COVER
Reps Urged to Make Law Banning Use of GMO
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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
House of Representatives has been urged to prohibit use and consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in the country to protect the environment and the health of citizens.
The call was made by 92 African Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at a public hearing on GMO organised by House Joint Committees on Agricultural Production and Services, Privatisation, Commercialisation, Public Asset, Science Engineering and Special Duties on Tuesday.
The coalition led by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) said that the rising cases of cancer and other related illnesses are traceable to the use and consumption of GMO.
In a document presented to the committee by Ms Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes (HOMEF) the coalition said GMOs are products of genetic engineering which is a technology that allows scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes at the cellular level in a way that is not possible through traditional or natural processes.
According to them, it allows DNA from one type of organism to be introduced into another related or unrelated species; genetic manipulation is also done within a single organism.
They said that campaign against GMOs is particularly against genetic modification of food crops and animals and any other genetic modification that will alter ecosystem balance, negatively impact agriculture, destroy local economy and foods.
The CSOs said 19 European Union countries, four Asian countries, two African countries, five countries in the Americas have banned GMOs.
They said up to 64 countries require manufacturers to label foods with GMOs as an increasing number of people around the world are choosing to eat organic and non-GMO products.
“It is noteworthy that nearly all studies that claim GMOs are safe are funded by the very biotechnology corporations that produce and/or profit from GMOs sales.
“Several studies have linked the consumption of GMOs to a myriad of diseases including antibiotics resistance, the commercially approved Bt Cowpea expresses an enzyme which confers resistance to antibiotics – neomycin phosphotransferase II (NPTII).
“Multiple animal studies show significant immune dysregulation, including upregulation of cytokines (protein molecules involved in immune responses) associated with asthma, allergy, and inflammation. – AAEM, 2009.
“Studies have also shown that DNA molecule ingested in food can affect animals that eat them. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), of plants were found to be biologically active, affecting gene expression and the functioning of important processes in the body in the blood of humans and animals that had eaten them. Zhang, et al., 2012.
“Multiple toxins from GMOs have been detected in 93 per cent maternal and 80 per cent fetal blood including non-pregnant women’s blood. ( Aris and Leblanc, 2011; Woźniak et al., 2018).
“These toxins designed to kill crop pests are reaching humans and babies in the womb and could lead to allergies, miscarriage, and cancer (Poulter, 2011),” they said.
The coalition explained that GMOs have direct implications on biodiversity saying that over 80 per cent of GMOs are designed to be herbicide tolerant.
According to them, this has significantly increased the use of herbicides in the US for example; needful to say that these herbicides are produced by the same companies producing the genetically modified seeds.
They said that the herbicides do not only destroy the target weeds but also non-target organisms that are essential for soil health and overall ecosystem function.
“These chemicals can also run off to contaminate drinking ground water and surface water including drinking water sources.
“There is also the severe threat of irreversible genetic contamination due to cross-pollination which could also lead to production of uncontrollable plant varieties and mutated plant varieties,” they said.
The CSOs argued that farmers who have been given GM seed to plant as well as extension workers have complained that although GMOs may perform well in the first planting season in terms of productivity, their productivity drastically declines in the second planting season.
They explained that farmers cannot replant these seeds but have to continuously purchase the seeds every new season.
“This signifies an attempt at seed colonialism and loss of our heritage – forcing our farmers and by extension, consumers to depend on mostly foreign corporations for seed.
“GMOs do not improve yields. On the 23rd of September, 2024 the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) reported that they “did not record any significant increase in their yields compared to the local seed varieties but instead, since the introduction of GM cotton seeds during the 2020/2021 farming season, yield per hectare has remained almost the same.
“The worrying aspect is where the cotton farmers reported that no other plant has been able to germinate on the farmlands where the GM seeds were planted, even after four years.
“The farm where we planted the GM seeds can no longer germinate our local seeds anymore. The land has been destroyed,” they said.
The coalition said that Nigerian communities and farmers in last the decade are steadily being ensnared into growing GM Crops.
They said that research conducted by Health of Mother Earth Foundation in 2019 concluded that Nigerian farmers know too little about GMOs to make informed decision.
They said farmers given GM seeds to plant are at best told that the crops would not require too much spraying and will increase productivity.
“We demand a nullification of all the permits issued for the importation and release of genetically modified maize, beans, cotton and other sundry products into the country. These permits have been issued without regard for the complaints by millions of Nigerians and without the consent of many.
“A close surveillance of our markets and farms to halt illegal entry of GMOs into Nigeria and into our food supply.
“An outright ban of all toxic agrochemicals also known as highly hazardous pesticides – especially glyphosate containing ones identified as probable carcinogens. Studies have shown that over 50% of pesticides, registered and used by farmers in Nigeria are classified as highly hazardous.
“This is our petition and the concern of millions of Nigerians. We are of strong opinion that if the suggestions in this petition are taken into consideration. it will protect the best interest of the Nigerian people and Africa as a whole,” they said.
Chairman, House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services, Hon Bello Kaoje said the issue of GMOs in agriculture is an ongoing global debate with two broad opinions.
He said the task of the Committee is to engage with key stakeholders who have been engaged in the debates on the appropriateness or otherwise of GMO.
“Our role as Legislators remain to ensure that governance is carried out transparently for the greater good of the nation. We assure all stakeholders that we shall discharge our Constitutional responsibilities to the best of our capacities and for the greater good of our dear nation,” he said.
Some members of the coalition include Free Nigeria Alliance, Center for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) Corporate Accountability and Public Participation for Africa (CAPPA) Women Envoironmental Programme and Food and Health Limited.
Others are Nigerians Against GMOs, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) Nigeria Women Farmers Association (NIWAAFA), We the People, and Association of Women Farmers of Nigeria.
Women and Youth in Agriculture, Udama Co-operative Farm, Green Alliance Nigeria, Women and Children Life Advancement Initiative, the Young Environmentalist Network (TYEN), Peace Point Action, Social Action Committee on Vital Environmental Resources (COVER) are also members of the coalition.
COVER
TAJBank Gets New Global Rating, Wins Islamic Bank Award
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By Tony Obiechina Abuja
Nigeria’s fastest growing non-interest banking services provider, TAJBank Limited, has again consolidated its frontline position as Nigeria’s most innovative and value-driven non-interest lender, has won an award at the just concluded IFN Awards in Dubai.
The ‘Best Islamic Bank in Nigeria’ award was won by TAJBank through a global survey/poll conducted by the IFN.
Speaking shortly after the conferment of the Best Islamic Bank Award on TAJBank in Dubai, which is considered as one of most highly rated awards in the Islamic Finance Industry, the bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Hamid Joda, attributed the global recognition to “our Board, management and staff’s commitment to best industry standards in products and services’ packaging and delivery to our highly cherished and growing customers.
“We want to thank IFN for the very credible poll that indicated that TAJBank is leading the non-interest banking segment of Nigeria and also assure our growing customers that, as our mantra says, TAJBank’s only interest is the customers”, Joda added.
In his brief comments, the bank’s Co-Founder/Executive Director, Sherif Idi, described the IFN award “as a testament to our relentless efforts to ensure that TAJBank is the preferred choice for customers that are looking for the best in service standards powered by a well-groomed professionals and powered by world class technological assets.”
In the last few years of its operations, TAJBank had in 2022 received the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) certification and three International Standards Organisation (ISO) certifications by the Certification Partner Global (CPG), namely ISO 27001, ISO 22301, and ISO 20000 on Information Security, Business Continuity, and IT Service Management Systems.
At the domestic level, the bank has also won several awards, including the Leadership newspaper’s ‘Banker of The Year Award 2020’, BusinessDay newspaper’s ‘Islamic Bank of the Year Award’ for three consecutive years and several others in recognition of its world-class innovative products and services delivery.
COVER
Constitution Review: Reps Promise People- oriented Amendments
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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Hon Benjamin Kalu, has assured of a people – oriented constitution at the end of the ongoing amendment exercise.
Kalu, who is the Committee Chairman on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said this at the closing of a two-day retreat for members of the Committee in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.
He expressed gratitude to the members of the Committee for their commitment towards a successful exercise and urged them to remain committed.
“We are so proud of you. On behalf of the speaker, on behalf of the representatives, the leadership of the National Assembly, we found you worthy to make you members of this committee and you have not failed us.
“From the time you took on this role, we knew it was a tough task. We know as well that time is of the essence in view the fact that we want to achieve the first tranche of our job before the period of election.
“But with the kind of team spirit that we have exhibited, the kind of dedication we have exhibited, it appears to us that the destination towards realizing this is in view. This is only because we held each other’s hand, only because we believed that Nigeria could be better than we met it. Only because we heard the cries of the people that we represent and we want their voices to be heard.
“So that truly the constitution that we want to be a people oriented constitution, as stated in the preamble of the constitution that we, the people of Nigeria, will indeed be a constitution that has the characterization of the people’s desire captured in it.
“You are the architect of the greater future of Nigeria. You are the cooks in the kitchen baking the best Nigeria that will be better than the one we have ever seen. Don’t give up. If you don’t get weary in this work, in no distant sign that Nigerians will reap from this.
“There may be challenges along the path of achieving this, but your dedication and determination and diligence has oiled the way towards the greater heights that’s in view.
“Please let this bonding among us continue. Let us not stop at these retreat. Let us be partners in progress towards making this dream realizable. Thank you for being my partners. The Speaker and I are proud of you”he said.
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Akin Rotimi Jnr said they were fully committed to ensuring that the process was inclusive, transparent, and reflective of the aspirations of all Nigerians.
“The constitutional review process is a complex and delicate undertaking that demands expertise, wisdom, and careful engagement with diverse stakeholders across ethnic, religious, and political lines.
“Guided by our legislative agenda, we remain steadfast in delivering meaningful reforms under the capable leadership of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review who is a lawyer. Nigerians can expect a thorough, well-considered, and impactful exercise that strengthens our democracy and fosters national development,” the House Spokesman said.
COVER
At DAILY ASSET Awards, Dangote Announces Plans for Two More Refineries
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By Raphael Atuu Abuja.
Africa’s richest man and President, Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has announced plans to build two more
Refineries on the African continent.
The business icon spoke in Abuja at the 8th DAILY ASSET Annual Awards, where he was honoured as ‘Nigerian Achiever of the Year’ by the Abuja-based daily.
The Senior Adviser to Group President on Special Projects and Strategic Relations, Hajiya Fatima Wali Abdulrrahman, who represented her boss at the occasion said the Group has received requests from two African countries to forge partnership for the purpose of establishing two new refineries in their countries.
The Business Mogul did not disclose the countries in question but said the request was a further testament to the growing influence of Dangote Group on the African continent.
She said already, Dangote Cement had factories in 14 African countries, explaining that the Group President was committed to the economic growth of not only Nigeria but Africa as a whole.
“Alhaji Aliko Dangote has only two houses in Lagos and Kano. He has no house in a foreign country nor the advanced countries of the World,” she further disclosed adding, the concern of her boss was to ensure economic development of Africa through industrial and economic activities.
Mrs Abdurrahman assured that the president of Dangote group will always do his best if given the opportunity anywhere to make a contribution towards the continent’s progress.
She commended the management of DAILY ASSET Newspaper for the award to the Group President saying the award “came at the right time” and was deeply appreciated by the Group President, who she said personally asked her to represent him at the occasion.
” I want to appreciate DAILY ASSET Newspaper for always supporting us and I congratulate the publisher and his team for celebrating eight years as an organization” she stated.
“Alhaji would have loved to be here himself but he had to return to Lagos after attending the Book launch by former President, Ibrahim Babangida” she explained to the capacity –filled audience at the conference hall of NICON Luxury Hotel, venue of the event.
The Senior Adviser, added that Alhaji Dangote is always passionate about Nigeria and Africa and stressed the company will support any good project that will develop Nigeria and Africa at large.
Dickson Canvasses Better Training for Media Practitioners
Former Governor of Bayelsa state and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Henry Seriake Dickson has challenged proprietors of media organisations to ensure adequate training of journalists in their employment if the media must effectively discharge its constitutional responsibility of holding the government accountable.
Senator Dickson, who was Guest Speaker at the 8th Annual Awards Ceremony hosted by DAILY ASSET in Abuja said the media was the only professional body assigned specific responsibility by the 1999 constitution(as amended) adding that such responsibility was too enormous to be discharged by quacks.
” To hold anyone accountable in the society ,the media needs to do its job and this can be done only by professionals “he remarked.
“Journalism is more than having gadgets and recording events, it is a specialised profession and when I was a member of House of Reps, I sponsored a bill to regulate the profession because of its importance to society ” he stated.
The Senator hailed the Publisher of DAILY ASSET, Dr Cletus Akwaya, whom he said had great passion for news publication and deserved every encouragement to excel in the media industry.
The former governor stressed that the publisher has paid his dues in journalism remarking that from his observations, Akwaya was involved in publishing out of great passion for the Journalism profession and not necessarily for profit.
” I know Dr Akwaya for years and he is a friend and brother, so I can tell what he can do. He does not get money from this” he stated.
The former Bayelsa Governor advised the publisher with his colleagues to always play the role of society watchdog and commit to training the upcoming journalists to do same.
Dickson however, said the media needed to be regulated so that only professionals and qualified people were allowed to operate just as lawyers who graduate from the Nigerian Law School.
While congratulating DAILY ASSET Newspaper for celebrating eight years , the former governor drummed support for the organisation and urged the staff to follow the vision of the publisher.