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Hunger looms as bakers set to shut down industry nationwide

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The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN) South-East chapter, has said it is set to withdraw its services from July 13, as directed by its national body.

The Zonal Chairman of the association, Chief Dominic Nwibe made this known in an interview with NAN on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

Recall that the National President of AMBCN, Malam Mansur Umar had also said members would begin a two-week strike from July 13, citing an increase in prices of bakery materials.

Following the directive, Chief Dominic said, “We had a zonal meeting in Abakaliki and decided to follow the directive which is supposed to last for two weeks.

“A bag of baking flour which hitherto cost N25,000 presently cost N28,000 and it is worrisome that it will keep increasing.

“A bag of sugar which hitherto cost N9,000 presently cost N30,000 while 20 litres of groundnut oil costs about N20,000″.

According to him, the members felt it was unnecessary to keep increasing the prices of bakery products such as bread to the detriment of customers.

“The customers would feel that we are greedy and we want to let the federal government know that the situation has become unbearable.

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“We are asking for the liberalisation of the sugar importation process to break the monopoly by two or three firms.

“These firms import sugar and control its price mechanisms as the withdrawal of services will make our customers know we are telling the truth on reasons for price increases,” he added.

The zonal chairman regretted that the authorities blamed the high cost of materials on the economic effects of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

“We don’t see any justification to this assertion as flour for instance, can be sourced from nearby countries,” he said.

Also speaking, the south east Zonal Secretary of the association, Mr Okey Ezeanata said that bakers have been seriously affected by the development as most of them have closed shops”.

“The market forces have been unfair to us and as the time we increased prices of products in April till present, there have been several changes.

“We urge the federal government to allow mass participation in our materials’ importation process just like in the telecommunication sector,” he said.

NAN reports that the association alleged that the National Wheat Cultivation Committee already constituted is yet to be inaugurated after over one year.

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Metro

Texas Storm Claims Seven Lives

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Shattered windows are seen on buildings in downtown Houston on May 17, 2024, one day after the city was hit by severe storms. Credit: Cécile Clocheret / AFP

The death toll from severe weather that lashed the Texas city of Houston has risen to seven, authorities said Friday.

The three additional deaths came after Houston, the fourth-largest US city, was hit Thursday by heavy rain and winds up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour, leaving downtown streets covered in glass from blown-out windows.

Downed trees and power lines littered residential areas and the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in the suburb of Cypress.

According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the new victims included an 85-year-old woman who died after her mobile home was struck by lightning and caught fire.

A 60-year-old man was found unresponsive and pronounced dead after going to his truck to try and power his oxygen tank, after electricity was cut across wide swaths of the storm-hit area.

And a 57-year-old man collapsed and died after trying to move a downed power pole.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire said Thursday after the storm that four people died, though specifics were not immediately available.

Schools in Houston, home to 2.3 million people with an economy centered around oil and petrochemicals, were closed on Friday and non-essential workers urged to stay home.

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Metro

Israel-Palestine Conflict Claims 35,173 Lives

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An Israeli army battle tank moves in an area along the border with the Gaza Strip and southern Israel on April 2, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict in the Palestinian territory between Israel and the militant group Hamas. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP)

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Tuesday that at least 35,173 people have been killed in the territory during more than seven months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants.

The toll includes at least 82 deaths over the past 24 hours, a ministry statement said, adding that 79,061 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7.

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Metro

Photos: Tragic Accident Claims Two Lives in Ogbomoso

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In a devastating turn of events today, tragedy struck the streets of Oke- Owode in Ogbomoso as a fatal collision between a bus laden with mango fruits and a car occupied by suspected yahoo boys claimed the lives of two individuals, including the bus driver.

Eyewitness accounts at the scene painted a grim picture, alleging that the occupants of the car, believed to be involved in cybercrime activities, were driving recklessly, possibly impaired by alcohol.

Their vehicle collided with the mango-laden bus, resulting in the loss of lives.

Promptly responding to the distress call, law enforcement officials arrived at the scene to assess the situation.

Their efforts focused on clearing the obstruction caused by the bus and attending to the victims. The bodies of the deceased were carefully removed and transported for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the car driven by the suspected yahoo boys was impounded and taken to the Police Area Command for thorough examination.

Authorities are committed to unraveling the circumstances leading to the accident and holding those responsible accountable.

The incident has caused significant disruption to traffic in the Oke Owode area, prompting authorities to work tirelessly to restore normalcy.

Expressing shock and grief, local residents and community members emphasised the importance of adherence to traffic regulations and called for caution among drivers to avert such tragedies in the future.

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As investigations unfold, the police remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, determined to establish the facts surrounding the accident and ensure that justice is served.

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