Buhari Commends Lagos, Kebbi over Lake Rice

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday commended Lagos and Kebbi States for the successful partnership that gave rise to the local production of LAKE Rice (Lagos-Kebbi Rice).

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President lauded the commitment of Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Atiku Bagudu in bringing to fruition the Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2016 on substantially meeting  the country’s rice requirement.

He also expressed delight at the relatively cheaper price of LAKE Rice especially at this period of recession.

“It  gladdens my heart to get reports of our citizens rushing to purchase this cheaper local rice to enable them and their families enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations,” the President said.

Buhari described what the two states have done as “evidence of a new base being laid for the Nigerian economy, founded and propelled by agriculture, away from substantial dependence on oil and gas for national revenue.”

He recalled that in his 2017 Budget presentation before the National Assembly, he said that “a new era is rising in which we must grow what we eat and consume what we make,” adding that the LAKE Rice achievement is in furtherance of the above goal.

He urged other state governments to replicate the laudable example of LAKE Rice in other staple crops and dairy products.

The President also pledged the Federal Government’s readiness to continue to support such initiatives by providing the enabling environment, policies and incentives for agriculture to thrive in order for the nation to achieve food security.

He said he remained optimistic that going forward, Nigeria will attain rice sufficiency by 2019.

Buhari: I’m happy Nigerians can buy cheap rice in this recession.

President Muhammadu Buhari says he is happy that Nigerians can buy relatively cheap Lake Rice (Lagos-Kebbi Rice) in this recession.

In a statement issued by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, on Friday, Buhari commended Lagos and Kebbi states for the successful partnership that gave rise to the local production of the commodity.

He saluted the commitment of Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos governor, and Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi governor, in bringing to fruition the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March 2016 on substantially meeting the country’s rice requirement.

He also expressed delight “at the relatively cheaper price of Lake Rice especially at this period of recession”.

“It gladdens my heart to get reports of our citizens rushing to purchase this cheaper local rice to enable them and their families enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations,” the president said.

According to him, what the two states have done is “evidence of a new base being laid for the Nigerian economy, founded and propelled by agriculture, away from substantial dependence on oil and gas for national revenue”.

He recalled that in his 2017 budget presentation before the national assembly, he said that “a new era is rising in which we must grow what we eat and consume what we make”, adding that the Lake Rice achievement was in furtherance of the above goal.

While urging other state governments to replicate the laudable example of Lake Rice in other staple crops and dairy products, Buhari pledged the federal government’s readiness to continue to support such initiatives by providing the enabling environment, policies and incentives for agriculture to thrive in order for the nation to achieve food security.

He added that he remained optimistic that Nigeria would attain rice sufficiency by 2019.

Tales of Joy, pain as Lagosians troop out to buy LAKE rice

Thousands of Lagos residents, Thursday, besieged various centres across the state to buy LAKE rice, a locally produced rice borne out of a partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states.

The governors of the two states, Akinwunmi Ambode and Atiku Bagudu, had launched the rice on Wednesday with the aim of ensuring food security as well as show Nigeria’s ability as a producing nation.

20161222_123407According to the Lagos State government, the rice would be sold at N12,000, N6,000, and N2,500 for 50 kilogramme, 25kg, and 10kg bags respectively.

 

 

One man, one bag

PREMIUM TIMES? correspondents who monitored the sales of the rice across the three Senatorial district?s in the state reported a mix of elation and disappointment from the residents.

At the Ikeja Grammar School, Oshodi, almost 400 people had gathered at the centre by 1020161222_124108a.m. while the truck conveying the bags of rice arrived at 12:30 p.m. An intending buyer was issued a slip to go make payment at a Zenith Bank branch at Bolade, some metres away, and return with the slips and a bank teller before receiving a bag of rice.

It was observed that the government’s policy of “one man, one bag” was strictly adhered to.?

At the St. Agnes Nursery/Primary School, Maryland, intending buyers? turned up as early as 7 a.m. to await the sales of the rice which began three hours later. Accreditation was done and people were issued bank tellers to go make payment at a nearby Zenith Bank branch.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that some of the almost 300 buyers had already put down their names on Wednesday and got a head start ahead of the others.

Olalekan Adekoya, a resident, said the payment system was “shambolic.”

“As you can see, there is no POS, no ATM for payment. Bank officials are not even here,” Mr. Adekoya said.

“The stress is just too much?. Government should make this thing work better with better logistic plans.”

20161222_123232Abiola Bashorun, another resident, said the rice would go a long way in helping Lagosians out of the current economic recession, adding that it would help those who can’t afford the commodity in the market.

“But government should make the payment system less stressful,” Miss Bashorun added.

At the Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere, some buyers who arrived early said they would love to see the bags of rice before making any kind of payment.

?Adekunle Olutayo, who owns a shop near the stadium, said he would confirm the quality of the rice before parting with his money.

“I am surprised that people are rushing to pay for an item they have not even seen,” Mr. Olutayo said, just before a consignment of the rice arrived.

“?What if it does not meet the quality they expected? Will they be asking for refunds?”

But another trader, Ajoke Badmus, said she had no reason to believe that the state government would deal in sub-standard products.

“I have paid already,” Mrs. Badmus said.

“I know it can’t be sub-standard, the government knows the implication of that, they will rather not sell at all than sell something bad.”

Happy people

20161222_095843It was, however, not all tales of glooms at the centres where the rice was sold.

Muyideen Alanran said he was glad to be among the first to purchase the rice at the Ikeja Grammar School, Oshodi.

“I thank the State Government for giving us the opportunity because when we go outside,we know the cost of rice, but we thank the Lagos State Governor for this opportunity and we hope that more would be made available so that the process of purchasing would be easier,” he said.

“With the issue of plastic rice flooding the market, this is a safer option because we can trust the source.”

A resident, Alebiousu Olufunmilayo, said the cost of the LAKE RICE was “pocket-friendly.”

“I will like to tell Lagosains that this is for real. If they get to any of the centres, they should queue orderly and they will get the ?rice,” she said.

At Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre (Rowe Park) in Yaba, residents were seen queuing orderly to buy the commodity at government approved prices.

Another resident, Alabi Aminat, who spoke to journalists after buying the product, said the development was a thing of joy, as there ?was no discrimination in the sale of the commodity.

“I got here this morning and I was told I could pay through the POS and I did,” she said.

“The process was free and fair and the most commendable aspect is that the people in charge of selling the rice are not particular about whether you work with Lagos State Government or you belong to any tribe or creed, as long as you are a resident of the state, you are entitled to buy.

“I was allowed to buy one bag and I got 50kg at the N12, 000 price earlier announced by the government. They just told us to stay on the queue and when it is your turn, you will be asked to pay and take away your rice. It’s as simple as that.”

Lagos Government to commence sale of Lake Rice on Thursday.

The Lagos State says it will begin the sale of Lake Rice in 15 centres across the Senatorial districts.

 

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who unveiled the rice at the official launch on Thursday, alongside his Kebbi counterpart, Abubakar Bagudu, said the initiative is geared towards making life easy for Lagosians.

 

Ambode said, “The focus of our govt has been to make life easier for our people. With this in mind, we entered into a collaboration with Kebbi State to ensure food security. Today we officially unveiled the first product of this collaboration – the Lake Rice.

 

“Our aim is to deliver rice at reduced prices to Lagosians. Sales of Lake Rice will commence tomorrow in 15 centres across the State.”

 

Lake Rice will be sold at N13,000.

 

The Lagos State Government has also put out a list for Lagosians to procure LAKE Rice at the Following Locations Below:

 

LAGOS EAST

  • Ikorodu – Odogunyan Farm Service Centre
  • Epe – Temu Farm Service Centre
  • Eredo – Noforija Town Hall
  • Ibeju – Magbon Alade High School
  • Maryland – Subeb Premises

LAGOS WEST

  • Agege – LSADA Complex/Farm Service Centre
  • Ojo – LAISA Office Agric Bus Stop
  • Mowo – Coconut House
  • Badagry – Town Farm Service Centre, Marina
  • Oshodi – Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade

LAGOS CENTRAL

  • Ajah – Ministry of Agric Area Office
  • Lagos Island – Lastma Office Adeniji/Freeman
  • Ajegunle – Alakoto Senior High School, Tolu
  • Surulere – TESLIM Balogun stadium
  • Yaba – Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park

LAKE Rice Unveiling: The Focus of my Government is to make Life easier for people – Ambode

The Lagos State Government will start rolling out Lake Rice for sale to Lagosians towards the Yuletide celebrations. The sale came as succour for millions of Lagosians who like their counterparts in most parts of the country have had to pay over N20,000 for a bag of rice, mostly imported.

 

 

The Lagos State Governor at the official unveiling of LAKE Rice today, stated that; “The focus of our government has been to make life easier for our people. With this in mind, we entered into a collaboration with Kebbi State. Also to ensure food security. Today we officially unveiled the first product of this collaboration – the Lake Rice.”

 

Our aim is to deliver rice at reduced prices to Lagosians. Sales of Lake Rice will commence tomorrow in 15 centres across the State.”

 

 

The rice, however will be on sale as from the 22nd of December and will be sold at the 57 LGAs and LCDAs for easy accessibility and to guard against unwanted persons diverting the product.

 

Check the List of Designated Locations to procure LAKE Rice.

LAKE Rice: Lagos State Government releases list of designated locations to buy.

The Lagos State Government is already rolling out Lake Rice to Lagosians at N12,000 per 50 kg and N6,000 per 25 kg towards the Yuletide celebrations.

 

The sale came as succour for millions of Lagosians who like their counterparts in most parts of the country have had to pay over N20,000 for a bag of rice, mostly imported.

 

Sanni Okanlawan, Special Adviser on Food Security to Governor Akinwumi Ambode, made the disclosure in Lagos during the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) National Agriculture Stakeholders Summit.

 

Mr. Okanlawan said that sales of the rice would be made at all the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to ensure proper distribution.

 

“Lake Rice is the acronym of both Lagos and Kebbi States joint product which will be out to the public on December 15 at the rate of N13,000 per 50kg bag as it is already subsidised by the government.

 

“To make it more available, the rice is being sold at the 57 LGAs and LCDAs for easy accessibility and to guard against unwanted persons diverting the product.

 

“The state government has put in place a committee that will ensure that Lagosians have the best Christmas celebration, that is why we are offering the wholesome and well packaged rice,” Mr. Okanlawan said.

 

The special adviser also said that the state had established a Department of Agribusiness, an Agriculture Trust Fund and Commodity Exchange Market to be set up soon.

 

The Lagos State Government has also put out a list for Lagosians to procure LAKE Rice at the Following Locations Below:

 

LAGOS EAST

  • Ikorodu – Odogunyan Farm Service Centre
  • Epe – Temu Farm Service Centre
  • Eredo – Noforija Town Hall
  • Ibeju – Magbon Alade High School
  • Maryland – Subeb Premises

LAGOS WEST

  • Agege – LSADA Complex/Farm Service Centre
  • Ojo – LAISA Office Agric Bus Stop
  • Mowo – Coconut House
  • Badagry – Town Farm Service Centre, Marina
  • Oshodi – Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade

LAGOS CENTRAL

  • Ajah – Ministry of Agric Area Office
  • Lagos Island – Lastma Office Adeniji/Freeman
  • Ajegunle – Alakoto Senior High School, Tolu
  • Surulere – TESLIM Balogun stadium
  • Yaba – Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park