Government Unveils Plans to Provide Relief to Nigerians Amidst High Food Prices

Given the escalating complaints and protests regarding the rising unaffordability leading to hunger nationwide, it came as no surprise that Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, was the distinguished guest at the inaugural session of the Federal Government’s Ministerial Press Briefing Series (MPBS).

The MPBS, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris was initiated to give the opportunity to journalists engage with government officials on behalf of Nigerians on the activities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Mohammed who spoke at the maiden edition also attended by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Media to the President and other members of the communication team from the presidency said the MPBS aimed to restore trust and amplify policies and programmes of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

He said the series would also facilitate access by citizens and the global community to credible and timely information.

Mohammed said the MPBS is in line with a mandate of his office to manage and enhance the image and reputation of the people and government of Nigeria through a dynamic public information system.

“I would like to urge you, the members of the press here with us today, or covering this virtually, to please report objectively and responsibly, through the headlines and the narratives that you will be reporting to the world from this Press Briefing.

“Our objective here is to enlighten, inform and educate Nigerians and the world, and to ensure that everyone is carried along through the provision of credible and timely information.

“This is the first in the series, there will be many more of this briefings that will take place, periodically, in the months and years ahead.

“We will continue to strive to refine and to improve our engagement with you, the members of the fourth estate of the realm, and with the Nigerian people,” he said.

The Minister added that the ministry was implementing an Agenda that is based on five pillars, in alignment with the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.​

He listed the pillars to include: restoration of trust, amplifying government policies and programmes, reorienting national values, modernising technology and talent and creating enabling environment for the media

In line with the objectives, the Minister of Agriculture rolled out plans of the Tinubu administration to tackle the rising prices of food in the country. Specifically, the Minister amplified on efforts of the directive of the President to crash food prices through the release of about 42,000MT of maize, millet and other commodities from the national strategic reserves as was announced after a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention last week.

He also spoke on ongoing efforts to support farmers across the country to produce more food through various interventions and support mechanisms.