On Friday, over 4,000 individuals in Lagos reaped the benefits of rice sales conducted by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), following the directive of the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. The seized rice was sold to the public at a subsidized rate of N10,000 per 25kg bag, with the condition that beneficiaries provide their National Identification Number.
Addressing various groups, religious leaders, and beneficiaries, Adeniyi urged recipients not to divert the rice to the market. He assured that similar subsidized rice sales would take place across all Customs commands in the country, in accordance with the federal government’s instruction to prioritize the less-privileged in the sale.
The security at the sales venue was provided by operatives of the police, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority. Beneficiaries included artisans, teachers, religious groups, physically-challenged individuals, and street sweepers.
Expressing gratitude, some beneficiaries commended the federal government and the NCS for the generous initiative. A physically-challenged recipient, Taiwo Lawal, emotionally thanked the government and believed that such gestures, if continued, could reduce the prices of goods and make them more accessible to common people.
Another beneficiary, Amdalat Balogun, who is visually impaired, borrowed money to purchase the subsidized rice in preparation for the upcoming month of fasting by Muslims. She appreciated the NCS and the federal government, urging them to provide more subsidized food items for the well-being of ordinary Nigerians.
Chief Imam of Magodo Phase 2, Central Mosque, Lagos, Imam Abdul-Semiu Kelani, expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, acknowledging the positive impact of the government’s gesture in alleviating the hardships faced by Nigerians. A cleric, Emmanuel Omoroke of St. Louis Catholic Church, purchased rice for indigent church members and commended the government for the initiative.
A street sweeper employed by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Mrs. Morufat Bello, also expressed appreciation for the government’s gesture after purchasing the subsidized rice. Nonagenarian Mrs. Adeke Lateef, whose grandchild attended the sales point, prayed for the government’s success and encouraged them to continue such initiatives.
