TheNewsGuru

Tag: Easter

  • Easter: Prices of perishables soar in Lagos markets

    Easter: Prices of perishables soar in Lagos markets

    Two days to the Easter Celebration, prices of perishable food items have soared in major markets in Lagos, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A survey conducted by NAN in some major markets at Mile 12, Oyingbo and Mushin on Thursday and Friday showed that prices of some food items jumped by more than 25 per cent.

    A 40 kilogramme (kg) basket of tomato, which was sold for N6,000 in March has risen to N8,000.

    The price of a 50kg bag of Scotch Bonnet pepper jumped by 50 per cent, selling for N14,000 against the previous N7,000.

    Similarly, a 50kg basket of bell pepper (Tatashe) rose to N15,000 from N10,000.

    The survey also showed that a 100kg basket of onions is now selling for N19,000, up from N14,000 last month.

    NAN also reports the price of 25 litres of vegetable oil has risen from N17,000 to N19,500 but the same quantity of palm oil dropped from N18,000 to N12,000.

    However, prices of both local and foreign 50kg bag of rice remained the same at N22,000 and N23,000 respectively for short grains in spite of the Easter celebration.

    Mr Femi Odusanya, Spokesperson for Mile 12 Market Traders Association, attributed the situation to the seasonal nature of the farm produces.

    According to him, harvest is winding down; another planting season is beginning and the variables of demand and supply factor caused the items to be more expensive.

    Odusanya, however, appealed for the government’s intervention in the agricultural sector to engender large scale mechanised farming to address scarcity.

    He said that such large scale farming would increase the sector’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution and improve the nation’s economy.

    “What has happened is that harvest is winding down, supply is reducing while demand is constant.

    “And with the Easter celebration, demand has increased so the price would go up.

    “What the government can do is to initiate measures that would ensure mechanised farming all over the country.

    “By so doing, the prices would be constant as supply is constant and able to meet up with consumption and processing into paste and other things for exportation.

    “Money will also remain in the country, the nation will compete better in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and disposable income will be more meaningful as people can plan better,’’ he said.

  • Easter: Buhari sends message to Christians from UK

    Easter: Buhari sends message to Christians from UK

    President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with Christians on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Buhari is presently in the Uniteed Kingdom on a routine medical checkup according to the presidency.

    The president made his feelings known in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Thursday.

    Buhari recalled that a year ago, “in most of our major cities, our celebrations were somewhat subdued, as we battled the effect of the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

    “The restrictions meant that our brethren could not attend traditional church services as they would have wished. I salute their resilience and understanding.

    “Today, we are able to congregate and worship together, cautiously.”

    He also acknowledged and appreciated the sacrifices of the nation’s doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers, “who have made the difference in saving lives and ensuring the reduction of the spread of the virus.

    “I thank Nigerians who have religiously adhered to various interventions to curb the spread of COVID-19, including regular hand washing, safe distancing, wearing of face masks, and embrace of vaccination.

    “We are united in our belief that if we do the right things, take the right decisions and act responsibly, the pandemic, like others before it, will no longer be a threat.”

    According to the president, as Christians celebrate Easter, it is an opportunity to renew hope and faith, show love and appreciation to one another and not to despair, no matter the challenges of the period.

    “As a government, we will continue to ensure that the weak, the poor and the underprivileged in our midst are not abandoned.

    “We have reached out with palliative care even in the midst of dwindling resources, we have tried our best to provide support to families and businesses affected at this time.

    “That is the spirit of Easter, the spirit of Faith, the spirit of Belief, the spirit of Hope,” he added.

    The president equally commended the law enforcement and military personnel who continue to confront evil-minded individuals through the darkest of nights to keep the nation and all citizens safe.

    “I am convinced that the new resolve within the security personnel to make sure that insecurity in the country becomes part of our history will come to pass.

    “We should not allow the antics of a few mischief mongers to fragment the unity and faith that the vast majority of citizens of this country cherish and believe in.

    “As I have said before, we are better and stronger as one nation under God.

    “I congratulate our brothers and sisters once again on this occasion and wish everyone a Happy Easter celebration,” he said.

  • FAAN speaks on safety for Easter travellers

    FAAN speaks on safety for Easter travellers

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured air passengers and other airport users of maximum safety within the airports during the Easter period.

    Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

    She said that the network of airports was fully prepared and ready for the usual upsurge in passenger traffic that was the norm around this season.

    “We have put all necessary facilities, infrastructure and manpower in place, to ensure seamless facilitation at the airports during the season and beyond.

    “We also want to assure all passengers and airport users of safety and security, as relevant security agencies have been mobilised to beef up security at all the airports,” she said.

    Yakubu advised passengers to endeavour to leave their home for the airport early enough, so as to ensure that check-in formalities are conducted in good time.

  • Easter: FRSC cautions motorists against reckless driving

    Easter: FRSC cautions motorists against reckless driving

    Mr Emmanuel Fadero, the Unit Commander Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), RS 11.11, Ile-Ife, Osun, on Wednesday cautioned motorists against reckless driving and other traffic offences during Easter celebration.

    Fadero spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ile-Ife.

    He said that FRSC usually doubled its operational efforts during festive periods.

    According to him, the FRSC had rolled out a weeklong special Easter patrol operation nationwide.

    He said that the aim was to reduce traffic gridlock on highways and reduce road accidents and its attend loss of lives and property.

    “The objective of the programme, which will be going on simultaneously in all FRSC formations across the nation, is to reduce road traffic crashes, road traffic fatality and road traffic injuries,”Fadero added.

    He said that FRSC would strictly enforce all traffic laws, warning that any motorists who would fail to comply with traffic rules and regulations would be apprehended and brought to book.

    Fadero added that the FRSC would intensify efforts at rescue operations and collaboration with other stakeholders to tackle obstructions on roads.

    He appealed to road users to be safety conscious and law-abiding as well as avoid speeding, overloading, wrong overtaking and other traffic offences.

    “It is only the living that celebrates,” he said.

  • DPR addresses Easter fuel scarcity fears

    DPR addresses Easter fuel scarcity fears

    The Department for Petroleum Resources (DPR) has assured Nigerians of adequate supply of petroleum products before, during and after the Easter celebrations, dousing fears of possible fuel scarcity.

    Mr Paul Osu, Head, Public Affairs, DPR made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lagos State.

    The Federal Government had declared April 2 and April 5 as public holidays to mark the celebration.

    Osu said that there was product sufficiency nationwide and advised marketers against hoarding and creating artificial scarcity.

    He said DPR would intensify its monitoring and surveillance of petroleum products outlets to ensure compliance with quality, quantity, integrity and safety of operations in line with its regulatory mandate.

    Osu advised consumers to report any infraction such as under dispensing of products to any DPR office nationwide.

    He also reiterated the DPR’s commitment to safety and advised consumers to observe all necessary safety protocols in the handling of petroleum products, especially at this season of harmattan.

    Osu said the regulatory agency would continue to initiate appropriate initiatives to enable business and create opportunities for investors and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry in Nigeria.

  • BREAKING: FG announces Easter public holidays

    BREAKING: FG announces Easter public holidays

    The Federal Government (FG) has announced the public holidays to mark 2021 Easter celebrations.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the announcement on Tuesday.

    The FG declared Friday 2nd and Monday 5th April as public holidays.

    Aregbesola in a statement released by Mohammed Manga, the Director of Press in the Ministry, urged Christians to emulate the attributes demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

    The attributes he stated are: forbearance, forgiveness, kindness, humility, love, peace and patience.

    He assured that the government would leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with the spate of kidnapping, armed banditry and other crimes and criminality being perpetrated by enemies of Nigeria.

    “Security is everybody’s business, I therefore encourage all Nigerians and foreigners resident in Nigeria, to display high level of patriotism at this critical time in the history of our country, to support the efforts of all security agencies in ensuring peace and security of lives and property of the citizenry,” he stated.

    While wishing Christians both at home and abroad a happy and peaceful Easter Celebration, Aregbesola called on Nigerians to join hands with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration in its determination to make life more meaningful for all.

  • Germany tightens lockdown for Easter

    Germany tightens lockdown for Easter

    German leaders on Tuesday agreed to extend the country’s coronavirus lockdown until April 18 to contain new infections and tighten measures over the Easter holidays.

    Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of the country’s federal states reached agreement on the strict lockdown measures following 11 hours of talks on the country’s way forward in the pandemic.

    The leaders agreed that public and private life should come to a virtual standstill over the long Easter holiday weekend from April 1, through 5.

    Shops were to remain closed throughout, except for grocery stores and supermarkets, which would be allowed to be open on Saturday April 3.

    People are urged to stay at home throughout those five days, leaders said in a statement.

    Public gatherings were generally banned during that time, but COVID-19 testing and vaccination centres would remain open.

    Easter services are largely to be held virtually, and private gatherings limited to five people from two households, not counting children up to the age of 14.

    Merkel justified the new measures in view of the rapidly increasing number of infections.

    “We have not yet been able to defeat the virus, it does not give up,” she said.

    Merkel said the situation in Germany was quite serious, with the number of cases rising exponentially, increasing stress on hospital intensive care units and the spread of more contagious coronavirus variants.

    She spoke of the vaccination situation in Germany as “a race.”

    It was also agreed that once a seven-day incidence of more than 100 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants was registered, local government districts must further tighten lock down measures.

    This would include some curfews, stricter contact restrictions or the obligation for people to get daily quick COVID-19 tests in areas where social distancing or consistent mask-wearing are difficult to keep up.

    The talks were bogged down at one point because of major differences over the concept of socially distanced holidays, with several states wanting to allow people to take solitary holidays in vacation rentals, holiday homes, apartments, caravans and mobile homes.

    But no agreement was reached.

    Most shops in Germany have been closed since Dec. 16. Restaurants, bars and leisure facilities have been closed since early November.

    The country has moved ahead with the first reopening this month, with hairdressers, florists and hardware stores permitted to unlock their doors in some areas.

  • COVID-19: We must remind ourselves that life is vain, Reps Chinda tells Nigerians

    COVID-19: We must remind ourselves that life is vain, Reps Chinda tells Nigerians

    Ogundu Kingsley Chinda, a Nigerian politician and member of the National Assembly, representing Obio/Akpor Constituency in the House of Representative, has urged Nigerians to remember that life is vain and very temporal.

    The House of Representatives member stated this in an Easter message to his constituents, stressing that King Solomon, one of the wealthiest men that ever lived is remembered for his wisdom not his wealth.

    The Easter message reads: “My dear good people and residents of Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, including “indigenes without borders”, I hereby for myself and my family bring you warm felicitations on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebrations though without the usual funfair and glamour.

    “As we are all aware, Easter is celebrated globally in Christendom to mark the liberation of man through the triumph of our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ over death, fleshly desires, vanity, hatred, evil etc by his resurrection.

    “This year’s Easter celebrations is particularly unique and historic, because it is coming at a time that the entire World is bedevilled with the challenges of the Corona virus (Covid-19) pandemic which has led to the death of thousands of loved ones ( rich and poor) across the world, including in Nigeria. Little did they imagine that they would not celebrate this Easter amongst the living – LIFE IS VAIN.

    “Thus, as we mark this year’s Easter, I urge us as a people, that beyond the celebrations and merriment that come with it, we should remind ourselves that LIFE IS VAIN and reflect deeply on the principles of self-sacrifice, forgiveness, good neighbourliness and love for our self and for one another which are some of the qualities that Jesus demonstrated and very firmly stood for.

    “This Easter celebration, we are confined to our homes (one house) regardless of our castles and mansions all over the world; we are unable to adorn our best and expensive apparels (diamonds, gold etc.); we are unable to drive our fleet of exotic cars; our private jets and yachts are grounded; holidays and trips around the world are cancelled. We must remind ourselves that LIFE IS VAIN and very temporal, “we shall only be remembered by what we have done” and not by what we acquired.

    “To all of us in position of trust (in public and private sectors), vanity plays lucid tricks on our memory and we forget history so quickly. King Solomon, the wealthiest man that ever lived is remembered for his wisdom not his wealth. Let us be more selfless in service and put a smile on the face of men, let us not allow our vain thoughts and greed to secure a future that we don’t own, overtake our common sense.

    “Whilst wishing you all a happy Easter celebration, I wish to remind us to continue to stay safe in the midst of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic by doing our best to observe basic health tips such as social distancing, self-isolation, regular hand washing as well as obeying all rules and regulations issued by the State. I am very confident that God is on our side and that by reason of the resurrection power of Jesus, we shall triumph.

    “Once more, congratulations and do have a glorious and very happy Easter celebration as I renew my vow to serve you with the fear of God and love for mankind”.

  • Easter: Live a life of sacrifice, Macaulay enjoins Christians

    Easter: Live a life of sacrifice, Macaulay enjoins Christians

    A former Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG) Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay has charged Deltans to live a life of sacrifice in favour of the poor and needy.

    In a message to mark this year’s Easter celebrations, he urged the people especially Christians, to note that the season was an opportunity for them to extend their love to the down trodden of the society through sacrificial giving.

    Besides, Macaulay who is the Director General of Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency (WUEDA), argued that life was not all about self as judgement would essentially be based on what one did for others.

    “Today we celebrate our risen Lord, Jesus Christ because of the sacrifice he made for mankind and the hope he gave us as children of God by His crucifixion upon the cross. Though Judas Iscariot’s role was the fulfilment of the gospel his name is treated with disdain by humanity.

    “As children of God who take refuge in Christ atonement for our sins, what are we doing to distance ourselves from the character of Judas? My brothers and sisters let us try and live a life of sacrifice for fellow humans particularly the down trodden and the needy.

    “Life should not be all about self. We shall not be judged by what we did for ourselves but for fellow humans,” he stated.

    He prayed that the mercy and grace of God Almighty through the risen Christ, would be sufficient for all even as he wished the people a healthy, peaceful and happy Easter celebration.

  • Celebrate Easter at home, don’t test God- Timi Dakolo tells fans

    Celebrate Easter at home, don’t test God- Timi Dakolo tells fans

    Soulful singer, Timi Dakolo has urged Christians to celebrate this year’s Easter in the comfort of their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic wrecking countries across the globe.

    Easter is an annual event which memorializes the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ..

    In previous years, such event is often carried out in christian worship centers, but with the occurrence of COVID-19 and several directives barring large social and religious gatherings, many have called on Christians to observe the event at homes.

    Joining the conversation, the gifted singer urged Christians to do away with the mindset that they can only worship God inside church buildings.

    He added that it is like putting God to test should they step out of their homes to commemorate this year’s edition of the annual event in churches, despite lockdown orders aimed at combating spread of the novel virus.

    “Do not put the Lord your God to test, stay home on Easter Sunday. God don’t dwell in buildings but in the hidden depth of our heart. It’s a relationship not a conference,” he wrote on Instagram.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-zfQvoggyx/