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Suspended member of the Green Chamber Mr Abdulmumin Jibrin, who is currently in the UK has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to resign due to his health condition and that the Almighty God is disappointed with the present generation of northern leaders.Abdumumin Jibrin
Abdulmumin Jibrin in some tweets yesterday said the health condition of the President Muhammadu Buhari had cost Nigeria and that Buhari’s age and health situation has slowed down the pace of PMB and the All Progressive Congress APC government.
He also said that the northerners should accept it as destiny and that may be God was disappointed with the present generation of northern leaders and President Muhammadu Buhari ‘should opt for or be encourage to accept a negotiated exit. The country can not afford a sort of part time president at this time’
‘We the northerners should accept it as destiny, may be Almighty God is so disappointed with the present generation of northern leaders’
But Femi Adesina, special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, said that he has no comment on the demand of Abdulmumin Jibrin.
Folorunso Alakija was Harvard University yesterday where she spoke on Africa: The Renaissance of a New Continent Via Collaborative Efforts of Member States.
Folorunso Alakija in HarvardFolorunso Alakija in HarvardFolorunso Alakija in Harvard
Nigeria’s Ndidi collected a square pass from Danny Simpson and and unleashed a fabulous right-footed shot that bent into the top corner of Lee Grant's net from 25 yards.
Shakespeare fairytale continues as Foxes beat Stoke
Craig Shakespeare became the first Englishman to win his first four matches as a Premier League manager after reigning champions Leicester City moved closer to top-flight survival with a 2-0 victory at home to Stoke City on Saturday.
Victory saw Shakespeare join some of football’s most high-profile coaches — Portugal’s Jose Mourinho, Italy’s Carlo Ancelotti, the Netherlands’ Guus Hiddink and Spain’s Pep Guardiola — in an exclusive club.
Wilfred Ndidi's long-range rocket and Jamie Vardy's latest goal saw the Foxes triumph at their King Power Stadium, with victory taking Leicester to 33 points, just three behind Stoke, who kicked off in ninth place.
January signing Ndidi scored his first Premier League goal in style while England striker Vardy grabbed his fourth goal in as many games.
For all the controversy over Leicester’s decision to sack title-winning manager Claudio Ranieri, there is no denying their resurgence under Shakespeare.
This result means that with two more games to play before their Champions League quarter-final against Atletico Madrid, the Midlands club could be all but safe from relegation before the next chapter of their European adventure.
The first chance fell to Leicester in the seventh minute after midfielder Danny Drinkwater lofted a dangerous free-kick into the Stoke goalmouth.
It was flicked on by Robert Huth and took two deflections to the feet of Yohan Benalouane, who was deputising again at centre-back for injured captain Wes Morgan.
But he fired a cross-shot across the face of goal and wide of the far post.
Leicester almost led in the ninth minute after Stoke captain Ryan Shawcross was booked for a crude challenge on Demarai Gray.
The resultant free-kick was delivered by Christian Fuchs onto the head of Huth, whose goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Erik Pieters.
Gray recovered from his heavy blow and might have put the hosts in front in the 24th minute when his long-range shot flashed just wide.
But it was an unlikely goalscorer who put Leicester ahead in the 25th minute.
– Ndidi’s stunning strike –
Nigeria’s Ndidi collected a square pass from Danny Simpson and and unleashed a fabulous right-footed shot that bent into the top corner of Lee Grant's net from 25 yards.
Gray was tormenting Stoke with his quick footwork and a fabulous trick in the 34th minute took him away from Glen Johnson and forced Shawcross into a desperate block.
The resulting corner found its way to Shinji Okazaki, whose overhead kick from 15 yards looped just over.
January signing Saido Berahino had been quiet for Stoke but he had a sight of goal 10 minutes from half-time when he collected a neat pass by Ramadan Sobhi and sent a tame shot at Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
But the hosts posed the greater threat and Grant had to make a smart save to keep out a 20-yard drive from Riyad Mahrez.
The second Leicester goal arrived just 76 seconds into the second half as Stoke were punished for failing to start quickly after the interval.
Simpson was given room on the right to cross, Johnson was caught napping at the far post and Vardy crept in to volley home.
Mahrez should have put the victory beyond doubt for Leicester in the 64th minute when he raced forward to meet a cross by Vardy after an electric break by the striker.
But the Algerian's effort was too close to Grant, who saved well.
A rare Stoke break then ended with Marko Arnautovic crossing for substitute Peter Crouch, but the former England man side-footed wide.
Arnautovic had the ball in the net 20 minutes from time but he was denied by an offside flag.
Vardy could then feel aggrieved not to be given the chance for a second goal when he won a towering header and found Mahrez before bursting into space for a return pass, only for Mahrez to try a shot that flew wide.
It takes a deep thinker and doer to interprate the nexus between community policing and rural development. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State aptly did the interpretation when he posited that development cannot take place in an atmosphere devoid of safety and security.
Ambode launched the rebranded Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, last week, to secure lives and property across the state and inaugurated some road projects and bridge in the hitherto forgotten Aboru and Abesan communities.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, with the newly unveiled Neighbourhood Safety Corps logo during the inauguration of the Corps in Lagos.
At the occasion to rebrand the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, held at Agege Stadium, 177 saloon cars and vehicles equipped with communication gadgets, 377 motorcycles, 377 helmets, 4,000 bicycles, metal detectors to stop illegal weapons from being smuggled into public places, among other equipment, were handed over to the Corps by the governor.
While addressing the gathering, Ambode said the move was to enhance security all over Lagos and a vital part of the efforts of his administration to reform the security and justice sector.
The governor, who, on August 15, 2016, assented to the law creating the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, said the Corps had been designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure that the state and communities are more secure.
He explained that the police had been very supportive to the state government, especially in fighting crime, but that the need for the Neighbourhood Corps arose from the security challenges confronting the state due to huge population, adding that the Corps would complement the police, especially in areas of community policing.
"Let me, however, make it abundantly clear that the Neighbourhood Safety Corps is not in any way in competition with the regular police", Ambode said.
"In actual fact, they are expected to assist and complement the police by providing useful intelligence for crime prevention and to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators of criminal activities in our communities."
He added that in realization of the fact that nothing can be more important in law enforcement than educating the people in charge of enforcing the law, the rebranded Neighbourhood Corps have been trained and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to complement the work of the police.
Dispute mediation
The Corps, the governor said, were also trained on how to mediate disputes and in the art of negotiating for peaceful resolution; balancing communal interest in resolving disputes and proactive policing engagement instead of reactive policing.
"Special hotlines have also been created direct to the Executive Secretary and senior management of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency for easy communication with our communities in the event of any crime", he said.
"Any valuable information given to the Corps will attract handsome rewards from the State Government. I therefore call on all Lagosians to join hands with us to say a final NO to crime in our state.
"All these equipment have been made possible through the judicious use of tax payers' money and funds from the State Lottery Fund for good causes. Please continue to pay your taxes for a better Lagos.
"I am very happy to state that through this Safety Corps initiative the State Government has created over 7,000 jobs for officers of the Corps, artisans and other support staff. Job creation is at the heart of economic prosperity and we remain fully committed to a more prosperous Lagos for our citizens."
'No to brutality'
Ambode, however, charged the Corps not to indulge in brutalizing citizens, but that they should exercise lot of restraint, patience, understanding and maturity while carrying out their duties.
Besides, the governor said in order to further strengthen security, a new executive bill to regulate employment of domestic workers and security guards would soon be forwarded to the state House of Assembly, explaining that the bill, among others, will prescribe regulations for the set of workers and other details to monitor their activities.
While noting that there is no longer any room for child abuse or underage workers, Ambode said it had been discovered that domestic workers were largely undocumented and pose security threat in the state.
He said the recruiting agencies, under the bill, would be licensed and regulated to ensure safety.
The governor handed over four vans fitted with Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command.
Promise kept
Two days after the event, Ambode moved to Aboru and Abesan in Alimosho for the commissioning of new roads and bridge built by his administration.
Popularly referred to as Tinubu's country, Alimosho was electrified on as residents received the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to commission the projects to mark his 65th birthday.
The locals trooped out in thousands to receive Tinubu alongside other eminent Nigerians for the commissioning including Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; former Governor Isiaka Adeleke; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule; former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Chief Femi Pedro; Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola; Senator Ibrahim Kazaure from Jigawa State; Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa; members of the Lagos State Executive Council, lawmakers, political bigwigs, among others.
In his remarks, Ambode recalled his visit to the Aboru area in March 2016, saying that aside the state of the road, which was totally unacceptable, there were reports of deaths and accidents caused by a valley, adding that he immediately directed that work should commence in the area.
"Exactly one year after, we are here to keep our promise to the good people of Aboru, Abesan and other communities and reaffirm our commitment that no community or area will be left behind. Every Lagosian counts. We are a government of inclusion," the Governor said.
He said the 480 metres bridge linking Aboru to Abesan, in the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council of Alimosho Local Government Area, would significantly ease the burden of travel between the two communities.
The governor said aside the bridge, adjoining inner roads to aid connectivity were also constructed.
He listed the roads to include Church Street, Giwa Street, Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street, Salami Kazeem, all totalling 5.5km with drainage, walkways and street lights, adding that the road network would ease the pressure on the Abeokuta Expressway and links residents with Iyana Ipaja, LASU-Iba Expressway.
Ambode also flagged off the construction of a network of roads within the boundaries of Lagos and Ogun States, saying that it was in honour of Tinubu, whom he described as the brain behind the 21st century Lagos.
He expressed optimism that the roads for immediate construction would complete the new face of Alimosho constituency, saying that work would commence within one week.
He listed the roads to include Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/Command to Ikola Road);Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River); Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River).
Claim debunked
Representatives of the people spoke glowingly about the positive impact of the projects.
Chairman of Mosan Okunola Community Development Association (CDA), Pastor Gbenga Adanri, used the opportunity of the occasion to debunk insinuation that the people of the area were not happy with the Ambode government and even protested, saying there was nothing of such.
"I like to debunk the untrue impression that we are not happy with Governor Ambode. There is no truth in it. I don't know where that is coming from and I must say here that we the people are very happy with him. We are happy because our roads have been put in proper shape and we now have a bridge to travel seamlessly within Aboru and Abesan", Adanri said.
On his part, Tinubu poured accolades on Ambode over his sterling performance in the last 22 months, saying that the Governor has made him proud. He said the achievements of Ambode in office was a reflection of a Governor who is not only a thinker but a doer, and expressed satisfaction that he was delivering on the promises to the people.
Apart from the roads and bridge, the former governor also commissioned a primary healthcare centre named after him and donated to Aboru by the contractor who handled the projects.
He said: "Akinwunmi Ambode has reflected that he is clearly a thinker and doer. I want to say thank you because experience is a great teacher and I am experienced. I am on the spot and I have watched things in Lagos since my tenure ended.
"I was worried hell when you (Ambode) took over, not about your credibility, character or capacity, but because however wise or smart a man is, if there is no resources to back the ideas, production would be zero, progress would be zero.
"When you (Ambode) took over, I know you inherited a burden of debt. The debt profile of Lagos was high, I was wondering how you will re-engineer and face the challenges to make progress.
"Today, I can see your report card, you have scored well, and you have shown prudency especially in the judicious use of resources of the State.
"You didn't disappoint us. Ambode is silently achieving, meticulously planning, religiously executing and brilliantly giving results for Lagos State.
"Today, you (Ambode) have given me a good birthday present. This is a great opportunity for me to be very proud again. Therefore, if we can continue in this direction of infrastructural development in the manner Governor Ambode is moving, Lagos will soon match international states or country anywhere in the world" Tinubu said.
Also, Aregbesola and Adeola said it was obvious that Ambode started well and is doing well, and solicited the cooperation of the people to engender further dividends of democracy and good governance.
Abuja – Tottenham Hotspur cut the gap on English Premier League leaders Chelsea to seven points as they overcame a stubborn Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday.Tottenham Hotspur’s English striker Harry Kane (C) celebrates after scoring a hat-trick with Tottenham Hotspur’s Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (L) and Tottenham Hotspur’s English midfielder Dele Alli during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on February 19, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
The visitors struggled in a drab first half as Dele Alli fired wide when well-placed and both central midfielders Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks were withdrawn through injury.
Winks suffered a particularly nasty fall, tumbling into the Burnley dugout after trying to tackle Stephen Ward, before he was carried off on a stretcher at the interval.
In spite of a lack of attacking fluency, Spurs continued to exert pressure on the Clarets from corner kicks.
It paid off when Eric Dier fired in after the hosts failed to properly clear Christian Eriksen's delivery.
Vincent Janssen, making his first Premier League start of 2017, became the third Tottenham player forced off injured but that allowed the introduction of Son Heung-min.
And the Korea striker made sure of victory as he tapped in Alli's squared pass on 77 minutes as Spurs controlled the final stages.
Victory, coupled with Chelsea's shock 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, ensures Mauricio Pochettino's side stay in contention for the title with nine games remaining.
A perennial worry with Tottenham is whether they possess the depth required to match the undoubted quality of their starting side and sustain a season-long challenge.
Victory over Southampton in the absence of injured striker Harry Kane last time out suggested those concerns could be consigned to the past, only to reappear in the first half at Turf Moor.
Kyle Walker's deputy Kieran Tripper made numerous mistakes several times against his former club, while Winks was guilty of trying to forcing passes in midfield.
Also, Janssen was again ineffective, lacking the pace and guile to test the organised duo of Michael Keane and Ben Mee.
While not in the circumstances Spurs would have wanted, the added quality of Mousa Dembele and especially Son ultimately ensured a more comfortable afternoon.
The Korean's movement was vital in opening up a tiring Burnley as Alli made amends for his earlier uncharacteristic miss to calmly find the striker free to side-foot in.
After the game, Pochettino said Kane could be back "in a few weeks".
He added that Son in the meantime could again prove a stellar stand-in, while Janssen's spell on the sidelines looks set to resume.
In other matches played on Saturday in the EPL, Hull City beat West Ham United 2-1, while Manchester United drew goalless with West Brom.
Leicester also beat Stoke City 2-0, with Watford compounding Sunderland's woes with a 1-0 defeat.(NAN
The Nigerian social media space have been awash in the last few weeks with speculations, innuendos, insinuations or otherwise of the toxicity and carcinogenicity of carbonated beverages in the Nigerian market especially those produced by Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC). While some claim it kills out rightly when taken with Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), others put it as definitive cause of cancer.
The most worrying aspect of the whole discuss is that most of the information were based on hearsay. Only very few did in-depth literature review to decipher the true position of things as it relates to the controversy. A good number of them never cared to confirm the authenticity or otherwise of what they heard before spreading the news.
For some time now I made a deliberate decision to ignore posts on the social media especially if that information is not from a scientific source. I made this decision based on the fact that I have been personally abused thoroughly because I tried to correct some wrong postings. Because of the above I deliberately did not subscribe to WhatsApp and don't have a WhatsApp account. So I completely missed out on the NBC and Benzoic acid brouhaha until much later.
My attention was draw to this present controversy when I was confronted by a friend who walked into my office and met me sipping from my favourite Coca-Cola. "Doc do you want to kill yourself, have you not heard that Coke products kill? Their product was even turned back by United Kingdom authorities. It is there on the net". He went further to show me a number of posts on his WhatsApp page on his phone. Of course majority of them were illogical and incoherent.
As a Medical doctor and a research fellow at the apex medical research institute in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, I reasoned that the public will benefit from an objective analysis of the issues involved based on available scientific and regulatory evidence. Providing correct and accurate information requires in depth literature review. In this write up I have provided information I hope will assiste Nigerians to make a balanced judgment.
What is benzoic acid?
Benzoic acid is a colourless crystalline solid. It is the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid. It occurs naturally free and bound as benzoic acid esters in many animal and plant species. Significant amounts have been found in some fruits – especially berries – as well as in yogurt, certain spices and honey. Most berries contain around 0. 05%. Benzoic acid is also rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of mammals and conjugated with glycine in the liver. The resulting hippuric acid is excreted in the urine rapidly (75% to 100% of the dose is excreted within 6 hours; the remaining dose is excreted within 2 to 3 days).
Benzoic acid as food preservative
Benzoic acid is most effective as a food preservative in acidic food. It seems to harm microbes by preventing them from fermenting glucose, but it may have other effects on the microbes as well. Artificial benzoic acid is added to food and to products such as toothpastes, shampoos, carbonated drink, fruit juices, cosmetics and medicines in order to prevent microbial growth.
Regulatory requirements
The legal limits for benzoic acid as a preservative vary from country to country, and depend on environmental and weather conditions. For carbonated drinks the recommendations are;
Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is a joint intergovernmental body of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and WHO with 186 Member States and one Member Organization (EU). Codex has worked since 1963 to create harmonized international food standards to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair trade practices. Codex standards ensure that food is safe and can be traded. The 188 Codex members have negotiated science based recommendations in all areas related to food safety and quality: food hygiene; maximum limits for food additives; residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs; and maximum limits and codes for the prevention of chemical and microbiological contamination.
The committee in 2016 adopted a maximum level of 250mg/kg for preservatives in water-based flavoured drinks, including “sport,” “energy,” or “electrolyte” drinks and particulated drinks. Before 2016 a high limit of 600mg/kg was operational.
Standard organisation of Nigeria (SON). SON was established by an Enabling Act Number 56 of December 1971 – the Standards Organisation of Nigeria cap 412 of the laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria, with a commencement date of 1 January 1970, when the Organisation started to function.
The Act has three amendments: Act Number 20 of 1976, Act Number 32 of 1984 and Act Number 18 of 1990. The mandate of the Organisation includes preparation of Standards relating products, measurements, materials, processes and services amongst others and their promotion at National, Regional and International levels; certification of products, assistance in the production of quality goods and services; improvement of measurement accuracies and circulation of information relating to standards. SON has two legal limits for benzoic acid as food preservative.
If product contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): less than 250 mg/kg.
No Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid): Less than 300 mg/kg.
In temperate regions lower levels of less than 150mg/kg is the legal limit.
Is benzoic acid safe?
Benzoic acid occurs naturally in various berries notably cranberries, cinnamon, plums, currants, cloves etc. It has long been used to inhibit microbial growth in many products including non-alcoholic beverages, jams and emulsified sauces. The salt of the benzoate is more stable than the acid form and more soluble in water making the benzoates a favourable choice for the soft drinks industry.
Sodium Benzoate has been in use for more than 100 years and is widely used by the food and beverage industries to maintain quality and taste. It is approved for use in soft drinks by the European Union as well as other international regulatory bodies including the United States, Australia, Canada and Japan.
Benzoic acid is very effective against moulds, yeasts and bacteria. It is particularly well suited for use in soft drinks, such as carbonated, still and juice beverages because it works best between pH levels of 2 – 4. The composition of the drink therefore has an effect on its efficiency and suitability for use.
When ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is present as an ingredient in beverages along with sodium benzoate, benzene formation may occur under certain conditions. Formation of benzene is exacerbated in beverages if they are stored for extended periods at elevated temperatures.
Although the levels and frequency at which such benzene formation has occurred in the past, it has not been considered to pose a public health risk, the soft drinks industry has developed methods to prevent or minimize its occurrence. In recent years the use of benzoates has been reduced because of new processing techniques, but it is still necessary to use these preservatives in some beverages to maintain their quality. Hence the legal limits set by various regulatory agencies including SON.
Like all additives, preservatives have to be approved for use in drinks and foods before they can be used. Expert organisations such as the Scientific Committee for Food, the European Food Safety Authority and the Joint FAO/WHO Food Additives Committee have examined the safety of each preservative and made recommendations on their use including maximum levels. Such recommendations were taken up by governments both nationally and at the European level so that food and drinks can be preserved effectively whilst ensuring the food is safe to consume.
Benzoic acid level less than 200mg/kg is in carbonated drinks produced by NBC, which is below the regulatory limits, benzoic acid is safe. Available scientific evidence shows that at this level the carbonated drinks are safe for human consumption.
Issues surrounding the Nigerian benzoic acid controversy.
What are the issues around the present controversy? Is Benzoic acid a safe food preservative? Is Nigerian bottling company guilty from the scientific and regulatory stand point? Are they legally liable? For the last question, I am not qualified to attempt to answer and will not. For others I will address based on available scientific and regulatory evidence.
According to Codex Alimentarius Commission, SON, Nigeria, EU commission and US Food and drug agency benzoic acid is a safe food preservative. By exception NBC products containing benzoic acid are food preservative.
Did NBC contravene the regulatory requirements? NBC products contain benzoic acid levels below 200 mg/kg which is below the regulatory limits recommended by the various regulatory agencies and committees, including Nigerian's SON. No regulatory requirement is breached by NBC.
iii. Why was the product turned back from United Kingdom (U.K.) or rejected? As stated earlier, globally there are different regulatory levels for different products in different countries depending on several factors and conditions. In this case, U.K. is a temperate climate and the weather doesn't support microorganism growth. The recommended benzoic acid limits level is set at below 150 mg/kg. Nigeria is a tropical country and the weather supports microbial proliferation and thus requires higher benzoic acid limit level, hence the higher 250 or 300 mg/kg limit set by SON. I suspect that NBC recognising the literacy level in the country decided to use a single lower limit that met both standards and at the same time avoid confusion.
The main issue in this controversy that all well-meaning Nigerians should condemn is the export of products meant for Nigerian market to U.K without due diligence, which resulted in the embarrassment. It can be inferred that the company did not obtain the necessary approvals from relevant agencies, which are in the position to assist and ensure that all necessary trade/industry requirements were fulfilled. It is hoped that while the controversy is going on, the appropriate agencies are doing the needful to ensure that we are spared this unnecessary embarrassment in future. For those planning to export products out of Nigeria in future, please do ensure that appropriate regulatory approval is obtained for export. It is NBC product today, tomorrow it could be another.
Rejection of a product is not always because of poor quality, often it maybe due to non-conformity with regulatory requirements. Reasons for having "America or Europe specification products" etc. A typical example is the requirement for cars to be used in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries to have head lights that come on automatically when the switch of the ignition key is turned on. Any car sent to any of these countries without this specification will be sent back irrespective of its quality, because it violates a strict weather induced requirement. In Scandinavian countries weather can suddenly change in a matter of seconds and to avoid accidents on their roads, the regulation was put in place.
Such regulation is not necessary in Nigeria because of our ever beautiful weather.
As a scientist, I was quite curious and alarmed at the media reports that the UK agencies described the consignment of Fanta and Sprite as "unfit for human consumption", and I think this purported verdict on the products was what elevated the panic and angst among Nigerians. My concern was, would a UK agency indeed describe a product with the stated levels of benzoic acid in such language?
I was lucky to receive one of the numerous alarming social media messages to which was attached the 23-page court ruling. A verbatim quote from a letter by Gareth Hollingsworth, the StockPort Metropolitan Borough Council Trading Standards Officer to the claimant reads "fanta cannot be supplied or exposed to sale because it is non-compliant with EU legislation" The officer went further to state that "I would recommend that any future imports are subjected to analysis before you import a vast quantity to ensure that products are complaint with EU legislation. It appears that different countries have different limits for additives". It is thus surprising how "non-compliant with EU legislation" became "unfit for human consumption"
vii. Another lesson from this fiasco is that government agencies need to learn to work together and not compete with each other. There has been this rivalry between NAFDAC and SON which I guess played out in this controversy.
Lessons have been learnt from this controversy and I do hope that we all must learn to research before making comments on issues that are outside our core competencies. We can only engage in meaningful discussion when we base our arguments on hard science not emotions. Based on hard science, I am convinced that NBC has not violated any regulation and their products are safe for human consumption.
Finally, the time is now for the regulatory agencies to turn their search light on all companies to ensure they comply with quality standards. We as researchers are ready to evaluate the products in the Nigerian market and invite philanthropic Nigerians to support us in this quest. Together we shall make Nigeria great again.
Dr. Oliver C. Ezechi, is the Deputy Director Research, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba Lagos
New York – The UN Security Council has unanimously adopted its first resolution addressing Boko Haram's presence in the Lake Chad Basin. Boko Haram member
The resolution followed a report of its mission to the region earlier this month.
In unanimously adopting the resolution 2349 (2017), on Friday, the Council expressed concern about the protection of civilians affected by terrorism.
The Council strongly condemned all terrorist attacks, violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses by Boko Haram and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the region.
The UN body also condemned killings, abductions, child, early and forced marriages, rape, sexual slavery and the increasing use of girls as suicide bombers by the Boko Haram terrorists.
"Those responsible must be held to account and brought to justice," the Council declared.
The Council encouraged governments to enhance regional military cooperation, and to move "vigorously and decisively" to cut funding flows to individuals, groups, undertakings and entities on the ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, which includes Boko Haram.
It urged Lake Chad Basin Governments to implement consistent policies to promote defections from Boko Haram and ISIL, to deradicalize and reintegrate those who had already defected and to ensure there was no impunity for those responsible for terrorist attacks.
On the humanitarian front, the Council urged all parties to the conflict to ensure respect for and protection of humanitarian personnel, and to facilitate safe, timely and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid.
In terms of follow-up, the Council encouraged the Secretary-General to carry out a joint visit to the Lake Chad Basin region with the Chairperson of the AU Commission, the President of the World Bank Group and the President of the African Development Bank.
In the ensuing discussion, delegates welcomed the Council's unity in passing the resolution on the heels of its mission to Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger from March 2 to 7, to better understand the conflict's root causes.
Several members urged the quick disbursement of funds pledged at the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region held on Feb. 24.
Cameroon's ambassador to the UN Tommo Monthe, speaking on behalf of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, described the resolution as a "step change in mobilizing international support for countries to combat Boko Haram".
Monthe said that the military response, while essential, should be part of a holistic approach.
He urged states to adopt and implement measures to tackle the causes and consequences of the current situation.
Monthe expressed hope that the resolution would mark the start of more decisive support to the affected countries, who had been forced to curtail spending on education, health and other efforts.
In similar vein, Nigeria's representative, Anthony Bosah, welcomed the resolution's call for enhanced regional military cooperation and coordination, emphasizing that Nigeria was resolute in its efforts to defeat terrorism.
Bosah said people of the Lake Chad Basin needed support, pointing out that shrinking of Lake Chad had exacerbated their hardship, with cross-border knock-on effects making it difficult for governments to meet people's needs.
Senegal's representative, Fode Sech, welcomed the resolution especially it's pledge to support the efforts of Lake Chad Basin countries to combat Boko Haram activities.
The Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom and UN Security Council's President for the month of March, Mathew Rycroft, said the fact-finding mission to the region was an eye-opener.
"We will fail the people of the region if we do not respond to what we saw," Rycroft said.
Robert Lewandowski hit a hat-trick in Bayern Munich’s 6-0 thrashing of Augsburg on Saturday to go level with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in his battle to be the Bundesliga’s top scorer.
The win ensured Bayern remained 13 points clear at the summit while Augsburg dropped into the relegation places.
File photo: Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben (R) scores Bayern’s second goal past Borussia Dortmund’s German goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller (2nd R) during the UEFA Champions League final football match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium in London on May 25, 2013 AFP PHOTO
Lewandowski, last season’s Bundesliga top scorer, has 24 league goals this campaign like Aubameyang, who scored for Borussia Dortmund in their 1-1 draw at Schalke in the 150th Ruhr Valley derby.
The Poland international has now scored 36 goals in all competitions for Bayern this season.
Lewandowski also proved he can provide goals by setting up Thomas Mueller for Bayern’s second, his backheel then let Thiago Alcantara stab home their fourth.
His opening strike was a trademark Lewandowski goal as Thiago’s pin-point pass put him behind the defence, with the Pole trapping the ball and curling home with his left foot on 17 minutes.
He then delivered the cross for Mueller to deservedly net only his third league goal of the season, after the Germany star twice hit the woodwork in the opening 36 minutes.
Lewandowski held off a defender to make it 3-0 on 55 minutes following Franck Ribery’s superb final pass, and his delightful backheel to Thiago gave the Spain midfielder a simple tap-in on 62 minutes.
The Poland star completed his hat-trick with a header on 79 minutes before Mueller grabbed his second a minute later before going off injured.
In Gelsenkirchen, Aubameyang kept pace with Lewandowski by netting his 24th goal in as many league games as he fired home Shinji Kagawa’s final pass on 53 minutes against Schalke.
Just as he did when scoring in the Ruhr derby in February 2015, the flamboyant Gabon striker, Dortmund’s self-styled ‘Batman’, donned a black mask to celebrate.
However, the hosts equalised when Thilo Kehrer, 20, slotted away his first Bundesliga goal in only his 12th game to the delight of the home fans.
Schalke were denied a penalty in the dying stages when the ball struck Dortmund defender Marc Bartra’s hands.
The decision so incensed Markus Weinzierl that the Schalke coach was sent to the stands as the draw left Dortmund fourth in the table with Schalke ninth.
After back-to-back defeats before the international break, second-placed RB Leipzig emphatically returned to winning ways with a 4-0 romp against bottom side Darmstadt, who had midfielder Sandro Sirigu sent off.
Guinea midfielder Naby Keita, who collapsed after last month’s shock 1-0 defeat to Wolfsburg, marked his return with two goals.
After Keita’s opener on 12 minutes, playmaker Emil Forsberg and captain Willi Orban both netted before Keita added the fourth with 10 minutes remaining.
Denmark midfielder Thomas Delaney netted a hat-trick for Werder Bremen in their 5-2 drubbing of Freiburg to lift them up to mid-table.
Hamburg climbed out the bottom three with a 2-1 victory at home to Cologne as Lewis Holtby netted the winner in the 92nd minute.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho complained about West Bromwich Albion’s defensive tactics following Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
It was United’s eighth stalemate at Old Trafford this season and left them four points off the Champions League berths in fifth place in the Premier League table.
United dominated the game, with Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini spurning chances, but West Brom almost snatched victory when David de Gea palmed Darren Fletcher’s shot against the bar.
Asked by a BBC television reporter if the teams had cancelled each other out, an incredulous Mourinho replied: “I am sorry to say, but it is a silly question.
“When the team cross the midfield line once in 90 minutes and the other team is in the opponent’s half trying and trying and trying, you tell me one team cancelled the other? We didn’t have to defend.”
He added: “One team had the ball, one team didn’t. One team tried to win, the other tried to draw. One keeper (De Gea) did a funny thing, the other made three great saves.
“We have a lot of draws this season. Teams come here just to defend. Goalkeepers come here to be man of the match. We cannot score a goal even when we are one-on-one.
South Africa’s new Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba Saturday pledged to implement the policies of the ruling ANC as the party remains deeply divided over the sudden firing of his predecessor.Malusi Gigaba
Gigaba on Thursday replaced Pravin Gordhan, ousted in a shock midnight cabinet reshuffle by President Jacob Zuma that has exposed the divisions within the African National Congress (ANC).
“I will focus sharply on the task of implementing the policies of the African National Congress, to better the lives of the majority of South Africans,” Gigaba told journalists in the capital Pretoria.
In 2014, the ANC adopted “radical economic transformation” policies in a bid to accelerate the inclusion of the previously marginalised black majority into the mainstream economy.
Gigaba said there was a growing consensus within the ruling party that “the pace and depth of transformation has been too slow and in many instances, superficial.”
The appointment of Gigaba, a former home affairs minster, however has raised concern among the opposition parties and economic observers as he does not have a finance background and is widely seen as a Zuma ally.
Gigaba said he was fully aware of the current “highly politicised, polarised” environment in the country, vowing not to be “distracted by external issues”.
He acknowledged there was a “climate of sharp disagreement and mutual suspicion” following his appointment.
The sacking of Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas has been described by critics as a move by Zuma to put a loyalist in charge of the treasury.
Gordhan who had championed clean governance was respected internationally for his fiscal prudence and his firing prompted a deluge of calls by opposition parties and some ANC stalwarts for Zuma to resign.
The reshuffle has been described as not being in the interest of the country and could hurt the ailing economy.
In his maiden press conference, Gigaba spoke well of his predecessor Gordhan but pointed out the need to focus on maintaining South Africa’s investment grade by ratings agencies.
South Africa was granted a reprieve at the end of last year when rating agencies did not drop it to the “junk” investment category following a series of downgrades, but they warned of the impact of poor growth and political instability.
Hoffenheim’s top scorer Sandro Wagner says he will be fit to face runaway Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at home on Tuesday despite his stomach-churning “ET” finger injury.
Wagner has hit 11 Bundesliga goals this season to leave Hoffenheim on course for a Champions League place for next season.
Sandro Wagner
But the 29-year-old was in pain after dislocating his left index finger, which was at a crooked angle before treatment, in Friday’s 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin that left Hoffenheim third in Germany’s top flight.
He dislocated the digit during a challenge with Hertha striker Vedad Ibisevic after 14 minutes at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium but, full of adrenaline, Wagner finished the game with the finger heavily strapped.
“There was a bit of pain and some shock, but it looked worse than it was,” said Wagner.
The strange bend in his finger led to Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann dubbing it an “ET” finger injury, referring to Steven Spielberg’s 1982 science-fiction blockbuster.
“He stretched his finger out like ET, but instead of his finger pointing up the sky, it was turned down towards the floor, which looked strange,” said Nagelsmann.
On Saturday afternoon, both Hoffenheim and Wagner confirmed the finger was not broken.
“Finger dislocated, ligament and capsule injured, no need for an x-ray,” said the club, while Wagner commented: “The finger is much better today.”
Wagner added he fully he expects to face Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern as Hoffenheim strive to make their Champions League debut next season.
“The finger won’t hinder me on the way to Europe,” he said.
And Nagelsmann, 29, the youngest coach in Bundesliga history, joked there was no reason why Wagner would sit the game out.
“If it was a game of darts, he might be missing, but not for a football match,” said Nagelsmann, who was last week voted Coach of 2016 by the German Football Association (DFB).
By Innocent Anaba A Special Offences Mobile Court in Oshodi, Lagos,has ordered the remand of 13 students of the University of Lagos, who were arraigned before it by the police, Saturday over unlawful invasion of TVC television.
The accused Femi Adeyeye, Toni Aina, Kodri Yaya, Asimi Oladime, Ismahim Olalekan, Segun Okesola, Abdulazeez Soneye, Idris Abogunloko, were Muyiwa Olaniyi, Toheed Oladimeji, Joseph Akanni, Lukumon Olusegun, and Abiodun Agbeniyi, were ordered remanded at Kirikiri prisons, Lagos.
They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate P.E Nwaka, on two counts charge of unlawful invasion and disruption of activities.
They were arraigned about 10.20 a.m, yesterday, but had however, all pleaded not guilty to the charge. Meanwhile, the magistrate, ordered their remand at the Kirikiri prison, pending their bail application.
The court adjourned the case to April 6, for a determination of their bail. The Police prosecuting counsel, Effiong Asuquo, OC Legal of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 31
He said that the accused engaged in a riotous invasion of TVC television station in Lagos, protesting an alleged rustication of one of their students.
According to him, the students also invaded the main campus of the University of Lagos, Akoka, and had disrupted normal activities in the institution.
The prosecutor said that the Institution’s semester examination is scheduled to begin on April 3 (Monday) adding that the invasion by the students, was simply a ploy to stall the commencement of exams.
He said that the offence contravened the provisions of section 168 (1) (d), and section 2 of the Criminal Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2015
By Dapo Akinrefon MR Tony Uranta is a Niger Delta activist and Executive Secretary of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy, UNDEDSS. In this interview, Uranta expresses his reservations about the oil companie relocating to the Niger Delta noting that the oil companies are merely giving excuse to shy away from their responsibilities. Excerpts:
Uranta
How do you see the Presidential directive to oil companies to relocate to the Niger Delta?
I think it is over due that people should be located where they operate. It makes economic sense. For example, because the oil companies are not located there, they constantly need to fly in and out of there. So, coming from the angle of the oil companies themselves, it should have made sense to them in the first place but they have not done that and the government should have made them to do that which should have made economic sense. But over and beyond that, the relocating of headquarters is not, on its own alone the only economic shot that the region needs, these international oil companies have to be involved in the urgent creation of economic networks and centers. For example the petrochemicals and oil related industries that will ultimately create employment . If you do not create employment, you are not going to have a trickle down effect of any economic benefit that will come to the region eventually when it does get there.
But do you think the oil companies will take to this directive considering their perceived fears of insecurity in the region?
The oil companies, for example, have relocated in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Kuwait even during the most turbulent crisis. The oil companies are merely giving excuse to shy away from their responsibilities. I can say this to them. At a recent meeting just two week ago, it has been decided that if by 90 days from that day, the oil companies do not show signs of acceding to the government's position, we in the region will be forced to break every agreement we have with the government just to show the oil companies that we don't need them to survive. In fact, they are more of a nuisance than a benefit.
Sometimes, we have to cut our noses and spite our faces if we want to grow and a situation of isolationism may be seen by the world very soon in the Niger Delta.
But don't you think isolating yourselves would affect the major revenue of the the country…
(Cuts in) I am so surprised each time people talk about the revenue of the country. Is the country more important than the people of the country? The people in the Niger Delta are suffering, they are not being cared for and so, if anybody does not care to make sure that things are done to accelerate the improvement or the betterment of the lives of the people of the Niger Delta, to hell with the national revenue. That is my position.
Aside this relocation directive which some argue would bring about development, what other steps should be taken to alleviate the plight of the region?
All these issues have been talked about over and over again. My discussing it through the media is not important. The Minister for Petroleum discussing it through the media is not important, the Vice President when he was acting president even paying visits to the Niger Delta and making proclamations that are not yet backed by law and by action, is not important.
We, of the region, created a body representing us called the Pan Niger Delta Forum. The Pan Niger Delta Forum has only one demand and request that government should sit with us and state what government would do. By the way, at that same meeting two weeks ago, it was so decided that within the same 90 days, there might be a collapse of every seeming understanding between government and the region, we may have uprising, disturbances and destruction. I can say this for sure, the sooner government begins to chase substance instead of shadows, the better for us.
What is your take on plan by the federal government to grant amnesty to more militants?
That is just a side effect. We are interested in one thing, government has to come to the table, government is going to regret what it is doing very soon because it has refused to come to the engagement table with PANDEF, all these are mere distractions and beating about the bush. The government must engage PANDEF and PANDEF as it is presently constituted. It is not up to government to form us into any image according to what it wants us to be. We are Niger Deltans, we are going to remain Niger Deltans and whether Nigeria remains or not, we shall remain Niger Deltans.
Lagos — Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), has blamed the recent depreciation of naira on the speculators' onslaught and resistance by the banking industry.
Gwadabe said on Saturday in Lagos that the refusal of some banks to sell the invisibles such as personal and business travel allowances frustrated naira recovery.
The ABCON chief said that the CBN had recently accused the banks of frustrating its policies.
He said it was ironical that the naira started losing strength in spite of the CBN's review of the rates from N375 to N360 to a dollar.
According to him, the naira started trading on Monday with a promising outlook for sustained strength against the dollar and other currencies, but it began to somersault at the middle of the week.
"The naira ended deeper northward to close at N394 to a dollar on Friday, translating to 10 per cent depreciation of what was recorded during the week,'' Gwadabe said.
The association president said that the removal of disparity in applicable exchange rates among the BDCs, Travelex and the banks should have strengthened the nation's currency.
The financial expert said, "CBN's knack for last minute solution as recent development has shown, accounted for the misfortune of the naira at the foreign exchange market.''
Gwadabe said that the battle for the soul of the naira would be won if the CBN could boost liquidity to the BDCs for effective unification of rates.
"It is evident that the injection of liquidity to the interbank market rather than the BDC sub-sector is not effective and transparent for sustained FOREX rate convergence and unification.
"Statistics from the CBN shows that about 20 banks get 80 million dollars weekly for invisible transaction as against the 20 million dollars weekly for over 3000 CBN licensed BDCs nationwide.
"The CBN should enhance public awareness to guide end users on FOREX availability and applicable exchange rates.
"The CBN should diversify the buffers from oil proceeds to foreign investors inflows and Diaspora remittances,'' Gwadabe said.
He urged the CBN to sponsor a bill for an act of the National Assembly for naira convertibility in West Africa, as part of the solutions to full recovery of the naira.
Gwadabe said that naira was currently a means of exchange in about 15 countries in Africa.
He urged the Federal Government to increase security surveillance at the nation's airports and land borders to checkmate illegal foreign cash evacuation. Tthe naira ended the week on a negative note, eroding the 12.36 appreciation it recorded in its trading last week.
The Nigerian currency appears to be on trial again, as experts argue that winning the battle for the soul of the naira requires more than pulling the monetary policy lever.
They called for a blend of fiscal and monetary policy and indeed patriotism from all Nigerians to save the naira from further sliding.
Mayo-Belwa (Adamawa) – Hundreds of hunters from Adamawa, Gombe, Borno, Yobe and Taraba States converged for the annual Talala (oath taking) Festival and fortification of selves in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa on Saturday.
The annual festival brings hunters together to renew their oath to serve humanity, particularly assisting security agencies in the north east.Hunters
Chairman of Adamawa Hunters Association/Acting Chairman for North East, Malam Mohammed Tola, urged them to remain steadfast in their commitment to serve their communities and father land.
Tola lauded Government and Adamawa traditional council for their support to the hunters, adding that such had gone a long way in facilitating the activities of the hunters in supporting the fight against insurgents in the north east.
The Administrative Secretary of the association, Malam Salihu Buba, said the ceremony was to also fortify genuine members and expose fake ones.
The state Women Leader, Aisha Bakari, pledged the commitment of female hunters to continue to contribute their quota like their male counterparts.
The highlights of the occasion were the drinking of concoction by the hunters for protection and the conduction of rituals on the hunters' Dane guns to function properly against the enemy
Hunters in north-east who have knowledge of the terrain have been assisting the military and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency.
Abuja – FC Barcelona coach Luis Enrique defended the integrity of Lionel Messi on Saturday after the Argentine was hit with a lengthy ban from international football for insulting an assistant referee.
Messi was handed a four-game suspension by FIFA on Tuesday for the incident during Argentina's 1-0 win over Chile in a World Cup qualifier.
Lionel Messi
The suspension, which came less than six hours to the match, forced him out of his side's 2-0 defeat by Chile.
Messi is suspended for Barca's La Liga game at Granada on Sunday after collecting five yellow cards in the league season, although he has only committed seven fouls in the campaign.
He had received the majority of the bookings for dissent.
"Those numbers are incredible. He is super respectful towards referees and he never causes controversy," Enrique said.
"We should appreciate that, especially when you consider he is the best player in the world. He is always under pressure and with everyone watching his every move. His behaviour is impeccable."
Enrique also confirmed that defender Gerard Pique has been rested for the trip to struggling Granada, who are seven points adrift of safety.
He however said neither absentee would tempt him to alter his side's new 3-4-3 formation.
"It won't affect our style of play because we can use the same system irrespective of who is available and we will because we believe it's the best system for us," the former Spanish international added.
Barca trail leaders Real Madrid by two points in the standings and have played a game more than Zinedine Zidane's side, who host Alaves on Sunday four hours before Barca's game.
Messi is the top scorer in La Liga with 25 goals and has scored nine times in his last seven appearances in all competitions for Barca.
They have dropped five points in the three games he has sat out this season.
"Of course we would love to be able to count on Messi on Sunday, but the good thing is that he gets to rest and that will serve him well," Enrique said.
Chelsea – Crystal Palace (2017-04-01)
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