News

Economic Hardship: Nigerians Resorting to Extreme Measures for Survival

Published

2 months ago

September 14, 2024

Amidst the worsening economic crisis in Nigeria, fueled by soaring prices of fuel and inflation, citizens have been forced to adopt unconventional survival strategies, including the consumption of animal feed in some cases. As daily necessities become more expensive, many are turning to desperate measures just to make ends meet.

In Plateau State, women in Jos have resorted to feeding their families with maize chaff, locally known as ‘dusa’, typically reserved for animal consumption. Mrs. Gladys Tonggang, a concerned resident, expressed shock upon hearing about a pregnant mother of four using ‘dusa’ to feed her children after grinding it into a meal. With increasing demand, the price of this animal feed has reportedly risen by N500.

The effects of this economic downturn extend beyond food choices. A mechanic, Mr. Monday Adetola, shared that his customer base has significantly dwindled as fewer people can afford to drive their cars, leading to a reduction in vehicle maintenance needs. Similarly, a tailor named Murtala Musa has had to close his shop and switch to selling noodles and eggs due to the lack of customers.

In Ekiti State, a civil servant, Mr. Deji Ilori, disclosed that his family is skipping meals and relying on less nutritious food options as the cost of living skyrockets. With fuel prices reaching N1,000 per liter, he has abandoned his car and turned to public transportation, drastically altering his daily routine and diet. Other residents, like Uwamba Favour, a small business owner, are facing mounting expenses and dwindling profits, forcing them to sell products at cost price just to avoid further losses.

In Osun State, some women in Osogbo have resorted to street begging to feed their families. Taiwo, a mother of two, narrated how her husband’s struggles as a driver have left them dependent on neighbors for basic food supplies. Similarly, Usman Faruk, a student at Obafemi Awolowo University, has been working as a laborer to sustain himself, though even this is not enough to cover his food expenses.

Public transportation has also become a preferred option for many in Akwa Ibom State, where civil servants and private individuals alike are parking their vehicles due to the prohibitive cost of fuel. Estate surveyor, Madam Chinyere Ndon, now restricts her movements to essential trips, while tricycle operator Mr. Odudu Umoh laments the low profitability of his business due to the high cost of fuel and low passenger turnout.

In Cross River State, many residents have turned to urban farming to combat the rising cost of food. Even civil servants are using any available land to grow crops such as cassava, vegetables, and yams, while some, like Mr. Genesis, have transformed their homes into small farms to sustain themselves. Others are selling off personal items to cope with the harsh realities.

Meanwhile, in Ogun State, residents like Mr. Bolade Adeniyi, a taxi driver, have adapted by working only during peak hours, supplementing their income with backyard farming. Civil servants like Mr. Olorode Akinlabi have even turned their personal vehicles into commercial ones, ferrying passengers after work to meet financial obligations.

Kaduna State residents are also feeling the brunt of the crisis, with some families eating only once a day. In rural areas, people are relying on the goodwill of neighbors or resorting to wild plants for food. In Benue, citizens have stopped making non-essential trips due to high transportation costs, and many are growing their own food to survive.

Across Nigeria, the economic hardships have led to various survival strategies, from farming in urban spaces to selling off possessions. However, the common cry from citizens is for government intervention to ease the burden through fuel price adjustments and support for those struggling to provide for their families. Without such measures, the nation’s most vulnerable may continue to endure unimaginable hardship.

News

Police save abduct£d 14-month-old baby from nanny

Published

54 minutes ago

November 16, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have successfully rescued a 14-month-old baby, Grace Osamagbe, who was abducted by her nanny, Rejoice Chukwu, in April.

Commissioner of Police Umoru Ozigi told newsmen on Saturday in Benin, that the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit arrested Chukwu, 24, and her boyfriend, Destiny Uchechukwu, 28, in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom

According to Ozigi, the suspects abducted the child in Benin and collected a ransom of N160,000.

I lost my hands, girlfriend, dad’s landed properties survived depression; but I’m alive’0:00 / 0:00

“In spite of receiving the ransom, the suspects allegedly sold the baby for N500,000 to Doris Chiwendu in Owerri, Imo State.

“Following intense interrogation, police tracked down Chiwendu and another suspect, Jane Amaigbo, in Ubomiri, Imo State, and rescued the baby on November 9.”

The police commissioner explained that the suspects would soon be charged in court.

News

Ondo: Hoodlums attack INEC officials in Ogbagi Akoko, destr0y electoral materials, others

Published

1 hour ago

November 16, 2024

Naijablitznews

Some hoodlums have attacked and assaulted officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at Polling Unit 19, Ward 6 Ogbagi in the Akoko area of Ondo State in the ongoing governorship election in the state.

According to a video posted on social media, the Presiding Officer (PO) of the polling unit said that the attackers destroyed all the electoral materials at the polling unit, stole their phones and purses, and physically assaulted them.

The Presiding Officer, who said that the attack happened shortly after a PDP agent at the polling unit was arrested by the police for tearing votes, said that her Assistant Presiding Officer 1 (APO 1) she identified as Bello Samuel, had been missing since they were attacked.

Narrating what happened, the Presiding Officer said, “As the process of the election was going on, a party agent from PDP tore a vote without my consent. I don’t know his name because he had not indicated his name.

“I was trying to address him but he asked me to do my work. In order to resolve the matter, the Kabiyesi of the community (community leader) came but he (the PDP) agent was trying to tear another vote when the officers (police) at the polling unit called the DPO for his arrest.

“They (police) asked me what I wanted and I said he should be removed or the polling unit should be canceled. Then, he was arrested and the election continued.

“Unaware, we discovered a gang of people parking the election materials and they beat us up – I and my APOs. Even till now, I haven’t seen my APO 1, Bello Samuel by name.

“Our phones have been stolen with our purses, and all the electoral materials have been destroyed except the BVAS which I escaped with.”

She said that before the hoodlums attacked them, “I called SPO and the officers called the DPO. After that, I know nothing preserved by grace.”

News

Just in: APC In Early Lead As INEC Uploads Ondo Election Results On IReV Portal

Published

2 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Naijablitznews

INEC has begun to upload Ondo Governorship Election Results to the IReV Portal.

Ondo State electorates have today voted who would govern the South-west state until 2028.

Those who contested in the election include: Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Bamidele Akingboye; Labour Party’s (LP) Olusola Ebiseni, Zenith Labour Party’s (ZLP) Abbas Mimiko; and Hon Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

SEE RESULTS:
Ondo governorship election INEC IReV portal results:

OGOGORO III: OPEN SPACE AT EDEMAS HOUSE OGOGORO

Ward: MAHIN 11
Lga: ILAJE

NNPP: 53
APC: 47
PDP: 1
LP: 0

OKENJO/OKEEJE CAMP/EDEBO /OSAFA 1 & 11, BESIDE AKADIRIS HOUSE

Ward: ISOWOPO II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST

APC: 90
LP: 30
PDP: 25

L.A PRY SCH IGIRIKILE

Ward: APOI III
Lga: ESE-ODO

APC: 69
PDP: 64

ODOSI 1 & 11, COURT HALL AUGA

Ward: ISOWOPO II
Lga: AKOKO NORTH EAST