The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has once again warned Nigerians against the use of dichlorvos (sniper) and other dangerous chemicals to safeguard food from spoilage.

The agency said that the use of sniper and other dangerous chemicals for food preservation can cause cancer and even death.

According to NAFDAC, the sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less) has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets.

The warning is in response to a viral video showing individuals using dangerous chemicals to preserve food items like beans, stockfish, and crayfish.

The misuse of dichlorvos, NAFDAC said, poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. The agency explained that the long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects. These adverse effects, it said, highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure.

In a statement on Sunday by the agency’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, urged traders and merchants to desist from using unauthorized chemicals on food meant for human consumption.

Adeyeye emphasized alternative methods for preserving food, mentioning the use of bio-pesticides as a safer option compared to dichlorvos. She noted that food remaining unspoiled for an extended period might indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness, unless stored in the refrigerator.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by farmers due to bans on various chemicals, she stressed the importance of transitioning to safer alternatives.

The Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), Dr. Rametu Momodu, reiterated that using certain chemicals, especially pesticides, to protect grains and prevent beans from having weevils is not an approved practice. She explained that there are approved pesticides for use as fumigants, which should be used according to the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label. She stressed that these products should not be applied directly to food due to their inherent dangers to human health.

Momodu stated that consuming food contaminated with dichlorvos can cause dizziness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in some cases, can lead to coma and death. She warned that once used, pesticide residues remain on or in the food, posing significant health risks.

She advised consumers to avoid buying from vendors known to use such practices and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate sanctions.

Responding to minimum wage impasse, Mr Osita Okechukwu appealed to Organised Labour to desist from the danger of throwing away our Baby-Democracy with Bathwater; as the indefinite strike could destablise the economy, spiral into unintended consequences and harm our fledgling democracy.

Okechukwu agreed with Organised Labour that the labourer is entitled to living wage, especially in the midst of stagflation and declining living conditions; however he advised labour to adopt house ownership for every worker as middle ground, to augment the N60,000 offered by government and the private sector.

He argued that rent is one of the items in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which is tearing the hair of workers nationwide, as workers spend one third of their disposal income on shelter related matters.

Okechukwu added that house ownership gives workers inner peace of mind, improves living conditions and encourages productivity.

He accordingly called on President Tinubu to as matter of urgent national importance to retool his Renewed Hope housing program and embark on house ownership for all workers nationwide as alternative to unaffordable minimum wage.

“Mr President house ownership for all workers is the doable middle ground in this impasse, as workers over the years have been contributing 2.5% of their salary to the National Housing Fund; all that is needed is Federal, State, LGA and private sector’s supplement.” Okechukwu opined.

He maintained that the N497,000 is unaffordable, because more than ten states either could not or had blatantly refused to pay N30,000 till date.

“Whereas one agrees with the working people that there is economic hardship and declining standard of living; albeit ownership houses is the middle ground in this impasse and better than more liquid cash which could spiral hyperinflation out of hand and lead to mass retrenchment of workers”. Okechukwu retorted.

Okechukwu finally appealed to the organised labour to remember the blood and tears shed decades ago by our compatriots enroute our return to democracy; therefore we should not in vain throw the Baby-Democracy away with Bathwater.

• Vows tough action against violent non-state actors

• Directs security agencies to go after Aba killings’ masterminds

President Bola Tinubu talked tough yesterday on the sit-at-home action in the South East, labeling it treasonable.

He warned that decisive sanctions now await violent non-state actors like the gunmen who killed five soldiers at the Obikabia Junction checkpoint in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State last Thursday.

The soldiers were attacked by people the Defence Headquarters said were members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) during the sit-at-home called by IPOB to mark this year’s Biafra Day.

President Tinubu directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds and executors of the killings as well as those calling for sit-at-home.

The President said the exercise of restraint by security forces in dealing with violent attacks on its personnel should not be mistaken for weakness, pointing out that the federal government would not hesitate to take appropriate action when the lives of its security officers and men are wantonly wasted.

The President who put his thoughts on the constant abuse and attacks on state’s agents by the citizens they have sworn to protect, in a statement he personally authored last night, lamented the recent developments and expressed  his condolences to the bereaved families  and colleagues of the deceased, as well as the nation‘s security forces.

He said: “The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama in Delta State.

“These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country.

“I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe.

“I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence.

“The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken.

“While my condolences go to the families of the five slain soldiers, their colleagues and the leadership of our armed forces, I urge other men and women on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba.”

 He noted that soldiers and policemen of the country have continued to make sacrifices for the safety of all Nigerians, adding that they do not deserve the sort of attacks on them in some recent isolated cases.

“Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non-state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfillment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect.

“They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society.

“The federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces.

“On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state.”

Killers of soldiers can’t escape, Abia Police boss vows

Abia State Police Commissioner Kenechukwu Onwuemelie pledged yesterday that  the law would definitely  take its course in the killing of the soldiers.

Briefing newsmen after an expanded meeting of the state security council and the newly inaugurated members of the State Advisory Council, CP Onwuemelie described the killing as unfortunate and condemnable.

“The point is that it is a very unfortunate incident and it is highly condemnable and, indeed, it is cowardly.

“All I can tell you is that the security agencies, the government of Abia State and all well meaning Nigerians feel very bad about what happened, and everything that needs to be done will be done to ensure that it does not happen again.

“And even if it happens, the law will take its course.”

He called on the citizens and residents of the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation and to be forthcoming in their relationship with security agencies.

He said: “Every now and then, there is no society that is completely immune from security breaches, even the most developed climes.

“So no matter what happens, we must go about our business and we must also continue to improve on what we have put in place to ensure that things don’t get out of hand.”

CP Onwuemelie said the council would continue to engage with the stakeholders and to fashion out measures that would enhance the capacity of various security agencies to deliver on their mandates.

The Defence Headquarters had, on Friday, vowed a fierce and overwhelming response to the killing of the five soldiers.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, said in Abuja that “it is absolutely imperative that the military retaliate against this dastardly act against troops.

“The military would be fierce in its response. We would bring overwhelming military pressure on the group to ensure their total defeat,” he said.

The State government placed a N25 million bounty on the perpetrators and described the killing as a serious affront to its resolve to ensure security of life and property.

The Bauchi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ahmad Jalam, is dead.

Jalam died in an accident that occurred along Bauchi-Jalam expressway in Bauchi on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Governor Bala Mohammed has expressed shock over the death of his longtime confidant who was popularly known as Me Kankana.

In a statement signed by Lawal Muazu, his New Media Aide, the governor said the death left a profound emptiness and cast a pall of mourning over the state.

Mohammed said the deceased was known for his tireless work, dedication and commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) growth in Bauchi.

He extended his condolences to the members of the late commissioner’s family and the people of the state.

He also prayed that the “Almighty Allah forgive Jalam’s shortcomings and grant him eternal rest”.

The governor added that the late commissioner is survived by wives and many children.

The statement said the burial (Janaza) will take place at the deceased’s hometown in Jalam, Dambam Local Government Area by 11am, on Sunday.

[DailyTrust]