General
Akwa Ibom Tasks CBN to New Policies to Facilitate Food Security
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Akwa Ibom State Government has tasked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to explore non-conventional approaches to agriculture and create policy direction that would facilitate food security in the country.
The state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, stated this while declaring open a three-day seminar held at the Ibom Icon Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo, on Wednesday with the theme Food Security in Nigeria: Options for Policy.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo, the governor said a new approach has become imminent in order to stimulate productivity in the all-important agric sector.
“This seminar is, therefore, timely and I am sure that at the end of the exercise, you would come up with policy direction on how to ensure food security for the nation,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel explained that he has used the past six years of his administration to emphasise the need for responsible governments not to avoid or negate that all-important social responsibility.
“Conscious of this reality, one of the first set of tasks I had performed upon being sworn in, was to set up a Technical Committee of Agriculture and Food Sufficiency with the terms of reference that included but not limited to the need to look beyond conventional approaches to agricultural outputs.
“Today, six years after, I can conveniently say without sounding boastful that we are on the cusp of experiencing a considerable level of food security in our state.
“The prices of staple foods have come down considerably because of investments we have made in the agriculture sector,” he disclosed.
In his keynote address, the CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, said the topic of food security was more critical to the apex bank because, apart from food being a major source of human sustenance, the ability of a country to provide food, accommodation and shelter for the people was a very important indicator for good standing in the global community.
He described food insecurity as a real and pressing challenge in the country, especially with the ongoing insecurity in the major food belts in the country, adding that one of the roles of the CBN, as captured in Section 2 of the CBN Acts of 2007, charges them to pay attention to food.
Mr Emefiele, who was represented by the director, Economic Policy, Mr Kingsley Obiora, said the bank has over the years been engaged in several developmental initiatives and programmes aimed at creating job opportunities and diversifying the economy.
“it is expected that the multiplier effect of these programmes would translate into increased wealth creation, improved food supply, employment generation and ultimately greater food security for the country,” the CBN governor said
He, therefore, urged the participants to come up with fresh and innovative ideas that will not only address monetary and fiscal policies but also provide practical and sustainable financing options for adequate food supply in the country.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Local crude oil refiner, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, has kicked against attempts to put consumers of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, under untold hardship in the country.
The company, which commenced nationwide sales of the product at a pump price of N739 per litre across all MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations, appealed to Nigerians to report any of its marketers who sell above this price.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable.
“We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the Lagos-based refinery said in a statement.
It noted that the significant price reduction was part of its mission to deliver affordable fuel to consumers and stabilize the downstream petroleum market.
With over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide, the new pricing is expected to be implemented across all outlets, ensuring that the benefits of this reduction reach consumers nationwide.
Dangote Refinery applauded marketers who have embraced the new pricing regime and urged others to follow suit in the interest of national economic recovery.
“We commend MRS and other marketers who have demonstrated patriotism by reflecting the reduced price at the pump. We call on others to join this effort as a show of support for Nigeria’s economic recovery,” the refinery stated.
Historically, the festive season has been associated with fuel scarcity and sharp price hikes. However, Dangote Refinery has delivered a decisive market intervention—crashing pump prices at a time when Nigerians typically brace for hardship. Backed by a guaranteed daily supply of 50 million litres, this initiative fundamentally alters the supply dynamics during the holiday period.
By refining locally at scale, the refinery is reducing Nigeria’s exposure to volatile global markets, conserving foreign exchange, stabilizing the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This sustained price cut and steady supply are providing relief to households, businesses, and transport operators nationwide.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid buying PMS at excessively high prices when they can access locally refined fuel at N739 per litre from over 2,000 MRS stations nationwide. Report any MRS station selling above N739 per litre by calling 0800 123 5264,” the refinery said.
“We also call on other petrol station operators to patronize our products so that the benefits of this price reduction can be passed on to Nigerians across all outlets, ensuring broad-based relief and a more stable downstream market,” it added, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, price moderation, and energy security, emphasizing that its operations are anchored on long-term national interest rather than short-term market pressures.
“Our objective remains clear: to ensure consistent supply of high-quality petroleum products at affordable prices for Nigerians, while supporting economic stability and reducing dependence on imports,” the refinery concluded.
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