…Says He Can’t Work as Team Member with Chris Musa

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Following the resignation of Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, an internationally acclaimed Nigerian security expert, Dr Lekan Jackson Ojo has called on Minister of State (Defence), Bello Matawalle.

Dr Ojo declared that Matawalle, just like the immediate past Minister of Defence, has not shown that he is capable of handling the responsibilities of the office he is presently occupying.

He stressed that Matawalle has been very dormant since his appointment and has exhibited poor response to security challenges in the country.

“I think Matawalle should also follow immediately, that is the Minister of State for Defence.

These two persons are not relevant, they ran their states aground as governors.”

Dr Jackson Ojo also called on President Tinubu to appraise members of his Cabinet and sack those that are not performing optimally.

“They came to the federal level and were honoured with positions of Minister of Defence and Minister of State. What has been their contributions to the administration?”

He also raised issues about the appointment of General Chris Musa as the new Minister of Defence, stressing that there could be conflict of interest since the new Defence Minister was once answerable to Matawalle when he was Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

“Minister of Defence is gone and I think Matawalle should follow. If Mr President should continue like this there are lots of others we will suggest he should fire them.

“He should bring in technocrats into his cabinet and not politicians. Congratulations to Nigerians that one is gone and more will still follow.”

“I want to congratulate Nigerians that former Minister of Defence, Badaru, has resigned, whether he resigned of was booted out. He was of no positive impact on Nigeria as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The office of Minister of Defense is a very sensitive one because without a good defence minister nothing will thrive.

“The position is occupied now by an experienced retired four-star army general, Chris Musa

“What is Bello Matawalle who was the Minister of State under Badaru still waiting for, is it until Mr President boots him out?

“Both of them did not achieve anything in office as My Minister and Minister of State.

“Recently we saw a video that went viral where Matawalle said verbatim that not all bandits are criminals. If somebody is saddled with the responsibility as Minister of Defence and he is having sympathy for some bandits it means Nigeria was almost doomed.

“There are lots of allegations by bandits that he was one of their sponsors. Let’s not take that on the face value because it can be political but this about having sympathy for bandits, coupled with the fact that both of them failed woefully and both of them should bow out.

“Pairing Matawalle and General Chris Musa together is like addicting pass and fail together – it won’t blend. The two of them cannot co-travel well at the Ministry of Defence.

“The two of them don’t have equal knowledge about defence matters. While General Chris Musa has vast knowledge of defence, Matawalle has no knowledge of defence.

“Chris Musa is an experienced man, we know him well but how can he pair with someone that has sympathy for bandits?

“So Matawalle should honourable bow out and if he fails to bow out Mr President should kick him out.”

The Mycotoxicology Society of Nigeria (MSN) in collaboration with the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) has moved for the detection and early prevention of mycotoxins in Nigeria’s agro-produce.

Farmers and agriculture stakeholders were educated on risk management of mycotoxins at the NSN 18th annual conference hosted by SON recently in Lagos.

The annual conference had the theme: “Mycotoxins in a Changing World: Risk, Management and Innovations.

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Mycotoxins are toxic chemical compounds produced by certain molds that can contaminate food and pose serious health risks to humans and animals.

Common examples include aflatoxins and fumonisins, which can be found in cereals, nuts, and dried fruits.

Its exposure can occur through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption, leading to a range of health issues from acute illness to long-term effects like cancer.

Speaking at the conference, the MSN National President, Prof. Yemisi Jeff-Agboola, represented by Dr Danladi Abba, MSN Vice President (North), noted that all hands must be on deck to address the menace.

“This gathering is more than an academic event. It is a historic, convergence of science leadership and collective responsibility for the health of our nation and our continent.

“These subjects; climate change and emerging mycotoxin risk in food and meat are determining environmental realities reshaping fungal ecology and mycology profile,” Jeff-Agboola said.

He said advances in mycotoxin detection monitoring and surveillance system exploring, tools and technology would ensure faster and more reliable data for decision making.

According to him, step up in regulatory standard, policy and communication reflecting on how laws, guidelines and communication strategies can protect the population and market from mycotoxins.

“Innovative strategy for mycotoxin indicator in the agricultural value chain helps us in practical intervention and reduce contamination.

“Our research in climate change and emerging mycotoxin rates in food and feet is not merely academic. It is existential.

“We are the watchmen standing watch over the safety of our food system in an increasingly unstable war transition,” Jeff-Agboola said.

On his part, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, SON, Dr Ifeanyi Okeke represented by Mrs Talatu Ethan, the Director of Corporate Affairs, reiterated the organization’s continuous support to ensure food safety in the country.

“This gathering is another labyrinth gathering of scientists, regulators and professionals committed to ensuring food safety, protecting public health and strengthening our nation’s trade and competitiveness.

“This year’s theme, which is particularly relevant for our national context, captures the intricate relationship between food safety, public health and economic development.

“We must emphasize the ultimate need for effective management of micro therapy contamination in food and agricultural produce.

“For a developing economy like ours, where agriculture remains a big pillar of our livelihood and exportation, addressing the menace of mycotoxins most especially, not only for protecting consumers, but also for enhancing the global acceptability of Nigerian agro products.

“As the national standard body, SON is deeply invested and interested in this mission.

“We will continue to work closely with relevant institutions to develop and implement standards that support food safety, good agricultural practices and value additions across the agriculture value chains.

“Through laboratory testing, certification and conformity assessment programmes, we help to ensure that Nigerian products meet both local and international standards, thereby contributing to food security, improving public health and enhancing trade outcomes,” Okeke said.

He also commended the MSN for its advocacy on ensuring food safety in the country.

Also in her keynote address, MSN board of trustees member, Dr Folashade Oluwabamiwo, called for collective responsibility in tackling emerging mycotoxins in Nigeria’s agriculture space.

Sakin Agbayewa, the Deputy Chairman All Farmers Association of Nigeria, urged all farmers present to make good use of the opportunity the work presented to them.

“This very topic cannot be overemphasized. It is topical, it is a burning issue, and it is key.

“We need to be alive to enjoy the fruits of our labor and we need to eat healthy to stay right, or we eat right to stay healthy.

“What will it profit us, after all the farming and everything, I will now spend the bulk of that money on health issues in hospitals.

“Even for Nigeria, it is not safe because the health issues are already overstressed, so we should not have more health issues due to mycotoxins.

“I urge all farmers here to listen and learn from what they will be teaching us today, so that we can apply them in our farming practices,” Agbayewa said.

ABUMET Brings Joy to JKS Orphanage Through Annual CSR Outreach

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

In line with its long-standing commitment to community development and social welfare, leading glass and aluminium solutions company ABUMET Wednesday embarked on an outreach programme as part of its annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and in commemoration of the annual International Day of persons with Disabilities.

The exercise, which saw the company visiting JKS Home for Children with Special Needs in Kubwa area of the Federal Capital Territory extending love, care, and support to the the children with disabilities.

The visit formed part of ABUMET’s continuous effort to sustain its CSR objectives by reaching out to vulnerable groups and supporting institutions that nurture and protect children.

Representatives of the company delivered essential food items, household supplies, and other necessities to the orphanages, ensuring that the donations would make a tangible difference in their daily welfare.

The Director at the Home, Mrs Nifeni Ajileye explained that the facility was founded in 2010 and currently has 16 children from ages seven to thirty. She said that they are special kids who need care in line with the vision that founded the Home.

She said: “some of the kids are orphans; some are abandoned because of their condition. We don’t have children who are from wealthy homes and they are just looking for a place to get help. They are children who sincerely need our help. Some of them were brought to us by the government; some from individuals. When you see them, we will be able to tell you about their history. We provide all forms of care for them. We are not just keeping them here without any form of intervention.

She continued: “some of them are on physiotherapy. We train them to be independent. We train them to be able to do things on their own.”

She expressed her profound gratitude to ABUMET, saying “we are very excited and it is a huge privilege for us.

“We understand that there are lots of Homes for the underprivileged and children with disabilities in Abuja and for ABUMET to consider us is a privilege for us and we don’t take it for granted. We can’t run the home without the support of organisations, individuals like this. And we sincerely appreciate you considering us. Thank you very much.”

Inside the home on tour, the therapist, Ms. Favour Ibrahim, guided the team around the facility and explained the different kinds of disabilities the children in the home have. She said: “this is a home for children with special needs. Autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, as long as they are special, this is their home. So I am going to introduce some of them to you and also their disabilities and what their challenges are.”

She went on to explain the causes of their disabilities and how each child is cared for according to their specific needs. She noted that some of the children can now cater for themselves thanks to the physiotherapy classes they attend, and some even go to school.

She said: “For instance, there is a child, when she came, she could not do anything. But now she takes care of herself, she takes care of others. She even orientated the new caregivers to now take care of the children. So basically, health intervention as well as medical support and educational support are really helping the children here.

“We also have a school for children, JKS Special Needs Academy with special needs. Some of them attend the school as well,.”

The General manager, ABUMET, Diemo Schillack in a short remark said: “It is a good thing what is happening in this home. Taking care of kids with special needs is very intense to see, its good what you are doing for the community.”

The GM added, “one thing is clear though; the impact of ABUMET’s CSR efforts extends far beyond material contributions.”

He said that it is about inspiring hope, building trust, and reinforcing the company’s belief that the success of any organization is deeply tied to the wellbeing of the society in which it operates.

Annually, with similar CSR initiative, ABUMET continues to reaffirm its position as not only a glass and steel manufacturer but also a compassionate corporate citizen dedicated to uplifting lives and strengthening communities.

For many years, ABUMET has used its CSR programmes as a bridge to connect with communities, going beyond its expertise it tries to touch lives in meaningful ways.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was declared by the United Nations for December 3 yearly. The global body holds that, an estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability representing 16% of the world’s population.