News
Rivers: Coalition Protests Against Genetically Modified Crops
A coalition of non-governmental organisations, yesterday, embarked on a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt, urging the government to ban genetically modified crops in Nigeria by repealing the National Biosafety Management Agency Act.
The coalition led by the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) averred that the efforts of the federal and state governments in the promotion of agriculture in the country were far from the reality, adding that research has shown that GMOs do not give higher yields and are not more nutritious than normal crops.
The protesters, numbering about 100, including, farmers, youths, women, scientists, medical practitioners, lawyers, civil society organisations and other Nigerians, maintained that food and agricultural systems were being threatened by the unrestrained release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the country.
In a letter addressed to the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and signed by HOME Director, Rev Nnimmo Bassey, the coalition stated “that Nigerians are consuming foods bought from the market shelves without any idea that they are made from the genetically modified organisms (GMOs).”
The letter further called for the nullification of the permits issued for the importation and release of genetically modified maize, beans, and cotton into the country.
“We are concerned about aspects that would scuttle these efforts and push our people into acute food insecurity in the long term. These concerns are highlighted in the report on the State of Biosafety in Nigeria which was launched by HOMEF on April 13, 2021. One of such concerns is that several permits have been granted for introduction of GMOs into the country by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
“These approvals have been granted without consideration for the concerns raised by stakeholders. Also, a market survey on GMOs carried out between 2018 and 2020 have revealed the presence of over 30 different products that are labelled as containing genetically modified ingredients even though the agency continuously says that there are no GMOs in the Nigerian market.
“We demand a ban on GMOs and a repeal of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, which came into force in 2015, and was reviewed in 2019 to include emerging and even more contentious aspects of extremely risky modern biotechnology.”
“GMOs are products of genetic engineering, which is a technology that allows scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes at the cellular level in a way that is not possible via traditional or natural processes. It allows DNA from one type of organism to be introduced into another related or unrelated species.
“Nigeria does not need GMOs. They are promoted on false premises. Research has shown that GMOs do not give higher yields and are not more nutritious than normal crops. They do not use less herbicides and pesticides. With the many problems we are contending with as a nation, GMOs should not be allowed to compound our situation. We must not accept a technology simply because it is available. We must, as a people, determine what is good for us.
“We should address the root causes of the challenges of food production, including those of pest and disease. We should invest in an agricultural system such as Agroecology which promotes soil health and biodiversity and ensures collaborative research and innovations with farmers with increased/sustained production of healthy and nutritious food.
“Farmers should be provided with needed infrastructure, extension service, access to land and credit schemes and good road-market networks”.
Also speaking during the protest, Kentabe Ebirador, a representative of Environmental Rights Action and Coordinator, OilWatch African, stressed that the banning of the GMOs will enhance increase in local farming system.
He said, “The protest is looking at calling on the government for the urgent ban on genetically modified foods in our system, in our stable firms, and also the banning of the GMOs increases the chances of our local farmers to be able to use organic means of farming to feed the country.
“The Nigerian government is gradually relying on GMOs as an alternative for increasing the food system but we are saying that Nigeria can feed ourselves and we don’t need any GMO.
“Looking at it from the other angle, if you look at the clean-up going on in Ogoniland, the possibility of livelihood looked at and the fact that there will be rumours, stories that will come up to say that since the land is being worked on, there is every tendency, every possibility that improved seedlings will be introduced as regards to what will work with the soil to increase yield but that is a lie”.
However, the group has pledged readiness to work with the government to ensure that our people, the environment and the future of the Nigerian food is protected and preserved against the threats posed by the vested interest of biotechnology companies and their cronies.
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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