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Over 70 CSOs Want Senate To Proceed With NBMA Re-amendment Bill

Published

4 years ago

September 15, 2022

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

… Say Science Must Align With Country’s Realities

…Those Against The Bill Have No Regard For The Environment – Nnimmo Bassey

Groups of civil society organizations, researchers, farmers,
nutritionists and consumer groups representing millions of Nigerians
have called on the Nigerian Senate to proceed with the bill for an
amendment of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act (Amended
2019).

This call was made following the public hearing on the bill which held
on 31 August and 1 September 2022.

In a statement signed by over seventy (70) CSOs, different groups of farmers and experts, etc, a soft copy of which was made available to INFO DAILY, the coalition condemned the fact that
there was no real representation of CSOs and farmers at the public
hearing, stressing that amendment to the bill is vital for the protection of Nigeria’s biosafety, genetic/nutritional diversity, the rights of local food producers, and for economic resilience.

The groups also noted that “scientific integrity, social responsibility and accountability are not negotiable, and no technology should be exempted from these values.”

On Friday 2 September 2022, it was reported that some “experts reject biosafety act re-amendment” on the grounds that it would retrogress science and development in Nigeria.

But responding to this claim, the coalition stressed that science and development
must align with the country’s realities/context, adding that it must pass through the test of safety and sustain-ability. “Anything beside this is an ambush.”

Contributing to the argument, Nnimmo Bassey, Director, Health of the Mother Earth Foundation, one of the CSOs that signed the statement, said that those who are against
this bill have demonstrated utter disregard for the environment and the well-being of human.

He emphasized that the bill in its current state is anti-people, and does not protect the consumers or farmer’s interest and allows all sorts of genetically modified products into the country with lax regulation.

Also contributing, Akinbode Oluwafemi, Director of Corporate Accountability and Public
Participation for Africa, CAPPA, also a signatory to the statement, noted that science must be in the
interest of the people, the general public and not just a few industry
players.

Oluwafemi added that having a strict regulation of GMOs in
Nigeria means that “we are able to utilize science in a way that is
consistent with the standards of biosafety, ethics and good judgement.”

On his part, the Coordinator, Food Sovereignty Programme at Friends of the Earth Nigeria and Africa, Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje, noted that “lack of strict provision on the Precautionary Principle, the absence of strict
liability, the conflicting composition of the board of the NBMA (with
the National Biotechnology Development Agency as as well other promoters
of GMOs on it) and provisions permitting the Agency to receive gifts from various sources are just a few of the gaps in the watered-down NBMA Act that this bill seeks to address.”

According to Bassey-Orovwuje, “if the promoters of GMOs are so proud of their products, why do they have such a morbid fear of strict
regulation? If the technology is as safe as they claim then it should
meet up with the standards of safety and accountability.”

A Molecular Biologist, Ifeanyi Casmir warned that the direction science will take Nigeria with a lax regulatory system is one of disaster and
regret.

“We are not against science but those who take advantage of the
weak regulatory architecture to mastermind the importation and release of sundry untested and unproven GM products making the country an
experimental ground.”

On her part, Gloria Okon, leader of a woman farmer group in Katsina, stated that
farmers are most affected by GMOs, adding that the implications they bring and
thus their interest must be upheld.

She applauded the move by the Senate to ensure strict regulation of GMOs and implored that they see it
through despite the opposition from the promoters of the technology.

The groups, therefore, encouraged the lawmakers to proceed with the amendment bill and not give up nor give in to pressure from the purveyors of GMOs and
accompanying toxic chemicals.

“We need a regulatory system that can assure the country of its biosafety and not just dance to the tune of
those it is set up to check or merely imitate other countries whose
socio-economic and ecological systems are different from ours,” the coalition added.

Related Topics:HOMEF Nnimmo Bassey Senate

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

6 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
‎
‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
‎
‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
‎
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
‎
‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
‎
‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
‎
‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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