Group under the auspices of Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organization of Nigeria has trow its weight behind the Federal Government of Nigeria food security initiative.
The group made this known to Journalist yesterday 25th April, 2024 in a press conference which held at Avison Hotel Conference Hall Garki Abuja through it state coordinator stated that Gentlemen of the Press, the Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organisation welcomes you to this media engagement to show our support for food security through the game-changing initiative in the agricultural landscape in Nigeria as a result of the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops in Nigeria following approval of some selected species of Cow Pea, and very recently Maize, this has been achieved through the dogged steadfastness of the National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA driven by the Agency’s visionary approach to leadership achieved this on some selected genetic modified organisms seeds after undergoing scientific testing which certified the species safe both for planting and consumption, this novel project has been received with mixed reactions by individuals and organisations who support or reject the introduction of GM crops in the Country. Many diverse opinions have been a subject of debate with very interesting opinions raised from both sides.
This Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organisations has weighed in on this very important topic of National Interest after painstaking research on the prones and cones of Genetically Modified Crops, the safety concerns and even economic implications of adoption of GMOs in Nigeria. Our internal research involved consultations of experts in the areas of Biology, Agric, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and environmental Sciences both within and out side Nigeria, and based on the findings and feedback we have received we are delighted to add our voice in support of the introduction of GM crops in Nigeria to help in tackling the menace of poverty and hunger especially in the rural communities through increased yields and productivity which is undoubtedly one of the attribute of Genetically Modified Organisms Crops.
The 2022 multidimensional Poverty Index MPI reported that 40.1% of Nigerians are poor and 63% are living in Multidimensional poverty. These figures should cause great concern to any patriotic Citizen of this country and therefore all and sundry must profer solutions in their areas of influence to help Government change this unpleasant statistics. The Sustainable Development Goal Number 1 (NO POVERTY) and SDG Number 2 (ZERO HUNGER) can be achieved through policy promulgation that will fast track food productivity in the country and the adoption of GMO crops is pivotal in achieving this goal at a fast-paced rate by the year 2030.
BEING A PRESS TEXT PRESENTED BY THE COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA HELD AT AVISON HOTEL CONFERENCE HALL GARKI ABUJA AT 11:00AM DATED 25TH APRIL 2024
Gentlemen of the Press, the Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organisation welcomes you to this media engagement to show our support for food security through the game-changing initiative in the agricultural landscape in Nigeria as a result of the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops in Nigeria following approval of some selected species of Cow Pea, and very recently Maize, this has been achieved through the dogged steadfastness of the National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA driven by the Agency’s visionary approach to leadership achieved this on some selected genetic modified organisms seeds after undergoing scientific testing which certified the species safe both for planting and consumption, this novel project has been received with mixed reactions by individuals and organisations who support or reject the introduction of GM crops in the Country. Many diverse opinions have been a subject of debate with very interesting opinions raised from both sides.
This Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organisations has weighed in on this very important topic of National Interest after painstaking research on the prones and cones of Genetically Modified Crops, the safety concerns and even economic implications of adoption of GMOs in Nigeria. Our internal research involved consultations of experts in the areas of Biology, Agric, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and environmental Sciences both within and out side Nigeria, and based on the findings and feedback we have received we are delighted to add our voice in support of the introduction of GM crops in Nigeria to help in tackling the menace of poverty and hunger especially in the rural communities through increased yields and productivity which is undoubtedly one of the attribute of Genetically Modified Organisms Crops.
The 2022 multidimensional Poverty Index MPI reported that 40.1% of Nigerians are poor and 63% are living in Multidimensional poverty. These figures should cause great concern to any patriotic Citizen of this country and therefore all and sundry must profer solutions in their areas of influence to help Government change this unpleasant statistics. The Sustainable Development Goal Number 1 (NO POVERTY) and SDG Number 2 (ZERO HUNGER) can be achieved through policy promulgation that will fast track food productivity in the country and the adoption of GMO crops is pivotal in achieving this goal at a fast-paced rate by the year 2030.
This coalition is aware that there are descending forces who are against the introduction of GM crops in Nigeria, while their concerns may be emanating from a point of genuine interest we encourage them to understand in depth the make up of GMO crops rather than duel on conjectures and conspiracy theories which we are convinced are unfounded. We shall address some of the “half truths” and conspiracy theories they have hinged their arguments on. It is general knowledge that GMO Crops have been certified safe by Regulatory bodies around the world after undergoing different levels of research, testing and certification, this has put to rest the concerns of short-term or long-term health hazards from consumption of GMO Crops.
In one of the petitions addressed to the President of the Nigerian Senate, it was alleged that there are concerns of deliberate action on sterility through an alleged incertion of terminator genes in Genetically Modified crops to target a particular region of the country, we wish to remind the authors of that petition that their claim is hinged on a research from the 1900s which did not get to production phase, Research scientists will say “That an INVITRO research was successful does not make it successful INVIVO” in a lay man’s term this means that a research was successful in a controlled environment e.g test tube does not mean it will be successful in a non controlled environment. Therefore it did not see the light of day, This was the fate of the study that was referenced.
The second concern raised by opposing sides is the availability of GM seedlings to farmers, since it is not palatable to re-plant seedlings from harvested crops. This can be mitigated by simple business arrangements by the farmers and sellers of these seedlings to secure the needed input for the next farming season, every farmer knows how to “make hay while the sun shines”. However the erroneous claim that terminator genes were cloned into these plants alongside recombinant DNA is a grievous misconception that should be stopped.
Furthermore, farmers may have to return to seed producers (GM seedlings Companies) for input every farming season because GM crops embedded with pest resistance, drought resistance etc can go through a natural process of recombination of genes in the process of coming in the next generation which means certain genes can be “Switched off” while other genes can be “Switched On” this means some properties may be there yet not pronounced. This can make the plant growth susceptible if it looses any of its resistance. We have a feasible mitigation strategy to address the concern of “over dependence” on GM Seed companies, this can be achieved by empowering indigenous labs e.g the Agricultural Research Institute (AIR) Zaria, Kaduna state and International Institute for tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Oyo state. These indigenous research Institutes have the capacity to serve local demands and even sell accross other Countries, this will attract Foreign Direct Investment that the country needs to Strengthen the Naira while also providing an opportunity for mass job creation in Nigeria.
Another opposing argument is having allergens as a result of consumption of GM plants is unfounded, it is also general knowledge that several crops e.g beans have capabilities to trigger allergens in the body therefore the argument that GM crops causes that is flawed because even natural crops trigger allergens. The most commonly used propaganda to discredit GM crops is the claim that it causes cancer, it has been scientifically proven by several researchers and institutes that there is no link between GM crops and cancer through consumption of GM crops.
Away from the erroneous rhetoric about the scientific limitations that has been pushed by naysayers, there is another frivolous narrative about linking GMOs with insecurity in Northeast Nigeria, it will suffice to say that this claim was the main attraction that caught the attention of this coalition, as major stakeholders in the peace and security landscape we have worked tirelessly through pragmatic and precision led approach to ensure peace and security through advocacies, programs and collaboration with communities and security agencies at all levels and in our years of active involvement we have accurate data and findings on the causes of terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria which are as follows;
i. Poverty
ii. Religious/ethnic intolerance
iii. Climate change
iv. Expansionism/ Land grabbing
V. Economic sabotage etc.
It is incoherent to link GM crops to insecurity in Nigeria, this can best be described as conspiracy theory aimed at achieving an ulterior motive which is far from the love of God and country.
This press engagement was necessitated by our resolve to protect human lives and dignity through sustainble actions to eradicate the suffering especially amongst the poorest of the poor, we are also on a quest to draw the attention of the press to beam light on the topic of GMOs to enable the fourth estate of the realm enlighten the general public of the safety and benefits of using GM crops as a panacea to end hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
We Endorse the GMO CROPS
Sign
Amb Dandaura Takalis
National Chairman
Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights OrganizationBEING A PRESS TEXT PRESENTED BY THE COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION OF NIGERIA HELD AT AVISON HOTEL CONFERENCE HALL GARKI ABUJA AT 11:00AM DATED 25TH APRIL 2024
Gentlemen of the Press, the Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organisation welcomes you to this media engagement to show our support for food security through the game-changing initiative in the agricultural landscape in Nigeria as a result of the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops in Nigeria following approval of some selected species of Cow Pea, and very recently Maize, this has been achieved through the dogged steadfastness of the National Biotechnology Development Agency NABDA driven by the Agency’s visionary approach to leadership achieved this on some selected genetic modified organisms seeds after undergoing scientific testing which certified the species safe both for planting and consumption, this novel project has been received with mixed reactions by individuals and organisations who support or reject the introduction of GM crops in the Country. Many diverse opinions have been a subject of debate with very interesting opinions raised from both sides.
This Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organisations has weighed in on this very important topic of National Interest after painstaking research on the prones and cones of Genetically Modified Crops, the safety concerns and even economic implications of adoption of GMOs in Nigeria. Our internal research involved consultations of experts in the areas of Biology, Agric, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and environmental Sciences both within and out side Nigeria, and based on the findings and feedback we have received we are delighted to add our voice in support of the introduction of GM crops in Nigeria to help in tackling the menace of poverty and hunger especially in the rural communities through increased yields and productivity which is undoubtedly one of the attribute of Genetically Modified Organisms Crops.
The 2022 multidimensional Poverty Index MPI reported that 40.1% of Nigerians are poor and 63% are living in Multidimensional poverty. These figures should cause great concern to any patriotic Citizen of this country and therefore all and sundry must profer solutions in their areas of influence to help Government change this unpleasant statistics. The Sustainable Development Goal Number 1 (NO POVERTY) and SDG Number 2 (ZERO HUNGER) can be achieved through policy promulgation that will fast track food productivity in the country and the adoption of GMO crops is pivotal in achieving this goal at a fast-paced rate by the year 2030.
This coalition is aware that there are descending forces who are against the introduction of GM crops in Nigeria, while their concerns may be emanating from a point of genuine interest we encourage them to understand in depth the make up of GMO crops rather than duel on conjectures and conspiracy theories which we are convinced are unfounded. We shall address some of the “half truths” and conspiracy theories they have hinged their arguments on. It is general knowledge that GMO Crops have been certified safe by Regulatory bodies around the world after undergoing different levels of research, testing and certification, this has put to rest the concerns of short-term or long-term health hazards from consumption of GMO Crops.
In one of the petitions addressed to the President of the Nigerian Senate, it was alleged that there are concerns of deliberate action on sterility through an alleged incertion of terminator genes in Genetically Modified crops to target a particular region of the country, we wish to remind the authors of that petition that their claim is hinged on a research from the 1900s which did not get to production phase, Research scientists will say “That an INVITRO research was successful does not make it successful INVIVO” in a lay man’s term this means that a research was successful in a controlled environment e.g test tube does not mean it will be successful in a non controlled environment. Therefore it did not see the light of day, This was the fate of the study that was referenced.
The second concern raised by opposing sides is the availability of GM seedlings to farmers, since it is not palatable to re-plant seedlings from harvested crops. This can be mitigated by simple business arrangements by the farmers and sellers of these seedlings to secure the needed input for the next farming season, every farmer knows how to “make hay while the sun shines”. However the erroneous claim that terminator genes were cloned into these plants alongside recombinant DNA is a grievous misconception that should be stopped.
Furthermore, farmers may have to return to seed producers (GM seedlings Companies) for input every farming season because GM crops embedded with pest resistance, drought resistance etc can go through a natural process of recombination of genes in the process of coming in the next generation which means certain genes can be “Switched off” while other genes can be “Switched On” this means some properties may be there yet not pronounced. This can make the plant growth susceptible if it looses any of its resistance. We have a feasible mitigation strategy to address the concern of “over dependence” on GM Seed companies, this can be achieved by empowering indigenous labs e.g the Agricultural Research Institute (AIR) Zaria, Kaduna state and International Institute for tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Oyo state. These indigenous research Institutes have the capacity to serve local demands and even sell accross other Countries, this will attract Foreign Direct Investment that the country needs to Strengthen the Naira while also providing an opportunity for mass job creation in Nigeria.
Another opposing argument is having allergens as a result of consumption of GM plants is unfounded, it is also general knowledge that several crops e.g beans have capabilities to trigger allergens in the body therefore the argument that GM crops causes that is flawed because even natural crops trigger allergens. The most commonly used propaganda to discredit GM crops is the claim that it causes cancer, it has been scientifically proven by several researchers and institutes that there is no link between GM crops and cancer through consumption of GM crops.
Away from the erroneous rhetoric about the scientific limitations that has been pushed by naysayers, there is another frivolous narrative about linking GMOs with insecurity in Northeast Nigeria, it will suffice to say that this claim was the main attraction that caught the attention of this coalition, as major stakeholders in the peace and security landscape we have worked tirelessly through pragmatic and precision led approach to ensure peace and security through advocacies, programs and collaboration with communities and security agencies at all levels and in our years of active involvement we have accurate data and findings on the causes of terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria which are as follows;
i. Poverty
ii. Religious/ethnic intolerance
iii. Climate change
iv. Expansionism/ Land grabbing
V. Economic sabotage etc.
It is incoherent to link GM crops to insecurity in Nigeria, this can best be described as conspiracy theory aimed at achieving an ulterior motive which is far from the love of God and country.
This press engagement was necessitated by our resolve to protect human lives and dignity through sustainble actions to eradicate the suffering especially amongst the poorest of the poor, we are also on a quest to draw the attention of the press to beam light on the topic of GMOs to enable the fourth estate of the realm enlighten the general public of the safety and benefits of using GM crops as a panacea to end hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
We Endorse the GMO CROPS
Sign
Amb Dandaura Takalis
National Chairman
Coalition of Civil Society and Human Rights Organization
