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Food Hygiene Bill: Association alerts on dangers of animal blood consumption

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Kogi state House of Assembly

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

ANIMAL Science Association of Nigeria (ASAN) has called on Kogi State Government to ban the consumption of animal blood as meat by the public due to its negative and dangerous health implications.

ASAN President Mr Raymond Isiadonso, made the call in his submission at the public hearing on an Executive Bill for a Law To Provide For The Establishment of Kogi State Meat Hygiene and Inspection and Other Matters Connected, held at the state House of Assembly on Friday.

The President who was represented by Dr Abdullahi Jimoh, ASAN North Central Coordinator, said that local people that consume blood as meat are doing so out of ignorance of its health and religious implications.

“This is because permitting the consumption of blood as meat through legislation is a disaster waiting to happen.

“Even the use of blood meal as feedstuff for livestock species is being discouraged in several countries including Nigeria,” he said.

Isiadonso also picked holes in the inclusion of administration of Anaesthesia on animals at the abattoirs before slaughtering, saying that Anaesthesia was not a method or an instrument of slaughtering and therefore should be discouraged.

He equally frowned at the preference being given to Veterinary Doctors above Animal Scientists in the abattoirs saying Veterinarians do not know the need for feed withdrawal before slaughtering to enhance meat quality?

“A Veterinarian will only be called if there is an outbreak of disease aside his presence”, he said.

The President lamented that the Bill placed premium on the by-products of the abattoir, which include hide and skin, hooves, bone marrows, bones, hair/feathers, fetuses, etc. from the slaughtered animals.

“The Animal Scientists know that these by-products constitute about 32 per cent of the Animal and so have economic value as they can be converted into products which are usable and thus generates additional money for the owner of the Animal.

“A critical look at all these areas indicates that it is clear that the administration and management of abattoir rest squarely on the shoulders of an Animal Scientist, including Registration of premises relating to meat packaging and distribution”, he added.

According to him, a standard abattoir should have provision for Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for all activities as well as compliance with Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) so as to guarantee food safety.

He said it was essential to add that there is an existing Federal Government gazette Volume 109 number 144 of 2022 titled “Animal Handling and Meat Processing and Distribution in Abattoir Regulation 2022″.

“This Federal Government Regulation is explicit about professionals and operations in the meat handling value chain. For instance, Section 11 of the gazette deals with lairage which the proposed Bill intends to repeat on Section 46 of page 16.

“Sections 14 to 18 of the gazette deal with carcass splitting, washing, splaying, evisceration, hanging and distribution and most of these steps are lacking in the proposed Bill. This gazette is attached as appendix for reference purpose,” he said.

“Consequently upon the aforementioned, the Animal Science Association of Nigeria is praying that this Bill be rejected to be redrafted so as to meet the realities of modern day abattoir,” he prayed.

Responding, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Usman Adejoh, several organisations, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) made several observations to fine tune the bill for passage.

The committee chairman, said that all issues raised and recommendations made to the committee would be carefully studied and the needful would be done in the interest of residents of Kogi as it relate to meat hygiene. (Ends)

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Power Minister Orders Immediate Action on Grid Collapse Committee’s Recommendations

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Chief Adebayo Adelabu

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has directed the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and related agencies to immediately implement the recommendations of a committee formed to address frequent grid collapses.
This is happening as TCN acknowledged potential temporary power disruptions as it begins repair work on the national grid.

The directive followed a recent grid disturbance reported at 11:29 a.m. on Thursday, November 7, caused by a sudden frequency increase from 50.33Hz to 51.44Hz.
The TCN reported that recovery efforts were promptly initiated, with power partially restored within minutes in the Abuja region, though work continued in other areas.

Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media, noted that the committee’s recommendations aim to offer lasting solutions for both immediate and long-term grid stability.

TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah confirmed that the agency has begun implementing these recommendations, which involve technical upgrades and strategic repairs across key areas. Ongoing work includes improvements on the 330kV Shiroro–Mando transmission line, significant upgrades at the Jebba Substation, and restoration of the second 330kV Ugwuaji–Apir line.

According to Mbah, while these enhancements are underway, some intermittent power instability may persist.
The TCN has appealed for public understanding during this period, emphasizing that the measures are critical for achieving a stable and reliable power supply across Nigeria.
The TCN reiterated its commitment to minimizing power disruptions and enhancing the grid’s resilience, recognizing the essential role that stable electricity plays in the country’s economic growth.

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Fuel scarcity imminent as NLC declares support for NUPENG’s nationwide strike threat

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A fresh wave of fuel scarcity may soon hit Nigeria as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), after its threat of a nationwide strike.
The strike warning followed an alleged military intervention to forcefully remove oil workers from the Oritsetimeyin oil rig, sparking outrage within labor unions.
NLC President Joe Ajaero in a statement released Friday condemned the reported involvement of military personnel, which he described as a breach of labor rights and a threat to the principles of industrial relations. According to Ajaero, the NLC is in total solidarity with NUPENG in its stance against the alleged forced eviction warning that NLC would escalate its response if such incidents continue.

The dispute popped up following a longstanding industrial disagreement between NUPENG and the rig’s management, who allegedly failed to honor contractual agreements concerning worker severance benefits.
NUPENG has criticized the actions of the oil companies involved—Dutchford E&P, Selective Marine Services, and their labor contractors—for allegedly ignoring legally binding agreements and resorting to what they describe as intimidation tactics.
Earlier in the week, NUPENG filed a petition with the Federal Government to address the conflict, expressing alarm over the deployment of armed forces.
Despite this, it is reported that a special naval unit was flown to the Oritsetimeyin rig on Thursday to eject workers, prompting NUPENG to threaten a nationwide shutdown if the government does not intervene.
In response, Ajaero highlighted the destabilizing effects of military involvement in workplace matters, which he said could damage an already fragile economy and violate workers’ rights.
“We cannot accept the militarization of our workplaces,” he stated, calling on the Nigerian military, the National Security Adviser, and the Department of State Services (DSS) to uphold labor statutes and prevent further harassment of union members.

The NLC also stressed the importance of keeping industrial disputes out of the military’s purview, urging authorities to allow peaceful negotiations to run their course.
“This matter is strictly an industrial relations issue,” Ajaero emphasized, urging the government to protect workers’ rights to fair negotiation without coercion.

With fuel scarcity on the horizon, Nigerians may face disruptions if the strike goes forward, impacting businesses, transportation, and day-to-day activities across the nation.

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Akpabio Mourns Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Laggaja

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Describing Lagbaja as a “fine, committed, and dedicated officer,” Akpabio praised the late military leader for his unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s security and unity, even at great personal risk.
In a statement by his special assistant on Media Jackson Udom, Akpabio shared that he was shocked by the news, having recently spoken with Lagbaja, who had been optimistic about his return to office.
The Senate President remarked on the significant loss Lagbaja’s death represents for Nigeria, particularly in the nation’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.

“On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I commiserate with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military community, and the Lagbaja family on this great loss,” Akpabio said.

He extended prayers for strength and comfort to Lagbaja’s family, friends, and colleagues and wished for the late officer’s soul to find peace in Aljanah Firdaus.

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