The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday urged agro-food companies to collaborate with the government on efforts to bring down the prices of food items in the state.
The governor made the call when the senior management team of Olam Agri Nigeria Limited led by the Managing Director, Mr. Anil Nair, visited him at the Lagos State House in Marina.
He said: “There is no better security these days than food. Today being the first day of August, you can see in the streets in Nigeria there’s some sort of hunger protest.
“How I wish that you and I after this meeting will make a broadcast that food prices have gone down by 25 percent, it will be great news for both of us.
“That speaks to the reason why we chose you to listen and hear and be able to work together. You are in a strategic position and you have that structure and that capacity.”
Sanwo-Olu stressed that Olam remained a strategic brand that had caused a great turnaround in Lagos State.
He recalled his days as a banker, saying that Olam was an account that everybody usually wanted to have.
The governor added: “It wasn’t a company where you need to wait 90 days or 100 days for their cheques. Bankers would hang around their offices, and as the sales were going on, they were just picking the cheques.
“So for us as government, we watch that growth. I know you must have gone through your challenges along the line either government policies that have somersaulted or some of your good plans but you stayed the course.”
He urged the brand to consider its longstanding relationship with the state and forge partnership with the state by looking beyond the current economic situation and leveraging it.
“We’re also happy that half of your entire workforce are in Lagos. These are all indicators that you are here for the long haul.
“Beyond that, I urge you to look at the market, to look at the industry as a critical industry; food security, food systems is as critical as people trying to safeguard either their medical security or even sovereign security in terms of war.
“I believe part of the things that you owe the state and the people that have also been loyal to your products is to consider what level of giveback you are making consciously.
“I don’t want to use the word, “Corporate Social Responsibility” but what level of slowdown in shareholder appreciation are you going to throw back into the system,” he stated.
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Sanwo-Olu charges agro-food companies to reduce food prices
Protest: Hunger now unifying factor in Nigeria – Dino Melaye
Former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye says hunger is now a unifying factor in Nigeria.
This is even as he called on the government to act responsibly by looking into the prayers and demands of the protesters.
Melaye, in a video on his X handle on Thursday, said the Presidency should take their demands and prayers very seriously.
He said: “I use this opportunity to call on the federal government and indeed the presidency to take the demand of these protesters and their prayers very seriously.
“Hunger is a unifying factor today in Nigeria. The government must act responsibly by looking into the prayers of protesters. Hungry people are angry people.
“We must as a country respect our citizens. So government must meet with the demands of the protesters. And to the protesters, please don’t destroy public properties. Let’s have a peaceful demand and a peaceful protest. Nigeria by the grace of God we shall overcome.”
TVN reports that some Nigerians are on a nationwide protest starting on August 1 to August 10, 2024.
The organisers of the protest have lamented about widespread hunger and inflation in the country.
Protest: Hunger now unifying factor in Nigeria – Dino Melaye
Lagos Praise Jamz fosters unity, says Sanwo-Olu’s wife
The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has explained how the Lagos Praise Jamz event evolved.
According to her, the event has become a major platform fostering unity in the five divisions of the state.
The Lagos Praise Jamz is an annual programme by the Lagos family and is organised by the Office of the First Lady.
In her opening remarks at the Lagos Praise 2024, fourth edition, on Wednesday, with the theme, “Song and Praise Him For Victory,” held at the First Lady Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu said the programme started as a monthly praise and prayer session in 2019 and has since evolved into a major annual Lagos Praise event.
She said, “This transformation has fostered unity within the body of Christ and created a profound atmosphere of sincere worship and praise to our God.”
“At the inception of the administration of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in 2019, the idea of the Monthly Praise and Prayer Session was introduced by the First Family through the Office of the First Lady.”
“This initiative started as a platform for the First Family, Graceful Ladies, and members of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials, which is also chaired by the First Lady, to come together in collaboration with the five blocs of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, to gather in worship and appreciate God for His faithfulness and loving-kindness and for good governance, peace, and development of Lagos State.”
“According to the Holy Bible, praise is fundamental and it is one of the catalysts that guarantee access to the presence of God. It is fundamental to every human being, which is why Psalms 67:3 says: ‘Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee.’”
She added that “the monthly Praise and Worship Programme was fixed for every last Thursday of the month and has been held consistently over the last four years, continuing to be held at both Lagos House Chapel, Marina, and Lagos House Chapel, Alausa, Ikeja. This programme has emerged as a leading platform to unite all Christians and galvanise them towards praising and interceding for God’s intervention in the state.”
She further said that the praise jam draws participants from across the five administrative divisions of the state, namely Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe.
Businessman killed by stray bullet amid violent protest in Kebbi
A businessman was killed by a bullet allegedly fired by police operatives during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest in the Yauri local government area of Kebbi State on Thursday.
An eyewitness, Malam Umar Bako Yelwa, told journalists that the bullet fired by the police near the Yauri River hit the deceased in his plastics shop in the area.
He said the protest escalated when demonstrators blocked the federal highway and disrupted traffic into Yauri town.
The operatives while attempting to disperse the protesters allegedly fired their weapons and one stray bullet fatally hit the unidentified plastic seller in his shop.
The situation in Yauri remains tense.
Efforts to reach the spokesman for the state police command, Nafiu Abubakar, to confirm the incident were unsuccessful as calls and text messages to him were not returned.
Meanwhile, the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, remains calm despite the extended protest in certain areas of the town.
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AXA Mansard highlights climate change threat
AXA Mansard has stated the urgent need for increased efforts to check against the impacts of climate change posing a threat to humanity.
In a statement issued by AXA Mansard to According Online on Wednesday, during the launch of Shared Value Nigeria, the Chief Client Officer AXA Mansard, Rashidat Adebisi, explained that climate change is causing significant and widespread impacts on the environment, human health, and economies globally.
She acknowledged that climate change poses an existential threat to life on Earth, necessitating urgent action to mitigate its effects
“AXA has a two-pillar approach to sustainability: climate change and inclusive protection. This involves conscious efforts to minimise environmental impact and ensure that we drive health, well-being, and economic inclusivity within the vulnerable community such as women, children, girls, and so on,” she said.
She added, “For us at AXA, our perspective on profit with purpose is at the heart of our sustainability agenda. We believe that a sustainable world is an insurable world. So, if we continue committing ourselves and resources to make the world safer, more secure, and healthier, we can create prosperity for everyone.”
Adebisi, a guest speaker at the launch, told industry leaders that value creation for all is where everyone wins.
“It means that people live better lives, the planet is protected, and the business makes profits to fulfill its obligations to its stakeholders. It involves fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and ethical practices that benefit today and preserve tomorrow,” she explained.
She added that in addition to operational changes, AXA Mansard strategically avoids supporting industries detrimental to long-term sustainability. Conversely, the company invests in sectors promising future growth and stability.
She also said the company’s continued collaborations with telecoms, fintech, and retail sectors are some of its strategic moves for sustainable shared value principles.
“On the one hand, these partnerships have been pivotal in expanding our reach across Nigeria, which is good for business, but on the other hand, they have also helped create more impact. We have reached more vulnerable communities through this digital and technology acceleration with healthcare services, capacity development, and financial empowerment programmes. This is the bedrock of our inclusive protection because if you look closely at the model, there is value across the chain for everyone. The same for our involvement in climate change; if the world is safe, we will be here to ensure the prosperity that it brings”.
She said the company’s purpose of acting for human progress by protecting what matters is at the heart of its sustainability agenda.
AXA Mansard’s commitment to sustainability recently earned its recognition as one of the sustainability leaders in Africa by Brand Finance
Paris Olympics: D’Tigress defeated by host nation France
Nigeria women’s basketball team D’Tigress were defeated by the host nation France in their second group B game of the Paris Olympic Games.
The Nigerian ladies had stunned world number 3 Australia in their opening game earlier this week, but could not stand the determination of France.
France won the game with almost 20-point difference as Nigeria will now wait for their third outing to fight for a spot in the next round.
D’Tigress started off well, fighting back from a huge deficit to finish the first quarter 24-20 in France’s favour.
Read Also: FG praises D’Tigress after incredible victory over Australia at Paris Olympics
After the second quarter, scoreline had gone up to 38-31 against Nigeria, and by the third quarter D’Tigress were trailing by 15 points as the score stood at 54-39.
Despite moments of brilliance by coach Rena Wakama’s girls, the French team were overpowering as they held on to their lead to win 75-54 the after the final quarter.
More to follow…
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Wike, other politicians have never given me anything
As Nigeria grapples with widespread demonstrations under the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement, internationally acclaimed musician Burna Boy has vehemently denied being affiliated with any politicians.
The artist’s statement comes on Thursday amid the ongoing protests that have seen incidents of violence and looting across the country.
Taking to social media platform X on Thursday, Burna Boy said, “No politician has ever given anything. Go ask Wike where the land him give me or which money him give me. You think I’m your faves.”
This denial is in response to circulating rumours and accusations from X users about his alleged connections with political figures, particularly the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Meanwhile, the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have taken a violent turn in some areas.
In Kano State, hoodlums looted and set ablaze the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission Industrial Park in Kano, which was just days away from its official launch.
Eyewitness accounts and photos circulating online showed youths fleeing the scene with stolen items, including “computers, furniture, and electronics.”
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Two killed, many injured as protesters set APC Secretariat ablaze in Jigawa
Two persons were reportedly killed while many others sustained injuries after police fired live ammunition and teargas to disperse protestants in Jigawa State.
Findings by our correspondent shows that the protest took place in over 10 LGAs across the Jigawa State, with reports of destruction and looting of government property.
Reports in Dutse, the state capital, shows that one of the victims was shot in front of Government House, while the other was killed at Shiwarin town when the protesters attempted to close the Maiduguri-Kano Road.
The protesters also set ablaze the All Progressives Congress, APC, headquarters and burnt party vehicles in Dutse, the state capital.
In Hadejia town, a resident told TVN that four people were admitted in hospital as a result of injuries and suffocation they suffered from teargas released by the Police.
He added that Agricultural Supply stores were looted in the area.
In Gumel, the store of the state Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO), the house of the member of the House of Representatives representing Gumel, Gagarawa and Maigarati, as well as the residence of the APC Zonal Vice Chairman, were vandalized and looted by the protesters who overpowered the security agents deployed in the area.
Also, in Birninkudu, two people were injured and fertilizer and grains stores were vandalized and looted by the protesters.
Similarly, in Ringim, Jahun and Kazaure towns, the protesters took to the streets, calling for an end to bad governance.
Two killed, many injured as protesters set APC Secretariat ablaze in Jigawa
Yobe imposes curfew in Potiskum, Gashua, Nguru LGs
The Yobe State Government on Thursday imposed a curfew in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns.
Our correspondent gathered the curfew was due to the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest in the state that some hoodlums have taken advantage of to vandalise and loot government and private property in the Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru.
This was contained in a press statement signed by Special Adviser to Governor Mai Buni, on security matters, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdussallam (retd.), made available to According Online on Thursday.
The statement partly read, “the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew in Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru.
”The public is hereby advised to abide by the curfew order and stay at home for peace to reign in these areas and the state at large.”
Abdulsallam added, “Security agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the curfew order.
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Police arrest 11 hoodlums as protest turns violent in Niger
The Niger State Police Command has arrested 11 hoodlums linked to the violence that erupted at Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and Hayin-Diko Gurara LGA of Niger State during the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.
Also there were unconfirmed reports that three youths were killed in Suleja LGA of Niger State when the protest turned violent in the area.
It was gathered the deceased were stoned to death just as over 15 others are said to be receiving medical attention at various health care facilities in Suleja and Gwagwalada in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Niger State Police Command, in a statement signed by the spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, said the miscreants mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat, located along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, Sabon-Wuse, in the morning.
He explained that the hoodlums set ablaze the Tafa LGA Secretariat, burnt two cars and vandalized two others.
“They further looted valuables there-in, while the Police and other security agencies responded to the scene, and arrested eleven violent miscreants with different dangerous weapons, including firearms as others were dispersed from the scene and some of the looted items were recovered.”
He disclosed that immediately, the Police and other security agencies responded to the blockage of the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway and Old Toll-gate and dispersed the hoodlums.
Abiodun also revealed that the expressway has been reopened for motorists and there is free flow of traffic.
He added that that investigation into the violent incident has commenced with a view to arrest other fleeing miscreants.
“Members of the public, parents and residents are warned again to caution their wards as the Police Command reemphasized that violent demonstrations, destruction of public assets and looting will not be tolerated and any act of lawlessness will be strictly dealt with in accordance with the law,” he added.
Police arrest 11 hoodlums as protest turns violent in Niger