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Stakeholders Raise Alarm over incursion of multinationals into meat production sector in Nigeria
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
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1,Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have arrested three suspected drug peddlers during a raid on a notorious hideout in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Military sources said the operation was conducted at about 6:00 a.m. on June 29 at the Congo-Russia area following sustained efforts to curb illicit drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
According to the sources, the troops arrested three suspects identified as Abubakar Abdulrahman, 23; Muhammadu Abubakar, 28; and Awal Ali, 33.
The sources said quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
The arrested suspects have been profiled and are undergoing further investigation, while appropriate legal action will follow.
The military said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and deny drug traffickers safe havens within Plateau State.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
Court Grants Sowore N200m Bail
*Lists fresh conditions
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, granted bail to online publisher and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Aside a N200 million bail with two sureties, one of them must be a traditional ruler in Sowore’s community in
Ese-Odo Local Government Area in Ondo State.
The second surety, the court ruled, must have landed property within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Also, Sowore is to surrender his international passport to the court’s deputy registrar for safekeeping. The court held that both sureties must be verified by counsel to the prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.
Following Sowore’s absence in court, the judge, on June 16, 2026, revoked the bail he granted Sowore on “self-recognition” last December. Thereafter, he issued a bench warrant for the politician’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his trial on allegations bordering on cybercrime and criminal defamation.
Last Tuesday, Justice Umar ordered that Sowore be kept in the Kuje Correctional Centre until his motion for a stay of the execution of the order for the revocation of his bail and bench warrant is determined.
Justice Umar dismissed Sowore’s other application that the judge be withdrawn from further presiding over his trial on the ground of alleged bias.
The Department of State Services (DSS) is prosecuting Sowore over alleged criminal defamation arising from claims that he referred to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal” in posts made on his official X and Facebook accounts.
The defendant’s lawyer, R. O.
Adakole, however, appealed to the judge that Sowore be released to him to enable him get his passport from the US embassy in Lagos.
Justice Umar Mohammed adjourned to July 6, 2026, for continuing of hearing.
Court Grants Sowore N200m Bail
*Lists fresh conditions
Troops Rescue Farmer Shot by Suspected Armed Herders in Plateau, Recover Abandoned Cattle
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have rescued a farmer who was shot by suspected armed herders during an attack in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. on June 29 around Jebbu Miango community, where the assailants attacked a farmer identified as Mr. Lambat.
The sources said troops swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee the area before they could inflict further harm.
During the intervention, the troops rescued the victim, who had sustained gunshot wounds, and evacuated him to ENOS Hospital in Miango for urgent medical treatment.
The troops also recovered a herd of cattle abandoned by the fleeing suspects. The animals were moved to a secure location pending identification of their rightful owners and further necessary action by the relevant authorities.
Security sources said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks in the area.
Troops Rescue Farmer Shot by Suspected Armed Herders in Plateau, Recover Abandoned Cattle
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Drug Peddlers in Jos Raid
Court Grants Sowore N200m Bail*Lists fresh conditions
Troops Rescue Farmer Shot by Suspected Armed Herders in Plateau, Recover Abandoned Cattle
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