The Federal Government of Nigeria has dispatched 20 trailer loads of 25kg bags of rice to each of the nation’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, with a view to addressing rising food shortages across the country.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, told journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja on Monday, that the bags of rice which had been received by the various state governments were meant to be shared among the most vulnerable in the society.

Informed sources told our reporter that it takes about 1,200 bags of rice of 25kg weight, to fill a 40-foot trailer truck. Going by that calculation it would imply that each state has received an estimated 25,200 bags of 25 kg rice.

Information Minister, Idris said: “Each state of the Federation and the FCT have received 20 trucks of rice for onward distribution to the most vulnerable to ease the food shortage being experienced”.

The Minister 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 the 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.

He said: “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 visa 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 imposed a blanket visa ban on Nigerians in October 2022 while Emirates Airlines suspended flight operations to Nigeria in November of the same year.