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Economic Hardship: Adulterated foods flooding Nigerian markets; palm oil mixed with dye, lard, FG warns

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has raised the alarm over the increase in adulterated and contaminated foods in the markets.

FCCPC acting executive vice-chairman Adamu Abdullahi said in Abuja on Thursday that some traders were engaging in various forms of adulteration without considering the health implications for consumers.

Mr Abdullahi said this at a one-day sensitisation for traders, farmers, civil society organisations (CSOs), and the public on the forceful ripening of fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and grains.

Mr Abdullahi said the move would ensure a healthier society in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

He said the acts establishing the FCCPCFC gave it powers to evacuate fake and adulterated products from the markets to prevent consumers from purchasing them.

“We will go to the markets to sensitise the traders and educate the public and sellers that adulterated, fake products are not allowed in the markets, and if they see any, they have somewhere to report.

“We are going to markets in the states, the grassroots, and farms to find out the sharp practices going on and to ensure we get a healthier society in line with President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

“We have to ensure that the goods in the markets are according to the standard that they should be,” he said.

Femi Stephen of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare described adulteration as the addition of substandard substances that have the same properties as the food with which they are mixed.

Mr Stephen said palm oil was adulterated with dye, lard (animal fat from pork), and transformer oil (paraffin), warning that adulteration is linked to various health challenges.

He listed some health issues linked to adulteration, such as abdominal pain, nausea, brain damage, stomach disorder, cardiac arrest, liver disease and breathing difficulties.

Mr Stephen urged farmers to seek experts’ guidance in applying pesticides to avoid poisoning.

Promise Ogbonna of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said that forceful fruit ripening is detrimental to health. She said calcium carbide used for the forceful ripening of fruits was arsenic and phosphorus, which had been said to be carcinogenic.

Edozie Ugwu, the vice-president (North-Central) of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), commended the FCCPC for the sensitisation.

Mr Ugwu said that many Nigerians had lost their vital body organs to food adulteration. He said the market associations would collaborate with the FCCPC and other government agencies to ensure that the law penalised any trader found wanting in the practice.

“What we intend doing is to take this back and sensitise our traders on the importance of avoiding these adulterated foods. We plead that this be extended to various markets,” he said.

The market associations, including market women associations and members of the Food and Hygiene Association of Nigeria, were present at the event.

(NAN)

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Jaruma Stirs Controversy with Surprising Admission

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In a startling revelation, prominent entrepreneur Jaruma has openly declared her interest in Adedeji Adeleke, the father of renowned musician Davido. In a recent video posted on her social media platform, Jaruma showcased her range of products, subtly suggesting they were tailored for the esteemed businessman.

Jaruma brazenly encouraged Adedeji Adeleke to consider the benefits of having a younger companion like herself, highlighting her capacity to provide exceptional care and support. With unwavering confidence, she asserted her readiness to cater to the billionaire’s needs, should he present her with the opportunity.

Photo source: Entertain Region

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P-Square: Court grants Jude Okoye N50m bail, seizes travel passport

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Justice Rahman Oshodi of Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja has granted bail to Jude Okoye the former manager of the hip-hop artists of the defunct music group P-square, in an alleged theft of $1 million US dollars 34, 537 pounds.

The judge admitted him to bail of N50 million with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the defendant deposit his two international passports.

Justice Oshodi granted him bail after listening to the arguments and submissions of counsel representing the parties on bail applications.

Okoye, the elder brother of Peter Okoye (Alias Mr P) and Paul Okoye (a.k.a Rude Boy) is standing trial alongside his company, Northside Music Limited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on stealing but the defendant denied committing the offence, and pleaded not guilty to all the count charges.

The anti-graft commission in the charge marked Ref/99260/2025, EFCC alleged the Okoye of dishonestly converting the sum of $767,544.15, to his own use, the sum which was paid Lex Records Limited as payment for music digital distribution/publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive the complainant, Peter Okoye his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft commission also alleged that sometime between 2016 and 2023, the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of £34,537.59, paid by Lex Records Limited as payment for music digital distribution/ publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive the complainant of his special interest in the property.

Okoye was also alleged of dishonestly converted the sum of $133,566.49, which sum paid by Kobalt Music Digital distribution/publishing royalties with the intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest in the property.

The anti-graft agency said the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of $118,652.23, paid by Mtech limited as payment for music digital distribution publishing royalties with intent to permanently deprive Peter Okoye of his special interest.

The defendant’s offenses contravene the provision of Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos 2011.

However, the EFCC counsel, Mr. Mohammed Bashir, earlier in his submission, told the court that the prosecution filed a counter affidavit to the bail application dated March 3, 2025. He said the defendant has a dual identity, and the ill health he claimed was not substantiated by any document.

The defendant’s counsel, Mr Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), informed the court that he had filed a bail application dated January 27 and prayed the court to grant bail to the defendant.

READ ALSO:Jude Okoye arraigned on fresh charges by EFCC

He urged the court to grant his client bail in liberal terms. He said his offence is bailable and that he did not jump bail when he was admitted to jail by the EFCC.

While delivering the ruling, Justice Oshodi ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport.

“I have carefully read the bail application and the counter application filed by the parties. The defendant’s offences is a four-count charge of stealing,” the judge said.

He admitted him to bail of N50 million with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the addresses of the duties be verified and must show evidence of tax payment in the last three years.

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Gunmen k!dnap and k!ll Catholic priest in Kaduna

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Gunmen suspected to be bandits have kidnapped and k!lled Rev. Fr. Sylvester Okechukwu, the parish priest of St. Mary Catholic Church, Tachira in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Rev Fr Okechukwu, from Ozalla Nkanu in Enugu State, was kidnapped from his residence around 9:15pm on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

He was brutally m8rdered by his abductors in the early hours of Wednesday, March 5.

The Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, who confirmed the tragic incident in a statement said it’s yet to be determined why the priest was killed.

“This untimely and brutal loss has left us heartbroken and devastated. Fr. Sylvester was a dedicated servant of God, who worked selflessly in the vineyard of the Lord, spreading the message of peace, love and hope,” the statement read.

“He was always available and accessible to his parishioners. His untimely death has left an indelible void within our diocesan family, and we share in the pain of his passing with his family, friends and all those who knew and loved him.

“Let us come together as one family for the repose of his soul. We invite all priests, religious and the faithful, to offer Holy Masses, Rosaries and prayers for the eternal repose of Fr. Sylvester, who gave his life in service of God and humanity.

“We wish to call our youth and members of the Takad community to remain calm and steadfast in prayers. No one should take the law into their hands.

“The details of the funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course. May we continue to hold one another in prayer and unity during this dark moment.”

Born December 1980, Rev, Okechukwu was ordained a Catholic priest on 11th February 2021.

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