BREAKING: Tinubu directs release of 102 metric tons of food items

• Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists at the State House after a meeting of the Special Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention on Thursday

President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of over 100 metric tons of assorted food items from the strategic reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria as a short-term response to the rising food shortage in the country.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to journalists at the State House after a meeting of the Special Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention on Thursday.

Idris also informed that the government has proposed to embark on import of whatever shortfalls may be experienced after the release of the food commodities.

The Minister said the government will mete out appropriate measures on food hoarders, adding that emergencies require emergency measures to ensure food is available to Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the federal government has said that there will be specific interventions to alleviate the suffering of the masses who are not well to do.

Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, spoke at the official commissioning and presentation of vital medical equipment to select healthcare institutions in Nigeria, organised by the National Lottery Trust Fund in Abuja on Thursday.

Fielding questions from journalists on whether this intervention would be extended to Nigerians in other areas, he said: “We are going to have other interventions to alleviate the plight of Nigerians. This is just the beginning and we are continuing with this program. This year’s budget will capture everything.

“This is one of the agenda of Tinubu which is renewed hope and we are going to give Nigerians that hope by providing all the health materials and equipment to all health centres at the primary level and secondary level, even the ward and local governments we will reach them.

“Health is wealth. Without health you can’t stay. That is why we are doing this presentation. This is one of the key point agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that is why we are doing this. We urge all beneficiaries to maintain this equipment so that others will be given to other communities.

“We assure Nigerians that we are going to do more this year, more revenue will come. We are in the season of generating revenue.”