NEWS
Experts Push For GMO Ban As FG Reassures Nigerians’ Safety
A coalition of over 200 organizations and individuals, under the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, has called on the National Assembly to implement a complete ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country.
The alliance, comprising farmers, civil society groups, scientists, legal practitioners, and medical experts, raised alarms over the impact of GMOs on Nigeria’s food systems, public health, and environment.
During a public hearing by the House Committee on Agricultural Production, the group alleged that foreign forces promoting GMOs were also fueling insecurity in Nigeria.
Concerns Over Food Sovereignty and Public Health
Presenting a memorandum to the committee, Mr. Johnson Ekpere, a consultant to the alliance, urged the government to halt GMO distribution and adopt policies against their use.
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“We recommend a national moratorium on GMO distribution and circulation until conclusive evidence emerges on their effects. The idea that Nigerians can be subjected to harmful practices without accountability fuels institutional arrogance,” Ekpere stated.
He warned that Nigeria’s reliance on GMOs as a solution to agricultural challenges posed significant risks to food sovereignty, biodiversity, and public health.
Instead, he advocated for sustainable farming methods such as organic and regenerative agriculture.
The memorandum also cited the lack of proven productivity gains from GMOs in Nigeria. According to the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN), GM cotton seeds introduced in 2020 failed to deliver significant yield improvements.
Farmers reported declining productivity in subsequent planting seasons, forcing them to purchase new seeds annually.
The alliance raised concerns about the nutritional changes in GM crops, claiming they could lead to reduced beneficial compounds and increased allergenic substances.
They also noted that Burkina Faso phased out GM cotton in 2016 due to poor quality, yet the same product was approved for use in Nigeria.
Another issue highlighted was the absence of GMO labeling in Nigeria, leaving consumers unaware of whether their food contains genetically modified ingredients. The group warned that unregulated imports of GMO-based processed foods posed additional health risks.
Allegations of External Manipulation
At the hearing, Mr. Qrisstuberg Amua, Executive Director of the Center for Food Safety and Agricultural Research, alleged that foreign interests were behind efforts to destabilize Nigeria’s food systems to promote GMOs.
“International forces are creating hunger scenarios to advertise genetically modified poisons. These are biological weapons aimed at compromising our food systems and health,” Amua asserted.
The professor of bioinorganic chemistry also linked GMOs to declining fertility rates, suggesting they may have unforeseen long-term consequences on human health.
Responding to the concerns, Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, reassured Nigerians that the government would not support any initiative harmful to its citizens.
“The government would never intentionally introduce harmful substances to the people. This forum aims to bring together experts to explore balanced solutions for food security,” Kyari said.
He emphasized the role of regulatory bodies, seed councils, and research institutions in ensuring the safety of agricultural inputs and called for collaboration to address concerns around GMOs.
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has penned a hearty birthday shout out to Nigeria’s former president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan who turned 67 on Wednesday.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Wednesday morning to celebrate his illustrious kinsman and described him as “a worthy leader and a consummate democrat”.
Diri asserted that Jonathan’s “patriotism and forthright leadership that remains a model and reference point for our country and the continent”.
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Diri wrote, “Happy 67th Birthday to a worthy leader and a consummate democrat, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR.
“On behalf of the Government, the people of Bayelsa State and the ljaw Nation at large, I rejoice with our father, Dr. Jonathan on this special day.
“We celebrate your patriotism and forthright leadership that remains a model and reference point for our country and the continent.
“Today, we pray, as always, that the torch you lit will continually glow as our democracy thrives.
“May God continue to fill you with wisdom and also keep you in sound health.
“Happy Birthday Your Excellency sir!”
The circulating rumour about the death of Globacom founder, Mike Adenuga is false. The CEO, Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday night.
The celebrity journalist and political critic, took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, on Tuesday night to make the clarification, asserting that had had spoken with the reclusive billionaire on the telephone.
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According to Momodu in a post he signed with his full names, Adenuga confirmed not just being hale and hearty, but on hi desk, working and registered his gratitude to those showing concern about his health.
Momodu wrote, “Ignore the fake news… The Spirit of Africa DR MICHAEL ADENIYI AGBOLADE ISOLA ADENUGA is hale and hearty. He’s right now at his desk working round the clock in support of the Nigerian economy… He just called me to thank everyone for their concern….”
A team from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents on Monday while conducting surveillance and escorting stranded expatriates in the Farin-Kasa area of Chukun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The operatives, who had just completed inspections of the National Grid installation in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, came under heavy attack as they returned to their base, the Corps spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday evening.
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“Unknown to them, over 200 dreaded armed Boko Haram elements had laid ambush on a vengeful mission against security operatives who they claimed had been giving them problems,” Afolabi stated.
“And from the top of a hill located at Farin-Kasa, they opened fire upon sighting the long convoy of the NSCDC monitoring team using different sophisticated weapons.”
Despite the surprise attack, the NSCDC operatives successfully repelled the insurgents, reportedly neutralizing more than 50 of them.
However, seven NSCDC personnel are currently missing, and efforts are ongoing to locate them in the surrounding forest.
Several others sustained injuries and are receiving treatment at a medical facility.
The ambush occurred as the team escorted expatriates found in the Dagwachi area after leaving a mining site.
“The combined NSCDC operatives in the ambush, however, not overwhelmed by terrorists, repelled the attack and successfully neutralized over 50 of the terrorists in the crossfire,” Afolabi added.
The NSCDC deployed the monitoring team to safeguard critical national infrastructure following a series of attacks on the National Grid that caused a nationwide blackout.
Dr. Ahmed Audi, Commandant General of the NSCDC, described the attack as “callous and unfortunate” but praised the operatives’ courage.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will not be deterred by such acts of terror,” Audi said.
“We remain committed to safeguarding our nation’s critical infrastructure and ensuring the safety of our operatives.”
Investigations are ongoing, and additional security reinforcements have been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks.
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