News
BREAKING: FG Finally Begins Sale Of Rice At N40,000 To Nigerians With NIN
Federal Government Launches Sale of 30,000 Metric Tonnes of Milled Rice at Subsidised Rates
The Federal Government has begun selling 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidised rate of N40,000 per 50-kilogramme bag.
During the launch in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, expressed his satisfaction with the initiative, stating, “It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this historic, all-important, and long-awaited inauguration of the sale of 30,000MT of federal government-milled rice to Nigerians at a subsidised rate of N40,000 per 50 kilogrammes.”
Mr. Kyari emphasized that this food intervention is timely, given the current challenges faced by citizens. He attributed this initiative to the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who is committed to ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
“This generous act was made possible under the guidance of President Bola Tinubu, who, in his wisdom, deemed it crucial to initiate this food intervention to prevent hunger among Nigerian citizens,” Mr. Kyari added.
He also highlighted that global disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and climate change, have impacted food prices and supply chains worldwide, with Nigeria being no exception.
To address potential challenges associated with selling such an essential staple, Mr. Kyari assured that the government has deployed a multi-disciplinary team to ensure transparency, broader access, and the overall success of the initiative.
The purchase process limits each individual to one 50kg bag of rice. Beneficiaries will be verified using identification methods like the National Identification Number (NIN) and phone numbers to prevent fraudulent activities and ensure fair distribution.
“In light of this, I urge our dear citizens to cooperate with the relevant government agencies to achieve the success of this important initiative,” Mr. Kyari stated.
He further noted that the introduction of 30,000 metric tonnes of rice into the market is expected to lower the price of rice and other related food items.
Dr. Mariya Bunkure, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), described the event as a significant step towards improving the well-being of Nigerians.
Haruna Sule, Director of the Strategic Grains Reserve at the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that civil servants could purchase the rice using their Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and NIN. Nigerians will need their NIN to access the rice.
“Once you have any of these three, you present it to the sales operators, and it is logged on the platform that has been created. After this, you proceed to pay electronically with your ATM; once the payment is done, it is linked to the initial sales operator, and it shows that you have paid; then a receipt will be issued with a code number. With this code number, you will be issued with a treasury receipt to show you have paid to the government. Then, you are given a receipt which shows the point of collection and time of collection; this is to eliminate any form of stampede,” Mr. Sule explained.
Federal Government Refutes Age Restrictions for NECO and WAEC Exams
The Federal Government has dismissed rumors suggesting that age restrictions apply to the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African Examination Council (WAEC) exams.
Dr. Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, clarified this in Abuja on Friday, affirming that there are no age limits for taking these exams. He explained that the age restriction applies only to the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and university entry, which will start at 18 years beginning in 2025.
Sununu pointed out that the National Policy on Education specifies that children should start primary school at age six, spend six years there, and then proceed to three years each in junior and senior secondary schools, totaling 18 years.
His remarks came during a briefing for the 2024 World Literacy Day, themed “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”
Sununu addressed the confusion, stating, “We have clarified this issue in various forums, but the misinformation persists. Neither the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, nor I have announced any age limit for WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB exams.”
He added, “Some individuals have misinterpreted our comments regarding UTME age restrictions and mistakenly applied them to WAEC and NECO. Our previous statements only pertained to university entry age, as outlined in the National Policy on Education.”
Sununu also highlighted that the policy supports teaching children in their local language or mother tongue until primary three, after which English is introduced. This approach, he noted, facilitates better communication and learning.
President Tinubu Pledges Bold Decisions for Nigeria’s Progress
President Bola Tinubu has affirmed his commitment to making the tough decisions needed for Nigeria’s progress. He acknowledged the challenge of achieving national consensus on various issues but underscored that such decisions are crucial for the country’s advancement.
Wrapping up his official visit to China, President Tinubu met with the Nigerian community and members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO China) at the China World Hotel. He described the trip as highly successful and beneficial.
During his visit, President Tinubu engaged in discussions with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and participated in the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The focus was on boosting collaboration in areas such as infrastructure, trade, finance, energy, the green economy, and mining.
Addressing Nigerians in China, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of representing Nigeria positively and being exemplary citizens. He highlighted the need for discipline and dedication, drawing inspiration from China’s disciplined society.
The President encouraged Nigerians abroad to embrace their diversity, follow local laws, and project a positive image of their country. He stated:
“Nigeria is undergoing significant reforms, and we are making bold and unprecedented decisions. You might have heard recent news about fuel prices at home. But can we avoid these tough choices if we want to improve our infrastructure, like roads, electricity, and water supply? We aim to hand over a better future to our children, and that requires us to make hard decisions now.”
President Tinubu Wraps Up China Visit and Heads to London via Dubai
On Friday, September 6th, President Bola Tinubu concluded his official visit to China and is now en route to London, United Kingdom, with a stopover in Dubai.
Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, confirmed that the President will travel to the UK via Dubai.
During his visit, President Tinubu assured Nigerians in China that his administration is committed to good governance and aims to replicate China’s successes for the benefit of Nigeria. He made these remarks during a meeting with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in China (NIDO China) and the Nigerian community at the China World Hotel in Beijing.
The meeting marked President Tinubu’s final official engagement in China before his departure for London.
President Tinubu described his visit to China as “very good and successful.”
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