News

Nigerian Food Festival: Resonating Campaign Against GMOs

Published

2 years ago

November 27, 2024

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The National Convergence and Food Festival may have come and gone, but its echoes of joy, vibrant cultural display continue to resonate in the hearts of those who were in attendance. Hosted by a foremost environmental advocacy organisation – Health of Mother Health Foundation (HOMEF) – in the heart of the ancient Benin City, the event was more than a festival; it was a celebration of identity, tradition and the diversity of Nigeria’s culture.

The festival’s schedule was a mosaic of events designed to cater for everyone. From the scintillating dancing steps of the Benin traditional dancers, matched with beats from the drummers, and the theatrical performances, the diversity in unity was staggering. Cultural troupes from the South-East and the performance by students of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Benin, were both educational and entertaining, drawing cheers and applause from attendees.

Organic Nigerian local food In exhibition

Other side attractions of the food festival were poetry; exhibition of organically-produced raw foods; panel of discussion segment where discussants emphasised the need for the consumption of local foods and the nutritional values inherent in such local foods. Discusants also exposed attendees to the dangers of consuming GMO foods. At the panel of discussion segment, the discusants all attributed prevalent of terminal diseases in the society to the type of food many particularly young ones consume.

Resource persons at the event also urged those in attendance to watch what they took into their stomachs, warning that they are what they take into their stomachs. The resource persons who spoke one after the other, urged Nigerians to embrace and promote locally made food, saying they’re the best.

Benin cultural troupes performing at the food festival.

The festival climaxed with different local food from the length and breadth of the country. The prepared local foods were dished to attendees in a well coordinated manner.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Executive Director, HOMEF, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, said it was critical to have “a festival of this nature” because it is an avenue to display Nigeria’s diverse cultures.

“Our local foods are being threatened in Nigeria. In fact, in Africa, we are having all strange varieties being imported into our countries. So, there is need to promote our local food above this GMO foods,” he said.

Penel of discussion discussing the dangers in GMO foods, and the advantage of eating local food.

The Executive Director, who expressed concern over the push for GMO foods into the country, and how the existence of the nation’s local food is being threatened, declared his organisation’s opposition to GMO foods in the country.

“We are concerned especially by the push into the country of genetically modified foods. We are completely against GMOs. Many claims by those who promote GMOs are all false. GMOs don’t produce more than conventional crops. They are not as healthy as natural crops, and they are not natural.”

He added: “We will continue our campaign against GMO because those who are promoting it are all concerned about money, the profit,” he said.

Igbo cultural troupes performing at the food festival.

It is worth noting that GMO is a plant or microorganism that has been subjected to biotechnology. GMO developers use biotechnology to alter an organism’s fundamental characteristics.

Also, in her welcome speech, Joyce Brown, the chairman, local organising committee of the festival who also doubles as Program Director, HOMEF, said the event was aimed at celebrating the diversity of Nigeria’s foods.

She, therefore, joined her voice with that of Bassey to “call on our government to put a halt to whatever decision threatening this local food.”

Theatre Arts performance.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

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

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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.”

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

News

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

Published

23 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

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.
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‎ 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.”
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‎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
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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.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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.

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.”
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