Abraka Metro

Traders, Consumers Decry Rising Cost Of Pepper, Tomatoes In Abraka

Published

1 week ago

July 12, 2026

By Miracle Oghenekaro

Fir many residents and students in Abraka, a visit to Abraka Main Market has become a frustrating and expensive experience.

The prices of pepper and tomatoes — two of the most essential ingredients in Nigerian cooking — have risen sharply in recent weeks, leaving both traders and consumers struggling to cope with the new reality.

Market women at Abraka Main Market have attributed the increases to a combination of factors, including fuel costs, rising transportation fares, seasonal scarcity, and the high cost of farming inputs in the north, where much of the produce is sourced.

Together, these pressures have pushed the cost of basic cooking ingredients far beyond what many Abraka residents can comfortably afford.

Mrs. Tracy Chovwe, a trader at the market, explained that a Hausa supplier who delivers tomatoes to her stall linked the spike directly to scarcity.

According to her, the supplier told her that farmers had just begun planting a new season’s crops, meaning the current supply on the market is limited.

“They just started planting new ones,” she said, adding that suppliers are managing what little stock remains by selling in small quantities rather than in bulk.

This rationing of supply, she explained, is a key reason prices have been driven upward.

The numbers tell a stark story. Mrs. Princess Jude, another trader, said a bag of pepper that once sold for ₦30,000 now goes for between ₦70,000 and ₦90,000 — more than double its former price.

She attributed part of the increase to seasonality, explaining that the pepper trade operates in cycles and that the variety currently available on the market is freshly harvested, which typically commands a higher price. Different types of pepper also carry different price points, she noted.

“Transportation is quite expensive,” she added, pointing to the long distance produce must travel from northern Nigeria to reach Abraka markets in Delta State.

Tomatoes have fared even worse than pepper. Mrs. Jude said a basket of tomatoes that previously cost ₦15,000 now sells for between ₦90,000 and ₦135,000 — nearly a ninefold increase that has left many buyers in disbelief.

She pointed to transportation as the single biggest driver of the tomato price surge, explaining that the cost of moving perishable goods across long distances has risen alongside fuel prices nationwide.

Mrs. Jennifer, another trader, placed much of the blame squarely on the rising cost of fuel. “Fuel is just too expensive,” she said.

“If fuel keeps increasing, the price of things will keep going up — not just tomatoes or pepper.” She painted a broader picture of the crisis, explaining that it does not begin at the market but at the farm level.

Farming inputs such as fertilisers, chemicals, and labour have all become more expensive, making it costlier to cultivate crops in the first place.

By the time the produce is harvested and loaded onto trucks headed south, the price has already begun climbing.

As the goods travel from the north toward Abraka, she said, the price increases gradually along the route, and the trucks finally arrive, some of the tomatoes are already spoiled, further shrinking the available supply and pushing prices even higher. A crate of pepper that once cost between ₦25,000 and ₦30,000 now sells for between ₦85,000 and ₦90,000, she said.

For consumers, the reality is hitting particularly hard. Sunday Success Oghale, a student who recently returned to Abraka for the new semester, said she was visibly shocked when she went to the market to buy pepper after resumption.

Initially convinced that a seller was trying to cheat her, she walked through the entire market comparing prices from stall to stall — only to confirm that the increases were consistent and real.

“Last semester, pepper and tomatoes was okay,” she said. “I did not believe that I would resume school to see they have increased price.”

Her experience reflects a wider frustration among students and low-income residents in Abraka, many of whom depend on affordable produce to manage their daily feeding costs.

The situation points to a deeper and more systemic problem. Nigeria’s food supply chain remains heavily dependent on long-distance transportation from northern farming communities to southern markets, making it extremely vulnerable to fuel price fluctuations.

When the cost of diesel rises, everything connected to it — from farm inputs to truck haulage — rises with it, and it is ordinary consumers at the end of the chain who feel it most.

Traders at Abraka Main Market warn that unless fuel prices stabilise and the new planting season produces a strong harvest, consumers and students in the Abraka community should brace themselves and expect little relief in the weeks ahead.

Abraka Metro

DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 Celebrates Creativity Despite Heavy Rainfall

Published

4 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Austin Olayinka

By Blessing Alumona and Miracle Akpoyovwvayire

The second edition of the DELSU Photo Festival was held on July 17, 2026, in front of the university Sports Complex. Although the programme was originally scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., persistent rainfall delayed the event until about 2:00 p.m. A large canopy was provided to shield participants from the rain, while lively music entertained students as they arrived at the venue.

The event opened on a cheerful note with comedy and light-hearted remarks by Professor Odion Odiboh, creating an exciting atmosphere despite the weather. This was followed by the official opening address delivered by Comrade Regina Egbiamiye, President of the Department of Journalism. After her remarks, the pageantry segment commenced, with contestants representing the Departments of Mass Communication, Journalism, and Broadcasting showcasing their confidence and creativity. At the same time, judges assessed students’ photography projects while music kept the audience entertained.

One of the highlights of the festival was an interactive question-and-answer session that actively involved students and kept the audience engaged. Student union representatives, departmental executives, lecturers, and students participated throughout the programme, contributing to its lively and memorable atmosphere.

Speaking after the event, Faith Ogbotor, a 200-level Journalism student, described the festival as enjoyable and memorable. She said that although the heavy rainfall affected the programme, it did not prevent participants from having a rewarding experience.

Another participant, Tejiri Mathias, a Mass Communication student, also commended the event but expressed concerns about what he described as partiality during some of the games. He suggested that improvements could be made in future editions to ensure fairness.

The festival concluded with the announcement of winners from the three departments. Four students emerged as winners from the Department of Broadcasting, twelve from the Department of Journalism, and twenty-two from the Department of Mass Communication. Each department also selected three overall outstanding winners through a voting process, and the successful participants received awards in recognition of their performances.

The celebration ended with music, dancing, and the distribution of refreshments to students, lecturers, and student executives. The joyful atmosphere and shared moments of celebration brought the 2026 DELSU Photo Festival Season 2 to a successful and memorable conclusion for everyone in attendance.

Abraka Metro

DELSU Student Collapses in Overcrowded Library During MIA Examination

Published

4 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Austin Olayinka

By Sajini Angela

A female student of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at the university library during the ongoing MIA examination.

According to students at the scene, the incident was linked to intense heat and overcrowding in the library. This reporter witnessed the student being carried out of the library and rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

Speaking with this reporter, a Mass Communication student, Monday Akubeze, who witnessed the incident, said:

“It was on Thursday afternoon when I went to the library to read that the incident happened. A girl who had an MIA examination to write suddenly collapsed and started gasping for air. It was later discovered that she fainted because the place was overcrowded and poorly ventilated. There were many students waiting to sit for the examination in the hall, but there was no fan or air conditioner to reduce the heat.”

The incident has renewed concerns about poor ventilation and crowd management in examination venues as the MIA examinations continue.

Students have also called on the university authorities to improve ventilation in examination centres and ensure proper crowd control to prevent similar incidents. They urged fellow students to stay hydrated and step outside for fresh air if they begin to feel weak, especially in crowded environments.

Abraka Metro

Youths In Abraka Call For Greater Political Participation

Published

4 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Austin Olayinka

By Purity Enumah

Youth leaders and activists in Abraka have called for increased youth participation in politics, emphasising the need for young people to take active roles in governance and leadership rather than remain passive observers.

The call was made during interviews on the state of youth involvement in politics in Abraka, where participants highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that continue to hinder meaningful youth representation in the political process.

According to a youth leader, political awareness among young people in the community has improved significantly in recent years. He noted that more youths are attending political meetings, engaging in discussions on community development, and showing interest in leadership positions.

“We are seeing more young people becoming interested in politics than before. Many are now actively involved in conversations about governance and community issues. However, there is still room for improvement because some young people feel their voices are not adequately represented,” he said.

A youth activist attributed the growing interest to the influence of social media and increased civic awareness campaigns.

“Young people now have easier access to information about government policies and political developments. Campaigns encouraging voter registration and participation in decision-making processes have also motivated many youths to become more politically conscious,” the activist said.

Despite the growing enthusiasm, the interviewees identified several obstacles facing young people who wish to participate actively in politics. Among the challenges mentioned were limited access to leadership opportunities, financial constraints, and the dominance of older politicians within existing political structures.

“Many political platforms are still controlled by older generations, making it difficult for young people to secure leadership positions. Financial challenges and political intimidation also discourage many youths from getting involved,” the youth leader explained.

On the issue of generational leadership, the activists expressed confidence that Abraka is ready for greater youth representation in public office. They argued that young people possess the creativity, innovation, and energy needed to contribute meaningfully to governance and community development.

“Leadership should be based on competence, vision, and commitment to service. There are many capable young people in Abraka who can lead effectively if given the opportunity,” one of the activists said.

The youth representatives further urged government institutions and political parties to create more opportunities for young people by supporting leadership development programmes, civic education initiatives, and youth empowerment schemes.

They also encouraged political parties to provide platforms that would enable young candidates to contest elections and participate in decision-making processes.

In a message to fellow youths, the activists urged young people not to remain on the sidelines but to engage actively in political activities, register to vote, participate in community discussions, and hold elected officials accountable.

“Politics affects every aspect of our lives. The future of our communities depends on the willingness of young people to get involved and contribute to shaping the society they want to see,” they said.

The interviews reflect the growing conversation around youth participation in politics across Delta State, as calls for increased youth representation and inclusion in governance continue to gain momentum.