FG Declares Friday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-Ul-Mawlid

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared Friday, 5th September 2025, as a public holiday to commemorate the celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, extended warm felicitations to Muslims Umah in Nigeria and across the world on this occasion

Tunji-Ojo enjoined the Muslim faithful to reflect on the virtues of peace, love, humility, tolerance, and compassion as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), stressing that these values remain essential in building a united, prosperous, and progressive nation.

He further called on Nigerians, regardless of their religious beliefs, to use the occasion to pray for the peace, security, and stability of the country, while supporting the Federal Government’s efforts in fostering national harmony and sustainable development.

He said: “The celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid offers us yet another opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, promote peaceful coexistence, and imbibe the Prophet’s teachings of mutual respect and selfless service to humanity.”

The Minister also urged citizens to remain law-abiding, security conscious, and supportive of government policies aimed at ensuring the collective well-being of all Nigerians, while wishing all Muslims a joyous and peaceful Eid-ul-Mawlid celebration.

FG Declares Friday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-Ul-Mawlid

Stakeholders: Unchecked GMOs Will Undermine Nigeria’s Food sovereignty

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders have warned Nigeria on toying with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) food, asking the government to determine the model of agriculture to embrace.

They raised the alarm they allowing genetically modified organisms without proper checks would undermine the nation’s food sovereignty.

The stakeholders while advocating for the ban of GMOs in the country at the National Symposium on GMOs held in Abuja, said: “Nigeria is at a critical point where we must decide on the way forward for food sovereignty. We must decide which model of agriculture suits our context and meets our needs between industrial agriculture (dependent on GMOs and synthetic chemical inputs) powered by multinational corporations and an agroecological system powered by the local farmers who provide over 70% of our food.”

They insisted that: “Nigeria’s traditional agricultural practices, including seed selection, mixed cropping, crop rotation, and natural soil fertility management, have historically sustained food systems without external dependencies. The introduction of GMOs which thrive in monocultures is systematically displacing proven agricultural practices and undermining our food sovereignty.

“GMOs represent a paradigm shift in agriculture; they are not just an option or solution. We must think beyond the mythical temporary relief that is imagined or promised and consider what long term impacts they portend.”

The meeting which was attended by more than 80 participants from government, academia, civil society, local farming communities, environmental groups, the private sector and the media, brought together by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, noted that BT Cotton, the first GMO crop officially introduced in Nigeria, after three years of planting has not shown any advantage over conventional varieties but rather has brought about soil degradation as reported by the Cotton Farmers Association in Nigeria in 2024.

They added in a communique that: “Countries like Tanzania have achieved food security by over 128% through traditional and organic methods without GMOs, demonstrating viable alternatives for Nigeria.

“Several scientific studies link the consumption of GMOs with birth defects, immune disorders, tumours and other diseases. The claims that there’s no research confirming negative impact of GMOs on human health is outrageous and simply false.

“In Nigeria however, in spite of the intense controversy and examples of over 30 countries that have banned GMOs, the regulatory agency, NBMA has not conducted adequate, independent and long-term risk assessment before the approvals granted so far.

“The cultivation of GMOs threatens serious biodiversity loss and creation of uncontrollable genetic mutations in plant varieties.

“GMO technology creates seed monopolies that transfer right to seeds from farmers to multinational corporations.

“Small-scale farmers, who constitute the majority of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce and who produce over 70% of Nigeria’s food are at high risk from the introduction of patented GM seeds with restrictions on saving and sharing.”

They argued that: “Agroecology presents a viable solution to Nigeria’s food system challenges by ensuring increased productivity, soil fertility improvement and empowerment of local food producers.”

They said: “We must decolonise our agricultural system through the preservation of our indigenous crop and animal varieties, our traditional knowledge and by taking control of our food be it in decision making, science or practice.”

At the end of the symposium, the participants (stakeholders) unanimously called on the Federal Government to: Impose a moratorium on all new GMO approvals as extensive evidence exists to confirm their serious negative implications on human and environmental health as well as on our economy; Review the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act to include stronger safeguards, independent oversight, and meaningful public participation; Address the issue of food loss as recent studies show that up to 40% of Nigeria’s food goes to waste due to lack of proper processing and storage facilities; Strengthen agricultural infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve food distribution.

They also called for the support of small-scale farmers through improved access to land, credit, markets, extension service and non-GMO seeds; Revive and support the Nigerian agricultural extension service system; Address root causes of food insecurity including terrorism, poor infrastructure, inequalities and market inefficiencies; Invest massively in agroecology and traditional farming systems that have proven effective and sustain-able.

They also called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to promote and actualise the set up of seed banks and gene banks at Local Government and state levels to ensure the preservation of Nigeria’s genetic resources.

They called on regulatory agencies to: Prioritize public health over commercial interests in all regulatory decisions; Ensure rigorous testing of all GMO products with transparent reporting of results; Implement robust monitoring systems to track long-term effects of approved GMOs; and engage meaningfully with civil society, farmers, independent scientists and other stakeholders in decision-making processes.

The stakeholders also called on the National Assembly to: Amend the NBMA Act 2015 to enforce stronger democratic oversight and precautionary measures; Pass a comprehensive legislation requiring mandatory suspension of GMOs and strict liability for damages; Appropriate adequate funding for independent research on healthy, inclusive and sustain-able agriculture alternatives; and establish parliamentary oversight on GMO regulation and approval processes.

Nigerians, they asked to exercise their rights and demand for a ban on GMOs for a healthy, just and sustain-able food system.

Stakeholders: Unchecked GMOs Will Undermine Nigeria’s Food sovereignty

Zulum Tasks University Council on Innovative Research for Post-Insurgency Recovery

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has tasked the Governing Council of Kashim Ibrahim University to foster the culture of cutting-edge research, innovation and community development to address the challenges and opportunities of the post-insurgency recovery effort.

The governor gave the task on Monday while inaugurating the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Muhammadu Indimi and members of the Governing Council of the University at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri.

He noted that the inauguration is part of the broader effort to reposition the University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but for Nigeria as a whole.

“The challenges before you are as significant as the opportunities. We task you with fostering a culture of rigorous research, innovative teaching and community-relevant curricula that address the unique challenges and opportunities of our post-insurgency recovery and development,” Zulum stated.

Governor Zulum expressed delight that the student population has grown from 300 to about 10,000 in the last 6 years.

He charged them to prioritize the welfare of both staff and students and uphold the highest standards of academic excellence, transparency and prudent management of resources.

“You are now the legal custodians of this university’s destiny, entrusted with a sacred mandate to provide strategic direction, ensure financial prudence, uphold the highest standards of academic excellence and safeguard the welfare of both staff and students,” He stressed.

“This ceremony is a fulfilment of our administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the governance structures of all tertiary institutions in Borno State. It is pivotal to repositioning this University as a beacon of knowledge, innovation and moral rectitude, not just for the North-East, but Nigeria as a whole”.

Governor Zulum remarked that his administration is making unprecedented investments in education, constructed 139 new mega schools, rehabilitated many others and recruited thousands of teachers. “We are establishing six centres of excellence and have banned political thuggery to redirect the energies of our youth towards scholarly and vocational pursuits”.

“Section 1(1) (c) of the Third Schedule of the Kashim Ibrahim University Law, 2018, as amended, empowers me to constitute a Governing Council as the supreme governing body of the University charged with the general control and superintendence of the policy, finances and administration of the institution”.

He congratulated the Chairman and members of the Council for their commitment, integrity and passion for the advancement of the institution.

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you all. Your selection was not by chance. It was a deliberate choice based on your proven integrity, vast experience and demonstrable passion for education and community development. In particular, I wish to address our Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi. Your legendary philanthropy and unwavering support for education are well-known,” he concluded.

Responding, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr Muhammadu Indimi said he graciously accepted the appointment with the aim of serving his state and promised to provide positive change in the university.

“I accepted this position because I have to support my state. With my able lieutenants, we promise to provide positive change in the university,” Indimi assured.

Zulum Tasks University Council on Innovative Research for Post-Insurgency Recovery