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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
NANS Throws Weight Behind NDLEA Drug War, Endorses Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
By: Michael Mike
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared full support for Nigeria’s intensifying war against substance abuse, aligning with the efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to combat the growing threat of illicit drug use among young people.
The position was made known when NANS leaders, led by their National President, Sola Oladoja, paid a strategic visit to the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Marwa at the agency’s national headquarters in Abuja.
In a meeting that underscored rising concerns over drug abuse in tertiary institutions, the student leaders commended the NDLEA’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks and its preventive campaigns targeting campuses.
Oladoja described the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative as a transformative intervention that has significantly increased awareness among students about the dangers of substance misuse.
He said the association’s support for the NDLEA is rooted in a shared responsibility to safeguard the future of Nigerian youths, noting that drug abuse continues to threaten academic performance, mental health, and societal stability.
The NANS leadership also used the occasion to reaffirm its backing of President Bola Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to policies they believe have directly impacted students and young people. Oladoja cited the rollout of the student loan scheme, improved stability in the academic calendar following the resolution of strikes, and expanded youth-focused programmes as evidence of the administration’s commitment.
According to him, these measures have strengthened confidence among students in the current government and informed their willingness to support its continuity beyond the current term.
Responding, Marwa welcomed the endorsement, describing Nigerian students as a critical constituency in the national effort to curb drug abuse. He noted that meaningful progress in the anti-drug campaign would require active collaboration with young people, particularly those in higher institutions where vulnerability to substance use remains high.
Marwa warned that drug abuse poses far-reaching consequences, from deteriorating health and disrupted education to increased crime and long-term social instability. He called on student leaders to take ownership of the campaign within their campuses by promoting awareness and discouraging peer influence toward drug use.
Addressing concerns over the Federal Government’s newly introduced drug integrity test policy for students, the NDLEA boss clarified that the initiative is not designed to punish but to protect. He explained that early identification of drug use allows for timely counselling, treatment, and rehabilitation, thereby preventing long-term damage.
The engagement ended with both NANS and NDLEA agreeing to deepen collaboration, signalling a more coordinated approach to tackling substance abuse within Nigeria’s academic environment.
NANS Throws Weight Behind NDLEA Drug War, Endorses Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Troops Recover 225 Rustled Cattle, Repel Bandits in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have recovered no fewer than 225 rustled cattle after engaging suspected bandits in Katsina State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the operation was carried out at about 8:00 a.m. on April 20 by troops of 17 Brigade following credible intelligence on the movement of a notorious bandit leader, identified as Muhammad Filani, and his group.
The sources said the suspects were tracked to Kauri village in Kankia Local Government Area, where troops made contact and engaged them in a firefight.
“Upon contact, the troops engaged the bandits effectively, forcing them to flee and abandon the rustled cattle,” the source said.
The troops subsequently recovered a total of 225 cattle, which were handed over to relevant local authorities for identification and return to their rightful owners.
Military authorities noted that the operation has dealt a significant blow to cattle rustling networks operating within the area.
They added that troops have sustained aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven operations to deny bandits freedom of action across the state.
Meanwhile, under Operation Savannah Shield, troops continued offensive operations and routine security activities within their areas of responsibility.
Sources, however, confirmed that there was no major incident recorded during the period under review.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while intensifying efforts to combat banditry and related crimes in the North West.
Troops Recover 225 Rustled Cattle, Repel Bandits in Katsina
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Two Victims in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued two victims following a swift response to a distress call in Kaduna State.
Security sources said that the incident occurred at about 1:00 a.m. on April 21, when troops deployed under Operation Enduring Peace at Ungwan Gora checkpoint received reports of gunshots suspected to be from kidnappers.
The sources said the attack took place along the axis between Ungwan Dariya and Rafin Tagwi Bridge in Sanga Local Government Area.
“On receipt of the report, troops responded immediately and moved to the location, where they made contact with the suspected kidnappers,” a source said.
According to the source, the troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee into nearby bushes and abandon their victims.
During the operation, two persons who sustained gunshot wounds were rescued by the troops and promptly evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Military authorities said the swift intervention of the troops prevented what could have escalated into a successful abduction.
They added that patrols have been intensified within the area to track down the fleeing suspects and forestall further criminal activities.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies.
Troops Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Two Victims in Kaduna
NANS Throws Weight Behind NDLEA Drug War, Endorses Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
Troops Raid Hideout, Arrest Suspected IPOB/ESN Commander and Four Others in Ebonyi
Troops Foil Boko Haram Attack, Rescue Nine Captives in Mandara Mountain in Borno
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