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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 neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops operating under Project Garkuwan Arewa have neutralised six bandits and recovered seven AK-47 rifles during a security operation in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A security source told Zagazola Makama on Sunday that the operation, conducted in the villages of Gangara, Tsageru and Sungawa, followed credible intelligence on hostile bandit activities in the area.
“Troops neutralised six bandits identified as Musa, Shehu, Nasiru, Yusuf, Mantagora and Siddiq. Seven AK‑47 rifles were also recovered during the operation,” the source said.
He said despite the setbacks suffered by the criminals, remnants of the bandit group resorted to burning farmlands and properties in surrounding communities in a bid to intimidate residents and regain control.
According to the source, local vigilante operatives are assisting troops in tracking fleeing bandits, some of whom have taken refuge within Gangara town, resulting in intermittent gunfire exchanges.
Security authorities described the attacks as retaliatory actions aimed at destabilising rural communities and warned of increased risks of civilian casualties if the criminals are not cleared from the area.
Troops have since intensified ground patrols in Gangara, Tsageru and Sungawa, while coordination with local intelligence networks has been strengthened to provide early warning on bandit movements.
Operations to track and apprehend fleeing suspects are ongoing.
Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara
PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security for Very Important Persons in the country.
Henceforth, police authorities will deploy them to concentrate on their core police duties.
The presidential directive was issued at the security meeting President Tinubu held on Sunday with the police, Air Force, army chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja.
According to the Presidential directive, VIPs who want police protection will now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult.
In view of the current security challenges facing the country, President Tinubu is desirous of boosting police presence in all communities.
Already, President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers. The federal government is also collaborating with the states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Sunday’s meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES
VP Shettima Departs South Africa To Represent President Tinubu At AU-EU Summit In Angola
By: Our Reporter
Following the conclusion of his engagements at the 20th summit of the G20 Leaders in South Africa, Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Johannesburg for Luanda to represent President Bola Tinubu at the AU-EU Summit scheduled for Angola.
The Vice President will join other Heads of State and Government from the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) for the 7th meeting of the two bodies, scheduled to take place from November 24 to 25, 2025, in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
The AU and EU meeting will bring together young leaders, innovators and Civil Society Organisations to brainstorm on some of the shared challenges of the two unions.
It will also provide recommendations on how to address issues related to climate change, inclusivity in development, infrastructure, the digital economy, the creative industry, manufacturing, and agribusiness.
The Vice President will return to Nigeria at the end of the AU-EU summit.
VP Shettima Departs South Africa To Represent President Tinubu At AU-EU Summit In Angola
Troops neutralise six bandits, recover rifles as arson attacks escalate in Zamfara
PRESIDENT TINUBU ORDERS THE WITHDRAWAL OF POLICE OFFICERS GUARDING VIPS FOR CORE POLICE DUTIES
VP Shettima Departs South Africa To Represent President Tinubu At AU-EU Summit In Angola
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