Niger Delta

Foundation Leads Campaign Against Genetically Modified Foods In Edo

Published

12 months ago

December 20, 2024

Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) on Friday led a campaign rally in Edo State to raise awareness about the dangers of introducing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into Nigeria’s food system.

The campaign took place in collaboration with the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and members of the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO).

The rally, which started from the National Museum at Ring Road, Benin, made its way to the Edo House of Assembly, state office of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and to the Government House.

At the Government House, the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Solomon Oseghale, received a petition against the introduction of GMOs on behalf of the state government.

The petition called on the government to reconsider its decision to approve GMOs and to prioritise the health and well-being of Nigerians.

The Executive Director of HOMEF, Dr. Nnimmo Bassey, said the rally took place simultaneously in Rivers, Katsina, Plateau, Oyo, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Jigawa States and the FCT.

According to him, Nigeria does not need GMOs to address food insecurity.

He asserted that the design of the genetically modified crops does not support local economic growth but promote dependency on corporate seed supply.

“In September 2024, the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) was reported to have recorded no significant increase in yields when compared to the local seed varieties.

“Instead, the introduction of GM cotton seeds over four years ago, yield per hectare has remained about the same.

“Also, the farmers noted that no other plant has been able to germinate on the farmlands where the GM seeds were planted, even after four years.

“This confirms the concerns regarding loss of biodiversity and soil degradation due to release of genetic material (proteins) into the soil which would not ordinarily occur”, he said.

Bassey decried that farmers were not able to replant the GM seeds after harvest due to declining yields.

He said farmers were encouraged to continuously purchase the seeds every new season from corporate entities.

He said this reflected neo-colonialism and corporate capture of our food system -something we shouldn’t take lightly.

On his part, Ifeanyi Nwankwere, National Co-coordinator of the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, noted that GMOs approved in Nigeria, so far were not currently being labelled.

Heb said Nigeria’s socio-economic context would not allow labelling to be effective considering how food was sold in cups and basins in open markets where majority of our people shop from.

Nwankwere noted that the biosafety regulatory system in Nigeria was not designed in a way that assures safety with regard to GMOs.

Similarly, Mr Agho Omobude, Coordinator of the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), said the rally aimed to educate the public about the risks associated with GMOs.

Omobude stressed that genetically modified foods are poisonous and pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of Nigerians.

He dismissed the claim that GMOs could ensure food sufficiency, describing it as a lie and a ploy to colonise Nigeria’s food system.

He bemoaned the approval of 14 genetically modified foods in Nigeria, which had been a staple in all households over the years.

Mr Cadmus Atake-Enade of the HOMEF advocated legislation that would outlaw the sale of genetically modified foods in Edo and Nigeria at large.

He expressed concerns that some super markets in the state were reportedly selling the products without providing the customers with information about them.

The source reports that the rally featured distribution of leaflets containing anti-GMO information.

The campaigners also displayed placards with various inscriptions such as, “Nigerians reject GMOs”, “#FoodnotPoison”, “Food Should Not Be Grown In A Lab”, “Support Small Scale Farmers”, “What We Eat Must Not Eat Us”, among others.

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

15 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

15 hours ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.