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HOMEF: GMO Introduction into Nigeria’s Food Security Plan, A Big Mistake
HOMEF: GMO Introduction into Nigeria’s Food Security Plan, A Big Mistake
By: Michael Mike
Health of Mother Foundation has described the introduction of genetically modified organism (GMO) into Nigeria’s food security plan as a big mistake as it jeopardizes the potential of any country especially in Africa to reach their full potential in food production.
The Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, In his opening remarks at a workshop organised for Judiciary Officials on GMOs and Biosafety in Nigeria, said GMO narrow down the varieties available and its becomes dominant threats to the local varieties available.
He said: “Introducing GMO’s for reason of food security is a big mistake, because GMO’s jeopardize the potential of any country especially in Africa to reach their full potential to achieve food security because GMO’s reduce biodiversity, its narrow down the varieties available and it becomes dominant threats to the local varieties available.”
He noted that the introduction of GMOs in Nigeria has raised serious concerns about safety, regulatory oversight, and their potential impacts on the country’s biosafety.
The subject of the dangers of GMO foods was front burner at the training organised by HOMEF in Abuja on Monday with discussion centered on the role the judiciary arms of government need to play and it’s also involved creating awareness for those who are interpreting the nation’s laws as it’s border on the guide of the agency of government that are saddle with the responsibility of regulating, such as biosafety agency.
Bassey added that “to provide alternative in place of GMOs, we should first realize that it is food sovereignty that secure food security. What that means is that we should be depending on our indigenous species, ensuring that food we produce conforms to our culture, the government should also ensure that there is proper infrastructure because today many of the food produce are wasting because there is no storage facility.
“However, we realize that government can make mistakes and that’s why we need strict liability in the law. So, when the citizens found out that what you said was safe it’s not really safe, you should be held accountable. So, that the government we not continue to use us as guinea pigs.”
In his reaction, one of the participants at the workshop, Barrister Inibehe Effiong said: “I think the training is very necessary. It is intended to equip members of the judiciary, both lawyers, and My Lord on the bench with the requisite technical knowledge about GMOs in Nigeria, genetically modified organisms. For many people in our country, it is a novel concept. They are not quite familiar with what GMOs was all about. And because, we are seeing many food products being introduced in the market. And then there are regulatory issues regarding that and the manner in which authorizations and permits are issued under the law.
“For example, under the part seven of the national biosafety management agency act, there have been questions over time, about the manner in which those permits are issued. Would they have been causes or instances where HOMEF has tried to activate the judicial process to test the regulatory framework for issuing authorization.”
He said: “What we found from those court cases, is that there was a need to keep our judges and even lawyers with the legal framework governing GMOs in Nigeria. So that when such cases come before them, they can understand what exactly the issues are about and that was why, HOMEF deemed it fit to organize this training and bring to focus the seriousness of the matter, because as I stated, most Nigerians don’t really know what GMO was about. But lately we have seen conversations on social media, people are becoming more increasingly aware of it.”
He urged all Nigerians to reject all GMOs and also engage in various levels of personal and community education, sensitisation, and advocacy to demand the withdrawal/repeal of policies and legislation that allow licensing and indeed permit the cultivation, distribution and public consumption of GMOs.
HOMEF: GMO Introduction into Nigeria’s Food Security Plan, A Big Mistake
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have repelled suspected terrorists during an ambush operation along the Marte–Dikwa axis of Borno.
Security sources said the encounter occurred late on March 13 when troops of the 50 Task Force Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade, in conjunction with personnel of the 134 Special Forces Battalion and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, laid an ambush along the main supply route between Marte and Dikwa in Borno State.
According to the sources, the troops made contact with a group of terrorists moving on bicycles at about 10:15 p.m.
The troops immediately engaged the insurgents forcing them to withdraw into nearby bushes.
During exploitation of the area, the troops recovered the corpse of one suspected terrorist, four bicycles and other sundry items believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing insurgents.
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
The Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has hailed the appointment of Nigeria’s foremost table tennis administrator, Wahid Oshodi to the Board of World Table Tennis (WTT).
Hon. Mailantarki described the appointment as a “round peg in a round hole,” noting that Oshodi’s elevation to the game’s apex commercial body is a testament to his track record of excellence.
Oshodi, who is the current President of the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) and Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), was appointed as a Director to represent the ITTF on the WTT Board alongside ITTF President Petra Sörling.
“This is a proud moment for Nigeria and a victory for the African continent,” Mailantarki stated.
“Barrister Oshodi has risen through the ranks from the national level to the continental stage with a vision that has transformed the sport.
“Having him as a decision-maker at the highest level of World Table Tennis ensures that African interests are well-represented.”
The NTTF Vice President further congratulated the Nigerian sports community, emphasizing that Oshodi’s presence in the WTT inner circle will serve as a catalyst for the continued growth and commercialization of the game globally.
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army under Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued six kidnapped victims after engaging suspected terrorists in a gun battle in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of armed terrorists suspected to be transporting abducted victims through forest routes in the area.
According to the sources, troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gurara, under Sub-Sector 4 of Operation FANSAN YANMA, responded swiftly to the intelligence at about 7 a.m. on March 14.
The troops subsequently laid an ambush at a suspected crossing point used by the terrorists around Sabon Kurutu Village in Kachia LGA.
“During the operation, troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The criminals, overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the troops, fled into the surrounding bush, abandoning some items,” the source said.
Following the engagement, troops combed the general area and successfully rescued six kidnapped victims. However, a seventh victim, a minor, was reported to have died during the crossfire between the troops and the fleeing terrorists.
Troops also recovered three motorcycles believed to have been used by the terrorists during the movement of the abducted victims.
Preliminary interrogation of the rescued victims revealed that they were abducted earlier on March 14 from Janjala Village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victims said they had been moved through forest routes by the terrorists before the troops intercepted them.
The rescued victims and the body of the deceased minor were evacuated to Katari Hospital for medical attention and other necessary procedures.
Military sources said families of the rescued victims had been contacted.
The Military said the troops 1 Division Operation FANSAN YANMA and other task force has continued sustained offensives and intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks across the North-West region.
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
Troops ambush terrorist group, recover bicycles in Marte–Dikwa axis
Oshodi will represent Africa’s interest at WTT, says Mailantarki
Troops rescue six kidnapped victims after gun battle with terrorists in Kaduna
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