By Ikenna Uwadileke

The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has warned against the consumption of meat roasted with tyres, saying that tyres contain cancer-causing substances.

Deputy Registrar of the Council, Dr Fadipe Oladotun, gave the warning in Abuja on Sunday when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Oladotun, who decried the continued use of tyres to roast meat in abattoirs, said that the warning became imperative in view of its growing health and environmental hazards.

He said that the trend was growing because a lot of people were ignorant about the health consequences.

The more we eat those meats roasted with tyres, the more we are prone to health risks.

There are alternative and healthy ways of de-skinning meat rather than using tyres. Burning tyres contaminate the meat, degrade the environment and pollutes the atmosphere, Oladotun said.

He said that the council would intensify efforts to sensitise people to understand the dangers inherent in consuming meats roasted with tyres.

When you burn tyres, they release bad fume that pollutes the air. And when you use tyres to roast meat, they deposit substances on the meat that cause cancer when consumed. It is a slow killer.

Slow killer in the sense that it is when you take it in small quantities and it accumulates and then it becomes an issue, he said.

Oladotun expressed the Councils determination to prosecute those who engage in the practice.

The regulation of practices at abattoirs is what the Council will engage in soon.

We all need to join hands to stop this menace. I am giving a very strong warning to all the offenders that they should watch out because very soon the hands of the law will catch up with them.

The Council is carrying out awareness to give them enough time instead of aggressively arresting people, Oladotun said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Martha Agas

The Northern Governors Forum on Sunday condemned Saturdays attack on Benues Gov. Samuel Ortom motorcade by bandits as disturbing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that bandits attacked Gov. Ortoms motorcade on Saturday at Tyo-Mu community near Makurdi.

Chairman of the forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, said the incident must be investigated thoroughly.

Lalong said in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham in Jos that the attack was another attempt by criminals to cause mayhem in Benue and in the nation as a whole.

He tasked all relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to fish out those behind the attack and their sponsors

He commended security details attached to the governor for repelling the attack and securing Ortom and members of his entourage.

The chairman of the forum said that all hands must be on deck to address the lingering degeneration of security in the country as it threatened its corporate existence.

Lalong said governors in the northern part of Nigeria were in solidarity with their colleague and the entire people of Benue State.

He assured that they would continue to engage and support security agencies in their duty of securing the region and nation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker

Chief Dan Orbih, zonal leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says that the choice of the partys candidacy in the 2023 Presidential election will be determined by the political terrain prior to the general polls.

He said that the clamour by its members for a South South presidential endorsement showed their maturity as stakeholders but would be decided upon after members fully examined the countrys political terrain for a balance.

Orbih gave the indication in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin while reacting to the increasing agitation by party loyalists from the zone for the party to zone the 2023 presidency to South south.

He, however, noted that the clamour was an indication that the party was a very organised one.

NAN reports that Orbih emerged the National Deputy Vice Chairman, South South of the party at the partys zonal congress held in Port Harcourt a forth night ago.

He was returned unopposed at the congress held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre with 960 votes out of the 964 votes cast by delegates from the six states in the zone.

According to him, before the party goes into any presidential contest, it will sit and look at what is on ground politically.

Based on that the party then takes a position on the zone where the candidate will come from.

No doubt there are lot of persons who feel strongly that there is need for the party to formally zone the presidency.

First, it will reduce rancour among members. Secondly, it will give direction on what the party is looking at.

Another thing is that as a matter of strategy, if the party settles for a zone, it means we will take advantage of the place the party has zoned it to.

He, however, disclosed that as at present, the party had yet to zone the presidency in the forth coming 2023 general elections.

He also explained that those agitating for the presidency to be zoned to South South were of the strong opinion that the zone should return and complete its denied second tenure.

They also argued that considering the votes normally garnered by the party from the zone, the party should not overlook the South South in considering where the 2023 candidate should come from.

They are just going by the saying that to whom much is given, much is expected.

The zone has given so much to the party in terms of votes, party loyalty, commitment, and what have you.

So they feel that the party should not overlook them when it comes to the issue of the presidency.

They believe that the votes they normally poll from the zone can even be doubled if a candidate from the South South is considered, the PDP leader said.

On the issue of internal party discipline, Orbih said that people must be able to exercise their rights.

According to him, that is why it democracy is all about.

Chief Orbih said that his emergence as the Zonal leader of the party was a recognition of his good job to the party.

He noted that party members recognised his achievements especially during his tenure as state party chairman in Edo.

He also said that his emergence was a challenge, in the sense that as at today, the zone is the only zone where all the states are under the control of the PDP.

My immediate task is to sustain the partys hold on the zone and reconsolidate on our position and see how we can even increase the number of votes in the zone for the party to get back to power all over, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, his Deputy Alhaji Munir Daniya and some other government officials were on Saturday administered doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Addressing newsmen shortly after taking the vaccine, Tambuwal urged people in the state to make themselves available for the vaccination.

Today I have taken my jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, I enjoined the good people of Sokoto state to come forward and obtain the vaccine against COVID-19 pandemic.

As we are all aware prevention is better than cure, therefore, instead of running halter skelter in need of support it is better to take preventive measure against the pandemic by ensuring that everyone is vaccinated.

Moreover, the vaccine worldwide has so far recorded more success than side effects, as such we should all ensure that we are vaccinated in order to prevent ourselves from the deadly disease, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced112 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 161,651.

The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the countrys daily new cases continue to follow a downward trajectory.

From an all-time high of 2,314 on Jan. 22, 2021, the countrys daily new positive cases have come down to 112as of March 20.

It stated that the112 new infection were registered from 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to it, Lagos State recorded 35 infections, the highest number of confirmed cases for the day, the FCT had 22, Ondo recorded 17 and Kaduna and Ebonyi confirmed nine infections each.

Six cases of the virus were found in Bauchi, Kebbi 4, while Delta, Osun and Jigawa reported two cases each. Borno, Edo, Kano and Nasarawa also recorded one case each.

The health agency noted that with the new addition, the countrys COVID-19 recovery had increased by 194 on Saturday, including 70 community recoveries in Lagos state managed in line with its guidelines.

It noted that the countrys number of recovery stood at 147,775.

The Nigerias public health institute sadly recorded three additional deaths; thus the countrys COVID-19 death toll rose to 2,030 on Saturday.

The NCDC noted that the countrys active casesstood at 11,846 in the last 24 hours.

The public health agency said a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC) activated at Level 3 had continued to coordinate the national response activities in the country.

NAN also reports that the country had tested1,684,305people since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced on Feb. 27, 2020. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kemi Akintokun

President of Nigeria Pro-Wrestling Federation (NPRF), John Uche, has reiterated the commitment of the organisation to revive the sporting activity in the country.

Uche disclosed this on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the Mock Wrestling Championship organised by the federation in Lagos.

He attributed the challenges facing pro-wrestling to lack of support by government and corporate organisations which had made competitions few and far between.

He said that the foregoing had stunted the progress of the once famous sporting activity in the country.

Our mission and aspiration as a federation is geared toward reviving professional wrestling. This is why we have come up with this competition to engage wrestlers after so many years of inactivity.

We will be needing the support of corporate bodies and the government in our quest to restore the lost glory of pro-wrestling in Nigeria, he said.

Uche said that the federation wanted to use pro-wrestling to engage restive youths in order to discover some talents.

The president said that the event was organised as a pre-tournament for the federations forthcoming championship scheduled for May 2021 and tagged BATTLEGROUND 2021.

This mock championship was put together as a pre-tournament to prepare our wrestlers ahead of our national championship that will be staged in six states in the country.

What our wrestlers have showcased today is a tip of the iceberg when compared to what spectators will witness at the forthcoming championship, he said.

Meanwhile in some of the bouts, Mighty Man defeated Young OKoko in a fight that lasted for five minutes, while Champan dislodged his opponent Lion Zion.

In the only female bout, Alexandra the Queen defeated Iron Lady Becky .(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Igbaugba Ehigimetor

Supporters of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, have called for the sack of coach Bernard Ogbe over the poor performance of the team in the ongoing 2020/2021 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the supporters openly called for the coachs sack during the week 8 round of matches of the NNL where the Benin team struggled to beat their visitors, FC One Rocket, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

They blamed the lacklustre display of the team on the caochs tactics and noted that if allowed to continue, the Benin-based club will not secure promotion to the elite division of the Nigeria league.

In the match against FC One Rocket which Insurance trailed from a goal down to beat their opponent, the supporters particularly faulted the coachs decision to field two defensive midfielders in a home game they needed to win.

NAN reports that Insurance went a goal down in the 30th minute of the match but were lucky to have equalised through a penalty that was converted by Daniel Johnson in the 34th minute.

On resumption of play in the second half, Tolulope Ojo who came in as a second-half substitute, scored the second goal for Insurance who were looking more anxious and fighting hard to increase the scoreline.

The hosts made it three in the 33rd minute through the effort of Sarki Ismael to win 3 1.

NANreports that with the win, Insurance now have 13 points from seven matches in the ongoing 2020/2021 NNL season. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Tayyip Erdogan pulled Turkey out of an international accord designed to protect women, the government said on Saturday.

This prompted protests and criticism from those who said it was necessary to tackle rising domestic violence.

The Council of Europe accord, called the Istanbul Convention, pledged to prevent, prosecute and eliminate domestic violence and promote equality.

Turkey signed it in 2011 but femicide has surged in the country in recent years.

Femicide is the killing of a woman or girl, in particular by a man and on account of her gender.

No reason was provided for the withdrawal in the Official Gazette, where it was announced in the early hours on Saturday.

But top government officials said domestic law rather than outside fixes would protect womens rights.

The convention, forged in Turkeys biggest city, had split Erdogans ruling AK Party (AKP) and even his family.

Last year, officials said the government was mulling pulling out amid a row over how to curb growing violence against women.

Every day we wake up to the news of femicide, said Hatice Yolcu, a student in Istanbul, where hundreds of women carrying purple flags marched in protest at the withdrawal.

The death never ends. Women die. Nothing happens to men, Yolcu said.

Marija Pejcinovic Buric, Secretary-General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, called Turkeys decision devastating.

This move is a huge setback and all the more deplorable because it compromises the protection of women in Turkey, across Europe and beyond, Buric said.

Many conservatives in Turkey and in Erdogans AKP say the pact undermines family structures, encouraging violence.

Some are also hostile to the Conventions principle of gender equality and see it as promoting homosexuality, given the pacts non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

Preserving our traditional social fabric will protect the dignity of Turkish women, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter.

For this sublime purpose, there is no need to seek the remedy outside or to imitate others.

Family, Labour and Social Policies Minister, Zehra Zumrut, said the constitution and current laws guarantee womens rights.

Critics of the withdrawal have said it would put Turkey further out of step with the European Union, which it remains a candidate to join.

They argue the convention, and related legislation, need to be implemented more stringently.

Germany said Turkeys decision sent the wrong signal.

Neither cultural, religious nor other national traditions can serve as an excuse for ignoring violence against women, the Foreign Ministry said.

Turkey does not keep official statistics on femicide.

But the rate roughly tripled in the last 10 years, according to a group that monitors femicide.

So far this year, 78 women have been murdered or died under suspicious circumstances, it said.

World Health Organisation data shows 38 per cent of women in Turkey are subject to violence from a partner in their lifetime, compared to 25 per cent in Europe.

Shame on this bigotry, patriarchy, heartlessness that protects, bullies and murderers instead of women, Turkish author Elif Safak said on Twitter of the withdrawal.

Istanbuls Mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, of the main opposition party, said ditching the pact was painful and disregarded womens struggle over years.

Turkey is not the first country to move towards pulling out of the accord.

Polands highest court scrutinised the pact after a cabinet member said Warsaw should quit a treaty that the nationalist government considers too liberal.

While critics say his government has not done enough, Erdogan has condemned violence against women and said this month it would work to eradicate it.

Ankara has tagged violent men and launched a smartphone app for women to alert the Police.

Erdogans decision comes after he unveiled judicial reforms this month that he said would improve rights and freedoms, and help meet EU standards.

Talks over Turkeys membership in the bloc have been halted for years over policy differences and Ankaras record on human rights. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ebere Agozie

Experts say the harmonisation of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) standards of organic agriculture in West Africa will guarantee quality of produce and enhance trade in the region.

They gave the assurance at the virtual four-day workshop on harmonisation of organic PGS Standards across West Africa and Regional Organic Trade Fair in West Africa (BioWest Fair).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the harmonisation committee comprises six members from Benin Republic, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali and Togo.

Mr Ernest Aubee, Head of Agriculture, ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, and Chairman of Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Regional Steering Committee, said in his opening remarks that the workshop was to address two major challenges faced in the region.

There is the need for harmonisation of organic agriculture standards PGS in the region to facilitate regional trade of certified organic produce and products within the regions.

There is also the need for an annual regional trade fair in the region to improve marketing of organic produce and products in the region.

Aubee, who said the workshop was open to stakeholders from all countries in the region, however, noted that the pace of organic agriculture development in the region is still slow.

Organic Agriculture is developing fast at the global level, however, the pace is still slow in West Africa compared to Eastern Africa, Europe and Australia.

Ms Delphine Bodjrenou from Benin Republic, Chairperson, West Africa organic PGS harmonization committee, said organic agriculture stakeholders need a regional trade platform for standard organic trade in the region.

Trade is a very important component of agriculture and certified organic farming without viable trade is not sustainable.

Harmonised PGS standards will improve development of organic agriculture in West Africa through demand driven trade that encourages export business within the region.

It will, among other things, be beneficial to stakeholders in the region in terms of diversity of produce, simplicity of the process, empowerment of farmers, and easy access to standardised produce and products in the region.

It will also promote and increase supply of organic produce and products in the region and stimulate the growth of the organic sector of the region.

Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa, Secretary, Ecological Organic Agricuture, West Cluster and West Africa Organic Network (WAfrOnet), said the workshop and Trade Fair will also improve better understanding of certification in organic agriculture within the region.

He also stressed the need for capacity building of practitioners in the organic agriculture sector in the region to contribute to food security, income generation, employment and systems resilience, among other benefits.

AdeOluwa, while speaking on the BioWest Africa Fair, said it will be one of the ways of improving development of organic agriculture in the region.

The objectives of the fair are to create job opportunities and improve the livelihood of stakeholders, and ensure a wider spread of benefits of organic agriculture to all stakeholders in the region.

It will provide a regional platform for producers and business people in the value chain of organic agriculture, he said.

NAN also reports that the BioWestAfrica Fair will include exhibitions of organic agriculture produce, products and services, business fora and networks.

Plenary presentations were on cross-cutting issues of organic agriculture production, policy dialogues for sustainable organic agriculture business, and award presentations.

The virtual workshop recorded participants from Senegal, Guinea, Mali, The Gambia, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

Validated working document will be presented to the ECOWAS Commission in preparation for the second level of public validation workshop to bring other experiences: East Africa, India, IFOAM Organics International and other relevant authorities in the field of organic agriculture. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ariwodola Idowu

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti on Saturday night condemned in strong terms, the violence that marred the bye-election to fill the vacant seat for Ekiti East Constituency 1, in the State House of Assembly.

A statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti by Mr Yinka Oyebode, his Chief Press Secretary, quoted Fayemi as saying that no one involved in the dastardly act would go unpunished.

The governor had therefore directed the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Babatunde Mobayo, to ensure that everybody involved in the violent act were apprehended and brought to book, regardless of their party affiliation.

Gov. Fayemi commiserated with the families of those reported to have been killed in the mayhem as well as those who sustained injuries.

This violence is most unwarranted, and deeply disturbing. I have instructed the police authorities to fish out the perpetrators and ensure they face the music.

Our condolences to the families that lost loved ones and those who were injured.

Government would not relent in efforts to always ensure safety of lives and properties. We shall ensure all purveyors of violence are brought to book., the governor added.

NAN further reports that the governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to upholding the sacredness of life and sanctity of the electoral process.

It would be recalled that no fewer than three persons were on Saturday shot dead in Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East LGA during the bye election.

Eyewitnesses said that hardly had the election started when persons suspected to be hired thugs invaded some polling centres, shooting people and attempted to carry away ballot boxes.

Also, a former governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Saturday night, condemned the shooting of voters and officials conducting the election.

The former governor said killing of innocent people just because of five wards in the House of Assembly bye-election was barbaric and shameful.

He said: I thought we have gone past this barbarism in Ekiti State especially when we are confronted with national insecurity to which the government has no solution.

What was witnessed today in Omuo Ekiti is nothing but terrorism against the people of Ekiti, knowing that time has caught up with them and they are no longer popular.

This will remain a guilt in the conscience of the perpetrators and their sponsors perpetually for killing their own people just because of a mere House of Assembly bye-election.

Most importantly, everything that goes round in life comes round. The perpetrators of this despicable act should therefore remember that there will be consequences for all actions because the blood of the dead will surely speak and fight back.

To the police in Ekiti, they know what to do and the people behind all these, if only they chose not to look away. Ekiti shall be free again if we collectively confront and win this battle against fake apostles of democracy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News