General
Nigeria Suspends Food Import Duties, Partners with States to Boost Farming
In an effort to combat rising inflation and alleviate food shortages, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a 150-day duty-free import window for various food commodities. This measure, intended to stabilize food prices and ease the economic burden on Nigerians, will suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on food imports through both land and sea borders.
Key Points:
- Duty-Free Import Window: Effective immediately, a five-month period has been established during which maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas can be imported without incurring duties, tariffs, or taxes. These imports will be sold at a Recommended Retail Price to ensure affordability.
- Partnerships with States: The government will collaborate with state authorities and the military to identify and cultivate arable lands, providing substantial support to smallholder farmers. This initiative is part of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan, aimed at achieving food security and economic stability.
- Economic Context: In 2023, Nigeria spent $2.13 billion on food imports, despite having a robust agricultural sector. High food import bills have persisted due to challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and climate change. This new directive aims to reduce the demand for foreign exchange used by food importers.
- Government Support: To counteract the impact of rising prices and supply shortages, the government plans to import 250,000 metric tonnes each of wheat and maize in their semi-processed states, targeting small-scale processors and millers across the country.
- Impact on Local Agriculture: While this move is expected to mitigate immediate food inflation, experts warn it may weaken the domestic agricultural sector by making it difficult for local farmers to compete with imported goods. Sustainable agricultural policies and infrastructure improvements are crucial for long-term food security.
- Challenges and Recommendations: Persistent issues such as poor transportation infrastructure, market access, and security continue to affect food production and distribution. Experts suggest declaring a state of emergency in the food sector and implementing comprehensive measures to boost local production and self-sufficiency.
Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari emphasized the importance of these measures in bringing relief to Nigerians and supporting the agricultural sector through enhanced land cultivation and sustained farmer support. However, he acknowledged the need for long-term solutions to ensure food security beyond the temporary tariff suspension.
As Nigeria navigates this critical period, the government’s proactive stance on food imports and agricultural collaboration will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness in stabilizing the nation’s food economy and alleviating the hardships faced by its citizens.
Entertainment
Travis Kelce Impresses in Acting Debut: Cast and Crew Praise NFL Star’s Transition to TV”
Ahead of Travis Kelce’s much-anticipated debut, his costars Courtney B. Vance, Raven Goodwin, and more expressed their admiration for the NFL star’s acting skills in exclusive interviews with E! News.
Travis made a remarkable impact on his Grotesquerie castmates, both on and off camera, leaving a lasting positive impression.
According to his TV family, he has great potential in acting. “Absolutely,” shared costar and executive producer Courtney B. Vance. “He was incredibly prepared and a wonderful, wonderful man.”
Raven Goodwin echoed these sentiments, describing him as “lovely” and “gracious.” She noted, “He can do anything he wants to do. He’s Travis Kelce.”
Actress Micaela Diamond also highlighted his team spirit, saying, “I had a great time working with Travis. He’s such a dear.”
For both Micaela and Travis, Grotesquerie marks a significant milestone, as it’s their first big TV project. “We were just the newbies on set, learning from these amazing actors,” she explained.
Nicholas Alexander Chavez was also impressed, saying, “I can’t believe it’s his first show. He brought so much confidence to the role.”
Ryan Murphy, the show’s creator, praised Travis’ charisma at the New York premiere. “A star is a star, and Travis is one,” Ryan remarked. “He’s so smart and so lovely.”
Off-set, Travis also had the support of his girlfriend Taylor Swift, who encouraged him to explore his new passion. Ryan shared, “She’s been very supportive of him, and I was thrilled about that.”
General
Florian Wirtz Shines as Bayer Leverkusen Dominates Feyenoord in Champions League
Florian Wirtz made an impressive Champions League debut, scoring twice as Bayer Leverkusen cruised to a commanding victory over Feyenoord. The 21-year-old German international opened the scoring just five minutes into the match, placing a precise shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
Leverkusen’s second goal came from a well-executed combination between their wing-backs, as Jeremie Frimpong delivered a pinpoint cross for Alex Grimaldo to convert. Frimpong was once again the provider, setting up Wirtz for his second goal, a well-taken volley that gave the visitors a 3-0 lead.
The game was effectively over by half-time when Edmond Tapsoba’s header forced Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther into an own goal, capping off a clinical performance from the Bundesliga champions.
Despite having fewer shots than their Dutch opponents, Leverkusen was ruthless with their chances, securing a comprehensive win. This marked Feyenoord’s first loss under new manager Brian Priske, who took over following Arne Slot’s departure to Liverpool.
General
Jannik Sinner Cleared After Positive Tests for Banned Substance
World number one Jannik Sinner has been officially cleared of any wrongdoing following two positive tests for a banned substance in March. The Italian tennis star tested positive for low levels of clostebol, a steroid commonly used to build muscle mass, during the Indian Wells tournament.
A second sample taken eight days later also returned a positive result for the same substance. As a result, Sinner was automatically placed under a provisional suspension. However, he successfully challenged this suspension, allowing him to continue competing.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) conducted an investigation and found that Sinner had been inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi. Naldi had applied an over-the-counter spray containing clostebol to treat a cut on his own hand before performing treatments on Sinner. The ITIA accepted that the contamination was unintentional, and an independent tribunal cleared Sinner of any fault or negligence last week.
Despite being cleared, Sinner will lose the ranking points and prize money he earned from his semi-final run at Indian Wells. Reflecting on the ordeal, Sinner stated, “I will now put this challenging and deeply unfortunate period behind me. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure I comply with the ITIA’s anti-doping program. I have a team around me that is meticulous in their own compliance.”
Clostebol, which is often found in products used to treat swelling and irritation, is listed as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Sinner, who is also the reigning Australian Open champion, will enter the US Open as the top seed, with the tournament set to begin on Monday.
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