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Syngenta sued for $1bn over China’s rejection of GM corn

Michael Simire
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Syngenta sued for $1bn over China’s rejection of GM corn

US corn prices plummeted as China rejected all shipments containing traces of Syngenta’s MIR162. Farmers from five major corn growing states have filed three class action lawsuits against Syngenta, claiming damages of more than $1 billion.

A corn field
A corn field

Syngenta released MIR162, trade name Agrisure Vipera, in 2009. It is engineered to make a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) protein vip3Aa20 toxic to lepidopteran insect pests (butterflies and moths), and also has a gene pmi (phosphomannose isomerase) from E. coli to allow positive selection for the transgene.

It was created with Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated plant transformation, a particularly hazardous vector system that risks further horizontal gene transfer.

While MIR162 is approved for use in the US, China has not allowed its import into the country.

Syngenta is blamed for destroying the export of US corn to China, which led to depressed prices for domestic corn, according to Volnek Farms, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit filed in Omaha, Nebraska federal court. The two other suits were filed in Iowa and Illinois federal courts.

None of the farmers involved in the lawsuits planted MIR162 seed in their fields in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. But their harvested crop was contaminated with traces of the transgenic trait, and hence unsalable to the Chinese market.

Although Viptera has been planted on only about 3% of US farm acreage, it is difficult to say for sure “that any shipments of US corn will not be contaminated with trace amounts of MIR162”, the Nebraska plaintiff stated.

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) had encouraged Syngenta to stop selling Viptera, according to the Iowa claim. The NGFA estimated that actions taken in China against US corn have caused prices to drop by 11 cents per bushel.

The Iowa suit also claims that the release of Syngenta’s Viptera caused the US-to-China export market to drop by 85%. Nebraska plaintiffs, too, accuse Syngenta of having crippled the 2013-14 corn export market to China.

The NGFA reported in April 2014 that China had barred nearly 1.45 million tons of corn shipments since 2013.

In 2011, Syngenta requested in federal court that a grain elevator firm, Bunge North America, to remove its signs that said it would not accept Vipera corn. The request was denied.

Concern over the safety of GM food may have played a role in a recent decision by China’s officials to move away from GM production.

In August, China’s Ministry of Agriculture announced it would not continue with GM rice and corn.

By Dr Mae-Wan Ho (co-founder and director of the Institute of Science in Society (ISIS), an independent, not-for-profit organisation founded in 1999 and dedicated to providing critical public information on cutting-edge science, and to promoting social accountability and ecological sustainability in science. Since 1994, she has been scientific advisor to the Third World Network.)

‘How BT cotton will transform Nigeria’s economy’

Michael Simire
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‘How BT cotton will transform Nigeria’s economy’

H.A. Kwajaffa, Chairman of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), in a memorandum submitted to the Senate last week in Abuja during a Public Hearing on the Biosafety Bill, makes a case for the genetically-modified cotton (or Biotechnology Cotton), saying that its adoption will revive the presently moribund sector

 

BT Cotton
BT Cotton

Cotton is one of the most important commercial crops in Nigeria with a history of more than 100 years. Cotton used to be a very import-export revenue earner of good part of the 20th century. Prior to the advent of oil boom, indeed through the late 1980s, the cotton value chain sector was the second largest employer of labour after the public sector.

However, due to several factors, which led to the closure of the textile mills, cotton production in the country had also declined. Some other factors that contributed to the decline in cotton production are late planting, low yielding seed, pest disease attack, climate change challenges, and low price offer to cotton farmers. There is also the problem of instability in the marketing system.

The introduction of free market and structural adjustment programme (SAP) around late 1980s helped to some extent to remedy the situation but, to date, the sector never regained its pre-eminent position. SAP also introduced a serious problem of inconsistency in the marketing system which led to the problem of poor quality of Nigerian cotton especially the problem of cotton contamination by polypropylene and uncontrollable adulteration of cotton with foreign matters by farmers and buyers.

Cotton is one of the most labour intensive crops known due to not only to weeding, spraying and other requirements but also due to manual picking followed in the country. It is also one the most capital intensive crops due to the requirement of high doses of insecticides.

Cotton is such a unique crop with multi-dimensional purposes. For example, apart from being raw material for textile fabric, the seed is used for production of nutritious and low cholesterol oil, cake for animal feeds; the stalks are used for cardboards, ceiling, and planks. Therefore, there is no wastage in cotton.

Presently, Nigeria produces short and medium staples, yet long staple cotton is in higher demand worldwide given its application for special fabrics. Consequently, the production of long staple cotton is being encouraged under rain-fed condition in the southern cotton producing zone.

The above notwithstanding, cotton production, processing and marketing remains a major business sector and provides employment and means of livelihood to millions of Nigerians directly or indirectly especially in the Northern parts of the country.

 

Cotton growing areas in Nigeria

Cotton cultivation is very well suited to the Sudan and Northern Guinea Savannah where about 95% of the crop is produced. The development of different varieties of cotton with different maturity and biological characteristics has enhanced the adaptation of the crop to most ecological zones in the country. The cotton growing areas in the country covers about 25 states and they are grouped as follows:

  • Northern Cotton Zone which includes Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Jigawa states;
  • Eastern Cotton Zone included Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba states; and,
  • Southern Cotton Zone includes parts of Kwara, Ogun, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Oyo, Benue, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Cotton can be grown on different types of soil provided the site selected is freely drained. Unfortunately, there has been absence of soil test in the country for many rears. This makes cotton a unique crop that can be grown in virtually all parts of the country. But, unfortunately, today, because of the challenges we have highlighted above, we are not getting anything from this crop called “white gold”.

In many countries such as India, Pakistan, China and Brazil, cotton plays a major contribution to their economies. Even though it utilises over 50% of her production domestically, India remains one of the highest exporters of cotton in the world, netting over $6 billion annually. But, with all the potential we have in terms of arable land and human resources in Nigeria, this great source of revenue and employment is neglected.

 

What we stand to gain if Biotechnology Cotton is introduced

  • Increase in the yield: One of the greatest challenges we have today in Nigeria in cotton production is low yield. The average yield of Nigerian cotton is about 800kg/hectare whereas in India, US and China, the yield is about five tons/hectare. In African countries such as Burkina Faso and Egypt where Biotechnology Cotton (BT) has been introduced, over four tons/hectare is achieved.
  • BT cotton reduces the usage of insecticides and therefore makes it cheaper to produce.
  • Increased earning for farmers: Farmers will earn four times more than they are currently earning from cotton. More farmers will return to cotton production and the national production will greatly increase, thereby increasing our foreign exchange earning therefrom.
  • Massive employment generation: Needless to mention that this is what we need to curb the menacing insecurity in the country especially in the North.
  • Reduce drastically rural-urban migration and its attendant adverse social consequences.
  • Increased standard of living for farmers, families and dependants.
  • It will enhance mechanised farming in the country.
  • BT cotton will make cotton production to become a business in Nigeria and encourage more local and foreign investment in the sector.
  • Because of the low production of cotton, over 30 ginneries in the country are closed down. All these will be reactivated and contribute to the economy by providing employment.
  • We will be able to compete with other cotton producing nations all over the world in terms of pricing and quality.
  • Our textile industry will be reactivated as they will be able to source good and relatively cheaper raw materials and thereby compete more effectively with textile products from other parts of the world.

Despite the wonderful work the current administration is doing to transform cotton production, cotton farmers in the country have over the years suffered a great deal and are still suffering. They have only remained in the production just to fulfil cultural practices. If nothing is done to make cotton production attractive, farmers may eventually turn their backs on the business and, at that stage, its revival would be near impossible.

We however still have a glimpse of hope as some older farmers are still in the business. We believe, very strongly, that BT Cotton, if introduced will be the panacea that we urgently require to restore the glory of cotton in Nigeria. We, therefore, recommend that the Biosafety Law should be passed.

COP11: African Lion, Polar Bear, others require strict protection

Michael Simire
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COP11: African Lion, Polar Bear, others require strict protection

The 11th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CMS COP11) to the UNEP Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) will take place from 4-9 November 2014 in Quito, Ecuador.

The African Lion. Photo: images.nationalgeographic.com
The African Lion. Photo: images.nationalgeographic.com

A High Level Ministerial Panel will be held on 3 November to discuss how to reconcile the rights of nature with the green economy in the context of sustainable development.

Topics on the agenda of CMS COP11 include:

Species Proposed for Listing

A total of 32 species have been proposed for listing on the Appendices. Appendix I listing requires strict protection, while Appendix II requires coordinated management by the countries through which the species migrate. At COP11, all eyes are on sawfish, rays and sharks, which account for 21 of the total of 32 proposals under consideration. Other iconic species have been put forward for listing, notably the Polar Bear, which is threatened by disappearing sea ice and the African Lion.

Wildlife crime and poaching have become major threats to the survival of many migratory species worldwide. The COP is expected to strengthen transboundary action to fight poaching and illicit wildlife trade within and beyond borders.

Illegal killing, taking and trade of migratory birds put the survival of viable populations at risk. A proposal to convene an international task force to address this issue will be considered by the COP.

Marine debris injures and kills many migratory marine mammals, turtles, seabirds and sharks. Actions to reduce pollution of the marine environment will be discussed.

Renewable energy technology such as wind farms can have negative impacts on migratory species such as bats, birds, fish, marine turtles, whales and dolphins. Based on best practice examples, new guidelines to minimise the impact of this technology will be presented to the COP.

The Central Asian Mammals Initiative is a new innovative approach which embraces an entire region instead of focusing on individual species. Measures are presented to address key threats to save the last migrations of large mammals such as the Bactrian Camel or the Saiga Antelope in this important region.

Single Species Action Plans for Argali Sheep, Pacific Loggerhead Turtles and the endangered Saker Falcon have been elaborated to be adopted at the conference.

World Food Day 2014: Family farmers key to alleviating global hunger – FAO

Michael Simire
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World Food Day 2014: Family farmers key to alleviating global hunger – FAO

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has recognised family farmers as central to solving global hunger and malnutrition.

Family farmers in Kenya
Family farmers in KenyaFarming

According to FAO, family farming includes all family-based agricultural activities. Family farming is a means of organising agricultural, forestry, fisheries, pastoral and aquaculture production, which is managed and operated by a family and is predominantly reliant on family labor. In addition, FAO reports that, based on data from 93 countries, family farmers account for an average of 80 percent of all holdings, and are the main producers of food that is consumed locally.

“The world cannot do without the family farmer,” says Amy McMillen, Partnerships and Outreach Coordinator for FAO. “It’s because of the family farmer that we eat a variety of healthy foods every day. And yet, family farmers still make up the majority of poor and hungry people in the world. We must do more to incentivise, celebrate and exponentially improve the lives of family farmers to ensure all people have access to fresh, healthy food.”

The face of family farming in North America is dynamic. Results from a new survey of 75 North American family farmers, led by Humanitas Global in collaboration with FAO and Food Tank, were unveiled at the Borlaug Dialogue in Des Moines, Iowa last week. The results demonstrate what is at play for those who have stayed on the farm, chosen to leave the farm or taken up farming for the first time. A consistent takeaway from the results demonstrates that North American-based family farmers remain committed to family farming, despite the challenges that exist.

“The survey results and our conversations with farmers reinforce a deep affinity for family farming, but they also show that farmers are torn between a love for the land and trying to make ends meet,” said Nabeeha M. Kazi, President & CEO of Humanitas Global and Chair of the Community for Zero Hunger. “For those who no longer work the family farm, the importance of feeding their communities and the world remains very much part of their identity.”

Seventy-nine percent of survey respondents who have left the family farm said they remain involved in agriculture in their current careers. In addition, a majority of those who have left the family farm said they intend on returning in the future.

“We do not want the universe of family farmers to shrink, and we must have policies, programs and resources to enable family farmers to stay on the farm if they desire to do so and perform at their potential,” says Kazi. “However, we also cannot overlook the power of those who have left the farm. These individuals have tremendous and highly credible voices as we promote and protect the family farm. We should deploy them to inform policy, shape programs and amplify the story of the family farmer in diverse spaces.”

The greatest challenges for family farmers today include the cost of land, labour costs, government regulations and policies, climate change and the inherent risk of farming, as well as the disproportionate amount of work required given the financial returns.

“The survey results show that family farmers do not rely on farming alone to pay the bills,” says Kazi. “Approximately 67 percent of respondents to the survey said that a family member’s income or additional part-time work supplements income from farming.”

On the positive side, a connection with the land and food systems, independence and working outdoors were all cited as the principle advantages of being a farmer. Those who grew up and remained on farms, those who left farms to pursue other careers and new family farmers all spoke of tending to the land and watching food grow as the most fulfilling aspects of being a farmer.

Family farmers are facing economic challenges and beyond. In addition to tools and resources, family farmers are concerned about issues that all Americans worry about – including providing health care for their families and higher education for their children.  And yet, so many people stay on the family farm or are committed to returning, because farming is fulfilling, intellectually stimulating and challenging – and it has shaped their values.

The challenges that family farmers face in the United States and throughout North America mirror the challenges seen globally. Climate change, low profitability and better off-farm opportunities all emerge as the greatest global threats to family farming.

“Recognising the external pressures on family farming, many which the global community can help alleviate, is crucial if we are to make family farming viable and desirable for the next generation,” says McMillan. “FAO celebrates family farmers. We have to be very deliberate and responsive to the needs of the family farmer so they can successfully and profitably do what they love, and that love is feeding and nourishing the world.”

‘Smallholder farmers are key to sustainable management of world’s natural resources’

Michael Simire
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‘Smallholder farmers are key to sustainable management of world’s natural resources’

Smallholder farmers throughout the world play a key role in maintaining natural resources through the use of sustainable practices, and can significantly contribute the conservation of biodiversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity stressed on Thursday, in a joint press conference with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), held in the margins of COP 12 in Pyeongchang, South Korea, on the occasion of the World Food Day 2014.

Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

The theme for this year, “Family farming: Feeding the world, caring for the Earth”, seeks to raise the profile of the more than 500 million family farms, which produce about 80 percent of the world’s food and are crucial to ensure global food security.

“These 500 million families of farmers should be considered key players in the management of the world’s biodiversity – they are the largest group of biodiversity managers.  Achieving the Aichi biodiversity targets relevant to agriculture will require their efforts,” said Eduardo Mansur, Director of FAO Forest Assessment, Management and Conservation Division.

Achieving food security is intrinsically linked to the conservation of biodiversity. Family farms use a vast array of plant varieties and animal breeds in the most diverse and challenging environmental conditions. By using these breeds and varieties, family farmers conserve a broad genetic diversity. These genetic resources are indispensable for breeding new varieties and breeds and allow people to cope with present and future environmental and social changes.

 

Towards achieving Aichi biodiversity targets

Family farmers also possess unique knowledge and understanding of the local ecology and land capacity, which allows them to manage diverse landscapes. Their sustainable management of land and fisheries makes family farmers important contributors to the achievement of sustainable development and the global biodiversity goals known as the Aichi Targets.

The 20 targets, which are due in 2020, include having all fish stocks managed and harvested sustainably, as well as areas under agriculture and forestry. They also aim to halve the rate of loss of all natural habitats and significantly reducing degradation and fragmentation. Through practices like crop rotation and using alternatives to chemical pesticides, family farmers prevent soil erosion and degradation of ecosystems.

Sustainable farming practices also increase the resilience of ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification.

“Supporting the work of family farmers throughout the world would contribute substantially to eradicating poverty and to reaching global food security.  These important stakeholders also have a role in implementing many of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, such as contributing to developing and implementing sustainable agriculture, forestry and aquaculture practices, maintaining genetic resources for food and agriculture, to reduce the loss of natural habitats and others,” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Negotiations towards new climate agreement resume in Bonn

Michael Simire
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Negotiations towards new climate agreement resume in Bonn

The final round of formal negotiations before the UN climate convention conference in Lima, Peru takes place next week in the German city of Bonn.

Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary
Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC Executive Secretary

The ‘October session’, running from 20 to 25 October, will give governments the important opportunity to further develop a cohesive text of a new draft climate agreement. The elements must be clear by the Climate Change Conference to be held in Lima, Peru, in December this year. This clarity will serve as the foundation for the construction of the negotiating text.

During 2015 this draft will form the basis for negotiating a new universal climate agreement set to be inked in Paris, France at the end of the year.

As part of this, governments will work towards getting clarity on what each country will contribute towards the agreement in line with its national circumstances, especially in terms of emission reductions. Governments had previously agreed to keep global temperature increases below 2C.

Countries are set to put forward what they intend to contribute to the 2015 agreement in the form of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) early next year.

The ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of the contributions, in other words the form, not the content, needs to be formally agreed in Lima to ensure that countries can provide this crucial information with confidence early next year.

Next week’s meeting, being held at the headquarters of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will also engage Parties on two special themes.

These are carbon capture, storage and use, and the so called non-CO2 gases like methane and hydroflurocarbons (HFCs) – replacement gases in products like refrigerants that are friendly to the ozone layer but are powerful global warming gases.

The two topics will bring government experts into direct dialogue with experts from United Nations agencies, NGOs and the private sector.

They form part of a series of Technical Experts Meetings (TEMs) that have been held throughout 2014 which have previously covered policies able to raise ambition in fields from renewable energy and energy efficiency to urban and land use issues.

The aim of the TEMs process, part of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP), is to assist nations in their efforts to raise ambition up to 2020 when the new agreement is set to enter into effect. They have done this by fostering on-going engagement of governments, experts and actors in the implementation of government policies and they therefore have the potential to carry the growing momentum for climate action forward in a concrete, action-oriented manner.

The TEMs fall squarely within the growing momentum for climate action as was witnessed at the recently concluded Summit on Climate Change by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

, said: “I welcome Parties to Bonn next week knowing that further progress towards a draft agreement will contribute to making Lima the success it needs to be.”

“2014 has been an extraordinary year of momentum by governments supported by climate action from cities and communities to corporations and the finance sector – our meeting next week will I am sure concretely carry forward that sense of optimism, dynamism and determination as we look forward to COP 20 in Peru in one month’s time,” she added.

The Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) will hold the sixth part of its second session from 20-25 October 2014 in Bonn, Germany.

Lagos government hospitals demand litres of kerosene from expectant mothers

Michael Simire
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Lagos government hospitals demand litres of kerosene from expectant mothers

A considerable number of Lagosians are facing a range of challenges in the bid to access proper health care services.

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left) inaugurating a health facility
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (left) inaugurating a health facility

A visit to two primary health centres in Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos State reveals that ridiculous demands, lack of medical workers and epileptic power supply are among obstacles militating against effective health delivery in the neighbourhood.

Alimosho is the largest LGA in the state with 30 primary health centres catering for its over two million residents. It accounts for majority of votes during the 2011 general election that resulted in the re-election of Governor Babatunde Fashola. But, alas, the council area can barely boast of standard health care services.

For instance, the Orisunbare Health Care Centre, situated along Ejigbo Road, was established in 2008 and is meant to cater for an estimated 40,000 residents. However, it has only one medical doctor, who is a youth service corp member. The health centre recently started a 24-hour service delivery after a Ward Health Committee was set up. The Ward Health Committee members, who were selected from the community development association in Oguntade/Bameke Ward in Alimosho, were trained by the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LASCOP).

According to Miss Chichi Nkire, a member of LASCOP, the Ward Health Committee members, after undergoing training in Simple Management Skills, were tasked with the function of liaising between the health centre and residents in their communities.

“They work towards the smooth running operations of the health centre by mobilising community members to make use of the health centre and also work with community leaders to simplify concept that may seem worrisome to residents. For example, they are still some families that will not bring their children for immunisation and other essential treatments. We hold meetings with the Baales (traditional leaders) to educate them on the need for children to be immunised against killer diseases and all these treatments are free,” she disclosed.

Head of the Ward Health Committee in Orisunbare Health Centre, Alhaja Hafsat Adebisi, said before they were trained the health centre was not rendering antenatal and immunisation services due to the state of the facilities. But, after the training, they learnt how to mobilise resources and, through communal efforts, were able to raise money in wiring and installing ceiling fans.

“Mothers used to feel uncomfortable in bringing their babies because the health centre was always hot and people will be sweating, but we took care of that. We have also partnered with a fuel station in the community to supply fuel that we use in powering the generator donated to the health centre. All these we were able to achieve through communal assistance. Our health centre now operates a 24-hour service but we believe we can do more. We want residents to know that there is a functional health centre in the community and it is for their benefit but if it is not in a good condition nobody will want to come,” she stressed.

The Alabata Primary Health Care Centre situated along Akowonjo Road in Alimosho also operates a 24-hour service. According to the Chief Matron, Mrs Grace Okpadotun, the health facility receives an average of 250 patients daily with some other health care services being accessed in Isheri due to lack of space.

“We have limited space for our operations, but the number of patients that come here daily is overwhelming. But we are managing to attend to them the best way we can,” she disclosed.

Medical Officer for Health in Alimosho, Dr. Kayode Odufunwa, explained that paucity of funds, epileptic power supply and lack of space are among the key challenges facing effective delivery of healthcare services in the council.

“We have some fridges given to us by donor agencies and they are being powered by solar energy. These are used in storing vaccines and other essential drugs that need to be preserved in a cool place. We believe we can do more in ensuring that residents of Alimosho get the best of health care services.

In a chat with some women attending antenatal care, it was discovered that among requirements listed for child delivery is half a gallon of kerosene. When asked the need for it, the women said the hospital uses it in boiling hot water to bathe babies or to prepare tea.

Mr. John Okowehor, whose wife is a patient in the hospital, confirmed the woman’s claims, saying that he was once mandated to bring 10 litres of kerosene when his wife put to bed some years ago.

“It is an old practice and I don’t think they will ever stop it,” he lamented.

Reacting to the kerosene requirement for child delivery services, Okpadotun said that hot water is required for bathing the women after child birth “and we use the kerosene to boil water for them.”

“Is it my money that I will use to buy kerosene for them?” she demanded.

Recently, at a Roundtable with journalists, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said he was not aware that women were asked to donate litres of kerosene as requirements for child delivery services. However, even as we speak, the petroleum product is top on the list of requirements for expecting mothers at the Alabata Primary Health Care Centre in Alimosho.

Residents in the most populated local government area in Lagos are however optimistic that, one day, primary health centres within their community would be functional, properly staffed and well equipped.

By Tina Armstrong-Ogbonna

Hand washing reduces disease contraction by 30 per cent – Expert

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Hand washing reduces disease contraction by 30 per cent – Expert

hand washingThe Director, Public Health and Disease Control, Ebonyi Ministry of Health, Dr Chris Achi, said that regular hand washing reduces risk of contracting infectious diseases by more than 30 per cent.

 

Achi made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abakaliki on the occasion of 2014 World Hand Washing Day.

 

He said the event was to create awareness on importance of regular hand washing to personal and environmental hygiene.

 

According to him, regular hand washing contributed about 30 per cent in reduction of deadly infectious diseases, stressing that human hands usually became the first contact with micro organisms that cause infectious diseases.

 

The director said that regular use of clean running water and antiseptic soaps could reduce the dangers of contracting diseases.

 

“The idea behind observing Oct. 15 every year as World Hand Washing Day is simply to raise global awareness of importance of cleaning our hands regularly.

 

“Our hands perform a lot of activities and constitute the first contact between us, other animate and inanimate objects within the environment.

 

“Often times we use our hands to touch the micro organisms that cause these infectious diseases and thereby contract them.

 

“When we indulge in regular hand washing we will enhance our personal hygiene and cleanliness and thereby reduce the risk of contracting these infectious diseases,’’ Achi said.

 

He advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of regularly washing their hands before putting anything in their mouth and after using the toilets to stay healthy always.

 

He also called on people to ensure thorough washing of food items such as vegetables and fruits as well as their cooking utensils as a way of ensuring proper maintenance of safe hygiene.

 

He noted that one of the surest ways of staying healthy and keeping away from infectious diseases was observing proper personal and environmental hygiene.

 

“When we observe the basic rules of personal and environmental hygiene, we will stay healthy and free from diseases.

 

“A healthy people are a healthy nation and healthy nation is a wealthy nation,’’ the expert said.

 

He said that the ministry had embarked on sensitisation campaigns especially to the rural communities to educate the people on importance of maintaining simple personal and environmental hygiene.

 

“We have intensified our sensitisation campaigns on sanitary and personal hygiene especially at our rural communities.

 

“The outbreak of the Ebola epidemic in some parts of West Africa including Nigeria and occurrence of other haemorrhagic fever like Lassa fever and Gastroenteritis informed our reinforcement of sensitisation campaigns programme.

 

“When they have more knowledge about these diseases and how to prevent and control them; the more they live healthier and disease-free live,’’ Achi said.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nation (UN) through the World Health Organisation (WHO) has on Oct 15, 2008, declared Oct. 15 as World Hand Washing Day annually.

 

The aim is to raise global awareness on importance of regular hand washing and its contributions in ensuring personal hygiene of individuals.

Gov. Aliyu picks PDP form for senatorial contest

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Gov. Aliyu picks PDP form for senatorial contest
Gov. Babangida Aliyu
Gov. Babangida Aliyu

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Wednesday picked an expression of intent form for the Niger East Senatoria District on the PDP platform.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aliyu’s form was bought by an organisation, Talba Support Movement (TSM), at the party’s state secretariat in Minna.

 

TSM Coordinator, Alhaji Hamisu Jankaro, said Aliyu’s candidacy would continue the struggle of the North.

 

“As he (Aliyu) steps into the senate chambers, the struggle for the emancipation of the north will continue.

 

“He has the experience as a governor and the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum,” he said.

 

Earlier, the PDP zone B caucus held a meeting where it agreed that the senatorial seat should be contested by Minna Emitate where Aliyu came from.

 

Addressing the meeting, Alhaji Mamman Gambo, who is the chairman of the zone, said zoning of political offices had been a long standing practice.

 

“This tradition started way back in 1979 during the National Party of Nigeria period. Principal offices are shared among emirates.

 

“We want this to continue for cohesion and fairness. Today’s meeting is to ratify and put on record these decision for posterity,” he said.

 

Various participants at the meeting agreed on the arrangement and called for selection of credible and people friendly candidates.

Brazil creates new Marine Protected Areas

Michael Simire
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Brazil creates new Marine Protected Areas

The Brazilian Federal Government has announced the creation of over 58,000 hectares of new marine Protected Areas in the northern state of Pará, in the Amazon region.  Decrees published on Monday 13 October by the Presidency of Brazil with the Ministry of Environment established three new marine extractive reserves and expanded an existing marine extractive reserve. The measures will underpin biodiversity conservation in mangroves, coastal shrublands and forests, and other ecosystems.  Extractive reserves aim to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources, and protect the livelihoods and way of life of traditional communities.

Dr Roberto Cavalcanti, Secretary for Biodiversity in the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment
Dr Roberto Cavalcanti, Secretary for Biodiversity in the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment

“The northern coast of Brazil has one of the most extensive and well-preserved mangrove systems in the Americas – an essential resource both for the conservation of biodiversity and for the livelihoods of local human communities,” said Dr Roberto Cavalcanti, Secretary for Biodiversity in the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment, from Pyeongchang, South Korea, where the 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is currently taking place.

“Mangroves enable ecosystem stability and integrity where land meets sea, as well as effective conservation of biodiversity by protecting threatened species, and providing breeding and feeding habitats, particularly for species of economic importance.  Worldwide, mangroves are valued for providing both food and income for local communities,” Dr Cavalcanti said.

“These new measures are an important contribution to Brazil’s fulfilment of Target 11 of the Aichi commitments, which requires 10 percent of marine and coastal areas to be conserved by means of protected areas, and which is one of the main agenda items at COP12,” Dr Cavalcanti said.

Three new Protected Areas have been created: the Mocapajuba Marine Extractive Reserve, consisting of 21,000 hectares, located in the São Caetano de Odivelas region; the Mestre Lucindo Marine Extractive Reserve, consisting of 26,400 hectares, in Marapanin; and the Cuinarana Marine Extractive Reserve, consisting of 11,000 hectares, in the Magalhães Barata region.

Created in 2005, the Araí-Peroba Marine Extractive Reserve in Augusto Corrêa has been significantly expanded by the new decree announced on Monday 13 October.  The decree added 50,500 hectares to the total area of the existing reserve, which previously measured around 11,500 hectares.  Predominantly consisting of the coastal marine biome, the reserve is home to traditional peoples who make their living from handcrafts, artisanal fishery and crab-catching.

According to the new decrees, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) will establish buffer zones for the Protected Areas which will take into account multiple present and future uses.

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