Day: April 10, 2024

SmallSmall, a Property technology company, has partnered The Elevation Church, to provide housing for displaced families affected by the demolition exercise at Jakande Lekki, in Lagos. Mr Tunde Balogun, the Chief Executive Officer, Small Small Technology, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. Balogun described the strategic collaboration as a beacon of hope in addressing the pressing housing needs of displaced families. He said that it marked a significant stride towards ensuring secured, comfortable, and accessible housing for affected families. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the demolition was done by the Lagos State Government to recover the coastal road path for the Lagos-Calabar Highway project, under the Federal Government, to promote the urban renewal of the affected areas. He said The Elevation Church spearheaded the resettlement plan after receiving over 100 requests for support from affected families, left homeless by the demolition. Balogun said the partnership with Sm allSmall ensured that the properties needed to resettle the affected families were swiftly provided and the rent for the families was covered. He emphasised that the collaboration signified a transformative impact on Nigeria's housing landscape. 'Our mission to revolutionise affordable housing in Nigeria is fueled by an unwavering dedication to serve those in need,' Balogun said. Also, Naomi Olaghere, Co-founder, SmallSmall, said the partnership underscored the company's unwavering commitment to foster positive change within the communities it served. 'We are thrilled to embark on this journey alongside The Elevation Church, as we translate our shared vision into tangible solutions,' Olaghere said. Also, the Global Lead Pastor, The Elevation Church, Godman Akinlabi, said the church was committed to providing relief and necessary support to meet the diverse needs of its members and the community at large. Akinlabi said the gospel being preached must transform both the souls of people and improve their qu ality of life. 'Our response to the housing emergency occasioned by Jakande Estate demolition is a testament to this commitment. 'Through this partnership with SmallSmall, we have been able to provide critical housing assistance to many families displaced by the demolition exercise. 'We are grateful for their willingness to collaborate with us, to support those in need,' he said. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The discourse on safety of genetically engineered crops categorised as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is heating up globally, including Nigeria. Just recently, the Federal Government approved the commercial release and open cultivation of a new maize variety, Tela Maize, a genetically modified maize. The development of Tela maize was led by researchers at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who say it resists armyworm, stem borers and tolerates moderate drought. At the commercial release of Tela Maize, Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said the crop was a remarkable step at enhancing agricultural productivity to ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria. 'It exemplifies our commitment to harnessing the power of biotechnology in addressing pressing agricultural challenges, enhancing crop resilience, and improving the livelihood of our farmers and citizens. 'It also strengthens our position in the global agricultural landscape, fostering economic stability and opening new avenues for trade and export,' he said. Still from a government's standpoint, Dr Agnes Asagbra, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), recently said the pursuit of effective biosafety management and inclusive engagement was paramount. According to her, the agency recognises the importance of diverse perspectives and expertise in shaping comprehensive solutions to biosafety challenges. 'We have established robust frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to ensure adherence to national and international biosafety regulations and standards,' she said. Worthy of note here is that Mexico, the birth place of maize, has banned genetically modified corn which it says is not safe for human consumption and threatens the biodiversity. Some other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas have also banned the importation and cultivation of GMOs over safety concerns. The skeptics of GMOs in Nigeria posit that the science and technology backing trans genic crops is not clear enough. They express worries on the inherent hazards GMOs pose to biodiversity, food safety, and the health of Nigerians. More so, they argue that GM crops contain chemicals that could predispose humans to deadly ailments, damage soil health and phase out traditional seeds as both cannot co-exist. At the forefront of the kick against GMOs, is the Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR), a Non-Governmental Organisation. CEFSAR has consistently urged the Federal Government to be mindful of the acceptance and deployment of genetically engineered crops, categorised as GMOs due to safety concerns. Prof. Qristtuberg Amua, CEFSAR's Executive Director, said that Nigeria did not have the requisite laboratory infrastructure to test and verify the safety of the GMOs products in the food industry. He argued that the regulatory framework had no provision for labeling GMOs which invariably would deny consumers of the right to make knowledgeable decision of what to eat to and what not to eat. The professor contented that GMOs were laced with chemicals which could lead to extinction of indigenous crops and a dependency on chemical-intensive farming methods. He said the primary objectives of CEFSAR were to preserve native seed varieties, research sustainable agriculture practices and promote agro-ecological farming systems. 'Others are to support local and indigenous farming communities, and educate farmers and stakeholders in the immediate society. 'We first of all begin with all those who consume GMOs in the form of modern crops that are being promoted in this country. 'And also, if you look at the venue of this engagement, it is the Federal Ministry of Justice, and a lot of the intrusion that is coming through GMOs is coming through policies and laws. 'And a lot of these policies pass through clearance from this ministry. 'So, we believe that by initiating this conversation, we are attracting attention into the concerns of GMOs,' he said. Amua said he was hopeful that the advocacy would gain momentum because important stakeholders would begin to talk about it and draw the attention of the government and consumers to the dangers inherent in pushing for GMOs. According to the academic, food security has an intricate nexus with national security as a hungry man is angry man. 'We have observed that parts of issues of national security are born out of aggression between individuals or groups. 'But beyond that, a crime is fueled when the larger population is hungry; they don't get food to eat and that translates to poverty.' The don said that in the present context, today, it was being said that food was scare in Nigeria and it was because certain food production areas in the country had been attacked consistently for over a decade. He said the attacks on food production had displaced people and initiated food scarcity. 'Because they cannot farm, we have food scarcity; so you can see, on one hand, national insecurity produces food insecurity. 'Now, take a reverse of it; becau se there is national food insecurity now, it is going to perpetrate further our national insecurity, in the sense that you have people taken away from their farms. 'A lot of farmers have been chased into camps.' He said that CEFSAR's observations indicated that there had been a lot of misinformation or deception targeted at some people in government-those who were at critical point of driving policy. According to him, the essence of the campaign is to attract attention and partner with government and in its capacity on education of the citizens on issues concerning GMOs. 'I am a professor, a scientist. I have conducted some of these researches myself. 'So, I believe that with me involved in this conversation, the people in government who genuinely have been misinformed or deceived, will pick interest and begin to ask the relevant questions,' he said. Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, said there was need to stick to agro-ecological methods of food production. Bassey said that available data showed that 70 per cent of small scale farmers fed the world through agro-ecological principles and techniques. 'So why do one want to jump into something that produces your food in a system with so many uncertainties?-a system that laces your food with pesticides, chemicals and insecticides. 'We need to ban them; we don't need GMOs. Nigeria and indeed, Africa, has all it takes to grow food, to produce food that can feed our people and also export to other countries,' he said. Deserving no less attention, Dr Segun Adebayo, Director, Operations, CEFSAR, argued that GM crops could cause increased pesticide runoff into water sources; thereby posing a huge dangers to the soil, human health and the environment. Adebayo said there was a correspondence between the consumption of GMOs and the surge in health issues such as cancer and organ failure, particularly among young persons. According to him, everybody who eats is a stakeholder in the business of food. 'You ar e what you eat; you have to be concerned about what you eat; that is the reason we are having this engagement. 'The first step to being healthy is your food,' he said. Adebayo urged Nigerians to be wary of GMOs and promote the natural food and stressing the imperative of creating a balance of knowledge to equip the public with the opportunity with consumption choices. As the GMOs controversy rages, critical stakeholders hold that Nigerian scientists should intensify research on transgenic crops rather than depending on foreign research outcomes for what we consume. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Some journalists, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), parents and others gathered in Abuja on Wednesday to honour Miss Karen-Happuch Akpagher, who allegedly died from rape. The occasion was the launch of a book 'Tears from the Grave,' aimed to immortalise Karen-Happuch. The book was written by Mr Lemmy Ughegbe, a journalist and gender activist. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Karen-Happuch was a boarding student at Premiere Academy, Abuja. She died on June 22, 2021, as a result of sepsis infection she allegedly contracted from rape. The rapist also allegedly left condom inside the late student. Ughegbe promised to do his best to get justice for the deceased, saying that he would continue to remind the nation of the case until justice would be served. He said that writing 'Tears from the Grave' was challenging, as talking with the deceased's mother was traumatic. 'I get traumatised each time I have discussions with her. 'She said she was even afraid of loving her boys because she loved Karen and the world took her away. 'She said if she would love the remaining children, the world might also take them away,' the writer said. Ughegbe said that after three years of Karen-Happuch's alleged rape, the police had yet to tell her mother what happened to her. He urged that the fight to rid the society of sexual and gender-based violence should be collective. Dr Kelechi Ofoegbu, Chairman of the occasion and Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, urged victims of rape to speak up. Ofoegbu, however, said that if the victims could not speak up, the society must be sensitive enough to be their voices. 'We should be human, aware and sensitive to the fact that people are crying around us, we must be sensitive enough to intervene,' he said. Grace Ike, an aspirant for the post of the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abuja Chapter, said that the book launch demonstrated collective resolve to confront and eradicate rape. A ccording to her, it is heartbreaking when individuals, regardless of age or gender, fall victims of rape or defilement. She said that rape and defilement always left their victims in physical and psychological anguish. She said that Nigerians were confronted daily with distressing accounts of girls and women enduring unspeakable trauma due to sexual violence. The mother of the deceased, Mrs Vivian Akpagher, while narrating her ordeal, said: 'I was hurt and pained when I lost Karen. 'I have struggled through the years but I believe God is with me. 'At some points, I found it really hard. 'Nineteen years ago, I gave birth to her. She returned to me shattered in 2021. She was my confidant, my friend.' Vivian described her ordeal as two years of an unending storm. 'The grief may be unending but I am happy you are all here to hold my hands,' she said. NAN reports that some others at the event also spoke against rape, urging the police to conclude investigation on Karen-Happuch's case and bring the culprit to book. Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to continue to make sacrifice and exhibit integrity for national development. Tinubu said this after observing the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at the Eid Ground at Dodan Barracks on Wednesday in Lagos. The President also called on Nigerians to continue to have faith in his government and remain patriotic citizens. Tinubu said that the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration, aimed at bringing prosperity to Nigerians, was being diligently implemented. Encouraging Muslims to extend the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond the fasting period, Tinubu emphasised the need for Nigerians to prioritise the exhibition of love for their country. ''The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. 'Be a kind and cheerful giver. We must love our country more than any other country, because this is the only one we have. ''We must continue to protect the integrity of our government and leadership. The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive , well and fine, and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope, there is no salvation. 'Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life. Eid Mubarak,'' the President said at the end of the prayers led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Abou-Nolla. Earlier in his sermon, the Chief Imam urged Nigerians to shun all acts of violence, ensure peaceful co-existence, and continue to have faith in the country. He asked those in leadership positions to remain faithful to their oaths of office and work towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged. ''Let us not forget our brothers and sisters in Gaza and other areas of conflict,'' the Chief Imam said. He offered prayers of God's guidance, wisdom, and protection for the President and the Lagos State government, as well as for peace and stability in the country. Source: News Agency of Nigeria