Blog

Aspirants

By Mohammed Mamman

Damaturu, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN)  Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress  in Yobe have urged governorship aspirants in the state to accept the endorsement of Alhaji Maimala Buni, by Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam as the preferred successor.

The party chieftains, who made the call on Sunday in separate interviews with newsmen in Damaturu, said the governor acted on the directives of party stakeholders to nominate the governorship flag bearer for the party.

Alhaji Aji Bularafa, a party chieftain in the state, said the endorsement of the incumbent APC National Secretary, Alhaji Maimala Buni, by Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam, reflected the collective position of all stakeholders who passed the resolution in an enlarged meeting.

“As stakeholders, we are committed to the collective interest of the state as against personal interests; we are interested in someone who would improve on the people-oriented legacies of the Gaidam administration,” he said.

Bularafa urged the party leadership to continue reaching out to the aspirants and convince them to step down, so as to have a consensus candidate.

“It is in our interest to have our aspirants emerging as consensus candidates without going for elections and this is possible when the other aspirants withdraw their candidature to go with the position of the stakeholders,” he said.

Alhaji Abubakar Kyari, another chieftain of the party, described speculations making round that Sen. Bukar Ibrahim had conceded his bid for re-election to Gov. Gaidam as “a very welcome development”.

“The news that Sen. Bukar had conceded to Gov. Gaidan to contest the Yobe East senatorial seat is heart-warming and in the interest of the people.

“The party stakeholders and supporters will appreciate other contenders placing our collective interests over and above their personal interests,” Kyari said.

Alhaji Bala Musa, APC chairman, Potiskum Local Government Area, said “although the aspirants have constitutional right to aspire,  l will advise them to drop their ambitions and go with the popular position of the stakeholders.

“It will be commendable of the aspirants to go with the mainstream decision of the stakeholders, concede their aspirations to strengthen party unity so as  to avoid disaffection and disunity in the party,” Musa said.

Meanwhile, Gov. Gaidam said he nominated Maimala Buni based on the mandate given to him and the quality of leadership he saw in the nominee, to continue with the development agenda of the state.

The governor, who spoke at a youth forum in Damaturu on Saturday, however said everybody had the right to contest against the preferred candidate  but could risk defeat.

“Every aspirant has the right to aspire for any position; we would conduct primaries and we have the right to defeat those contesting against our endorsed aspirants,” Gaidam said.(NAN)

MM/AAB/ASH

Edited By Adeboye Ajayi

Aliero
By Shuaibu Tau
Birinin Kebbi, Sep.9 ,2018(NAN) Alhaji Adamu Aliero, a former governor and senator representing Kebbi Central constituency, , on Sunday declared his intention to represent his constituency for the third time in the Senate.
Aliero, a two-term governor of the state, submitted his nomination form to seek re-election at the State APC Secretariat in Birnin Kebb in company with hundreds of his supporters.
On the occasion, the former FCT minister pledged to continue to provide dividends of democracy to his constituents, the state and Nigeria.
“I thank you for the confidence reposed in me, I promise to offer selfless service to humanity, ” he said.
He urged the people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards to re-elect President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governor in the 2019 elections.
At the APC Secretariat, two other aspirants Abu Najakku and Shehu Koko also submitted their forms respectively for Birnin Kebbi / Kalgo and Koko Besse / Maiyama federal constituencies. (NAN)
SZT/AAB/JCE
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Chukwudi Ekezie

Police arrest 60-yr-old Ifa priestess, 2 sons over alleged kidnapping
Kidnapping
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested a 60-year-old Ifa chief priestess and her two sons in connection with some kidnap cases in the state.
The spokesman for the command, CSP Chike Oti, made the development known in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.
Oti said that the suspects were arrested on Saturday at their home at No.15, Irepodun Street, Egan, Igando, a Lagos suburb.
He said that the woman was said to be a chief priestess and custodian of an Ifa shrine.
She was alleged to be aiding her sons, aged 26 and 32, who allegedly lure their victims with charms to their home.
Oti described the suspects as “deadly bunch of kidnappers”.
He said that they used the social media to lure their victims and put them in captivity until they paid ransoms for their release.
“The trio met their waterloo when one Bridget Obazee came to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igando Police Station, CSP Taiwo Kasumu, on Sept. 7 and complained that her brother, Osahon, was missing.
“The complainant told the DPO that the kidnappers were threatening to kill Osahon if they (family) failed to pay a N1.5 million ransom.
“She added that they warned her not to involve the police, otherwise her brother would be killed.”
Oti said that the DPO quickly contacted the Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, who deployed men from the Intelligence Unit of the command to reinforce the DPO’s team.
He said that the team immediately set out in search of the suspects.
“The same day, at about 11a.m., through discreet investigation, the team arrested the woman and her sons, Akeem Bashiru and Ojo Solomon,” he said.
He said that besides Osahon, the police also rescued two other victims in the home of the suspects, which doubled as their hideout.
He gave the names of the other victims as Adugbagbe Akindele of No.7 Peace Crescent Salolo, Meiran, Lagos and one Ekwegbalu Augustine, who was lured from Anambra with the promise for a job in an oil company.
Oti said, “the victims have been held for weeks, pending the payment of ransom by their families.”
He said that those rescued had been re-united with their relations.
He said that during interrogation, Solomon confessed that he lured the victims with the promise of getting them employment.
“He further confessed that he lured some victims for a gay relationship and that their mother empowered him and his brother spiritually,” Oti said.
He said that the mother used charms to intimidate and instil fear in victims.
Oti hailed residents of Lagos State for assisting the command with useful information and urged them not to relent. (NAN)
MIO/USO/JCE
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Edited by Sam Oditah/Chukwudi Ekezie

T/Tennis

By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri and Egypt’s Dina Meshref emerged as winners of the men’s and Women’s singles event at the 2018 ITTF African Championships which ended in Mauritius on Sunday.

According to statement by ATTF-Africa, Quadri did not drop a point from the first round until the final when he defeated Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh 4-1 to win his first African Championships title.

It will be recalled that Quadri , who is currently ranked 18 in the world narrowly lost to his Egyptian rival, Omar Assar in 2016.

Also, Meshref, who lost the title to Nigeria’s Olufunke Oshonaike in 2016, reclaimed her title after a convincing 4-0 win over compatriot, Reem El-Eraky in the women’s singles final.

An elated Aruna said he is still eager to win the African Games which he has yet to have in his kitty.

“I think I have won virtually all the titles in Africa, the only one I am still hungry to win is the African Games’ title which I believe I will continue to work hard in order to win it next year in Morocco.

“I am happy that I am winning this African Championships title for the first time, particularly less than one month after I won the ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open in Lagos.

“I am grateful to my Mauritian fans for their support throughout my matches,” he said.

Meshref in spite winning the women singles, admitted that it was a bit hard to win back the laurel, particularly with strong opposition from Nigeria’s Edem Offiong in the semi-finals.

“I am happy winning my title back but it was not an easy task, particularly with the match against Edem Offiong.

“But in all I am happy as I look forward to the ITTF World Cup which is my next tournament this year,” she said. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Artificial Ripening of Fruits: Stakeholders advocate special task force to end menace

Fruits
Abuja, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Stakeholders in the fruits and vegetable industry have called on the Federal Government to establish a special task force to curb the menace of using chemical substances to ripen the commodities.

The stakeholders, comprising nutritionists, health experts and consumers, made the appeal while fielding questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the dangers of using carbide and other unorthodox methods to ripen fruits.

They warned on the health implications of artificial ripening of fruits, saying relevant authorities should institute special task forces against the practice.

The respondents said in separate interviews that the practice was no doubt dangerous to health.

They also appealed to government at all levels to step up efforts to end artificial ripening of fruits among traders and farmers.

Mr David Achulu, a Nutritionist in Bayelsa, said although fruits are very good for the health but engaging in artificial ripening of fruits should be condemned.

He suggested that a special task force should be created to monitor and prosecute those involved in the act.

According to him, the most used chemical for artificial ripening of fruits is the calcium carbide, listing some of the fruits to include cashew, banana, mango, plantain, pawpaw and orange.

Dr Vivian Apprela, a Medical Doctor in Yenagoa, said that when such fruits are consumed, they could cause acute reactions like headache, vomiting, stomach disorders and other allergic reactions in individuals.

She said that such could in the long term lead to heart failure, skin diseases and cancer.

Apprela advised the public to wash thoroughly with water all fruits bought to reduce the surface contaminations.

Mr Paul Okon, a fruit consumer who also told NAN in Yenagoa that he was aware that fruits were being ripened artificially by some vendors, described the act as very wicked.

“Yes, some trades, unscrupulous ones are into the act of artificial ripening of fruits with a chemical called calcium carbide.

“It is bad, we call government to help us and establish special task force to end act,’’ he said.

Mrs Joy Chuka, a trader in Swali Market, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa, alleged that the act was mostly committed by the farmers and fruit sellers.

Chuka said that people could recognise fruits ripened with calcium carbide because the colour of such fruits looked dissimilar and would not be uniform.

“It has yellow and green patches unlike when it is ripened naturally. The texture of fruits ripened with carbide is hard.

“Even when it appears yellow, if you touch it, it is hard, while the one ripened naturally has soft texture,’’ she explained.

From Delta, a nutritionist in Asaba, Mr Benson Etchie, said that the act of using chemicals and other substances on fruits to force them get ripe broke the developmental chain of nutrients in the fruits.

Eugene, who is the Chief Nutritionist, Delta State Ministry of Health, told NAN in Asaba that using chemical agents to make fruits like bananas and oranges ripe would take away the natural nutrients in such fruits.

“Naturally, there is a chain of formation in the life of fruits. When the development of the acidic content does not go through this chain, such fruits lose it nutritional value to that becomes hazardous to human diet.

“This process of ripening is like a chain that allows all the natural nutrients inherent in the fruits to develop and when this process is broken by forced ripening, it denies the fruits of these nutrients.

“For example, if a naturally-ripped fruit gives you 50 milligram of vitamin C, a fruit which is forced to ripe cannot provide equal milligram because its formation process has been broken by forced ripening.’’

Etchie stressed that fruits take a natural cycle of formation which enables the complete formation of all the nutrients in the fruits to develop and boast of a balanced diet to the body system.

According to him, ripped fruits provide the human body with vitamins, proteins and iron which are essential diets that helps the body cells to fight infections.

A medical doctor, Dr Abel Okafor, also noted that the act of forcing a fruit to ripe with the use of chemical agents is dangerous to the human body.

He said that when fruits vendors use chemical agents on fruits like oranges, banana and pawpaw to make them ripe quick is very unhealthy and makes consumption of such fruits dangerous to health.

Okafor, who is the medical Director of AboCare Clinic and Maternity, Asaba, said that when certain chemical substances were in high concentration in fruits, eating such fruits would be dangerous to the human body.

“Fruits get ripe and ready for consumption naturally, so when you forced it to ripe, it makes such fruit loose its natural nutrients which are essential diet for the body.

“Also, fruit vendors who indulge in the use of chemical agents to ripe fruit are not educated, and so they do not know the required dosage of such substances there are applying on the fruits,’’ Okafor said.

A fruit vendor, Mrs Ifeoma Ukata, who sells bananas at the Summit Junction, Asaba, however, said it was wrong to allege that many fruits sellers use chemical and other acidic substances to force fruits to ripe.

“Although I am not in position to defend every fruit vendor, for me I don’t use any chemical to make my banana ripe. Bananas get ripe naturally when they are fully matured before harvesting.

“As a farmer, I know that banana and some other fruits have a life cycle of development. So when we harvest a matured banana, it only takes days for it to get ripe.

“However, most times if we run out of stock when demand is high, we cover the unripe ones with cellophane bags to give them heat, and this method makes them ripe faster for us to sell,’’ Ukatta said.

Similarly, Dr Chris Isokpunwu, Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health, warned that consumption of carbide contaminated foods or fruits affects gastrointestinal systems and predispose people to ulcer.
Isokpunwu told NAN on Sunday in Abuja that applying calcium carbide directly on vegetables and fruits was dangerous to human health.
NAN recalls that the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to the President had earlier alerted on the health hazards inherent in the application of calcium carbide in ripening of fruits and vegetables.
The office therefore directed relevant agencies to take immediate steps to address the sales and use of calcium carbide in the country.
“Calcium carbide is a compound readily available in the market and used for oxyacetylene welding. This hazardous practice if not abated could increase the death rate as a result of cancer.
“A publication of United States Scientific Magazine revealed that the use of Calcium Carbide in ripening process exposes the fruits to its toxic constituent elements such as Arsenic, Lead and phosphorus.
“Consumption of such fruits accumulate and become harmful to internal organs and could degenerate to cancer. Also skin contact with such fruits causes skin ulcer and pulmonary disease among pregnant women.
“Similarly, the WHO Department of Chronic Diseases had warned that fruits ripening against such as Ethylene, Ethephon and calcium carbide are some of the most widely used carcinogenic products in developing countries especially in Nigeria.
“Statistics from Ministry of Health reveals that as at January 2018 Nigeria record 250,000 cases of cancer and 10,000 deaths due to the ailment annually,’’ the ONSA noted in its alert letter.
The nutritionist noted that people have challenges consuming artificially ripened fruits because of inexperience on the part of the traders on proper or ideal ways of applying such chemicals to prevent it from coming in contact with the fruits.
Isokpunwu said “allowing the chemical to come in contact with the fruits contaminate it and if people eat such fruits without washing they inject chemical into their system’’.
According to him, those that engage in ripening fruits with carbide bring such fruits down before they are ripe and put them in a controlled environment and spread carbide around them to further speed up the ripening process.
Isokpunwu however advised the public to wash their fruits and hands thoroughly before eating to avoid injecting carbide on the fruits, adding that such chemical could probably be on the exterior of the fruits.
The nutritionist further urged the public to avoid purchasing fruits that are ripened with carbide due to the fact that those using it may be unaware of how to keep the chemical away from the fruits.
According to him, in as much as we advise on the consumption of fruits because they are source of micronutrient, vitamins and minerals you must consume the right fruits that will not endanger your life.
Isokpunwu noted that artificial ripening of fruits could be identified through uniformity in colour, adding that unlike normal or fruits that ripe naturally they do not have uniform colour.
He emphasised that artificial ripen fruits like banana are usually very bright, beautiful, attractive and uniform in colour.
“The normal fruits like banana that ripens naturally does not have a uniform yellow colour, what you see is some dirty spots, scratches.
“The key thing people should look out for while buying fruits like banana, plantain among other is the uniformity in colour,” Isokpunwu said. (NAN)
Reporters/DOE/MST
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

NYSC

By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept.9, 2018 (NAN) The Ebonyi Government says it will from September this year pay each member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state N10, 000 allowance.

Gov. David Umahi made the assertion on Sunday in Abakaliki while opening the maiden David Umahi Tertiary Institution Games (DUMTIGA) at the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki.

Umahi said that the government was extending the gesture because the corps members had shown commitment to the cause of their fatherland.

He said that the massive turnout of corps members at the stadium for the competition showed that they were active participants in the state’s development and patriotic citizens.

“I want every sector of the state’s existence to emulate the corps members for its overall betterment.

“In appreciation of the corps members commitment, I will donate N6 million to them for their transportation in addition to the N10, 000 allowance that each will receive from the end of September,” Umahi said.

The governor also gave N3 million transportation donation to other teams at the competition with particular reference to the Ebonyi State University team who are playing in the male football event’s opening match with the NYSC team.

“The organisers of the competition will receive N1 million as the government has released funds to ensure that the sports competitions are uninterruptedly organised in the state till December,” he said.

He also directed the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Charlse Akpuenika, to ensure the formation of two state football teams before the end of 2018.

“The teams will start competing in national football competitions from January 2019 and they will be in the male and the female categories.

“They may take off at once but any one that takes off will never be withdrawn,” he said.

“I want to assure Ebonyi people that the unity of the state will be further strengthened by the formation of these teams,” he said.

The commissioner commended the governor for ensuring the rapid transformation of sports since the inception of his administration.

“The governor’s giant strides in sports include the renovation of the Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium to attain international standard and the promotion of grassroots sports among others.

“The results are coming in torrents as exemplified by the bronze medal feat in Taekwondo achieved by an Ebonyi indigene, Miss Chidimnna Nwankwo at the last African Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria,” he said.

He said that 10 institutions were participating in the competition and assured the people that all forms of malpractices would be checked to ensure a credible and hitch-free event.

“The institutions will compete in nine sports, including football (male and female), volleyball (male and female), table tennis, taekwondo, athletics, scrabble, chess and badminton.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several performances were held at the event as the governor performed the official kick-off ceremony. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

N/East fruit dealers use chemicals – NAN check
Fruits
Bauchi, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Most fruit farmers and traders in some states of North East region apply artificial method of ripening their fruits to the detriment of health concerns.

A survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Yobe and neighbouring Jigawa States confirmed frequent use of calcium carbide, a chemical that is dangerous to human health.

However, whereas authorities in some of the states said they were aware and were taking measures to check the unwholesome practice, others said they were unaware and would investigate.

In Bauchi, the state government said it would set up a committee that would check the practice.

Malam Yakubu Kirfi, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, told NAN that government viewed the practice seriously and was poised to take decisive measures.

“The committee will comprise relevant agencies such as SON, NAFDAC, Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Environment, security agencies and associations, among others, who are to ensure compliance,” he said.

He said the attention of government had been drawn to the practice of using calcium carbide in ripening fruits meant for sale to the public, which is hazardous to health.

He said that there must be a proper plan of action to check food adulteration and artificial ripening of fruits because of the long-time damage effects on human health.

Mr Salisu Gado, a dietician in Bauchi and public health commentator, said most fruit sellers used chemicals like calcium carbide in ripening same.

According to him, the chemical is extremely hazardous to the human body as it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus.

“We are at a greater risk of short-term, as well as long-term health hazards by eating fruits that are artificially ripened,” he warned.

Mrs Rebecca Dogo, a restaurant owner in Bauchi, also said artificial ripening of fruits had become the vogue just to achieve faster and more uniform ripening of fruits at the expense of nutritional values.

According to her, the difference between natural and artificial ripening of fruits, are very clear.

“In nature, fruits ripen after attainment of proper maturity by a sequence of complex physical and biochemical events.

“Natural ripening is therefore a physiological process which makes the fruit edible, palatable and nutritious.

“Artificial or forceful ripening of fruits, on the other hand, is the use of ripening agents to induce maturity by merely changing the colour of the fruits,” she analysed.

Dogo lamented that those doing the business hid it from the public and consumers as most people could not distinguish between the two processes.

“Even the vendors that sale in the streets do not know the difference as they just run errands for the dealers,” Dogo said.

Alhaji Nasiru Muhammed, the Chairman of Nigerian Fruit Sellers Association, Adamawa branch, confirmed that members of his association were using carbide chemical to ripen fruits, especially bananas.

He said that most of the banana been transported to the state, were unripe, and that due to high demand, sellers could not wait for the minimum of five days required for the fruit to ripe naturally.

“This practice has been in place for the past 30 years,” he revealed.

He said they were not aware of any health implication of their deeds, adding that no health or environmental workers ever visited or sensitised them about the dangers of using the chemical.

Dr Isaac Kadala, a staff of Public Health Department, Adamawa Ministry of Health, said they were aware of the practice but added that no formal complaints from consumers or any other quarters were lodged with them.

Mr Muhammed Ibrahim, Director, Waste Management and Pollution Control, state Ministry of Environment, said he was unaware of the development, promising to take measures.

“We are going to find out about the development and government will surely take decisive action,” he assured.

Dr Bala Saidu, the Chief Medical Director, Yola Specialist Hospital, Jimeta, said the facility had not received any case of complication as a result of consumption of fruit ripened using carbide, but described the chemical as dangerous.

“Carbide is a binary compound of carbon with a more electro-positive element.

“lt is a dangerous chemical, especially if consumed directly as it can kill instantly,” he said.

Dr Joseph Husaini, the Acting Director, Technical Services, Gombe State Agriculture Development Programme (GSADP), said the use of chemicals like carbide to ripen fruits artificially was not advisable because it had negative effects.

Hussaini urged fruits sellers to apply the traditional method of fruits ripening instead of applying chemicals.

He said the traditional method of fruits ripening implies covering the fruits with polyethylene bag for at least one week to enable them mature gradually.

“You do not need to apply any harmful substance capable of causing damage to human system; the fruits themselves can ripe when they attain maturity period,’’ he said.

Dr Kennedy Ishaya, the Gombe state Commissioner for Health, said the ministry had established a directorate saddled with the responsibility of finding out the type of preservative used in ripening fruits.

He said artificial ripening of fruits with carbide had a damaging effect on human eyes, as well as respiratory system.

The Coordinator of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Jigawa, Alhaji Abdulsalam Lawal, said the use of calcium carbide for ripening of fruits could cause mental confusion, loss of memory, dizziness, cancer, vomiting and sleepiness, among others.

He advised members of the general public to be mindful of the type of fruits they buy from fruit sellers in the market.

In Yobe, however, fruit sellers said the practice of artificial ripening of fruits especially through the use of harmful chemical was not common.

Malam Ali Mai-Gwari, Chairman Fruits Sellers, Family Support Hospital branch, Damaturu, said they had been monitoring themselves to ensure that none of the members indulged in the practice.

“We learnt that some fruits dealers outside the state capital use some substance to hasten the ripening of the fruits, but not inside Damaturu,” he said.

Mr Danchuwa Alhaji, the Deputy Director Public Health, Yobe Ministry of Health, said the ministry had not received any complaint on the use of chemicals or other substances to ripen fruits.

He pleaded with the public to assist the ministry with useful information to apprehend any one or group indulging in such or other acts that had grave health implications to the public. (NAN)
Reporters/ASH/MST
Edited by Abdullahi Salihu/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Why Nigerians must reject artificial ripening of fruits – Experts

Fruits
Ibadan, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Medical experts have raised concerns about the increasing recourse to artificial ripening of fruits by using chemical substances, saying this is detrimental to the health of people.
The experts, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews across some South West states and Kwara, called for concerted efforts to tackle the scourge.
A medical doctor, Dr Kunle Ashimi, said the Federal Government must put in place measures to particularly check the use of chemical substances for ripening fruits.
He told NAN in Abeokuta that such chemicals contain carcinogenic agents which cause cancer.
Ashimi described normal ripening of fruits as a natural process which makes the fruits edible, palatable and nutritious.
He noted that artificial ripening destroys the natural content of fruits.
“Naturally, fruits ripen after attainment of proper maturity by a sequence of physical and biochemical events and the process is irreversible, ultimately leading to senescence.

“Whether fruits ripen on the plant or after harvest, the general ripening changes associated with the ripening process are easily recognisable.

“During natural process of ripening, fruits soften, change colour and develop characteristic aroma and flavour.

“There is also a reduction in sourness (acids) and increase in the sweetness,” he said.

According to him, some of the fruits that sellers subject to artificial ripening include plantain, banana and mango.

The practice, he said, was often motivated by the desire to achieve higher volume of sales while ignoring the harmful health implications.

He warned that consumption of artificially ripened fruits could result in sleeping disorder, headache, memory loss, seizure, mouth ulcer, skin rashes, renal problems and even cancer.

“Calcium carbide is a major chemical used for artificial ripening of fruits and it is an industrial grade product which contains arsenic and lead participles.
“These toxic impurities affect the neurological system and reduce the oxygen supply to the brain,” he added.
Dr Mibaudeen Lawal, the Coordinator of Health and Environmental Basic Registry and Information System in Nigeria (BRISIN), also corroborated Ashimi’s position, warning of the risk of kidney diseases.
Lawal told NAN in Ilorin that other health challenges include gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, cardiac disturbance and depression.
He lamented that fruit sellers use calcium carbide, an industrial grade product, to ripen fruits quickly.
The doctor explained that calcium carbide contains traces of arsenic, lead particles and phosphorus hydride as impurities.
“These impurities may cause serious health hazards when workers come in direct contact with them while applying the ripening agents,’’ he said.
According to him, the acetylene released by calcium carbide has been found to affect the neurological system and reduces oxygen supply to the brain while inducing prolonged hypoxia.
He warned that pregnant women as well as children run the risks of having headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, mental confusion, memory loss, swelling in the brain caused by excessive fluids, sleepiness and seizure.
He added that some people may get stomach upset after eating carbide-ripened fruits.
The BRISN coordinator also urged the government and social health workers to sensitise fruit sellers and farmers on the dangers of artificially ripened fruits.
He also advised consumers to examine the fruits carefully in order to select the right fruit by observing the variation of colour.
“They should buy fruits only according to the season and wash the fruit thoroughly under running water before consumption,” he said.
A nutrionist, Miss Yinka Oroniran, identified bananas, oranges, pawpaw and mangoes as the most common fruits often ripened artificially.
She told NAN in Ibadan that although artificial ripening of fruits in dark places and air tight containers was an age long practice, some traders resort to the unhealthy practice of using chemicals for artificial ripening.
“Artificial ripening is done to achieve faster and more uniform ripening characteristics.

“Calcium carbide is the most commonly used chemical substance in fruit ripening.
“This chemical, although used in small amount for artificial ripening, contains carcinogens and are arsenic and phosphorus.
“This can severely damage the organ and also lead to health problems including vomiting, diarrhoea, headache and dizziness,” she said.
Oroniran also said that fruits ripened with calcium carbide are soft, taste differently or in some instances are even tasteless.
“Considering that artificial fruit ripening is common, it is important that fruits are thoroughly washed with salt water before consumption,’’ she said.
But in Osun, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamatu, said the state government was aware of the recourse to artificial ripening in the state and was sensitising residents on the health implications.
Isamatu warned that any fruit vendor caught in the act would be arrested and prosecuted.
The commissioner said health officers in the state had been moving around major markets in the state to check the activities of those who engage in such acts.
He called on stakeholders in the health sector to support the crusade against the use of chemicals for fruit ripening.

Similarly, a nutritionist, Mr Tosin Ojomu, urged the media do more in the campaign against artificial ripening of fruits, saying “many people do not know the effect of what is entering their body’’.

Ojomu told NAN in Akure that government must step up action against the trend due to the public health danger it poses.

Mr Olusola Adediji, the Chairman of the Joint Health Sector Union, Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, also called on health authorities to move fast and tackle the scourge.

Adediji, a biomedical scientist in the Chemical Pathology Department of the centre, said use of chemicals in the fruit industry was being discouraged across the world.

“Use of calcium carbide in the fruit industry is being discouraged worldwide due to dangers of explosion as well as spreading of toxic substances such as arsenic and phosphorus to consumers.

“Since no any technical knowledge is considered necessary for its anomalous use, high quantity of calcium carbide is needed to ripen immature fruits and consequently making them tasteless,” he said.

Some fruit vendors, however, admitted selling artificially ripened fruits, but denied using chemicals in such quickening process.
Many of them blamed the trend on pressure by customers who often demand for ripe fruits at short notice.
One of the fruit vendors, Mrs Bunmi Olaleke, told NAN in Ado-Ekiti that any fruit harvested for sale could be preserved locally using thick but clean cloth as well as traditional cocoa bags or ashes.

In Ikere Ekiti, another vendor, Mrs Dayo Bamidele, argued that there was nothing wrong in ripening fruits, a practice which she said was common among farmers too before release to the markets.
She said the practice was common among farmers who grow plantain and banana in their urge to satisfy the high demand for the produce.
However, another fruit vendor in Ilorin, Mrs Joke Fajemisin, however, told NAN that she had never used artificial ripening in her trade.
Fajemisin said she was aware of the health implications of using carbide to ripen fruits before the due maturity day.
She said that her customers preferred to buy from her because of the trust they have that she would not use chemicals to induce ripening of fruits.
Fajemisin, however, agreed that some unscrupulous vendors use chemicals, particularly carbide to ripen fruits.
In Osogbo, many of the fruit vendors also denied the use of chemicals for ripening of fruits.
They told NAN in separate interviews that they buy their fruits ripe from distributors without knowledge as to whether chemicals were used to ripen the fruits.
Mrs Adedoyin Abioye, a fruit seller at Igbonna Market, said she had always warned her distributors against usage of chemicals for fruit ripening.
According to her, those who make use of chemicals do so secretly so as to avoid being caught.
A customer, Mrs Fadekemi Orilowo, admitted that she often purchases unripe fruits and carries out the ripening process in the comfort of her home.

But an Akure-based victim of artificially ripened fruits, who identified herself simply as Mrs Ope, said she and her three children vomited severally after eating African cherry bought at Shasha Market.

She said that the incident taught her a lesson to be cautious when buying fruits, urging that stiff punishment be put in place for those caught in the act. (NAN)
Reporters/OJO/MST
Edited by Muftau Ojo/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Artificial Ripening of Fruits: Sellers react differently
Fruits
Abuja, Sept. 9, 2018 (NAN) Some fruit sellers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have attributed various reasons for using artificial methods to ripen fruits and vegetables.

The traders fielded questions from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the risks of using harmful chemical substances to induce fruits to ripen.

They identified economic factors as the major reason for indulging in such acts without recourse to the health implications of using calcium carbide.

Mr Sumaila Ahmed, a fruit seller in Abuja, told NAN that he was aware of many methods of ripening fruits, but the urge to make quick money was a factor driving them into using chemicals.

However, he said that he never took part in such acts.

Ahmed said, for instance, that if fruits were allowed to ripen naturally they would start spoiling before reaching their final destinations for sale.

According to him, he said it is difficult to differentiate fruits that ripened naturally from the ones that were forced with chemicals.

“The only way to differentiate between the natural one and the forced one is by opening them.

“If you open the forced one, you will discover that inside the fruit is not ripe but if you open the natural one, it will be ripe in and out.

“They use carbide to ripen fruits like banana, plantain or mango. They usually rap the carbide with a cloth and put it in the middle of the particular fruit and in few minutes the fruits will turn ripe.

“Although there are other methods I do not remember and I am not aware of any health implications of using harsh methods to ripen fruits but I have a feeling that it must be dangerous to health,” he said.

Malam Salisu Mustapha said some fruit sellers use hot water method and other ways “but I usually buy near ripe fruits to avoid complains and rejection from customers’’.

Mustapha noted that buying near ripe fruits was better because they would start ripening gradually and naturally on their own.

“The hot water method is not difficult because a friend thought me years back, although I tried the method a few times and it worked but it was stressful.

“When you get a bucket of hot water then you start deepening the fruits inside the water little by little and in couple of minutes the result will show, the fruits starts changing from unripe to ripe,” he said.

On his part, Mr Saidu Sani, another fruits seller, said another healthy method was covering of fruits with wrapper or wrapping fruits inside a bag to hasten their ripening period.

Sani said that the prices of the fruits were the same no matter the method used in ripening them.

He added that the fruits that were ripened with harsh methods last longer than the ones that ripe naturally.

“If you cover fruits like orange, mango, banana, plantain, avocado, etc, with wrapper, it will ripen faster.

“I have tried this method and it worked, but I don’t know if it has any health implication. I think government should take up the responsibility of educating fruits sellers on the dangers of suing chemicals.

“Although we have been advised by NAFDAC to stop the act, but more enlightenment is required because this is a regular method used by a so many fruit sellers,” he said.

A medical practitioner in Kaduna, Dr Nuhu Yusuf, has advised farmers and traders to stop using Calcium carbide for ripening fruits, saying it has adverse health effects.

Yusuf said calcium carbide is a corrosive and dangerous chemical containing traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride as impurities.

“Mostly the fruits which are grown on orchards are sent to distant markets which sometimes take several days to reach in ordinary or refrigerated transportation.

“Usually, these fruits go through the ripening process in those markets before retailing. And for that, all that a trader has to do is to wrap a small quantity of Calcium Carbide in a packet of paper and keep this packet near a pile or box of fruits.
“Because of moisture content in the fruit, a chemical reaction takes place which releases heat and acetylene gas are produced, which rushes the ripening process.

“After which they are kept in ice for lowering the temperature and to develop the colour.

“However, fruits ripened with Calcium carbide are often soft and less tasty, and they also have a shorter storage life,’’ he said.

He listed early symptoms of arsenic and phosphorus poisoning to include diarrhoea (with or without blood), vomiting, thirst, weakness, burning sensation in abdomen and chest, difficulty in swallowing, irritation/burning sensation in eyes/skin, soar throat, cough, shortness in breathing and ulcer on skin.

He said consumption of fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide causes stomach upsets as the alkaline substance erodes the mucosal issues of the stomach and disrupts intestinal functions.

“It may affect neorological system by inducing prolonged hypoxia, i.e. low oxygen reaching the blood and tissues which causes headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, mental confusion, memory loss, cerebral oedema (swelling in the brain caused by excessive fluids), sleepiness and seizure, etc. Calcium carbide is known to have carcinogenic properties also,’’ said Yusuf.

According to him, naturally ripened fruits are attractive, but not uniformly coloured; weight per fruit good, aroma good; firmness fair, taste sweet, pleasant and shelf life longer.

“But fruits artificially ripened by calcium carbide are not very attractive, but uniformly coloured; weight per fruit fair; aroma mildly good; firmness fair; taste inner core sour, mildly pleasant; shelf life short, black blotches appear on the skin of the fruit in two to three days,’’ he said.

He therefore advised consumers not to buy fruits artificially ripened with calcium carbide because of their inherent health dangers.

He added that washing the fruits thoroughly for few minutes under running potable water to remove the chemical particles from its surface will help reduce its harmfulness.

“The fruits like mangoes and apple should preferably be cut into pieces before consumption instead of eating the same directly. As far as possible, the fruits should be peeled off before consumption,’’ Yusuf recommended.

Mrs Rebecca Musa, a consumer, said some customers are ignorant of such practices by fruits sellers since they cannot differentiate between artificial and natural ripening.

She noted that some fruit traders were using chemicals to speed up the ripening process so that they can cash-in immediately.

Mr Bala Usama, an environmentalist, suggested for a ban on or restriction of the procurement and selling of these chemicals to to curb the menace.

He also called for enlightenment of fruit traders and farmers on the health hazards and imbued with a sense of moral responsibility to the society.

He added that vigilance at the wholesale markets should be strengthened to stop the practice.
Malam Shuaibu Dembo, another consumer, advised governments to ban the use of artificial ripening for fruits.

“If the Government can ban using artificial ripening for fruits, the fruit traders will not use them and it will safeguard our health.’’

He said it was obvious that the practice of using calcium carbide was an unnatural practice, and when government is disapproving, the dealers cannot continue with this unhealthy practice.

And from Zamfara, a medical doctor with Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Gusau, Dr Manir Bukkuyum, told NAN that ripening of fruits chemically has harmful effects on the liver and other parts of the body.

Bukkuyum said that artificial fruits ripening using calcium carbide has high health risks potential because of carcinogen, a cancer producing chemical, irrespective of what quantity consume.

“It also contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride which produces several acute and chronic health effects.

“The early symptoms of arsenic or phosphorus poisoning include vomiting, burning sensation in the chest and abdomen, diarrhoea, thirst, weakness, difficulty in swallowing,’’ he emphasised.

He said the chemical also results in irritation or burning of the eyes and skin, permanent eye damage, ulcers, irritation in the mouth, nose and throat.

He further said cough, wheezing and shortness of breath may also occur soon after exposure to the chemical.

“Eating artificially ripened mangoes causes stomach upset because the alkaline substance is irritant that erodes the mucosal tissue in the stomach and disrupts intestinal function. Prolonged exposure to the chemical could lead to peptic ulcer.’’

A fruits dealer in Gusau, Malam Sambo Adamu, said fruits nowadays were mostly ripened artificially to meet up the demand of consumers.

Adamu said fruits usually got damaged in the cost of transportation when ripe right from the tree which resulted to losses by the sellers.

He said the fruits which were grown on orchards were sent to distant markets which sometimes take several days to reach in ordinary transportation, adding these fruits go through the ripening process in those markets before retailing.

“And for that, all that a trader has to do is to wrap a small quantity of Calcium Carbide in a packet of paper and keep this packet near a pile or box of fruits.

“Because of moisture content in the fruit, a chemical reaction takes place which releases heat and acetylene gas are produced, which rushes the ripening process,’’ the trader said.

The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Dr Habib Yalwa, said the consequence of artificial ripening of fruits to human health was a source of concern to all.

Yalwa said most of the diseases caused by the ripening chemical were deadly, including cancer, liver damage and ulcers.

“We are at a greater risk of short-term as well as long-term health effects simply by eating artificially ripened fruits,” the permanent secretary said.

According to him, another agent which is used to artificially ripen fruits is Ethephon and considered better in terms of health effects.
He disclosed that plans are underway to establish coordination with ministry of agriculture in fighting the menace.
A consumer, Mr Aminu Abdullahi, fruits ripened with Calcium carbide were soft and less tasty, and they also have a shorter storage life. (NAN)
Reporters/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Emmanuel Mogbede

China

Abuja, Sept.9, 2018 (2018) The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that President Muhamnadu Buhari’s recent official visit to China is already yielding positive results for Nigerians.

Mr Ade Omole, leader of the chapter, said  this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said that the President deserved commendation.

He stressed that the visit was already yielding results, especially with the assurances from the Joint Venture Partners handling the 3,050 Megawatts Mambilla Hydro-electric Plant project.

Omole added that the fact that work would commence on the project early in 2019 as assured by the contractors, was a good development that deserved praise.

He recalled that President Buhari received the assurance at a meeting with Prof Lyu Ze Xiang, the President of Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), the construction company handling the project, in Beijing, China during the visit.

“Electricity is key to national growth and a major feature for business sustainability.

“We understand how critical the Mambilla project is to your country and we will take a serious look at it and ensure that it succeeds because of its social and economic importance.

“We fully understand the importance of this project to the economic and social well being of Nigeria,”Xiang had said during the visit,”

Omole noted that arrangements on the commencement of the project in early 2019 had reached advanced stage, adding that the APC-led Federal Government was doing everything possible to better the lives of Nigerians.

“The contractor had assured that pre-commencement work would begin with access to site and putting in place the necessary support infrastructure such as power, water and transportation,” he said.

He further said that when completed, the Mambilla Hydro-electric Plant would provide 3050 megawatts of electricity to Nigerians, thereby adding to the power grid for the country’s development.

NAN reports that President Buhari had asked for support from China at a meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping, for the country’s aspiration to build the 3050 Megawatts Mambila hydroelectric power project in Taraba.

This, followed the signing of $328m for the Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase II (NICTIB II) project by the two countries.

The concessional loan agreement between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) was signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance Kemi Adesoun and Wang Xiaotoa, Director-General, International Development Agency, in the presence of Presidents of the two countries.

Nigeria and China had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR).(NAN)

EEM/CHOM/IA
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