Bayelsans used to eat rice once in a year: Gov. Diri
Governor Douye Diri of Nigeria’s oil-rich Bayelsa State says poverty was so palpable before his assumption of office, so bad that citizens eat rice only on Christmas day.
“Before now, rice here in Bayelsa, it was eaten once in a year. It was seen as food for the rich, today the story is different. Rice is like a daily thing at everybody’s table,” Mr Douye said during an appearance on Channels TV on Thursday.
Mr Diri further claimed that “maybe for some average home, every Sunday.”
Rice is Nigeria’s staple food popular among the people. The commodity has however become costly since the Buhari regime banned its importation and insisting the country must grow what it eats.
Though Bayelsa, a tiny state in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, is a major contributor to the nation’s revenue via its rich oil deposits, its people are largely impoverished from degradation of their environment as a result of oil exploration.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
Egypt sends over 280 trucks loaded with food supplies to Gaza
The ERC said it sent an aid convoy toward Gaza early on Sunday.
Sport
Bournemouth thrash Man United 3-0 as Carrick’s job comes under threat; Liverpool, Newcastle win
The defeat means Man United have secured only seven points from their first eight league matches this season.
Heading 1
Ebola: NCDC to provide N100,000 weekly allowance for isolated people
The NCDC boss said the allowance is an unplanned emergency measure that could be reviewed as the situation evolves.
World
Albanian police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at demonstrators as protests turn violent
Riot police officers in Albania on Saturday fired tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets at opposition political parties’ supporters, students, university professors, and artistes after their
Health
Ebola: NCDC identifies, isolates 53 people linked to index patient
The NCDC boss said none of the isolated persons have, so far, tested positive to the virus.
Agriculture
Tomato prices remain high as pepper gets cheaper in Lagos
Traders and consumers described how changing prices have affected sales, household spending, and the quantities of produce they can afford.
