NEWS
Nigerians Reject Genetically Modified Potatoes, Other GM Crops

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
A coalition of over 100 civil society actors, farmers, scientists, legal practitioners, and academics representing the majority of Nigerian consumers have called on the Federal Government to discontinue plans to introduce genetically modified potatoes and to ban GMOs in the country.
According to the group, the introduction of the genetically modified potatoes into the country violates fundamental human rights and targets Nigeria’s food system for disaster. This was contained in a press statement issued and made available to newsmen, following the announcement that theThe Federal Government will soon release a report on clinical trials on genetically modified potatoes.A similar report indicates that GM potatoes will be commercially released in 2025.Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Nnimmo Bassey argued that any further release of GMOs in Nigeria would be viewed as a deliberate effort to destroy the Nigerian food system, jeopardise consumers’ health and degrade the environment.“The House of Representatives in May 2024 announced a halt to the introduction of new GMOs and mandated an investigation on GMOs and the approval processes. To date, four months later, there is no information on the findings or results of this investigation. Yet, the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is warming up to release new GM potatoes”.”It is clear that there are indeed vested interests on the side of the transnational corporations producing the GMOs and their allies in government undermining the health and safety of the Nigerian populace” he added.On the GM potatoes, Bassey stated that it’s a narrow and short-sighted technological fix that is inappropriate for smallholder farmers in Nigeria and that it could lead to an irreversible contamination of indigenous potato varieties.”GM potatoes are banned in Peru and elsewhere and have been continuously spurned in developed countries. It is a wonder that Nigerian farmers are being painted to clamour for the potatoes. This was the same strategy used in Uganda and Rwanda”.Dr Ifeanyi Casmir, a Molecular Biologist, noted that just like Bt Cotton, Bt Beans, and TELA Maize, the GM potatoes represent a gradual yet sure erosion of the original germ plasm of Nigerian crops. “We are being misled by half-baked parochial scientists toward adopting a technology, whose products are mostly used as biofuels and feed for animals in other countries but not for human consumption”.”What our government needs to do is to address the instability in Plateau State and other potato producing states where banditry has caused farmers to abandon their farms leading to poor productivity and rising cost of potatoes across the country. Potato growers in Plateau State and other places who will accept this genetically modified variety are being set up for devastation”.Food Sovereignty Activist and Deputy Director of Environmental Rights Action, Marian Bassey-Orovwuje highlighted the regulatory lapses with regard to GMOs.She stated that “up till now, there is no information on the application for the field/clinical trials on the GM potatoes on the website of the NBMA whose mandate it is to regulate the use of GMOs and ensure adequate public participation in the decision making process”.”The secrecy and urgency with which GMO applications and approvals are handled call for serious concern. These GM potatoes are banned at the potato centre of origin in the Andes, with indigenous farmers warning that GM potatoes are a terrible idea”.”Additionally, late blight is not a uniquely African problem; which raises the question as to why it is being forced on Africa; on Nigeria. The simple answer is commercial interests”.According to Joyce Brown, Public Health Scientist and Director of Programmes at HOMEF, “There is no information as to whether there have been long-term feeding studies conducted on these GM potato varieties. It is not sufficient to carry out field trials or short-lived clinical trials.NEWS
Alausa Condemns Incident in Viral Asaba Exam Video

The Federal Ministry of Education has condemned the incident involving candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at night using torchlights.The Minister of State for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, expressed his displeasure in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
Boriowo quoted the minister as outlining the situation captured in the widely circulated video as “completely unacceptable”, adding that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for learning and assessment.Alausa criticised the poor conditions under which the examination was conducted at Unity Secondary School in Asaba, Delta, under the supervision of the State Ministry of Education.“The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the conduct of an examination in an unsuitable environment, as seen in footage circulating on social media.“This reveals an inappropriate setting for such a critical academic exercise, and it occurred under the oversight of the Delta State Ministry of Education”.The minister stated that the ministry is working in collaboration with the Delta government and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to investigate the matter and ensure appropriate corrective measures are taken.“The outcome of the investigation will be made public as necessary,” he added.Alausa reiterated his commitment to improving educational infrastructure and ensuring that students across the country have access to safe and enabling environments for teaching, learning, and assessment. (NAN)NEWS
Zulum Announces Scholarship for Female Indigenous with 250, Above in UTME

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced a full scholarship for all female indigenes of the state who scored 250 and above in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).The UTME is conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institution after their secondary school education.
Zulum made the scholarship announcement on Saturday in Maiduguri. He spoke during the inauguration of new executive members of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Maiduguri Chapter, and a scholarship programme facilitated by his wife, Dr. Habiba Babagana Zulum.The governor said the initiative was aimed at promoting girl-child education and encouraging female students.He said it was to encourage them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as technical and vocational education.“In order to encourage girl-child education in the state, I want to announce that all female indigenes who scored 250 and above in JAMB would be sponsored by the Borno State Government to study STEM or technical/vocational education,” Zulum said.The governor directed the acting Chief of Staff, the State Scholarship Board, Ministry of Education and APWEN to identify and screen eligible candidates for the scholarship scheme.He commended his wife for her efforts in supporting education and acknowledged APWEN’s role in promoting the engineering profession among women and girls in Borno.The governor’s wife delivered a paper titled, “The Role of Mentorship in Encouraging Girls to Pursue Engineering Careers in Nigeria”.She emphasised the importance of mentorship in enhancing both personal and professional development among young girls.Dr. Zulum noted that women made up only 14 per cent of Nigeria’s STEM workforce, which should be improved upon.“Mentorship is critical to shaping the minds and future of upcoming generations,” she said.She highlighted its role in building confidence, breaking stereotypes, fostering critical thinking and creating access to opportunities.In her remarks, the outgoing APWEN Chairperson, Kori Shettima, expressed pride in the association’s achievements, particularly in advocacy and mentorship for girls in STEM fields.“I am proud of the progress we have made, the lives we have touched and the young minds we have inspired,” Shettima said.Highlights of the event include the inauguration of the 4th Chairperson of APWEN, Maiduguri Chapter, Engr. Hajju Tijjani Gazali.It also featured the presentation scholarships – N200,000 each to six top-performing female pupils of Wulari Primary School and N300,000 each to six best science students of Federal Government Girls College, Monguno. (NAN)NEWS
PCRC Gets New Leadership in Imo

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Owerri has elected and inaugurated a new set of executive officers led by Mr Bathram Uzodinma.The National Chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyi, inaugurated the 15-man executive committee, as part of activities marking the PCRC’s 41st anniversary celebrations held in Imo on Saturday.
Olaniyi charged the Uzodinma-led executives to eschew arrogance, power confrontation and vindictiveness in the discharge of their duties. He also urged the PCRC family in the state to extend their support and cooperation to the new executives. He urged them to keep the flag flying through commitment and dedication to duty, to strengthen the relationship between the police and the public.He, however, hailed the immediate past excos led by Mr Chima Chukwunyere for their exemplary performance which he noted has raised the credibility of the organisation.The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aboki Danjuma, represented by the command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, commended Mogaji for enhancing the relationship between the police and the public.He said that sustained partnership, trust and collaborations were of crucial importance for the police and the PCRC to move on.He congratulated the new Excos on their emergence and wished them a successful tenure.Also speaking, Uzodinma pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him, promising a robust relationship between the police and the public.Earlier, Chukwunyere said he established a weekly radio programme in Owerri to smoothen the relationship of the police with the public.He added that he also created a stronger public awareness on the dangers of cultism, drug addiction and other vices among students. According to him, police still remain friends with members of the public. Chukwunyere, who is the MD/CEO of Domino Paramount Hotel Owerri, said that between 2008 till date, he had so far offered free hotel accommodation to police officers on transit to the tune of N7.6 million. “ In addition to the radio programmes, the Imo PCRC under my watch regularly visited secondary schools across the state to sensitise students on the dangers of drug abuse and cultism, with our 68th visit last Thursday, to City School, Owerri”, he said. Report says that erstwhile Chairman Chukwunyere joined the association in 1996.NAN also noted that he had served in various leadership positions since 2008, including Southeast Zonal Chairman, culminating in being the Imo chairman in 2025.Chukwunyere has now been elevated to the position of National Consultant, Community Policing of the PCRC, for his role in reviving and revitalising the committee in Imo and the Southeast. (NAN)