News
Mixed reactions trail Lagos food market
Following the announcement of the newly introduced Ounje-Eko Initiative by Lagos state state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos residents have received the much-announced initiative with mixed reactions.
While some locations concluded the exercise at 4pm, some, such as Satellite Town, extended till 5.30pm due to the late arrival of food items.
A resident of Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Mrs. Bianca Okafor, hailed the government for ‘coming to the aid of the masses in such a trying time’.
“I am really happy. Before this discount offer came to us, I have been thinking about how to feed my family of six. I am a single mother and taking care of kids in this hard time is suicidal. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep. But, I am grateful to Governor Sanwo-Olu for coming to our aid,” she said.
Elizabeth Hundeyin at Satellite Town also lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the initiative. She said the gesture would reduce poverty and enable families to have food on their tables.
“I got some food items at discounted prices, and I think it’s a really good one. Kudos to Lagos State for this poverty alleviation scheme; it is a good one and a commendable effort.”
Other beneficiaries also praised government but said other items such as noodles, groundnut oil and spaghetti should be added to the items.
But Basit Ahmed said the initiative was just a peanut to blindfold the masses.
“How could you give this kind of discount to your citizens? It’s not fair. They are to pay 75 per cent, while government pays 25 per cent. It’s as good as nothing. This is supposed to be a palliative. We are not supposed to pay a dime. The government is supposed to give free foodstuff to the citizens in this hard time,” he said.
At Igando Community Grammar School, Igando, about 1,000 residents turned out for the exercise. Abdulhakeem Akindele praised officials for ensuring order. He also lauded the system of having a limit to purchases, saying ‘it will give everyone the opportunity to benefit’.
Others however said more stalls and vendors are needed to ensure efficiency. They said this will make the queues move faster and especially reduce waiting time, especially for the elderly.
“We appreciate the government. However, they need to recruit more staff, traders and officials so that the programme would be organised such that old people would not stand for too long especially in the sun,” Elizabeth said.
The vendors welcomed the initiative and requested an expansion of the programme scope.
A Sales Representative of Country Fresh Bread, Active Foods Bakery, Ajidaun Oluwasegun, opiend that the initiative be made long term.
“I am impressed about it. Kudos to Governor Sanwo-Olu. I would love it to go on because it helps people buy at subsidised rates.”
Salisu Muhammad and Emilia Flay called for wider publicity and a broader variety of food items, including staples like yam, potatoes, semovita, among others.
In Badagry Local Government Area, activities did not start until 1pm because some officials came late.
Residents also registered their displeasure with the prices of commodities.
Mrs. Fatimo Yusuf said there was no difference between what they brought to them and what they buy at Agbalata market.
“I am not happy with this discount market; there is no difference between what we buy in the normal markets and what they brought here today. This is not a discount market, most of the people selling here are from our everyday markets.
“Even the onions and pepper is expensive, compared to what we buy at the normal markets. This is not favourable at all; government should return to the table and do the needful,” she said.
Another resident, Mrs. Olabimpe Bamidele, expressed shock at the prices of produce at the market.
She said: “When I heard about the discount market, I was very happy and left Church early to buy tomatoes and onions. But, unfortunately, what I saw here is nothing to write home about because two kilos of tomatoes selling for N1,800 is too expensive, the same thing with onions.
“This is not what they promised us, people are just leaving the market without buying anything.”
Mrs. Bamidele also said the government officials in charge of the market were not coordinated. But Idowu Jimoh hailed the government for bringing the price of bread and eggs down.
“I came here to buy bread and eggs and I’m so happy because a crate of eggs we buy for N3,800 sells for N2,700. Also, bread is sold for N750 instead of N1,000 per a loaf, and one is permitted to buy two for N1500.
“The government has tried in this area and they should continue because I will come next week to buy again,” he said.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has hinted that there are attempts by lawyers and litigants to influence the money laundering trial of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami scheduled to begin on 17 February.
The judge stated this after granting Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Bashir Asabe, bail in the sum of N500million each.
In a stern warning shortly after delivering the ruling granting Malami and others bail, Justice Nwite said he would not take lightly any lawyer or litigant intent on ‘approaching’ him to influence the case.
He advised parties, to instead, engage the services of quality lawyers to help with their case. He threatens serious consequences for anyone who flouts his directive.
On the terms of bail for Malami and his co-defendants, the trial judge ordered that they present two sureties each who must be owners of properties, with proof, in either Maitama, Gwarimpa or Asokoro.
The defendants are also ordered to deposit their passports with the court registry, adding that travel out of the country must be by the express permission of the court.
Malami and his co-defendants will, meanwhile, remain in prison until they perfect the terms of bail. The trial is scheduled to begin on 17 February.
International
Trump Announces Venezuela to Turn Over Up to 50 Million Barrels of Oil to United States
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that interim authorities in Venezuela will turn over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality sanctioned oil to the United States, following the recent U.S. military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 Million Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America.
This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!
“The president added that he has directed Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute the plan immediately, with the oil to be transported via storage ships directly to U.S. unloading docks.
The announcement comes amid ongoing developments in Venezuela, where the oil—previously held in storage due to U.S. sanctions—is estimated to be worth up to $2.8 billion at current market prices around $56 per barrel.
Analysts note that this volume represents a modest addition to global supply but could divert exports previously destined for China.U.S. crude futures dipped slightly following the news, closing lower by about 1.3%. Major U.S. oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, are reportedly monitoring the situation, with meetings planned between industry representatives and the administration to discuss future investments in Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
The deal marks a significant step in Trump’s stated goal of revitalizing Venezuela’s oil sector, which holds the world’s largest proven reserves but has seen production decline sharply in recent years due to sanctions, underinvestment, and mismanagement.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted a mix of hazy and sunny conditions across most parts of the country from Wednesday, January 8, to Friday, January 10, 2026.
In its weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja, NiMet stated that the northern region will experience sunny and hazy skies throughout the three-day period. By Friday, morning haze is expected to give way to dust haze in the afternoon and evening hours over parts of the North.
The central region is forecasted to remain predominantly hazy with sunny intervals during the period.
For the southern region, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated, along with chances of isolated thunderstorms. On Wednesday, thunderstorms may occur later in the day over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Imo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Bayelsa states. Similar isolated thunderstorms with light rains are possible over coastal and inland southern states on subsequent days, including Anambra, Imo, Abia, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.
NiMet warned that dust particles are currently in suspension, particularly in the northern areas, advising individuals with asthma and other respiratory issues to take necessary precautions.
The agency also urged motorists to drive cautiously during any rainfall and recommended that airline operators obtain updated airport-specific weather reports from NiMet for safe flight planning.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting NiMet’s official website at www.nimet.gov.ng for regular updates.
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