…LAUDS GTCO FOR FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
By Okosun Dennis
A corn seller identified as Mrs Amarachi Rosemary Dike, has appealed to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfil his campaign promise to Nigerians by ensuring food sufficiency especially maize.
In a chat with out correspondent on Sunday, 4th May, 2025 at the GTCO Food and Drink 2025 festival in Victoria Island said the price surge at the market which has made a comb of corn sold as much as N1,000 was due to the unavailability of the product in the market.
As a result, Amarachi called on President Tinubu to make enough budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector that would galvanize increased food sufficiency.
She reminded him that during his electioneering campaign two years ago, he promised that corn “Agbado” in local parlance will be available for Nigerians to eat but amazed that instead of having more supplies, it is declining which has led to increased prices across the country.
Amarachi who had her stand located at the “Street Food” section at the GTCO centre, explained that she bought a bag of corn for between N32,000 to N33,000 at Ketu market while African pear, which combines well with corn sells for N12,000 for 50 pieces hence she has to sell three pieces of pear for N1,000 to maximize profit.
The African delicacy often referred to as “Mouth Organ” is fast becoming a snack for the privileged class as the inflationary period is pushing it off as a common meal for some Nigerians.
Explaining how she source for the corn, Amarachi Dike explained: “I buy corn from Ketu market and it is very expensive. A bag of corn now sells between N32,000 to N33,000. To make profit, I have to sell between N500 to N1,000 for a comb depending on the size. Sometimes, I make up to N5,000 as profit. Other times, you might run at a lose but depending on the market forces.
“In addition, I buy charcoal to roast or cook it. Such money comes from whatever that is sold from the corn.
“President Tinubu promised us that corn (Agbado) will be surplus, since then, we have not seen anything. Rather, it is becoming scarce and very expensive in the market,” she reiterated.
He appealed to GTCO and other banks to grant soft loans with minimal interest rate commensurate with their line of business to cushion the adverse effect of the inflationary trends.
“The hugest challenge is the suffocating price of corn in the market hence my appeal goes to President Tinubu to meet his campaign promise and make corn available through mechanized farming system.”
GTCO Food and Drink 2025 is an annual event with its 8th edition rounded off in Lagos on the 4th May, 2025.
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