Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Samoura To Leave Number Two Role At FIFA

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: HOMEF Charges Speedy Clean Up Of Ogoniland, N’Delta

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.

Advertisement

“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.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: HOMEF Partners US-based NGO, Announces 2023 ORA-A Fellowship 

“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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

on

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

Advertisement

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

on

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Advertisement

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

on

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

Advertisement

Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

Advertisement

I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

Advertisement

 

Continue Reading

Trending