News
HOMEF Set To Hold National Conference On GMOs And Biosafety In Nigeria
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.
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.
“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
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.
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
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