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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
2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei
Dr Salihu Girei, a former Director of Research, Development and Centre of Excellence, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), has formally declared interest to contest the Governorship seat in Adamawa under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Girei made his intention to govern the state known at a press conference in Yola while unveiling a 10-point agenda for the development of the state.
He said if given the mandate he would impact positively in the state especially at the grassroots.
He listed some of the agenda to include: free and quality education at the primary and secondary levels, healthcare service delivery, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, employment opportunities rural development among others.
Girei promised to provide a special salary package for teachers and 100 per cent review of pension for retirees.
He explained that he is presenting himself to the electorate to vote for in order to provide good governance, saying, he has a lot to offer towards improving the wellbeing of citizens of Adamawa State.
According to him, he contributed enormously to the development of the state and country at large for 33 years as a public administrator, and as a policy maker.
“I was Executive Chairman of Adamawa State Universal Basic Education Board, where I was privileged to transform the education landscape, especially at the basic education level.
“I built at least 5,500 classrooms record. Were able to recruit at least 17,000 teachers in four years.
“We promoted teachers that were lagging behind in promotion. We trained and retrained teachers. We did a lot in terms of supervision of teachers and schools”, he said.
He said, based on those factors, he knows Adamawa well and its challenges and has the capacity to deliver for the citizens.
“There is no ward in Adamawa that I have not been to. I’ve visited all in my capacity as Chairman of SUBEB and Commissioner for LG Affairs”, he said.
Dr Girei earlier visited the APC Secretariat to formally declare his intentions to the party Executives and congratulated them for their emergence as the new EXCO.
In his remarks, Alhaji Hamza Madagali appreciated the visit and assured the party’s readiness to conduct free, fair and credible primary elections across all political offices.
2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei
Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled an attempt by suspected terrorist logistics suppliers along the Ngoshe–Ashigashiya road in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the troops of 82 Division Task Force Battalion, deployed at Ngoshe, laid an ambush at a known crossing point along the route at about 2:20 a.m. on April 24.
The sources said the troops made contact with suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics suppliers conveying items to terrorist elements and engaged them with disciplined fire.
The suspects were forced to abandon the items and fled in disarray.
Items recovered during exploitation of the area include 10 pairs of women’s slippers, 28 sachets of 500g salt, 39 sachets of powdered milk, a motorcycle tube, a pair of joggers, two pieces of clothing materials measuring 10 yards each, two one-litre containers of engine oil and a black shirt.
The sources said no casualty was recorded on the side of the troops, while casualties on the part of the fleeing suspects could not be immediately ascertained.
They added that the troops returned to base at about 6:00 a.m. after completing the operation.
According to the sources, the general security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high.
Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist infiltration into Kanama town, neutralising four insurgents during a swift response operation in Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on April 22 when troops of 159 Battalion, deployed in Kanama, responded to sounds of gunfire within the town.
On arrival, the troops reportedly discovered that terrorists had infiltrated parts of the community.
The troops immediately made contact and engaged the attackers with disciplined fire, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
Subsequent exploitation of the general area led to the neutralisation of four terrorists.
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained injuries during the encounter and has been evacuated for medical attention.
No military equipment was lost during the operation.
Items recovered from the terrorists include two torchlight mobile phones and the sum of ₦21,000.
Security sources said the general situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
Fairness, unity key to victory in 2027, Chieftain tells APC leadership in Adamawa
2027: I’ll make Adamawa better with my 10-point agenda- Dr Girei
Troops Ambush Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Items in Borno
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