Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders from civil society, research institutions, and international organisations have expressed deep concern over the growing incursion of multinational industrial farming corporations into Nigeria’s meat production sector, warning of grave consequences for food sovereignty, public health, and the environment.

The concerns were raised during a media workshop organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) in Abuja on Thursday, where participants examined the implications of industrial-scale animal agriculture on local communities and Nigeria’s food system.

Speaking at the workshop, the Director of Programmes at HOMEF, Joyce Okeogene Brown highlighted that multinational corporations such as JBS are acquiring vast expanses of land in Nigeria.

She cited Niger State’s offer of 1.2 million hectares of land as an example, warning that such acquisitions threaten to displace local farmers and pastoralists who currently sustain national food production.

“Industrial farming projects often lead to the loss of grazing and farmland for local communities. Most of the meat produced is destined for export, not to meet local food needs,” Brown noted.

She said: “A study presented by HIDA Resource Centre revealed that communities in Nassarawa, Kaduna, and Benue States are not benefitting from promised employment opportunities. Instead, locals are often restricted to menial jobs, while skilled positions go to outsiders.

The report also documented cases of farmland loss, water contamination, and chemical pollution linked to industrial farming practices.

Brown stressed that Nigeria must prioritise its smallholder farmers, who currently produce over 70 percent of the nation’s food. “Rather than ceding control of our food system to foreign corporations driven by profit, the government should strengthen local farmers who are already feeding the nation,” she said.

Adding a global perspective, Dr. Patrick Mwinde of World Animal Protection warned of rising antimicrobial resistance linked to industrial livestock systems, which heavily rely on antibiotics.

He stressed that: “Already, 1.27 million people die annually from untreatable infections. Without urgent action, this number could reach 10 million by 2050,”.

Mwinde also noted that industrial farms rely heavily on herbicides and fertilisers that pollute water bodies and soil, leaving neighbouring communities vulnerable to toxic runoff.

“These companies externalise their costs maximising profit while communities pay the price with their health and environment,” he cautioned.

Mariann Bassey Olsson, Coordinator of the Food Sovereignty Programme for Nigeria and Africa at Friends of the Earth, underscored the difference between food security and food sovereignty, insisting that the latter is Nigeria’s only path to sustainable farming.

“Food sovereignty means Nigerians should eat what is locally sourced and produced, in the quality and quantity they desire, not just any food,” she explained.

She argued that Nigeria can not only feed itself but also Africa and the world, provided the government invests in infrastructure, protects farmers from insecurity, and supports small-scale agriculture.

The stakeholders recommended that government: Protect smallholder farmers and livestock producers who feed the majority of Nigerians; Halt large-scale land concessions to foreign corporations; Invest in rural infrastructure and security to enable farmers to expand production; Regulate against environmental degradation and ensure polluters bear the cost of cleanup.

They also stressed that Nigeria’s long-term food sovereignty depends on empowering its farmers, not outsourcing food production to corporations whose primary interest is profit.

Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria

Ogoni Youths Told to Tell the Story of their Land the Right Way

By: Michael Mike

A call has gone to Ogoni youths to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.

The call was made on Thursday to 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt by the Project Coordinator, Professor Nenibarini Zabbey at the close of training.

He urged the beneficiaries of the training to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.

The trainees who had completed a four months training in Script Writing, Film production and Make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.

Zabbey while describing the Creative Arts Training as well as other programmes and intervention as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood, said: “Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts.

“Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry.”

While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator stated that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, open new doors opportunities for themselves and communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.

He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.

Other speakers at the event, including the Director Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, HoD, Theatre Arts Department, Uniport, Chief Douglas Experience, Project Manager, Halibiz Consult Ltd and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.

Trainees were later presented Certificate of Participation.

With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training of the 100, HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets including Seafaring(100) and Aviation (30).

The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in 5 skill sets- Fish farming, Basic Computer Skills, Photography, Fashion and Design and Shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.

Ogoni Youths Told to Tell the Story of their Land the Right Way

Bandits kill hunters’ leader in Benue

By: Zagazola Makama

Suspected bandits have killed the leader of hunters in Tine Nune community, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue.

Zagazola learnt that the incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, happened while the victim, identified as Hilenen Terzungwe, was on patrol with five others along Biriji village.

Terzungwe sustained severe machete cuts during the attack and was rushed to a medical facility in Tine Nune, where he later died while receiving treatment.

His remains have since been deposited at the General Hospital, Zaki-Biam.

Security has been strengthened in the area to forestall further attacks, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
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