News
President Buhari Says He Deliberately Closed Borders to Encourage Food Production In Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has confessed that he deliberately shut the country’s borders to encourage food production in Nigeria.
He said this during the inauguration of the new Customs Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
While the move was heavily criticised, Buhari noted that Nigerians later appreciated it.
“I deliberately closed the borders because knowing Nigerians, they order rice, give some Niger address, and then they bring the rice here,” he said at the event.
“With our land potential – we thank God Nigeria is favoured. We have people, we have land, and we have weather. How many nations are as lucky as Nigeria in the world? Very few nations are as lucky as we are! We thank God for that.”
Continuing, he said: “So, closing that border – 1,600 kilometres from Lake Chad to Benin – and Nigerians insist they that they have to impress their neighbours and other people and they eat foreign rice. I said, ‘No rice’.”
“You eat what you grow or you die. I tried to make my point. Later Nigerians appreciated it because it provided more jobs,” Buhari added.
“People got back to the lands – we have them– and we produced what we eat. Let whoever grows excess rice eat his own rice or sell it somewhere else.”
Former Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, who represented Delta North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate from 2015 to 2023, has died following a prolonged illness.
The news of his passing was confirmed on Friday through a statement from Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon. Details surrounding the exact circumstances of his death remain limited at this time.
Governor Oborevwori described the loss as a profound blow to Delta State, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria. In his condolence message, he referred to the late senator as a “dear friend” and a dedicated public servant.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,” Oborevwori stated. “He was a proud son of Delta State and a courageous defender of the Anioma cause, whose contributions to nation-building will remain indelible.
“The governor highlighted Nwaoboshi’s impactful tenure in the National Assembly, particularly as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, where he advocated strongly for regional development.
Oborevwori also noted the late senator’s political pedigree, including his service as a two-time Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State before his later affiliation with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tributes have poured in from across political lines, with the Delta State APC describing Nwaoboshi as a “fearless voice for his people” and a committed party member whose influence transcended party boundaries.
Nwaoboshi’s legacy is remembered for his courage, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to public service.
Condolences have been extended to his immediate family, the Anioma community, and all those touched by his life.
• King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall
News
Alleged N2.2bn fraud: Ngige gets bail, trials continue on January 28
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position between 2015 and 2023 to award contracts unfairly, divert funds, and enrich himself and associates.
Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has been granted bail by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarimpa.
He faces eight counts of charges bordering on abuse of office, contract fraud, and acceptance of kickbacks from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.
In Thursday’s ruling, Justice Maryam Hassan adopted the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
The court ordered Ngige to produce a surety who must be a serving Federal Government director.
The surety is required to deposit travel documents with the court registrar, as Ngige claims his passport was lost.
The surety must also present landed property with a valid certificate of occupancy within the Federal Capital Territory.
The EFCC alleges that Ngige used his ministerial position between 2015 and 2023 to award contracts unfairly, divert funds, and enrich himself and associates.
The trial is scheduled to commence on January 28, 2026.
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