The Urhobo Youth Leaders Association (UYLA), FCT Chapter, has commended Hon. Gift Johnbull, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-South), for her transformative agricultural initiative, “Earn From the Soil.”

In a statement signed by the UYLA President, Comrade Kennedy Ejename, the association highlighted the initiative’s potential to empower over 50,000 women in the South-South region by promoting agricultural activities and boosting economic opportunities.

The statement described agriculture as a vital tool for solving local food supply challenges and enabling Nigeria to earn foreign exchange through food exportation.

“Today’s event has demonstrated that the South-South is a prime investment destination, rich in human and natural resources. The insights shared by Dr. Donald Duke, former Cross River State Governor, and Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, underscore the transformative impact of agriculture in addressing food security and driving economic growth,” Comrade Ejename noted.

He praised Hon. Gift Johnbull for her commitment to showcasing the region’s agricultural potential and called on stakeholders, including governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and intervention agencies, to support the initiative.

The statement also celebrated the success of the “Road to South-South” National Convergence Event held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja. The event, organized by Hon. Johnbull, featured discussions on investment opportunities, awards, and the official launch of the “Earn From the Soil” project.

“Hon. Gift Johnbull’s efforts align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing sustainable development and community empowerment,” the statement added.

According to UYLA, the initiative highlights the untapped potential of the South-South region in agriculture and agro-allied industries, positioning it as a critical player in Nigeria’s economic diversification.

“The ‘Earn From the Soil’ project is a bold step toward empowering women and youth in the region, fostering sustainable development, and driving economic transformation,” Comrade Ejename emphasized.

The UYLA called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the initiative, which it described as a “game changer” for the South-South region.

The Senator representing Ondo South, Jimoh Ibrahim (APC) has urged the Federal Government to replace cash-based palliative programs with food vouchers to curb the mismanagement of billions of naira allocated annually to support poor Nigerians.
Speaking at a media briefing in the Senate on Wednesday, Ibrahim highlighted how food vouchers could eliminate waste, improve food security, and boost Nigeria’s cash-to-GDP ratio.

Ibrahim, who chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, criticized the current palliative distribution system, arguing that it often results in mismanagement and diversion of funds.
He proposed food vouchers as a more effective alternative.
“Food vouchers distributed directly to poor Nigerians across all 36 states and 774 local government areas will ensure transparency and accountability, unlike the N15 billion palliatives given to state governors that are often mishandled,” he said.
Ibrahim emphasized that Nigeria’s cash-to-GDP ratio remains alarmingly low at 1.52%, compared to 5–10% in developed countries.
He explained that replacing cash with food vouchers would reduce the volume of money in circulation, thereby improving the ratio and strengthening the economy.

“Our cash-to-GDP ratio was only 1% when President Tinubu took office, but it has since increased to 1.52%. Food vouchers will further boost this, offering a dual benefit of reducing cash reliance and addressing food insecurity,” he noted.

Higher Taxes for the Wealthy
The senator also called for increased taxation on the wealthy, particularly those who own luxury assets such as private jets and expensive properties.
He argued that Nigeria’s tax system does not adequately target the rich.

“The wealthy in Nigeria are under-taxed. Those purchasing luxury items should contribute more to national development. Closing these loopholes will generate additional revenue,” he added.
Ibrahim lauded the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms but insisted that introducing food vouchers would complement these efforts by ensuring that palliatives reach the most vulnerable.

“President Tinubu’s reforms are commendable, but adopting food vouchers will enhance transparency and ensure that the funds are used effectively to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he concluded.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has initiated a sweeping investigation into Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), MTN Nigeria, and Air Peace over widespread consumer complaints.
The inquiry, set to begin on December 3, 4, and 5, aims to address concerns about poor service delivery, exploitative practices, and potential violations of consumer rights.

FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, announced the investigation in a statement on Sunday, emphasizing the Commission’s commitment to protecting consumer rights and ensuring market accountability.
GTBank will be probed over numerous reports of network failures that have left customers unable to access their funds or use banking applications.

MTN Nigeria faces scrutiny for persistent complaints of undelivered data services, unexplained data depletion, and inadequate customer support.
Air Peace will address allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, particularly concerning significant price hikes for advance bookings on certain domestic routes.
The FCCPC stated that the investigations are being conducted under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, citing Sections 17, 18, 32, 33, 80, 110, 111, 112, and 113.
These sections empower the Commission to investigate practices that undermine consumer rights, distort markets, or create unfair competition.

The inquiries aim to provide a platform for resolving consumer grievances, clarifying business practices, and enforcing compliance with regulatory standards.
The Commission has mandated the companies to appear before it on designated dates to provide information and responses to the allegations.

“This action reflects the FCCPC’s dedication to safeguarding consumer rights, fostering a fair marketplace, and ensuring accountability across key sectors,” Ijagwu said.

Consumers are encouraged to continue reporting instances of poor service delivery or exploitative practices through FCCPC’s official channels to aid in the ongoing investigations.