News

GMOs: HOMEF Trains Gelegele Farmers, Urges Them To Embrace Agroecology

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2024

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has advised farmers in Gelegele and Nigeria at large to embrace agroecology in their farming activities, saying it is the viable solution to Nigeria’s food crisis.

This is just as the ecological think thank and advocacy organisation urged government at levels to support farmers to embrace agroecology rather than GMOs – Genetically Modified Organisms.

INFO DAILY reports that agroecology is a system of farming that focuses on restoring soil health, improving nutritional diversity and ensuring food sovereignty, while GMO are plants, animals or microorganisms that have had their gentic material manipulated either by introducing genes from a related or unrelated species or by editing the organism within itself.

Speaking at a one-training on agroecology for farmers at Gelegele community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Programmes Director, HOMEF, Joyce Brown, emphasised the need for the farmers to embrace agroecology, saying the use of GMOs poses threat to the environment and human health.

She said: “The use of chemical pesticides poses risks to the environment, human health, and the economy. More than 50 per cent of registered pesticides in Nigeria are Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPS). Over 40% of the registered active pesticides in Nigeria are already banned in the EU and other countries of the World.

Practical session if the training at Gelegele community on April, 29,2024.

“Many of these HHPs registered and used in Nigeria have been proven to be linked to chronic health diseases such as cancer, kidney diseases, reproductive complications, endocrine disruption – hormonal challenges, skin diseases, organ failures, etc., as well as biodiversity and environmental destruction.”

According to her, most farmers, consumers, extension workers are not aware of the various hazards associated with the pesticide-active ingredients in the products they use, adding that this is the more reason HOMEF decided to take the responsibility of training and enlightening farmers.

Mrs Brown, while noting that agroecology will help Nigeria achieve food sovereignty if embraced, added: “Food sovereignty refers to a situation where all people at all times have access to healthy and nutritious food. Food sovereignty ensures that beyond food security – food is safe, food producers have the right to what they produce and how.”

On his part, one of the trainers of the farmers and farm manager, Be The Help Foundation, Abuja, Chukwu Agozirim, said agroecology is a modern system farming which, according to him, help to eradicate poverty by increase in food production and making the environment safe for humans

He said Gelegele was selected due to the fact that the soil is contaminated as an oil producing community, adding “so the main purpose is to train and enlighten them on how they can go about their normal food production in spite of the contamination of their soil.”

He added: “We are bringing farming back to the olden days how our great-grandfathers were farming.”

Responding on behalf of other farmers, Mr Emmanuel Obi, while describing the training as an eye opener, promised to adapt the new method of farming.

The programme climaxed with a practical session of the training where the farmers were showed how they can use locally sourced materials to grow their farm produce.

News

Okpebholo Announces ‘Massive’ Youth Recruitment Into Edo Civil Service

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has announced plans to recruit youths into the state civil service.

Speaking at the All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, ahead of the August 16, 2025, Edo Central Senatorial by-election, the governor said it’s part of his administration’s effort to combat unemployment and accelerate Edo’s development.

He expressed his passion for his people and an unwavering commitment to building a better future.

Unveiling his new civil service recruitment plan, the governor disclosed that he had instructed the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, to begin the process without delay.

“We are going to massively employ our young people,” he affirmed. “Creating opportunities for our youths is the greatest investment we can make for the future of Edo.”

News

Edo Govt To Open Up Riverine Communities For Development — Deputy Gov

Published

12 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon Dennis Idahosa, has said that the Monday Okpebholo-led administration will open up riverine communities in the state for sustainable development.

According to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, Idahosa stated this at Inikorogha in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally for Saturday’s Ovia Federal Constituency by-election.

He told the gathering that the new administration led by Okpebholo is keen to see development across the nook and cranny of the state.

He said all that was needed from the people was support and for them to be patient with the nine month old government that hit the ground running immediately after inauguration.

Idahosa described the Inikorogha community as a peace loving people that had always supported him politically and otherwise.

The deputy, who was adorned by the community in their traditional regalia said, “I have always seen myself as one of your own even before your acceptance of me with this traditional attire.”

“All I need from you is massive votes in support for the APC candidate and our governor on Saturday,” he appealed.

He assured the community that the APC candidate is going to continue with the good work he put up as the representative before his election as deputy governor.

“Our candidate, Omosede Igbinedion, is not a neophyte in the business of lawmaking. The party chose her because we are sure of her capacity to deliver.”

While addressing the people, the APC candidate promised to synergise with the deputy governor to bring laudable projects to Ovia federal constituency.

Simirlarly, a chieftain of the party in the community, Ambassador Okubo Robert promised delivery of 100 percent votes for the party.

He noted that the Inikorogha community had always supported the APC in every elections, adding that Saturday’s bye-election will not be any different.

News

How Terrorist Leader, Abubakar Abba, Was arrested – Niger Govt

Published

14 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Niger State Government has revealed how terrorist leader, Abubakar Abba, was arrested by the Department of State Service in the state.

Abba was the leader of the Mahmuda terror groups, which pitched its tent and operated in Niger and Kwara states.

He was captured in Wawa, the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Governor Mohammed Bago’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, on Wednesday announced Abba’s arrest in a statement in which he said the terror kingpin had been moved to the nation’s capital, Abuja, for further investigation.

“Yes, it is true. I can confirm that the leader of Mahmuda, which is one of the most dangerous terror groups in West Africa, Abubakar Abba, has been arrested by the DSS.

“He was apprehended alive through an intelligence-led operation by the DSS.

“This is a huge victory for us as a people and as a government, and President Tinubu deserves commendation for this cheering news.

“Abba’s arrest demonstrates the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to truly ending insecurity and promoting the well-being of Nigerians,” Ibrahim said.

Mahmuda, an offshoot of the deadly Boko Haram terror group, was also believed to have ties with the Islamic State and was responsible for a series of attacks across Kwara and Niger states.

The terror group had reportedly launched two attacks in one day in Kwara state on June 3—first killing three villagers in the morning and then four more in the evening, and leaving the community in mourning.

Mahmuda’s foot soldiers, usually clad in camouflage and often riding on motorcycles, continued their rampage, with at least three villagers killed in a fresh assault.

This indicated the group’s sustained threat.

A recent large-scale attack in Kwara reportedly resulted in the killing of seven residents, while several others were abducted.

The terror group had also reportedly struck numerous villages near Kainji Lake National Park while a market in Kwara was also attacked, killing four Fulani men, a local guard, and a 19-year-old bystander.

Another attack killed 15 vigilantes in Kemanji village.

The Mahmuda terror group reportedly established bases in forested areas linking Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, and Kogi states.

It carried out activities including illegal mining, forced labour and extortion of herders and farmers.

Meanwhile, the Niger State governor has applauded the DSS operation as a strong demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the safety and welfare of Nigerians.