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Experts Push For GMO Ban As FG Reassures Nigerians’ Safety

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A coalition of over 200 organizations and individuals, under the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, has called on the National Assembly to implement a complete ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country.

The alliance, comprising farmers, civil society groups, scientists, legal practitioners, and medical experts, raised alarms over the impact of GMOs on Nigeria’s food systems, public health, and environment.

During a public hearing by the House Committee on Agricultural Production, the group alleged that foreign forces promoting GMOs were also fueling insecurity in Nigeria.

Concerns Over Food Sovereignty and Public Health

Presenting a memorandum to the committee, Mr. Johnson Ekpere, a consultant to the alliance, urged the government to halt GMO distribution and adopt policies against their use.

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“We recommend a national moratorium on GMO distribution and circulation until conclusive evidence emerges on their effects. The idea that Nigerians can be subjected to harmful practices without accountability fuels institutional arrogance,” Ekpere stated.

He warned that Nigeria’s reliance on GMOs as a solution to agricultural challenges posed significant risks to food sovereignty, biodiversity, and public health.

Instead, he advocated for sustainable farming methods such as organic and regenerative agriculture.

The memorandum also cited the lack of proven productivity gains from GMOs in Nigeria. According to the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), GM cotton seeds introduced in 2020 failed to deliver significant yield improvements.

Farmers reported declining productivity in subsequent planting seasons, forcing them to purchase new seeds annually.

The alliance raised concerns about the nutritional changes in GM crops, claiming they could lead to reduced beneficial compounds and increased allergenic substances.

They also noted that Burkina Faso phased out GM cotton in 2016 due to poor quality, yet the same product was approved for use in Nigeria.

Another issue highlighted was the absence of GMO labeling in Nigeria, leaving consumers unaware of whether their food contains genetically modified ingredients. The group warned that unregulated imports of GMO-based processed foods posed additional health risks.

Allegations of External Manipulation

At the hearing, Mr. Qrisstuberg Amua, Executive Director of the Center for Food Safety and Agricultural Research, alleged that foreign interests were behind efforts to destabilize Nigeria’s food systems to promote GMOs.

“International forces are creating hunger scenarios to advertise genetically modified poisons. These are biological weapons aimed at compromising our food systems and health,” Amua asserted.

The professor of bioinorganic chemistry also linked GMOs to declining fertility rates, suggesting they may have unforeseen long-term consequences on human health.

Responding to the concerns, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, reassured Nigerians that the government would not support any initiative harmful to its citizens.

“The government would never intentionally introduce harmful substances to the people. This forum aims to bring together experts to explore balanced solutions for food security,” Kyari said.

He emphasized the role of regulatory bodies, seed councils, and research institutions in ensuring the safety of agricultural inputs and called for collaboration to address concerns around GMOs.

 

 

 

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Kano Police Warn Residents Of Imminent Terror Attack Threats

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The Kano State Police Command has warned residents of a potential terror attack, targeting public gatherings in strategic locations across the state.

In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, disclosed that intelligence reports indicated suspected terrorists were planning to carry out attacks.

“The Kano State Police Command, in liaison with other security agencies, has received intelligence reports of suspected terrorists planning to launch attacks on public gatherings in strategic locations within Kano State.

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“In response, we hereby urge residents to exercise caution and avoid crowded places and environments until further notice as a preventive measure to enable security operatives to identify and dislodge possible attackers,” the statement read.

To address the threat, the police command has enhanced security arrangements across the state. SP Haruna revealed that specialized units, including the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) teams, have been deployed to strategic locations and are on high alert.

“A team of experts from the command’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear units have been deployed to strategic locations and are on high alert.

“The unit can be contacted through: 08169884988 or 07067157218 for report of suspicious persons or item(s),” Haruna stated.

Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the command through the designated hotlines.

“The command remains committed to protecting lives and properties as well as maintaining law and order in Kano State.

“We appreciate the support and cooperation of the good people of Kano State and urge everyone to remain vigilant. Your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in ensuring public safety,” the statement concluded.

 

 

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Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun Land Disputes: Osun Constitutes A 100-Member Boundary Resolution Committee

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Four gang-killed two in Osun, destroy N8M properties

 

In the bid to resolve the incessant land disputes between the communities of Ifon, Ilobu and Erin Osun, the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has constituted an enlarged 100-member high powered land crisis resolution committee in which each of the affected communities has 25 representatives, and the state government represented by 25 members.

The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi made the disclosure in a statement in Osogbo, on Friday.

He revealed that the Ataoja of Osogbo land, Oba Jimoh Adetunji Olanipekun Larooye is the Chairman of the Committee, while a retired judge of Osun State Judiciary and Chairman, Osun State Boundary Commission, Justice Moshood Adekunle Adeigbe, would serve as the Co-Chairman.

According to Alimi, Gov Adeleke put in place the Committee with a view to bringing a lasting end to the incessant land disputes among the three affected communities.

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It was gleaned from the statement that there were four other traditional rulers on the panel, including His Royal Majesty; Oba Abioye Oyebode, the Olokuku of Okuku, His Royal Majesty; Oba Adams Iyiola Bamidele Yusuf, the Oloba of Oba Oke, His Royal Majesty; Oba Adekeye Oyedare, the Oloyan of Oyan and His Royal Majesty, Oba Akeem Ogungbamgbe,The Owaloko of Iloko-Ijesha.

Other members are Umar Abba Mohammed, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ayoola Kehinde, Osun State Director, Department of State Services( DSS) Brigadier General, Aliu Mohammed, Commander E.C.C, Ede, Sotiyobo Igbalawola, Osun State Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps( NSCDC), Anthony Chikezie, Commander, Immigration Service, Osun State, Adekunle Omoyele, Osun State Commander, Amotekun Corps, and Special Adviser to Osun State Governor on Security, Barrister Dare Ojo.

Also on the enlarged Committee, where members are enjoined by Gov Adeleke to bring in their wealth of experience to bear on the highly critical assignment, are the Chairman, NBA Osogbo branch, Yemi Abiona, Esq; the Chairman, NBA, Ikirun, Niyi Akinsola, Esq; the Chairman, NBA, Ile Ife, Tope Olajoko, Esq; the Chairman, NBA, Ilesha, Raymond Oki, Esq; Others appointed to serve on the Ifon- Ilobu- Erin Osun Peace Resolution Committee are; Soladoye Abioye, the Surveyor General of Osun State – Dr Sodiq Olohunde, Office of Chief of Staff to the Governor, Marufat Adekemi Bello, Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Justice – Femi Ogundun,- Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Govt and Chiertincy Affairs, Dr Fritz Mobolaji Olaoye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning.

Completing the list of the Committee members are Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, Osun NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Waheed Lawal, Osun Civil Society Coalition and Comrade Saka Mao, a Public Affairs Analyst

The statement has it that Gov Adeleke, will on Tuesday, the 28th of January, 2025 perform the swearing in ceremony of the 100-member enlarged Ifon, Ilobu, Erin Osun Land Crisis Resolution Committee, at the Multi purpose hall of Local Government Service Commission, State Government Secretariat, Abere Osogbo by 11:00am.

 

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Okpebholo Moves To End Indiscriminate Parking, Gridlock In Edo State

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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has charged the Managing Director of the Edo State Traffic Control Management Agency (EDSTMA), Engr. Stainless Ijeghede on indiscriminate parking and traffic gridlock, especially in market areas.

According to a statement in Benin City on Friday, by Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, his principal gave the charge while decorating Ijeghede with his new rank as the head of EDSTMA.

He noted that while addressing the new Managing Director and his personnel at the Exco Chambers in Government House, Gov Okpebholo pointed out that the agency should do its job well by ensuring free flow of traffic across the state.

He called on Ijeghede and men of the agency to ensure they checked indiscriminate parking of vehicles and buses, especially in market areas.

“Edo State belongs to all of us and whatever we are doing, we should do it with care not to harm anybody. I appeal to EDSTMA to ensure that the city is well kept because whenever I drive round town, I see vehicles everywhere as the city is not well kept.

“This is your primary assignment. You should ensure the city is well kept as vehicles park indiscriminately and they are causing obstruction. Traffic is not flowing as it should and it is causing serious gridlock. Is it that you are not doing your job well?

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“Is it that you are not doing your job well or because you have a new leader that is why traffic is not flowing, or because you don’t know your job?

“You people should wake up and keep the state clean. Make sure that vehicles are parked well especially in the market areas. Monitor markets very well as these areas are looking really unkempt with vehicles and buses parked indiscriminately, causing traffic gridlock. Edo people are worst hit. They suffer from this. Ensure free flow of traffic so that the people will be happy,” Governor Okpebholo emphasized.

The EDSTMA boss, thanked Gov Okpebholo for the opportunity to serve the people of Edo State and assured him of the loyalty of the agency.

He added that his men will do their job professionally and ensure that the is free flow of traffic across the state.

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