President Joe Biden will meet with President-elect, Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday after the US leader pledged an orderly transfer of power back to the Republican he beat in elections just four years ago.

Trump, who never conceded his 2020 loss, sealed a historic comeback to the presidency in the November 5 vote, cementing what is set to be more than a decade of US politics overshadowed by his hardline right-wing stance.
Biden will join the tiny club of US presidents to return power to their White House predecessor — with a previous instance coming when president Benjamin Harrison handed back to Grover Cleveland in the 19th century.

The Democrat will meet Trump at the Oval Office at 11:00 am (1600 GMT), the White House said Saturday, with the clock ticking down to the ex-president’s return to power in January.
The 78-year-old ex-reality TV star won wider margins than before, despite a criminal conviction, two impeachments while in office and warnings from his former chief of staff that he is a “fascist.”
Exit polls showed that voters’ top concern remained the economy and inflation that spiked under Biden in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Biden, who dropped out of the race in July over concerns about his ability to continue at the age of 81, called Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him after his election win.
The Democratic leader urged Americans in a solemn televised address to “bring down the temperature,” in stark contrast to Trump’s refusal to accept his 2020 election defeat.
Trump has begun to assemble his second administration, naming campaign manager Susie Wiles to serve as his White House chief of staff.

She is the first woman to be named to the high-profile role and the Republican’s first appointment to his incoming administration.
“Susie is tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” Trump said of the steely 67-year-old Florida native. “Susie will continue to work tirelessly to Make America Great Again.”
The other frontrunners for a place in the Trump 2.0 administration reflect the significant changes it is likely to implement.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a leading figure in the anti-vaccine movement for whom Trump has pledged a “big role” in health care, told NBC News on Wednesday that “I’m not going to take away anybody’s vaccines.”
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, could also be in line for a job auditing government waste after the right-wing SpaceX, Tesla and X boss enthusiastically backed Trump.
Trump is expected to wield the axe on many of Biden’s signature policies. He returns to the White House as a climate change denier, poised to take apart Biden’s green policies with his pledge to “drill, baby, drill” for oil.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has acknowledged that few judges were giving the Nigerian judiciary a bad name, insisting that the country’s judiciary is blessed with upright and courageous judges.

The Emir of Kano, His Royal Majesty Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, also asked the Nigerian judges especially justices of the Supreme Court to administer justice with the fear of God, and also remember that they are accountable to God.

This is just as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Wale Babalakin has lamented what he described as the deterioration of judicial independence in Nigeria occasioned by the increasing influence of state governors and other political figures over judges.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stated this yesterday at a public discourse on ‘Ethics, Morality And The Law’, organised by the Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness (MICA) to mark its 30th anniversary and the elevation of Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru to the Supreme Court.

She maintained that Nigeria was endowed with very hardworking and knowledgeable judges, warning however, that judges should remember that as “individuals we are accountable to ourselves and to God.”
The CJN added that the perspective of the ordinary citizen, who observed and assessed the extent to which ethics, morality and the law co-existed harmoniously in the society must be taken into consideration.

She added that public acceptance of the law also hinged on its alignment with fundamental principles, the need for clarity, stability and independence of the judiciary, as well as the fair exercise of authority by law enforcement.

According to her, the foundations of justice were influenced by the Abrahamic faith prevalent in the society, adding that both Islam and Christianity preach morality uprightness, and righteousness.
She said: “The role of the legal practitioner within this framework, merits a particular attention.
“The lawyer, often seen as both antagonist and protagonist in the pursuit of justice, must navigate a terrain where law, ethics, and morality intersect.

“This dual role requires balancing the scriptures and the law with ethical constitutions, often containing moral and legal questions that may seem at odds. As a minister in the temple of justice, the lawyer’s commitment to justice involves upholding legal standards, while advancing principles that follow society’s ethical expectations.

“The degree to which this alignment is achieved influences public trust in the judiciary and the law, affirming that our legal system should not only administer justice but also resonate with the community’s moral convictions.

Justice Kekere-Ekun stated: “I will say we take notes of everything that has been said. As the Honourable Attorney General pointed out, and this happens in every sector of our society, it is unfortunate that by and large our judges are knowledgeable, upright, courageous, and hardworking but few ones are giving us a bad name.”

In his remarks at the event, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi II, asked Nigerian judges, especially the justices of the Supreme Court, to administer justice with the fear of God.
The Emir, who said his New Year resolution is not to be controversial, however, urged the judges not to allow hatred for people to make them do what is not right.

He said judges should focus more on substantive justice, and not rely on technicalities.
“Do not be an advocate for wrongdoers and do not be an advocate for those who deceive themselves, because Allah does not love sinful wrongdoers.
“When your friends come to you when the government comes to you, and you listen to them and you tilt judgment in their favour. Ask yourself, who will be your advocate before God, on the Day of Judgment?” Sanusi queried.

In his remarks, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) underscored the importance of fairness and integrity in the Nigerian legal system, urging legal professionals to recommit to ethical values.

 “First, you have to be good. On the inside, you have to be good,” he said.
“You have to be able to improve our personnel, our sister, our brother, our colleague,” he added.
Speaking on the theme “Ethics, Morality, and the Law – Christian Perspective,” the Very Reverend Professor Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) condemned what he termed “lawlessness in the law” and urged Nigeria’s legal professionals to reflect on the role of ethics and morality within the judiciary.

Ajayi cited specific cases as examples of the judicial system’s failure, including the controversy surrounding the Emir of Kano, which he described as “an emanation of lawlessness.”
He questioned whether the rule of law truly underpins current judicial practices, adding that the decisions of the courts often confuse the public rather than provide clarity.

He said: “The law today is providing the greatest uncertainty you can think about.  The Nigerian judiciary was one of the best in the world. Australia, New Zealand, and the Commonwealth referenced Nigerian court decisions,” he said.

The senior lawyer said today’s legal system suffered from an erosion of this reputation due to inconsistent judgments and a perceived lack of accountability among judges.
Addressing the religious implications of the judiciary’s role, Ajayi appealed to the moral and ethical responsibilities that judges bear.
“God is the author of morality and ethics. He created the law and requires it to be underpinned by these things.”

Ajayi called for all Nigerians, particularly those in positions of power, to examine their actions within the broader ethical framework of their faiths.
“Justice is the foundation of society, and we must be careful to ensure that it does not become what will bring the house down,” he concluded.

Earlier, speaking on the theme: “Ethics, Morality, and the Law -Role of Legal Practitioner,” a former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said the greatest tool that humans invented was the law, adding that law separated humans from animals.

Also speaking, Babalakin (SAN) decried the deterioration of judicial independence in Nigeria.
He condemned what he described as a “systemic collapse” of the nation’s judicial system, calling for urgent reform to restore its independence and integrity.
 He noted that the declining autonomy of the judiciary was due to the increasing influence of state governors and political figures over judges.

He said: “The problem of the legal system is systemic. “We are trying to treat the consequences, not the causes of the problem.”
He argued that the decline in the judiciary began in the mid-1970s, when “most eminent judges were arbitrarily retired without trial, without questioning, marking a turning point for the nation’s judicial standards.”

Reflecting on the past, Babalakin recalled the reverence once held for judges.
He recounted how Mobolaji Johnson, the former military governor of Lagos State, had reportedly invited the esteemed Justice JIC Taylor to a state function.
According to him, Taylor declined, “prioritising his judicial duties over the governor’s invitation. That was the end of the story.”

“There is no system that can have the judicial officers under a strong influence of the executive that can do well,” he said.
He condemned the practice where some governors referred to judges as ‘my judges’, adding that in those days, no governor would have had the audacity to refer to a judge as ‘my judge’.
Babalakin further highlighted the financial challenges faced by judges, particularly in state courts.

Criticising what he called a “culture of mediocrity” that infiltrated Nigeria’s legal practice, Babalakin called on legal professionals to “reposition and rebuild” the profession from foundational levels, including law school and the bar.

He urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to step up and reclaim its historic role as a moral and legal force.

An Abeokuta, Ogun State Magistrates’ Court on Friday sentenced a 19-year-old boy, Ibrahim Abubakar, to six months in prison for stealing 282 chickens and other valuable items worth over N2.2 million.

Abubakar, whose address was not provided, was convicted on a one-count charge of stealing.

The Magistrate, B.O Ilo, held that evidence presented by the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the convict was guilty of an offence as charged.

He then sentenced Abubakar to six months in prison without an option of fine.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Inspector Lawrence Olu-Balogun, told the court that the convict committed the offence between May and October at Number 44 Iyana Cele in the Sabo Area of Abeokuta.

Mr Olu-Balogun said the defendant entered into a poultry farm and stole 282 live chickens valued at N2.115 million, belonging to one Ademide Yusuf.

He also said the convict entered the compound beside the poultry farm and stole valuable items worth N70,500.

The prosecutor said, “The items stolen include one iron bed frame, valued at N25,000, electric wires valued at N20,000, one change-over switch valued at N5,000 and electric switch valued at N2,000. He also stole a seesaw iron which costs N10,000, one hammer valued at N3,500, a First Aid Box valued at N5,000, belonging to one Mrs Itunu Opatola.’’

 The prosecutor explained further that before the day the defendant was caught he had been coming to the poultry farm to steal various numbers of chicken totalling 282 chickens.

“The defendant was inside the poultry farm trying to steal chickens when the owner visited the farm. He immediately jumped out of the compound through the fence. He was later caught with two live chickens and other stolen items from Opatola’s compound, and he later confessed that he had been the one stealing the chickens that were missing,” he said.

Mr Olu-Balogun said the offences contravene Section 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.

(NAN)

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to graduates of Nigerian universities to exercise patriotism and avoid the temptation of seeking greener pastures outside the country.

This is contained in the president’s address at the 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremony of the University of Uyo on Saturday.

According to him, Nigeria can make its pastures equally as green or even greener.

Mr Tinubu, represented by the vice chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Owunari Georgewill, charged the graduates to be agents of change by utilising their knowledge and tools to solve societal issues.

“As you go into the world, I urge you to be agents of change, using your knowledge and tools to uplift our society and contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria and the world at large.

“I appeal to your sense of patriotism, imploring you to avoid the temptation of hurrying to look for greener pastures outside.

“We can make our pastures equally as green or even greener than those of other climes,” he said.

Mr Tinubu said his administration is implementing measures to mitigate the harsh economic impact on the people, especially the vulnerable.

He noted that despite the establishment of numerous learning centres across tertiary institutions, outcomes of research efforts still end up on the shelves of their respective authors.

The president charged universities to take the lead in championing demand-driven research that would enhance human lives.

The university’s pro-chancellor and governing council chairman, Zubairu Abdullah, appreciated the president for introducing the student loan scheme and other reforms in the sector.

He, however, decried the issue of land encroachment and land grabbing by some neighbouring communities.

The pro-chancellor appealed to the president to construct a perimeter fence to curb the menace.

In his goodwill, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who bagged a doctorate degree in political science from the university, said the conferment was a testament to perseverance and faith in the unending and unchangeable possibilities that exist if one believed.

(NAN)

Ex-president, Atiku laud Onyema Ugochukwu’s loyalty, commitment to Nigeria at 80

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday restated that he is not a member of any political party.
This is just as the former president, and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, eulogised renowned economist, journalist, and politician, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu for his sense of loyalty and total commitment to the development of Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja at the 80th birthday ceremony of Ugochukwu, the first Executive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Obasanjo who described himself as “a no-party statesman,” noted that throughout the period he worked with Ugochukwu, he could count on him to keep to his word on anything.

Obasanjo recalled that during the 1999 election when he (Obasanjo) competed against Alex Ekwueme, many people from the eastern region saw Ugochukwu as a traitor, while the Yoruba elements saw him as a spy.
He said Ugochukwu was never moved by the insinuations, and expressed his eternal gratitude to the celebrant, whom he described as a man without bitterness in his heart.

“There are four things I would just want to say. When we came together, it was during the campaign. I know a little bit about you by reputation. Two candidates were competing: Myself and Alex Ekwueme. And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy.

“The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard. Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.

“Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter but for the party that we all built together.
“Even though now I’m a no-party statesman. I want to emphasise what the bishop said. At 80, what more do you want? Do you need it?
“All I will say is that you need to continue to serve humanity and serve God. And there’s no end to that. And the bishop said you should enjoy yourself. I will concur with that.”
Also speaking, Atiku, who attended the reception ceremony, also described Ugochukwu as a peacemaker who never took sides unnecessarily during his altercation with Obasanjo while in government.

“We only met during our administration around 1998-99 and till now, we have been in contact with each other. But I want to say that during our administration even when the president and I were having problems, Ugochukwu never took sides, rather he tried to be a conciliator and I want to say that all along I found him to be an extremely dedicated, passionate Nigerian.

 “Ten years ago, when I turned 70, I was the first of my siblings to reach the age of 70. It should have been a very big celebration, but it wasn’t because 2014 was a horrible year. I lost my two younger brothers in that year itself. My father, and then my uncle, and there was no need to celebrate,” he said.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned opposition parties in Nigeria not to be overly excited by the defeat of US Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent presidential election, emphasizing that President Bola Tinubu is poised to secure victory again in 2027.

Former President Donald Trump was declared the winner of the US presidential election on Wednesday, marking a significant comeback that surprised many around the globe.

The 78-year-old businessman’s triumph makes him the 47th president and the oldest individual to win the White House.

Reacting to the development, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, described the US election as a “true test of democracy” and noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could learn valuable lessons from the process.

Ifoh highlighted that the American electorate’s disregard for the incumbency factor, a dominant influence in African elections, was noteworthy.

Similarly, Ladipo Johnson, the spokesperson for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), commented on the longstanding complexity of the US electoral system and expressed hope for a future in which Nigeria would overcome the practice of incumbents using their power and security apparatus to intimidate opposition parties.

However, APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim urged the opposition not to become overly confident due to the US election result, stressing that electoral processes in Nigeria and the US are distinct.

Speaking to Punch, Ibrahim pointed out that incumbency does not always guarantee victory, as demonstrated by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 win over then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.

Ibrahim expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon appreciate the benefits of President Tinubu’s economic reforms, which would likely secure public support for his continued leadership.

He added that the party remained unperturbed by opposition threats and stressed that the country’s leadership would not be left to those grappling with internal crises.

He said, “With the way and manner this administration of APC is working assiduously, bringing in new reforms and changes that are painful initially, we will reap the gains and fruits in the long run.

“We expect to start seeing the fruits of these reforms right around the time of the election. That should be around 2026 and 2027. It is at that time people will start clapping for the party and the president.

“It will be almost impossible for someone to come from the outside, particularly an outsider that has failed the country before; an outsider that cannot contain its own crisis, to think of defeating the incumbent. It will be very difficult. The APC and the president are very much aware of this expectation and shenanigans of the opposition.

“But it is not to say that the party and the president are sleeping. No, they are strategising ahead. So, when we get to the bridge, we will see who have the strongest stride to cross it. And I assure you, the APC will not be found nothing. It will not be caught napping.”

There was pandemonium, Saturday morning, at the popular Ikoku Market in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State as business people in the area resumed to see a corpse with machete cuts.

This happened as Rivers State Police Command, which confirmed the development, said a preliminary investigation showed the victim was notorious and may have been lynched.

It also gathered that the vital organs of the male victim, especially the private part, had been removed, sparking suspicions that he had been killed for ritual purposes.

The corpse was abandoned in front of a new-generation bank on Ayama Junction along Olu-Obasanjo road Port Harcourt.

A source, who owns a shop at Ikuku, identified simply as Emeka, disclosed that the stomach of the late man was ripped open and his intestine allegedly removed.
Emeka said that the identity of the deceased was yet to be ascertained even as onlookers gathered.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, noted that the victim was known in the area for notorious activities.
Iringe-Koko dismissed the report of the harvest of vital organs, stressing that all the victim’s vital organs were intact.

She said: “On November 9, 2024, at about 1030hrs, the Rivers State Police Command received a report of an unidentified corpse lying near Ayama Junction/Ikokwu Spare Parts Market, along Olu-Obasanjo Road, Port Harcourt. Our operatives promptly

Abimbola Olu-Sholanke, a Registered Dietitian dedicated to promoting healthy eating in both private and clinical settings, has expressed concern about the long-term impact of current hardships on families.

She warns that when families prioritize survival over balanced nutrition, it can lead to a range of health issues.

Olu-Sholanke emphasizes that our bodies require a diverse array of nutrients—such as vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats to function optimally.

A deficiency in these essential nutrients can result in significant health complications.
The push for balanced diets in families has diminished significantly, with many households struggling to afford even a modest meal each day.

Rather, the focus has shifted from quality to quantity amid rising food costs.

The importance of healthy eating is well-documented, with the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighting its role in protecting families from chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

However, soaring prices have made it increasingly difficult for families to prioritize nutritious food.

A recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the Cost of Healthy Diet (CoHD) reveals that families are spending their limited income on insufficient food, compromising their ability to maintain a balanced diet while other essential needs are neglected due to low wages.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in its 2024 Child Food Poverty Report, has said one in every four children globally is living in severe food poverty, adding that Nigeria is among the top 20 countries that are worst affected.

Implication

The implication, according to the report, was that the affected children, amounting to 181 million under five years of age, were surviving on one or two food groups per day, and even less on some days.

UNICEF defined child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood.

In the NBS, the national average cost of a healthy diet per adult per day was N1, 255 in August 2024.

The highest average CoHD was recorded in the South-West at N1, 554 per adult per day, followed by the South-South at N1,381.

In contrast, the North-West had the lowest average at N1,014.

Specific states like Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers reported CoHD figures of N1, 641, N1, 615, and N1, 572, respectively, while Katsina recorded the lowest at N880.

For a family of four in the South-West or South-South with a combined minimum wage of N140,000 (husband and wife), daily expenses for a healthy diet could reach N6, 564, totaling N196,920 monthly.

In the North, a family of seven spending N1, 014 daily would incur costs of N7, 098 per day or N212, 940 monthly.

This financial strain likely influenced labour unions’ demands for a minimum wage of N250, 000.
Consequently, many Nigerians find themselves working merely to survive, neglecting other important aspects of life—an unfortunate reality exacerbated by government inaction.

Interviews conducted by Sunday Vanguard across various regions indicate that families are increasingly focused on basic sustenance rather than balanced diets.

Primary concern

Our correspondent in Niger State found that many households have abandoned the concept of balanced meals altogether.

Respondents expressed that their primary concern is now simply affording whatever food they can.
Mrs. Elizabeth Okafor, a trader, lamented, “The era of prioritizing balanced diet is over, especially under the current administration. We used to plan our meals for the week, including eggs, beef, and fish. Now, we struggle to have three square meals a day.”

Another respondent, Mrs. Comfort Adebisi Ogunleye, a petty trader, said her family had adjusted their feeding habits due to economic hardship.

“We now eat twice a day but ensure our three children have three meals. They usually have bread and tea for breakfast and take rice or spaghetti with stew to school,” she explained.

Retired civil servant, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed, humorously said that the era of prioritizing balanced diet is over and that “balanced diet has been a forgotten menu in this house for over a year.”

Balanced diet is in the past – Imeabe

A resident of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Saviour Imeabe, said: “Now balanced diet is only for the rich, the poor can no longer eat well.

“At this point, the poor do not know what a balanced diet is except for those who have children that are in school.

“They might come back home to talk about the balanced diet they heard in class.

“We are no longer eating what we want and what our body needs, but we eat what is available.
“In most cases, what is available is garri to drink. This is because of the high prices of food commodities in the market. We can no longer decide what to eat.

“The days of balanced diet are over; we are in the days of managing what is available.

“To eat one square meal in a day is a problem, talk more about choosing what your body wants.
“Some families cannot even afford one meal a day, not to talk of balancing your meal.

“For those of us who do not have stable jobs, for those of us that the government has not been able to provide a good atmosphere to excel in our careers and businesses, even when they cannot provide jobs, we cannot afford a square meal.

“Come to talk about a balanced diet. Balanced diet is not part of it again. How could somebody who has only garri balance his food?”

Balanced diet is now by chance, no room for luxury —Fiakpore

In Delta State, a teacher, Mr. Erico Fiakpore, said a balanced diet in his family was no longer something planned for but comes by chance.

He said: “As a family, if we eat a balanced diet, it is not something that is planned; it just comes up, because what matters now is how to survive; to get what you can eat.”

On how he has been coping with the economy, he said: “It is no more a secret that the economy is biting hard on everyone.

“The economy has made us restrict movement and go for only things that are extremely important with no room for luxury.

“The little you have, you spend only on those things that are important and it makes one work harder and harder so that you can survive.”

A businessman in Delta, Mr. Gabriel Osekene, on his part, said: “l do not think we still have anything called balanced diet in this country.

“The economy has affected us so badly that there is nothing like a balanced diet anymore.
“As a family, you buy beans, rice, garri, yam, plantain and other things that balance it up, but you can no longer afford any of these food items.

“A bag of rice is sold for N110, 000 and beans N150, 000. Even the ordinary staple food like garri, which we used to buy at N400, N500 per basket, is now sold for N3, 000, N3, 500, N4, 000 per basket.

“If we buy a basket of garri, my family will not eat from it more than three times before it is finished”.

We’re now living a life of palliatives —Osekene

Also speaking, Israel Osekene, who also lives in Delta, said: “We eat eba for breakfast, water for lunch and still eat eba for dinner. Is that balanced diet?”

On how the South-South people are coping with the economy, Osekene said: “From the day petrol subsidy was removed, the price of everything skyrocketed and it has made the economy to be so hard for people to cope with and having the money to equate with the hardship is difficult, so we are now living a life of palliatives.”

I share one egg among children —Bukola

In Lagos, Bukola, a trader who sells used clothes in Makoko, said she had devised a means of managing her children’s health.

“Since the country’s economic challenge began, my family cannot feed very well”, she said.
“But, someone taught me how to manage one egg among three children and they will still eat a bit of a balanced diet.

“I learnt that instead of boiling a raw egg. You can break it and pour it in nylon, add other ingredients to it including onions, pepper, among others. I will cook and then share it among my children.

“This particular method has helped me in balancing my children’s food. I believe that most families are also readjusting to the reality on ground”.

For Mosun, feeding her children had been a tough time.

Her words: “I have children who are picky in nature and so, it became a challenge for me. “And since this economic situation started, I have been asking myself how to come out of it. “I cannot feed my children with the present situation.

“To feed my children in a day, it costs me a fortune and, considering how much I earn monthly, I cannot afford it.

“Therefore, I do not consider a balanced diet when giving my children food. There is no way I can afford a balanced diet in this harsh economy”.

Balanced diet: What Abuja residents say

Residents of Abuja, the nation’s federal capital city are not left out in feeling the adverse effects of a harsh economy, cutting across all sectors.

At the moment, most Nigerians have cut down on the cost of meals to address the rising standard of living across all essential needs. This, no doubt, has greatly affected the right to healthy food, which is a legally binding human right in international law, enshrined in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 1966. It states that food must be adequate, available and accessible to all.

But some residents of Abuja, who spoke with Sunday Vanguard, said they only eat to survive now, maintaining that the quality of food does not matter to them anymore.

I can’t afford fish, yam, meat anymore – Amodu

Idris Amodu, a 45-year-old secondary school teacher, teaching in a private school in Karshi area of Abuja, said his wife and four children had come to realize that things are no longer the same as they used to be and are understanding with him in whatever he brings home. According to him, his priority is to provide whatever edible he can provide for his family and no longer on the quality of what he can provide.

He insisted that all he wants is to get whatever the family can eat and stay the next day.
“I can’t remember when last we, as a family, ate fish in my house”, he said.
“To be sincere, I don’t even buy yam anymore, because the price is not for an income earner like me.
“I simply can’t afford things like fish, yam and meat in general anymore.

“Do you even know that it has been a long time since we bought garri in my house? That tells you how difficult things are”.

He continued: “I teach in a private secondary school and you can guess the salary. With the way things stand at the moment, if you want to think of diet in your food, then you must not be in my own line of job where we depend on salaries that are not even regularly paid.”

What matters now is to eat, not balanced diet – Roseline

Speaking also, a 42-year-old mother of three, who identified herself as Roseline John, said her family barely eats two times in a day now.

Mrs John, who said her husband lost his banking job during the COVID-19 pandemic era, hinted that their children had been withdrawn from private school where they were enrolled and put in public school.

This action, she explained, was occasioned by her husband’s inability to secure another promising job.

“We don’t even think of fish, egg, meat or protein generally any more in our foods.

“As schools resumed this session, my husband and I agreed that we should take our children to public school which is less expensive.

“We will definitely revert to private school if things improve.
“So, for now, it’s how to get what we can eat that matters to us and not necessarily balancing the diet”.

Understanding Proper Nutrition

Meanwhile, Olu-Sholanke, a Registered Dietitian dedicated to promoting healthy eating in both private and clinical environments, shared insights with Sunday Vanguard about how knowledge of proper nutrition can enable families to make informed choices, even when resources are limited.

She emphasized that during challenging times, many families tend to prioritize survival over nutritional quality.

However, the expert said it’s crucial to incorporate basic, nutritious foods to help maintain family health.

Olu-Sholanke expressed concern that current hardships could have lasting effects on families, warning that a lack of balanced nutrition could lead to various health issues.

Her words: “Our bodies require a diverse range of nutrients—including vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats—to function optimally. “A deficiency in these nutrients can result in significant health problems”.

She outlined essential foods that families should focus on, even amid economic difficulties, to ensure they receive necessary nutrients for good health.

“Simple actions, like growing your own vegetables at home, can also help save money and resources,” she suggested.

Key Nutritional Staples

“Staple Grains and Tubers: Foods such as rice, maize, garri, fufu, and yam are excellent energy sources. They provide the calories needed to stay active and prevent unwanted weight loss.

“Beans: Although prices have risen, beans remain a cost-effective source of plant protein compared to animal proteins. They are vital for building and repairing tissues and preventing anemia. Additionally, plant proteins offer fiber, which supports digestive health.

“Fruits and Vegetables: In developed countries, governments promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet. Leafy greens like spinach, ugu, or bitter leaf are affordable and can be grown at home. Other options include bananas, oranges, apples, pawpaw, and pineapple. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly iron and vitamin C, which bolster the immune system.

“Eggs: Including eggs in family meals is beneficial as they are packed with protein and nutrients like vitamin B12, crucial for brain health—especially for pregnant women and young children.
“Groundnuts: These nuts are rich in healthy fats, protein, and vitamins. A small handful can provide energy and essential nutrients.

Consequences of Poor Nutrition:

Olu-Sholanke also highlighted the potential repercussions of not maintaining a balanced diet: “Malnutrition: Insufficient nutrient intake can severely affect vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Malnutrition can hinder growth, weaken the immune system, and lead to frequent illnesses or learning disabilities.

“Weakened Immune System: A lack of essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, and protein impairs the body’s ability to function effectively and combat infections. This can result in prolonged illnesses and increased absenteeism from work or school.

“Low Energy Levels: Inadequate carbohydrates or fats in the diet can lead to constant fatigue, making it difficult to perform daily tasks or study effectively.

“Delayed Healing: Insufficient protein intake can prolong recovery from injuries or illnesses. Protein is essential for tissue repair, making it critical for swift recovery.

“By prioritizing nutrition even during tough times, families can significantly enhance their overall well-being.

Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies

“Nutrient Deficiencies: A lack of essential vitamins and minerals can lead to specific health issues. For instance, insufficient iron intake can result in anemia, causing weakness and dizziness. Similarly, inadequate calcium or vitamin D can weaken bones.

“Mental Health Effects: Poor nutrition can negatively impact brain health, leading to difficulties with concentration, mood swings, and increased anxiety or depression”.

Recommendations

Abimbola Olu-Sholanke suggests that the government should subsidize key food items such as rice, beans, maize, and vegetables to make them more affordable for families.

While some states and national initiatives have implemented this, the expert says greater transparency is needed to ensure low-income households can access nutrient-rich foods.

She added: “Encouraging growing of foods like vegetables, yams, fruits etc in backyards or gardens through financial support, providing seeds, fertilizers, and training can help families grow their own food.

“Programs that promote backyard gardens or community farming can make fresh produce more accessible while creating jobs. Improved security situations can encourage more farmers to grow more crops.

“Food Assistance Programs that support low income earners through food banks can be adopted for vulnerable families.

“This can include distributing food baskets containing basic grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits and protein sources.

“Also, school feeding initiatives, cooperatives can support families to get at least one nutritious ingredient and/or meals.

“Nutrition experts, National Orientation Agency and the media can be commissioned to implement nationwide campaigns to teach families about affordable, locally available nutritious foods and how to prepare balanced meals.

“Knowledge about proper nutrition can help families make better choices, even with limited resources and also reduce food waste.

“Price Control Measures should be introduced to regulate or subsidise food prices of essential food items to help especially during times of inflation like this.

“The government needs to provide more incentives or low-interest loans to indigenous food vendors and farmers. This can increase food production, improve the agricultural value chain and distribution which will have beneficial effects in the long run when people have more access to healthier food and reduce the burden or cost of managing diseases related to poor nutrition choices in our country.

“Government needs to support affordable access to nutritious foods, promote local agriculture, and educate citizens on low-cost, healthy meal options.

“Communities, cooperatives and families can also grow small gardens to supplement their own food supply.

“By taking these strategic actions to improve availability, affordability, and awareness of healthy eating, we can safeguard the nation’s health despite economic difficulties”.

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has narrated how Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, a former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), dumped a fellow Igbo man, Dr Alex Ekwueme, to support his presidential bid in 1999

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at the thanksgiving service held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Zone 3 for the 80th birthday of Ugochukwu, the former President, who disclosed that he did not belong to any political party, hailed the celebrant for being a loyal and supportive person during his campaign prior to the 1999 election despite the fact that Ekwueme also contested for the same position in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Obasanjo, who urged Ugochukwu to remain solidly with the Lord and be committed to humanity throughout the rest of his life, said: “But remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13. Your faith must not diminish. You must never lose hope. Even when things are as gloomy as they are in Nigeria today, we must remain optimistic and hopeful. And finally, you must live and continue to live a life of love. Love for your family.

“Love for friends and foes. Love for your community. Love for your state. Love for your country. Love for humanity. And love for God.

“When we came together, it was during the campaign. I’ve known a little bit about you by your reputation. We were two candidates competing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), myself and Alex Ekweme. And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy. The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard. Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.

“You remained totally loyal. And I appreciate it. And you remain with me. Not 99.9% loyal, but 100% loyal. Throughout my tenure. I will be eternally grateful to you. When you went in, as the bishop said, to contest the election, and they overturned the election, you didn’t take revenge on anybody. You were not bitter. You didn’t even move out of the party. You remained. Some people will have moved out of their party. And you know some who are in our party, close to us, who did that.

“Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter, but for the party that we all built”.

On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at the reception, also commended Ugochukwu for his patriotism, saying that the celebrant did not take sides when he (Atiku) had problems with Obasanjo, adding that rather he tried to be a peacemaker.

Atiku said: “I will not claim that I know Ugochukwu long enough because we only met during our administration around 1998-99 and till now, we have been in contact with each other.

“But I want to say that during our administration even when the president and I were having problems, Ogochukwu never took sides, rather he tried to be a conciliator and I want to say that all along I found him to be an extremely dedicated, passionate Nigerian. Let me also testify that in all those years that we worked together I never heard or you never heard of any unwarranted action by Onyema Ogochukwu. He was still a credible and perfect gentleman. Mrs. Ogochukwu, I think you are very lucky to have him.”

“Honestly I want to say that this is one of the very rare events I have put on a public face to identify myself, but I feel extremely delighted to have been part of this event. I also look forward to getting to your age. So, once again congratulations Onyema Ogochukwu and family and the entire people of Abia State and Nigeria in general”.

In his remarks, Ugochukwu was emotional while explaining that out of his seven siblings five are dead, remaining him and his sister.

According to him, he was the first out of his siblings to attain the age of 70, just as he acknowledged God’s faithfulness in his life, and promised to continue to serve God and humanity more than ever before.

He said, “My dear friends, I thank you for taking out time traveling from all places to come to this birthday celebration. Ten years ago, when I turned 70, I was the first of my siblings to reach the age of 70. It should have been a very big celebration, but it wasn’t.

“Because 2014, I lost my two younger brothers in that year itself. My father, and then my uncle, and there was no urge to celebrate. There were seven. My eldest brother, let him be known, was the best of us all. But he died at 64. My older sister died in her 50s. My immediate junior brother died in the war. My sister, Chinyere, an evangelist, is here with us, and is alive. Ude Chukwu, died February 2014. And in April, another”