BIG STORY

Lai Mohammed Tackles Atiku, Says Your Plan To Reopen Borders Will Make Nigeria Top Importer Of Thai Rice

Published

2 years ago

December 22, 2022

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for pledging to reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president.

Atiku, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the pledge during his campaign rally in Katsina state on Tuesday.

Reacting on Thursday in Abuja, Lai said Atiku’s plan would return Nigeria to the era of “unbridled inflow of weapons and massive importation of food to the detriment” of local farmers.

The minister said Atiku’s pledge, if implemented, would put millions of Nigerians out of jobs and destabilise the fertiliser companies and rice mills that have grown since Nigeria shut land borders in 2019.

He said the planned policy would worsen the security situation in the country and encourage an inflow of small arms and light weapons into the country.

He added that millions of rice farmers would lose their jobs when imported rice floods the country while hundreds of thousands of Nigerians working in the various rice mills established by the Muhammadu Buhari administration would be rendered jobless.

“By that statement, Alhaji Atiku will shut down most, if not all, of our new fertiliser blending companies, with thousands of jobs going down the drain,” he said.

“Also, by his declaration, the former vice-president has told Nigerians that he will worsen security in the country by allowing arms and ammunition to flow in unhindered into the country.

“His excellency, Atiku Abubakar, may also want to know that while Nigeria was the number one export destination for rice in 2014, our country has now moved to number 79, according to Thai authorities.

“By throwing open the borders indiscriminately as he has pledged, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has simply announced that he intends to return Nigeria to the number one importer of Thai rice in 2023!

“For sheer expediency, Alhaji Atiku, a former customs officer who rose to the pinnacle of his career, is ready to erase the gains made since 2015 in pushing Nigeria closer to self-sufficiency in the production of staples.”

The minister said Atiku’s promise is a red flag to Nigerians who have been striving “to produce what they eat and eat what they produce”.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Education Minister Reverses 18-Year Age Limit For Admission

Published

7 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the removal of the 18-year age limit for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He also indicated the possibility of a comprehensive review of the nation’s education policy.

However, Alausa made it clear that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to invalidate over 22,700 degree certificates acquired by Nigerians from unrecognized universities in neighboring Togo and the Benin Republic.

Speaking at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa emphasized that practical education is key to tackling Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. He stated that tertiary institutions must stop producing graduates without ensuring job opportunities for them.

The minister also revealed plans for the federal government to partner with private sector players to provide training opportunities for students and help them realize their full potential.

Additionally, Alausa announced that universities focused on agriculture would be empowered to implement commercial farming practices as part of efforts to address the country’s food security challenges.

More to come…

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: 114 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters Arrive Presidential Villa

Published

8 hours ago

November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

One hundred and fourteen #EndBadGovernance protesters, including minors and adults acquitted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, have arrived at the Presidential Villa.

The protesters, initially arraigned by the Police Force, were released following a court ruling by Justice Obiora Egwatu.

The case was dismissed at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation (“AGF”), Lateef Fagbemi.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to officially receive the released protesters.

They are then handed over to their respective Governors, specifically Uba Sani of Kaduna and Abba Yusuf of Kano.

Ministers present at the State House Auditorium in Abuja for the reception include: Tunji Alausa (“Minister of Education”); Nentawe Yilwatda (“Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”); Balarabe Lawal (“Minister of Environment”) and Tanko Sununu (“Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”).

Also, Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai, is in attendance.

Other dignitaries present are Deputy Senate President Jubrin Barau and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi.

More to come…

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