Chief Judge.

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“The council is not a party to the process of the purported appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge.”

The NJC had, at its 107th meeting held between November 13 and 14, 2024 recommended the compulsory retirement of the then Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka over alleged age falsification.

It said Justice Chikeka was recommended to the Imo State Governor for compulsory retirement with effect from October 27, 2021, with all salaries and allowances the judge received in excess from the said date refunded to the council.

The NJC added: “The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth: 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958.

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“However, 27 October 1956 appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch has expressed serious concerns over the appointment.

Speaking after swearing in the new Acting Chief Judge, Governor Uzodimma recalled the disgraceful manner the former Chief Judge was removed from office by the NJC, and the events that followed  thereafter, and warned against a repeat of what he described as “dishonourable incident where a Chief Judge is suddenly  removed from office for such an ugly indictment of age falsification.”

Reacting to the appointment, the NBA urged Governor Uzodimma to adhere to due process in the appointment of a new Chief Judge, emphasising the importance of following established protocols to ensure transparency and legitimacy.

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According to the NBA, Nzeukwu’s appointment violates the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the most senior judge of the High Court should be appointed as Acting Chief Judge in the event of a vacancy.

“We insist that due process must be followed in the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge,” Chairman of the NBA Owerri Branch, Chief Chris U. Ihentuge and the Secretary, Daniel O. Odiba, said in a statement  yesterday.

According to the statement: “If the most senior judge or judges were bypassed, the rationale for this deviation must be immediately justified.”

Failure to do so, they warned, will further erode public confidence in the judiciary.

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The NBA demands that Governor Uzodimma takes immediate action to address this situation and reverse the appointment, which they deem inconsistent with the Constitution.

The statement reads in part: “The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch demands that the Governor should, immediately, take steps to address this situation and reverse this action which is inconsistent with the Constitution. Failure to do so will further erode public confidence in the judiciary at a time when trust in our institutions is already fragile. The Bar shall also take all steps necessary in the circumstance.

“The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, reiterates that it has no interest in any particular individual holding the office of the Chief Judge, but it is deeply committed to the protection of due process, the rule of law, and the sanctity of the Constitution.

“The NBA Owerri Branch has communicated its concerns to the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Imo State Chapter, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Imo State, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and the National Judicial Council (NJC).”

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