… As Yam tuber rises by 21.43%, Bag of beans rises by 40.4%
Prices of bread, beans, onions and potatoes, amongst other staple food items recorded a massive surge across major markets in Lagos State, this is becoming a major source of concern to Lagos residents. The hike in price of staple foods continued abruptly since the beginning of the year. According to the recent market survey carried out by Nairalytics, the research arm of NewsTimes, the price of a bigsized bag of brown beans rose by 40.4% to sell for an average of N66,000 in the month of July 2022 compared to N47,000 selling price recorded in the previous month of June 2022. Nigerians continue to grapple with high cost of goods and services amidst growing global inflationary pressure. Also, a medium basket of sweet potatoes, which was sold for an average of N6,370 in June, has now climbed by over 43% to sell for an average of N9,120 in Lagos State in July.
Similarly, a big bag of bush mango seed also called ogbono jumped by 42.1% to sell for an average of N212,500, from N149,500 recorded last month. On the other hand, dairy items such as Cowbell milk (refill), pepper, fish, and tomatoes recorded slight decline in price, although still elevated when compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. NewsTimes market survey, which is a bi-weekly report of prices and changes in prices of food items across major markets in Lagos State, highlights details of items that recorded increases in price, items that recorded price declines, items that maintained the same prices, and key market insights. Some of the items that recorded significant price increases in the past two weeks include: A big bag of dry onions that was initially sold for an average of N28,170 now sells for an average of N35,120 representing an increase of 24.67% month-on-month. Also, a 1kg pack of Honeywell wheatmeal increased by 22.6% to sell for an average of N638 as against N520 recorded in June, while a 10kg pack of Golden penny semolina now sells for an average of N6,400 compared to an initial average of N5,700.
A big-sized tuber of Abuja yam now sells for an average of N2,125 compared to an average of N1,750 recorded last month, indicating a 21.43% increase. A carton of frozen chicken wings increased by 21% to sell for an average of N22,000 from an initial average of N18,175. Similarly, a crate of eggs has increased by 9.30% to sell for an average of N2,350 compared to N2,150 recorded earlier in the month. Also, the price of a 5-litre gallon of vegetable oil recorded an increase of 5.71% to sell for an average of N5,550. It is also worth noting that the price of flour, which is also raw material for the production of bread and other confectioneries spiked to an average of N28,000. Other items include Dangote sugar, Nescafe Classic and TopCafe coffee, Milo refill, Cway bottled water, and bread.
• News Times online
FRSC warns motorists against speeding on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ogun Command has warned motorists against speeding, to further reduce accidents on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Ahmed Umar, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Ota, Ogun. Umar gave the advice while reacting to the two separate accidents which claimed six lives on the route between Tuesday and Wednesday morning. NAN reports that four persons lost their lives while six others sustained varying degrees of injury in Tuesday’s accident. On Wednesday, another accident claimed two lives while another person was injured.
The official said that the two mishaps could have been averted if the drivers had observed the speed limits and adhered to the traffic rules and regulations. “The two crashes on Tuesday and Wednesday were caused by reckless driving and speeding on the part of the two drivers. “We cannot continue to lose innocent people to road accidents caused by the nonchalant attitude of some drivers plying our roads.” Umar also advised motorists not to drive against traffic, saying, “they should reduce their speed so that when an accident occurs, its impact will not be much”.
NEMA DG counsels Libya returnees
Alhaji Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General of the National Emergency Mananagement Agency, NEMA has appealed to Nigerian returnees from Libya to avoid vices that they must have been exposed to from the country of departure in their homeland. The DG made the appeal when the agency received another batch of 175 stranded Nigerians from Libya. The returnees were received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Ahmed, who was represented by the Acting Coordinator of the Lagos Territorial Office of the Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development to journalists in Lagos. Farinloye said that the stranded Nigerians were received at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 23:58 p.m, with Boeing 737-800 Al Buraq Air, with registration number 5A-DMG. He said that the returnees were brought back to the country by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) through a voluntary repatriation programme.

He said that the programme was meant for the distressed Nigerians who had left the country to seek greener pastures in various European countries but could not afford to return when their journey became frustrated. Farinloye said that the returnees are 77 male adults, 64 female adults, 11 male and 12 female children, five female infants and six male infants. He said that among those brought into the country, two females and 2 male had medical issues. Farinloye enjoined the returnees to turn a new leaf in looking for ample opportunities in the country that were enough for everyone to achieve their desired goals.