The federal government has distributed 740 trucks of rice to the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT) to address the economic hardship in the country.
The minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, announced this at a press conference on Monday at the end of the federal executive council meeting (FEC) at Aso Rock, Abuja.
Idris said each state will receive 20 trucks of rice, adding that each truck contains 1,200 bags of 25 kg of rice.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has directed the minister of agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, to ensure food availability for Nigerians amid the current economic hardship in the country.
Idris also announced that another meeting will be held on Thursday between President Bola Tinubu and labour leaders to discuss issue of the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The proposed meeting, he said, which is a follow up to the one held between the President and labour leaders last week will finalise discussions on the new minimum wage.
Idris further told newsmen that visa ban on Nigerian passport holders have now been lifted by the United Arab Emirates with effect from July 15, 2024.
The minister added that an agreement has been reached between the governments of Nigeria and the UAE on the issue.
“You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates on the issue of Visa for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.
“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today 15th July, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain to go to the United Arab Emirates.
“Details of that will be provided to you later today when we put out a statement.
“But I can tell you that the agreement has been reached and effective from today, Nigerian passport holders intending to travel to the UAE are able to do so”.
The UAE had in October 2022, imposed a blanket visa ban on Nigerians, while Emirates Airlines suspended flight operations to Nigeria in November of the same year.
