Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Federal Government is aware of the rising cost of staple foods in the markets.

He disclosed this during the 2024 conference and annual general meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Niger State chapter in Minna on Tuesday.

The theme of the conference was “Public relations in a challenging environment: The role of stakeholders and communication in a new Niger agenda.’’

Mr Idris, represented by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibril Ndace, said practical steps were being taken to ameliorate the situation.

He said the President had directed the NSA, DSS and IG to coordinate with state governors to check activities of those hoarding food commodities to ensure price control.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, I applaud the effort of the Niger State governor, Umaru Bago, for his timely decision to halt bulk-buying of food items for hoarding. This no doubt helped in the recent reduction of the cost of food items in the state,” he said.

He said the President in the last seven months had been on track fixing the economy, fighting insecurity, attracting foreign direct investment and consolidating Nigeria’s foreign policy ethos on the world stage.

The minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu was and still remained resolute that Nigeria would not fall as a true giant of Africa.

A former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, expressed optimism that NIPR was being revived and expressed confidence that the chapter shall become a trailblazer.

(NAN)