News

Don Warns Against Using Insecticides To Preserve Fish

Published

2 months ago

November 6, 2025

A fish expert and Director of Academic Planning at the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, Dr Olubunmi Adeosun, has cautioned fish processors against using insecticides for fish preservation.

Dr Adeosun warned that using insecticides, among other unhygienic practices during fish production, poses serious health risks to consumers

She said this while delivering OYSCATECH’s 2nd inaugural lecture on Wednesday, titled “From Harvest to Plate: The Journey of the Pearls of the Waters,” according to a statement signed by the school’s Public Relations Officer, Olawore Opeyemi, on Thursday.

Emphasising that unhygienic practices of handling during and after production play a major role in food contamination, the Director called for proper cleaning and sanitation procedures to increase the quality of fish and fish products.

According to her, “Fish is a nutritious food source packaged with essential nutrients and a great addition to a healthy diet, and the American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least two times per week.

“Fish food and safety are critical to consumers due to their health implications, and to exploit the export potential for smoked farmed catfish, there is a need for strict adherence to international quality and safety standards.”

Highlighting the nutritional value of fish, Adeosun noted that it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins beneficial to heart health, brain function, and bone development.

She Adeosun appealed that fish processors need to consider the health of consumers as paramount and should avoid the use of insecticides in the preservation of smoked catfish.

She hinted that fish farmers should avoid giving junk food as feed for the fish and excessive use of antibiotics while appealing that they embrace healthy practices in the production and processing of fish.

The fisheries expert, however, advised consumers to be aware of what they buy in the market and the quality of the fish they consume for their health.

Adeosun also reiterated the roles of stakeholders in ensuring control of the use of unregulated preservatives and enforcing good manufacturing practices.

She therefore called on the Federal Government to support local fish production to bridge the gap between consumption and supply.

She explained that Nigeria’s heavy dependence on imported fish was due to low domestic production and inadequate government support for local producers and processors.

As a solution, Adeosun recommended constant training and sensitisation of producers and processors, including retailers, about the dangers of using insecticides on human health.

Earlier, OYSCATECH Rector, Prof. Akinola Akinlabi, commended the Oyo State Government for its consistent financial support.

He posited that the institution will not relent in its vision of training for innovation, food sufficiency and self-employment.

The inaugural lecture was well attended by both past and present principal officers of the institution, among whom are Dr Ariyo Okunlola, Dr Sarafa Agbogun, Dr Taiwo Akinyemi, Dr Kolawole Raheem, Mr Modupe Ogundapo, and Engr. Dauda Salaam.

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

24 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.