News

‘Sniper Causes Cancer, Deaths’, NAFDAC Warns Against Use For Food Preservation

Published

2 years ago

June 2, 2024

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has once again warned Nigerians about the hazardous practice of using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items.

Specifically, the agency has banned and emphasized the dangers associated with dichlorvos, a chemical commonly utilised by traders to safeguard food from spoilage.

In a statement signed by Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, Sayo Akintola on Sunday, the agency showed concerns over the recent viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.

“The sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), sold as Sniper® has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets. NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences.”

The Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.

She said: “The misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects.

“These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.”

Similarly, the Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr Rametu Momodu, reiterated that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not approved.

She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label.

She stressed that these products should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.

Momodu further elaborated that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death.

She warned that once used, pesticide residues remain on or in the food, posing significant health risks. Washing the food does not mitigate the risk, as the harmful substance would have already soaked into it.

She emphasised that the Agency cannot recommend washing as a solution, as it gives a false sense of security.

“Instead, she urged grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs. It should be used as intended, either as a field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food safety”, she said.

Momodu also advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions.

NAFDAC DG, Adeyeye further emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option than dichlorvos.

She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness unless stored in the refrigerator.

In addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle, the NAFDAC DG said the agency has implemented several initiatives such as stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs and thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports.

She said, “Routine monitoring of stakeholders is also conducted to ensure compliance.”

Adeyeye continued NAFDAC’s commitment to global best practices, including the phase-out of certain pesticides that have been banned in other countries due to proven toxicity.

She also acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals and emphasized the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives.

Addressing misconceptions about banned chemicals being dumped in Nigeria, she clarified that comprehensive lists have been provided to the media to dispel such notions.

News

Edo SWAN Distances Self From Online Publication Against Enabulele

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Editor

…demands retraction, warns member against unverified publication

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State Chapter, has distanced itself from an online publication titled: ‘Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Shut Against Stephen Keshi.’

A statement signed by the Secretary of the association, Comrade Idahosa Moses, Edo SWAN said neither was it consulted nor involved in the “framing of the narrative presented by the online publication.”

Edo SWAN described the publication as misleading, sensational and grossly lacking in factual balance.

The statement partly reads: “SWAN finds the report inconsistent with the ethical standards and core values of the journalism profession.

“While Edo SWAN recognises and respects the sentiments expressed by Mr. Austin Popo, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational Training Centre (SKFTVC), concerning the challenges encountered in securing the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for this year’s Stephen Keshi Memorial National Under-17 Soccer Tournament, it is imperative to state that such concerns should not be reported in a manner that imputes motives, assigns blame without verification, or portrays public officials as acting in bad faith.”

On allegations against the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, in the publication, SWAN described Enabulele as a “seasoned professional with a proven track record of integrity and dedicated service to sports development in Edo State.”

“Any insinuation that he or the Commission deliberately acted to undermine the memory and legacy of the late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is not only unfair but also unsupported by verifiable facts.”

Edo SWAN, therefore, “strongly cautions the publisher of Popular News to desist from publishing unverified and inflammatory reports capable of misleading the public and damaging reputations.”

“The Association formally demands that the controversial publication be withdrawn immediately and that an unreserved apology be tendered to Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele.”

SWAN further “extends its sincere apologies to the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, who is also a Patron of the Edo SWAN Chapter, for any embarrassment or misrepresentation arising from the said publication, and assures him of its continued respect, support and cooperation.”

Edo SWAN, while stating that it “shares in the collective responsibility of preserving and honouring the legacy of the late Stephen Keshi—a national icon whose contributions to Nigerian football remain indelible—the Association, maintained that “this noble course must be pursued through constructive engagement, professionalism and mutual respect among all stakeholders.”

Edo SWAN, thereafter, warned “all sports writers in the state to avoid unverifiable reports and sensationalism, stressing that any member found culpable of professional misconduct will be decisively sanctioned in line with the Association’s statutes.”

News

Court Dissolves Petitioner’s Marriage Over Lack Of Love, Care

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

An Area Court sitting at Centre-Igboro, Ilorin in Kwara State, on Thursday, dissolved the four-year-old marriage between Aminat Mustapha and Wahab Adeshina, following the petitioner’s insistence.

The petitioner told the court that she was no longer interested in her marriage to her husband following claims of lack of love and care.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while delivering ruling, the presiding judge, Mr Toyin Aluko, held that the respondent had written to the court, accepting the divorce application made by his wife.

Aluko, consequently, dissolved the marriage between the parties, and ordered the woman to observe one month iddah (waiting period) before she could remarry.

Meanwhile, the court granted custody of the two children in the marriage, ages one and three, to their mother.

He ordered the father to pay a monthly sum of N20,000 for the children’s feeding and maintenance.

The court also held that the respondent will be responsible for their education and healthcare.

Again, the court held that the father has unrestricted access to his children, but at reasonable time adding that he should be notified before any decision is taken on his children.

The judge ordered the petitioner to get a copy of the judgment and send same to the respondent.

News

Tinubu Embarks On Three-state Visit

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday on a working visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos.

This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Friday in Abuja.

While in Borno, the President will commission projects executed by the Borno State Government under Gov. Babagana Zulum, in collaboration with the Federal Government.

He will also attend the wedding ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno Governor, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, and his bride, Hadiza Kam Salem.

From Maiduguri, Tinubu will proceed to Bauchi State to condole with the state government and the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the renowned Islamic cleric and leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood.

Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi died on Nov. 27.

After the condolence visit, the President will travel to Lagos, where he will spend the end-of-year holidays.

During his stay in Lagos, Tinubu is expected to attend several engagements, including the Eyo Festival scheduled for Dec. 27.

The festival, to be held at Tafawa Balewa Square, will honour notable personalities, including the President’s late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, former Lagos State governors Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Michael Otedola.