By Patrick Idowu

Residents of Abuja have lauded the Federal Government’s intervention in the agricultural sector, saying the recent drop in food prices has eased pressure on households in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, a foodstuff vendor at Wuse Market, Mrs. Bunmi Akinpelu, said government measures had helped curb the rising cost of staples.

She noted that prices of key commodities such as rice, beans and yam flour had fallen significantly.

“A bag of rice that sold for about ₦76,000 a few months ago now goes for around ₦55,000,” Akinpelu said, adding that the reduction had brought relief to both traders and consumers.

Similarly, a civil servant, Mrs. Nwodo Chukwu, attributed the price drop to policies that boosted food supply.

According to her, increased availability had created a surplus, leading to lower prices. “Food costs have been a major burden. With this reduction, families can now afford more,” she said.

However, some residents urged caution. Mrs. Cynthia Chukwuma, a shopper at Lugbe Market, welcomed the development but called on the government to ensure price stability.

“We have seen prices fall before only to rise again. Sustainability is key,” she said.

A mechanised farmer, Mr. Kayode Iyiola, said the decline in prices was due to a mix of government intervention and seasonal factors. He added that federal support for farmers had played a crucial role in stabilising the market.

By Huldah Shado

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has launched a fertilizer subsidy program, offering 550 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizers at 50% subsidized rates to farmers across the six Area Councils.

Speaking at the launch in Garki, Wike said the initiative will boost food production, stabilize prices, and enhance food security.

He warned against diversion, stressing that inputs must be used strictly for farming.

The FCT also procured 3,500 knapsack sprayers and partnered with agencies including JICA, IITA, FAO, and the World Bank’s ACReSAL Project for farmer training and land reclamation.

Wike urged youths to embrace agriculture, noting Abuja’s vast arable land, and pledged continued support to make the FCT prosperous, secure, and food-sufficient.

By Merciful Omoba

President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasília on Monday for a state visit to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Brazil.

He was welcomed at the Brasília Air Base by senior Brazilian officials and Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu.

According to his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu will meet President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Planalto Palace for bilateral talks, the signing of MoUs, and a joint press conference.

The visit is expected to advance cooperation in agriculture and defence, including projects such as the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Programme and a $2.5 billion JBS investment aimed at boosting food security and job creation.