News
Food Hygiene Bill: Association alerts on dangers of animal blood consumption
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)
**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News1 year agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment2 years agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi2 years agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News2 years agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro1 year ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News1 year agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu