Activists, NGOs Rally Against GMO Foods In Nigeria
2 years ago 2 min read
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A coalition of activists and non-governmental organizations, under the umbrella of ‘GMO-Free Nigeria’, has taken to the streets to protest the introduction of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) foods in Nigeria.
The nationwide rallies, which also held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, aimed to oppose the Federal Government’s efforts to promote GMO products in the country.
The activists, who marched to the Rivers State Government House, presented a six-point demand in a petition, calling for a ban on GMOs, including seeds and processed foods containing GMO ingredients.
They also demanded the revocation of all permits granted to GMOs, investment in agroecology, rural infrastructure, and the deployment of extension services.
According to Joyce Brown, Director of Programmes at Health of Mother Earth Foundation,(HOMEF) GMOs pose serious threats to human health, the environment, food systems, and the agricultural sector.
She noted that scientists extract genes from bacteria, which produce toxins, and insert them into crops, such as beans, to act as pesticides.
The group disputed the government’s claim that GMOs are necessary to improve food security and increase productivity.
They cited the example of cotton farmers in Nigeria, who have not seen significant increases in yields despite using GMO seeds for over six years.
The rally, which was part of a nationwide campaign, aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of GMOs and to call on the government to ban them.
Similar rallies were held in other states, including Edo, Katsina, Plateau, Oyo, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Jigawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.
