Several residents who spoke with our reporter attributed the rising cost of living to the recent increase in fuel pump prices, with petrol now selling for about ₦1,300 or more per litre in some areas. Cooking gas prices have also surged, with a kilogram reportedly selling for ₦1,350 and above.

According to them, the increase in fuel prices has triggered a sharp rise in transportation fares, which has in turn pushed up the cost of food items and other essential goods.

A trader, Mr. Kingsley Mba, lamented that although the prices of goods have increased, sales have drastically declined due to the low purchasing power of many Nigerians.

He said many families are struggling to make ends meet as poverty continues to worsen.

Mr. Mba appealed to the Rivers State Government to introduce empowerment programmes for youths, noting that such initiatives could help reduce the hardship faced by many families and also curb insecurity.

Also speaking, a commercial minibus driver, Mr. Akpan Imoh, said the economic situation is affecting everyone, including transport operators.

According to him, drivers are often blamed for increased transport fares, even though the rise is largely driven by the high cost of fuel.

He explained that after paying the vehicle owner and meeting other operational expenses, many drivers are left with little or no profit.

Mr. Imoh warned that the prevailing economic challenges could significantly affect this year’s Easter celebration, as many families may not have the resources to celebrate.

He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address the fuel price situation to ease the burden on Nigerians.

By Bestman Orji, Port Harcourt

The post Economic Hardship Persists as Nigerians Prepare for Easter first appeared on National Ambassador News.

The People, who were seen demonstrating peacefully and carrying placards, lamented on the anti-people neo-liberal policies of the present administration and the intense hardship in the land.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards include: End hardship in Nigeria, We are hungry, End unemployment, Stop the killings, Reverse the anti-people policies, and many more.

A known figure who participated in the peaceful demonstration, Mr Jonathan Ugbai, the South-South Coordinator of Take It Back Movement, lamented on the effects of some of the Government policies in the lives of the people.

He said the people are languishing in poverty and unemployment, living in a Country where Human Development Index is abysmal, and yet the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is claiming an economic growth, while in the real case, the trickle-down system is not beneficial to the common Man.

He further stated that despite Billions of Naira spent on defence, insecurity is still on the high side, with many different terrorist groups rising every day and terrorising the people.

He condemned the continuous silencing of people with alternative ideology that will help improve the system, questioning the type of democracy that is being practiced where Government gives loans to Students instead of funding Education and investing in the people as the case should be.

Drivers and passengers lamented on the high cost of fuel since the removal of fuel subsidy, which has helped worsen the standard of living.
The drivers also lamented on increased taxes paid in the State, including on holiday periods, and urged the State Government to do something to reduce the suffering of the people.

The post Cross River Residents Protest on Democracy Day, urge Government to end hardship first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Government also appreciated the citizens’ capacity to endure the recent economic hardship, adding that they stems from reforms which are now yielding results.

The finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Senate Committee on finance, led by Senator Sank Musa disclosed this recently during an
Interactive parley with newsmen.

The Minister of finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, further recognised the sacrifices made by Nigerian Citizens, noting that the teething problems from reforms are over for Nigerians as indicators of economic improvement begin to emerge.

“The two critical reforms—market-based pricing for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and foreign exchange adjustments—are now at the stage of delivering results. These pillars of reform strengthen our economy by enhancing fiscal viability and laying a solid foundation for growth.” Edun stated.

“These reforms, will generate additional government revenue, support the recovery of NNPCL’s finances, and foster economic growth through increased investment and job creation. We commend Nigerians for enduring to this point where benefits are beginning to materialize.”

Earlier, in his remark , Chairman of the Committee, Senator Sani Musa says that the interactive session was a fact finding one on workability or otherwise of the various reforms.

“Today we gather to deliberate on the pressing matters related to the sales of crude oil to domestic refineries in Nigeria, in Naira and its implication on the approved medium-term expenditure framework and fiscal strategy paper for 2024-2026 and what we should expect for 2025-2027.

“Additionally, we will examine shortfalls in NMPCL revenue remittances, focusing on key areas such as foreign and domestic excess crude accounts, the signature bonus accounts, NMPCL cash call account and any outstanding or remitted revenue linked to under-recoveries.

“This meeting underscores our commitment to transparency, accountability and the responsible management of our national resources.

“I am confident that with the collaboration of the Ministry of Finance under the able leadership of the coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the Central Bank of Nigeria and Revenue Mobilization and Physical Commission and other critical stakeholders present here, we will identify solutions and ensure that due process are upheld for the benefit of our economy and the Nigerian people.”

By Sophina Ovuike, Abuja

The post Severe Hardship: We Feel Your Pains, Endurance – FG Tells Nigerians first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Dr Kwosah Joseph Ngozi who is a senior lecturer at the Rivers State University further explained that this family planning issues is talked everytime on the radio, seen in the newspapers, and also, information can be gotten from health centres. Dr. Joseph Ngozi however, appealed to his fellow health care professionals to play a little role in promoting the adoption of family planning practices within the communities. He said they can educate people in their churches and, on the road. Advising them to cease any opportunity they have to talk to people. Stating that it might save a life.

In the meantime, a professor said that the high cost of living may lead to a mental breakdown. Professor of health education Golda Ekenado is advocating for more self care in times like this. Prof. Ekenado a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt tells our reporter that World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not mainly the absence of diseases and infirmity. She said many parents are in a state of depression as they can not pay their house rent and children school fees, and also can not take care of other financial need in the family.

Prof. Ekenado however, explained that cutting cost is necessary to the current economics challenges in Nigeria. She said parents must understand that they don’t need to keep themselves in a certain class when they know fully well that they are no longer in that class. Stating that if you force yourself to go beyond your limit, you will go down mentally. She further advise parents to learn to manage resources according to their income, prioritize their needs to be able to foot the education bills for their children. Advising that they register their children in schools they can afford.

By Nzeuzor Jane, PH

The post Hardship: Experts Charge Couples On Family Planning first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Mr. Friday Okorie who is a father of four, in an interview with our reporter complained bitterly that parents are suffering a lot especially now that their children are going back to school. He said they are thinking of how to feed the family and now there is another challenge of how to pay their children’s school fees which have been increased, sew new uniforms for their children who are entering higher classes, and buy books.

The principal of Osmond International Academy, Port Harcourt, Mrs. Chioma Uchenna in an interview with our reporter advised parents not to panic or feel depressed as this too shall pass. She said school owners are not out to make profits this session. Stating that they can not make a profit, with the unnecessary increase in cost and price of everything. She however urge parents to try as much as possible to cut cost. If your children can still manage their last session school bags, lunch bags, shoes, food flasks, water flasks, singlets, socks, and underwear, they should be properly washed and let them used for this new session. Stating that a new session doesn’t automatically mean new school materials and that this period isn’t the time to spend lavishly to impress anyone not even your children, because the price of everything in the market has increased whereas salaries have remained stagnant if not slashed.

Mrs Uchenna further advised parents to take things easy in order not to develop high blood pressure because if anything by chance happens to their health, their children’s education will be affected. She said if you can’t afford to pay their school fees during the first week to the second week of resumption, you should feel free to walk up to the school and ask for a payment plan. Let them know you will be paying twice or three times, for there’s nothing to be ashamed of and the school being aware of the economic situation will understand.

Meanwhile, there was a low turnout of students in both public and private schools in Port Harcourt on the first week of resumption. Our reporter who monitored Community Secondary and Primary Schools, Alakaiah, Rumuor,lumeni and Choba reports that grass had taken over some school fields, some classes are licking and others need more desks. Public school students are appealing to the State Government to provide the necessary learning materials to ease the new school year.

The post Rivers Residents Decry Effects Of Hardship On School Resumption first appeared on National Ambassador News.