The 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are eagerly awaiting the delivery of the 102,000 metric tons of grains pledged last week by President Bola Tinubu for the purpose of ameliorating the current high food prices.

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security are working round the clock to make the food available as early as possible, The Nation gathered yesterday.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) reached out to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) yesterday, asking them to reconsider their plan to call a strike over the country’s economic situation.

The students’ union said the interest of the nation must be paramount at the moment.

The ministry will, in the first instance, release about 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, garri, and other commodities in its strategic reserve for distribution to the states.

A senior official of the ministry told The Nation on the phone yesterday that the matter was being treated with “utmost urgency” with a view to easing the suffering of the generality of Nigerians.

But the sharing formula of the items was not available last night.

“We are very sure that the release of 42,000mt of grains from the National Strategic Grain Reserve as well as release of 60,000mt of rice by the Rice Miller’s Association at a subsidised rate will be immediate,” the official said.

He added: “The minister has given his word that we cannot waste time on the distribution, but he is in the best position to tell us when it will commence.

“This is in response to the nation’s growing food crisis and the rising cost of commodities, and it has to be immediate.”

The Director, National Strategic Grain Reserve, Engr. Sule Haruna, who was also contacted, said there were enough grains in reserve to be released as directed by the President.

He said: “We are ready. Once we are given approval, we will commence and it will be done in a transparent way.”

Information and National Orientation Minister, Mohammed Idris, said the President’s directive was part of the government’s short-term measure to address the high cost of food.

Idris warned that the government would sanction hoarders of food items, noting that emergencies require emergency measures to ensure the availability of food to Nigerians.

He also said the government would embark on importation to plug any shortfall that might be experienced after the release of the food items.

On February 6, the presidential committee on emergency food intervention met at the Presidential Villa in Abuja over the rising cost of living in the country.

Reacting yesterday to the 14-day ultimatum given the Federal Government by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to address the economic hardship and security challenge in the country, NANS appealed to the two bodies to suspend their proposed strike in the interest of the nation.

National President of NANS, Pedro Obi, told reporters in Abeokuta that while the association shared in the pains Nigerians, especially the youth and students were experiencing over the current hardship, it was of the strong belief that the planned strike would worsen the situation in the country.

The NANS president added that the labour unions had the right to make demands and embark on strike to drive home their points, but appealed for reconsideration of the decision.

He urged them to take into consideration the potential impact on insecurity, economy and more importantly, the academic progress of students across the nation.

He said: “While recognising the importance of addressing labour-related concerns and advocating for workers’ rights, we kindly urge the labour unions to explore alternative means of dialogue and negotiation with the relevant authorities.

“A strike, though a powerful tool, can lead to civil unrest and further worsen the security and economic situation of the country.

“We believe that constructive dialogue and engagement can lead to mutually beneficial solutions without causing nationwide unrest.

“Our plea is not to undermine the legitimacy of the concerns raised by the labour unions, but to emphasise the potential adverse effects a strike could have on all sectors of our economy.

“We remain hopeful that a consensus can be reached through meaningful discussions, ensuring that the rights and well-being of both workers and students are considered in the pursuit of fair and just solutions,”

Obi asked the Federal Government to fast track the process of implementing the new minimum wage, saying it would go a long way in addressing the plights of the people.

The NLC and TUC on Thursday issued the ultimatum for government to implement the agreements reached on October 2 last year, following the removal of fuel subsidy.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said on Friday that government had no intention of reneging on the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the two labour organisations, and urged them to continue demonstrating restraint in their decisions and actions as the government keep working to address the challenges currently faced by the nation. (The Nation)

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