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Need For Organic Delicacy Consumption Takes Centre Stage As HOMEF Holds Food Festival

Published

2 years ago

June 15, 2023

Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

The need for Nigerians and Africans at large to go back to their locally made farm produce was, on Wednesday, brought to the fore at a National Convergence and Food Festival organised by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), a non-profit organisation.

The festival which held in Benin was aimed at promoting and celebrating locally made food, cultural diversity, rich biodiversity and to expose the dangers inherent in the consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) foods.

Panel of discussants at the food exhibition emphasised the need for Africans to embrace organic farm produce, warning that the prevalent of terminal diseases in the society today is as a result of individual’s lifestyle in consumption of food.

The panelists, comprising Lovelyn Ejim, a farmer and founder, Network of Women and Youth in Agriculture; Jackie Ikeotuonye, a nutritionist and medical practitioner; Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje, an environmental, human and food rights advocate; Tatfeng Mirabeau, a Professor, Medical Microbiology, said many persons have taken poison without knowing in the name of taking fast food.

The experts who exposed damage consumption of GMO foods caused to the body system, lamented that companies in charge of these GMOs are not interested in the wellbeing of people, rather, profit they make from their businesses.

Urging everyone to join in the campaign against GMOs and by embracing organic farm produce, the panelists vowed not to stop until GMOs are finally exposed and rejected by the people.

While accusing governmemt regulatory agencies in protecting GMOs, by allowing them to carry out their businesses without hindrance, the panel of discussants urged Nigerians to take the necessary steps in avoiding GMO foods.

Corroborating the panelists’ ponts, Nnimmo Bassey, Director, HOMEF, said government has not been giving the necessary support to local farmers hence the boom in GMOs.

“Most of our local farmers do not get any support in their production; no road to the farms where they bring their produce to the market. And so, farmers are struggling on their own without serious support from government.

“There are no even extension officers unlike before that government used to have them,” he lamented.

Bassey continued: “But we believe that by speaking to ourselves; by farmers speaking to their neighbours, and neighbours speaking to others, we will get it right.

The Director who expressed worry over what he termed “Nigerians are forced to eat what they don’t know” through activities of GMOs, further said: “Our farmers are given seeds that are genetically modified, so people are planting what they don’t know; they are eating what they don’t know.

“We believe that the heath of Nigerians shouldn’t be compromised this way.

” Unfortunately, we are also compromising the heath of our environment, and at the end of the day Nigerians are exposed to the erosion of our culture, of our biodiversity and indeed our heritage,” he added.

Speaking on the reason for the food festival, Bassey said: “This why today we say we should promote the fact that the food we eat is central to our health, and to everything around us, and that Africa food is what Africans should promote, not artificial crops; not genetically modified crops or animals.

He added: “Our eating culture has been challenged over recent years mostly because of the introduction of more or less unregulated genetically engineered organism into our country.”

Veriaties of local foods from different states of Nigeria were prepared and displayed at the festival.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

5 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.