The Federal Government has begun selling 50kg bags of rice for ₦40,000 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to ease the current socioeconomic challenges caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
At the launch event, the state governor announced that his administration would soon expand the sale of other subsidized food items, such as garri, rice, and beans, across all 20 local government areas. The governor emphasized that this move would help extend the reach of the program to the grassroots, ensuring more people benefit from the subsidized prices.
The governor also highlighted that both the federal and state governments are committed to sustainable development through inclusiveness, transparency, fairness, and accountability. He praised the Head of Service and his team for their efforts in organizing the initiative. The rice distribution will target various groups, including civil servants, artisans, trade unions, market women, NGOs, community associations, and religious organizations.
He assured the public that the Ministry of Agriculture and the office of the National Security Adviser have created a fair and structured system to distribute the rice equitably across the 20 local government areas. Additionally, the sale will also begin in Ilaro for Ogun West Senatorial District and Ijebu-Ode for Ogun East Senatorial District.
The governor urged beneficiaries to maintain order at the sales points, follow the schedule set by the organizing committee, and avoid overcrowding. Payments will be made through Point of Sale (PoS) machines, and physical verification, including the use of NIN, will be required to prevent fraud.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership in addressing food inflation, noting that the liberalization of petroleum products saved the country from spending over ₦11 trillion in a year.
The Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, highlighted that the initiative, powered by the Federal Government, aims to improve citizens' welfare. Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Ayo Ajayi commended Ogun State for its effective implementation of the program and stated that this template would be adopted in other states.
Senator Kyari explained that the process for purchasing the subsidized rice involves verifying the buyer’s NIN and paying ₦40,000 using an ATM. Chief Waheed Oloyede, the state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, praised Governor Abiodun for his continued support of pensioners and for being the first to adopt this federal initiative.
