Calabar – GMO – Free Nigeria Alliance alongside Health of Mother Earth Foundation and Peace Point Development Foundation-PPDF on Friday presented a petition to the Cross River State House of Assembly seeking a total ban on the use and adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. The petition, backed by a coalition of over 1,000 individuals and groups across Nigeria, highlights critical concerns about the risks posed by GMOs to human health, the environment, and Nigeria’s food sovereignty NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
The petition was received on behalf of Hon. Agbor Ovat, Chairperson of the House Committee on Environment and Sanitation, by Augustine Ukukong, Assistant Director of Legislative Matters at the Assembly Complex in Calabar.
The coalition, led in Cross River state by Umo Isua-Ikoh, who is also the Executive Director of Peace Point Development Foundation (PPDF), demanded immediate actions from the federal and especially the Cross River State Governments, including:
– A ban on all GMOs for planting, food, and feed production.
– Removal of bioengineered food products from Nigerian and Cross River markets.
– Nullification of all GMO permits granted without adequate risk assessments.
– Investment in sustainable agricultural practices such as agroecology and organic farming to secure food sovereignty.
A copy of the petition cited by NEGROIDHAVEN underscores the alleged adverse effects of GMOs, citing cases from other nations, including the failure of Bt cotton in Burkina Faso and India, environmental contamination risks, and health concerns linked to GMO consumption. The group emphasized that tackling Nigeria’s cum Cross River’s food security challenges requires empowering smallholder farmers, building biodiversity, and investing in rural infrastructure.
In his response, Ukukong assured the alliance of the 10th Assembly’s commitment to addressing their concerns. He said, “Let me on behalf of the chairman of the House Committee on Environment and Sanitation, whom I represent, thank you once again for recognizing an institution like the House of Assembly. Concerning your activities as an NGO, I want to assure you that these documents will get to him. If it’s something that will come up in the form of a law or bill, that will also be done. If it’s something that is going to be put into a motion, this committee on environment and sanitation will still do that.”
Ukukong further reiterated the 10th Assembly’s readiness to partner with civil society organizations on issues related to environmental protection and public health.
In a separate interaction with NEGROIDHAVEN Isua-Ikoh observed that the petition forms part of a broader nationwide campaign spearheaded by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) to safeguard Nigeria’s including Cross River’s food system from the perceived dangers of GMOs. With growing public outcry against GMOs in Nigeria, the alliance is optimistic that its call for action will inspire necessary legislative and policy interventions.
Isua-Ikoh further informed that there are GMOs products already in the state. A development which he said is inimical to the health of unsuspecting consumers. He called for the labelling of GMOs products and crops in the market while still observing that the suggestion is rather insufficient to address the danger associated with the consumption of GMOs.
The Alliance conducted a city-wide walk in Calabar the state capital metropolis distributing leaflets and preaching messages which contain information drawing the attention of the public to the negative effects of consuming GMOs.
