Connect with us

News

HOMEF Set To Hold National Conference On GMOs And Biosafety In Nigeria

Published

on

Concerned about the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops in Nigeria and their increasing rate in the market place, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), in collaboration with GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, is set to hold a National Conference on GMOs.

The conference titled: ‘Beyond the Propaganda: Unveiling the Truth About GMOs,’ is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

Advertisement

According to the organisers, the conference aims at addressing issues related to the regulation of
GMOs/approval processes, risk assessment, access to information, and the health, economic, and environmental implications of GMOs, adding that it It would also highlight the way forward for food sovereignty in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: HOMEF Applauds NASS On Decision To Investigate GMOs In Nigeria

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY by Kome Odhomor, Media/Communication Lead, HOMEF, the Executive Director, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, said: “There has been an uproar in the country since the most recent approval, i.e. of the TELA Maize genetically modified to be pest resistant and drought tolerant.

Advertisement

“Major concerns expressed by the public include the secrecy with which these GMOs are deployed, the implication of corporate control
of seeds and the Nigerian food system, the contamination of the
country’s local genetic resources, environmental degradation, health
implications, and more.”

“It is of the essence that a multi-stakeholder forum is organised to cohesively address the various concerns with GMOs, review the experience so far, and come up with clear resolutions regarding their deployment and use as well as solutions for food sovereignty in Nigeria,” Bassey
added.

READ ALSO: Food Crisis: HOMEF, GMOs-Free Nigeria Train Abuja Farmers, CSOs, Others On Agroecology

Advertisement

On her part, HOMEF’s Director of Programmes, Joyce Brown, noted that “since the set up of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act in 2015, more than 20 different crop varieties have been approved by the Agency for various
purposes including commercial release/market placement.

“As of 28th June 2024, according to information available on the Biosafety Clearing House(BCH) [where countries that are signatories to the Biological
Convention on Biodiversity are required to upload information regarding decisions on GMOs], Nigeria has approved 25 GM products – 11 for field
trials; 4 for commercial release; and 10 for food, feed or processing.”

Recall that the House of Representatives in May 2024, proposed a motion to probe the introduction of GMOs in Nigeria and urged the Federal Government to suspend the introduction of new Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops in the country.

Advertisement

 

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

News

Immigration Officer Gets N5m For Arresting Fleeing Ritualist

Published

on

An immigration officer, Ugochukwu Orji, who arrested a fleeing Enugu State-based native doctor accused of killing and kidnapping people for rituals, has been rewarded with N5 million for his efforts by an industrialist, Ebuka Onunkwo.

Onunkwo, who is also a senatorial aspirant for the Anambra South senatorial by-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, hosted the immigration officer at his residence in Ihembosi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, according to a press statement released by his media team on Tuesday.

Advertisement

Orji was at his duty post along the Seme Border area last month when the fleeing native doctor, popularly known as “Ichie Billion” attempted to use a motorcycle to cross over to the Benin Republic from Nigeria at Seme Border, but having seen his face on the internet, he quickly intercepted him.

READ ALSO: Our Country A Home, Not Hotel, Badenoch Decries UK Immigration Crisis

Recall that “Ichie Billion”, who hails from Umuojor village in the Isiagu Community of Enugu State, had been on the run after being declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl and alleged multiple ritual killings.

Advertisement

The native doctor was thereafter intercepted by the Nigerian Immigration Service and subsequently handed over to the Lagos State Police Command following his arrest at the border by the immigration officers.

Onunkwo, an industrialist, while presenting a cheque of ₦5 million to the immigration officer at his residence, said the gesture was part of his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and encouragement for moral renaissance in the society.

 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

Tariff Hikes Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Power Crisis, Expert Tells Tinubu

Published

on

Attempts by the current administration to rely on increased electricity tariffs to resolve Nigeria’s chronic power supply issues are unlikely to succeed, according to energy expert Nick Agu.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Agu argued for a fundamental restructuring of the power sector, prioritising infrastructure over tariff hikes.

Advertisement

Responding to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu’s optimism and recent celebration of Nigeria reaching a new peak generation of over 5,000 megawatts, Agu acknowledged the incremental increase as “a good thing, is good news.”

However, he quickly added, “But should we celebrate? The answer is probably not.”

READ ALSO: Investors Gain N1.93trn In 2 Days As Stock Market Hits 15-year High

Advertisement

Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.

He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.

So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Tinubu Hosts Gov Adeleke, Deji Adeleke, Davido In Lagos

Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.

He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.

Advertisement

“So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

From 158 To 351: Lagos Teen Excels In UTME After Initial Glitch

Published

on

A 16-year-old student, Oyindamola Apampa, has achieved a remarkable aggregate score of 351 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with 65 in English Language, 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, and 90 in Chemistry.

Apampa, a student of Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos, described the feat as the result of determination, strategic preparation, and divine favour.

Advertisement

A statement on Tuesday revealed that it was her second attempt at the UTME, explaining that her initial score of 158 was later invalidated due to technical issues experienced at her exam centre.

She said, “In my first UTME attempt, I scored 158. However, the results were widely criticised and later acknowledged by the authorities as inaccurate due to technical glitches affecting several examination centres, including mine.

READ ALSO: Mass Failure: UTME Candidates To Sue JAMB Over Technical Glitches

Advertisement

“Consequently, the examination body authorised a resit to address these irregularities. In the resit, I achieved a score of 351.”

She added that her parents played a crucial role in supporting her academic journey by fostering a learning-friendly environment at home.

“My parents made our home a positive place for studying. We have a full library in the family living room, in addition to a separate multimedia study room where the whole family often gets together to talk about different topics and help each other learn,” she shared.

Advertisement

Apampa also credited a learning centre in Lekki, Lagos, for providing her with additional academic support through UTME preparation classes and frequent mock examinations.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: JAMB Admits To Errors In 2025 UTME

The frequent mock exams at our learning centre were a great help in my preparation for UTME,” she said.

Advertisement

In his reaction to the learning centre head, Osayi Izedonmwen, stellar 98 per cent pass rate in the 2025 UTME, attributed the achievement to its hybrid learning approach.

“At Teesas, we are fully IT-equipped to seamlessly support both online and physical learning within a convenient and friendly environment. This has played a key role in helping our students excel,” Izedonmwen stated.

Apampa is no stranger to academic excellence. She was placed on her school’s Honours list after securing 10 As and one B in her Junior WAEC.

Advertisement

She has also represented her school in international competitions, such as the Conrad Challenge, where her team reached the final stage and earned a special mention.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending