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Stakeholders Rally Nationwide Against GMOs
Stakeholders Rally Nationwide Against GMOs
By: Michael Mike
Thousands of stakeholders including farmers, CSOs, scientists/researchers, nutritionists, legal practitioners, medical practitioners, women and youth groups, among others took to the streets of some major states in the country to call on the Nigerian government to ban genetically modified organisms (GMOs) food and in it stead support and promote agroecology as the viable alternative for food sovereignty and climate resilience in Nigeria.
The rallies which were organised by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance across 10 Nigerian States Rivers, Edo, Katsina, Plateau, Oyo, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Jigawa States and the FCT on Friday
As part of the rallies featured advocacy visits were taken to state government houses and relevant ministries where serious concerns regarding the deployment of GMOs in Nigeria were aired.
According to Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nigeria does not need GMOs to address food insecurity; he stressed that the design of those crops does not support local economic growth but promote dependency on corporate seed supply.
Bassey explained further that: “In September 2024, the National Cotton Association of Nigeria (NACOTAN) were reported to have said that they did not record any significant increase in their yields compared to the local seed varieties but instead, since the introduction of GM cotton seeds over 4 years ago, yield per hectare has remained about the same.”
Also, the farmers noted that no other plant has been able to germinate on the farmlands where the GM seeds were planted, even after four years – confirming the concerns regarding loss of biodiversity and soil degradation due to release of genetic material (proteins) into the soil which would not ordinarily occur”.
Bassey further decried the fact that farmers are not able to replant the GM seeds after harvest due to declining yields. They are encouraged to continuously purchase the seeds every new season from corporate entities. This reflects neo-colonialism and corporate capture of our food system -something we shouldn’t take lightly.
A National Co-coordinator of the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, Barr Ifeanyi Nwankwere, noted that GMOs approved in Nigeria, so far are not currently being labelled and more so, Nigeria’s socio-economic context will not allow labelling to be effective considering how food is sold in cups and basins in open markets where majority of our people shop from.
Nwankwere noted that the biosafety regulatory system in Nigeria is not designed in a way that assures safety with regard to GMOs – The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act has fundamental flaws including the lack of provision on strict liability, lack of adequate provision on the Precautionary Principle, inadequate provision on public participation in decision making etc.
“Another major flaw with the biosafety regulatory structure is the composition of the board of the NBMA with key promoters of GMOs e.g the National Biotechnology Development and Research Agency sitting on that board to decide on permits that agencies including the NABDA will apply for” he added.
Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje, Deputy Director at Environmental Rights Action who coordinated the rally in the FCT cautioned that several other countries including Russia, Mexico, Uganda and up to 23 more have placed bans on GMOs – some partial bans while others have put in place complete ban.
She highlighted the recent ban of GMO corn in Mexico. “The courts highlighted the threats of the GMO variety to the country’s rich diversity of corn, stating that the genetically engineered corn posed the risk of imminent harm to the environment.” “Also”, she added: “in South Africa, after a nine-year legal battle, the Supreme Court agreed with the Plaintiffs that South Africa’s Executive Council of the GMO Act had approved Monsanto’s drought-resistant maize without fully assessing its safety for human health and the environment, disregarding evidence from other experts”.
The Director of Programmes at HOMEF, noted the presence of over 50 imported packaged food products containing GM ingredients. “These products are abundant in our market shelves – different brands including cereals, vegetable oils, spices, ice-cream, cake mixes etc as revealed by a survey which Health of Mother Earth Foundation carried out across 10 Nigerian cities in 2018, 2019 and 2023.” She added.
Furthermore, Brown added that GMOs pose serious health risks, highlighting a recent report by an Iranian researcher that GMO soy in a medium-term feeding test revealed significant damage to internal organ such as liver and kidney in rats. Brown noted that so far, there is no evidence that the NBMA has conducted medium or long term feeding tests to ascertain the safety of the products so far approved for use in Nigeria.
The unanimous demands of the rally across the 10 states include for a ban on GMOs, including products brought in for food and food processing and as packaged processed foods. The coalition also demand a nullification of all permits so far granted as they are not backed by adequate and certified (sufficient) risk assessment and an investment in agroecology that ensures food security. and food sovereignty while strengthening the Nigerian economy.
Stakeholders Rally Nationwide Against GMOs
News
Woman Accuses Police of Shielding Officers in Husband’s Disappearance, Seeks Justice Through Courts
Woman Accuses Police of Shielding Officers in Husband’s Disappearance, Seeks Justice Through Courts
By: Michael Mike
Allegations of institutional cover-up have again put the Nigeria Police under scrutiny following claims by Mrs. Nnenna John-Anozie that senior police authorities are deliberately protecting officers linked to the abduction and disappearance of her husband, Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie.
Mrs. John-Anozie, at the weekend in Abuja accused the police of ignoring valid court orders and the outcomes of formal investigations, insisting that the actions of the Nigeria Police point to an internal network operating above the law.

According to her, the continued protection of the officers involved has not only obstructed justice but has also eroded public confidence in the institution constitutionally empowered to protect lives and liberties.
She described the police response to her case as a consistent and deliberate failure rather than an administrative lapse. “This is not just negligence; it is a betrayal of public trust,” she said, adding that the law is being openly disregarded by those sworn to uphold it. She maintained that the police authorities are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding her husband’s disappearance but have chosen not to act.
Mrs. John-Anozie further stated that contrary to public perception, the judiciary has not hindered her quest for justice. She explained that the court had ruled in her favour, but enforcement of the judgment has been frustrated by the police’s refusal to comply with binding orders. She warned that such disobedience undermines the authority of the courts and weakens the rule of law.
Her legal counsel, Mr. Vincent Adodo, has since approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, filing a contempt application against the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun. The application seeks an order compelling the police to produce for prosecution officers allegedly connected to the case — identified as Sunday Okpe, Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu, Emeana Uzochukwu, John Eze, and an officer known as Oriole (also called Tboy) — as well as to release investigation records relating to the matter.

The contempt proceedings are scheduled to be heard on February 9, a date Mrs. John-Anozie describes as crucial not only for her family but also for accountability within law enforcement. She argues that the absence of effective mechanisms to enforce compliance with court orders has prolonged her ordeal and cast doubt on the integrity of the justice system.
Mrs. John-Anozie lamented that efforts to seek justice through the National Human Rights Commission and the EndSARS Judicial Panel seems to have failed as police officers ignored several summons and orders.
She said despite the lengthy process, she is determined to pursue justice through lawful means, stressing that only strict adherence to the rule of law can guarantee accountability, protect citizens’ rights, and restore confidence in public institutions.
Woman Accuses Police of Shielding Officers in Husband’s Disappearance, Seeks Justice Through Courts
News
Legacy Support Group Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Faults Opposition Over “Misinformation”
Legacy Support Group Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Faults Opposition Over “Misinformation”
By: Michael Mike
A pro-government group, the Legacy Support Group for President Bola Tinubu, has pushed back against criticisms of the Federal Government’s policies, accusing opposition figures and “disgruntled political actors” of spreading misinformation to undermine the administration’s reform agenda.
Speaking at the inauguration of the group in Abuja at the weekend, its National Coordinator, Ezinna Chima Duru, said the attacks on President Tinubu were not based on constructive criticism but on “campaigns of calumny” driven by political frustration and personal interests.

Duru said while democratic governance allows for criticism, such engagements must be grounded in facts and aimed at strengthening the system, not destabilising it. He described recent narratives around fuel subsidy removal, economic hardship and insecurity as “deliberately exaggerated” to mislead the public.
Addressing the removal of fuel subsidy, the group argued that the policy was necessary to end what it described as years of large-scale corruption in the petroleum sector. According to Duru, previous administrations failed to dismantle subsidy-related cartels due to their influence, leaving the economy burdened by debt and fiscal pressure.
He said President Tinubu took a “difficult but courageous” decision to eliminate the subsidy, adding that the administration was conscious of the short-term impact on citizens and therefore introduced measures to cushion the effects. Among these, he highlighted the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transportation as a strategy to reduce fuel costs and support cleaner energy use.
The group also claimed that increased revenue from subsidy savings has improved allocations to states and local governments, enabling them to fund infrastructure projects, pay salaries and support local councils more effectively.
On security, the Legacy Support Group said the current administration inherited complex challenges linked to cross-border terrorism and insurgency, stressing that recent strategic adjustments within the security architecture were beginning to yield positive results.
Commenting on the economy, the group credited the Tinubu administration with assembling what it described as a competent economic team, asserting that economic indicators were showing signs of recovery. It also cited reductions in food prices and improvements in power generation capacity as evidence of progress under the Renewed Hope agenda.
The group further praised government initiatives in youth empowerment and education, including student loan schemes and programmes aimed at supporting National Youth Service Corps members and young entrepreneurs.
In its resolution, the Legacy Support Group urged Nigerians across ethnic, religious and political lines to support the Tinubu administration, saying continuity beyond 2027 would help consolidate ongoing reforms.
“The achievements recorded so far show a clear commitment to national development,” Duru said. “We call on Nigerians to remain united and support policies that secure a better future for the country.”
The group reaffirmed its support for President Tinubu’s leadership and the Renewed Hope vision for Nigeria’s long-term growth.
Legacy Support Group Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Faults Opposition Over “Misinformation”
News
West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference
West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference
By: Michael Mike
Leaders from several West African countries have agreed to pursue a new, structured approach to regional cooperation aimed at tackling terrorism, cross-border crime, and deepening insecurity across the sub-region.
The commitment was reached at the end of a two-day High-Level Consultative Conference on Regional Cooperation and Security held in Accra from January 29 to 30, 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, with Presidents Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone and Joseph Boakai of Liberia leading their respective delegations.
Representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo also participated.

Discussions at the conference focused on the worsening security situation in West Africa, which leaders described as facing an alarming rise in terrorism and violent extremism. Participants noted that the frequency of attacks and loss of civilian lives now pose a serious threat to regional stability, economic activity, and social cohesion, making coordinated action unavoidable.
The conference followed earlier technical sessions involving Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security, as well as intelligence chiefs from participating states. Development partners, including the African Union Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside civil society organisations, contributed to the deliberations.
Leaders agreed that existing responses to insecurity have been too fragmented and largely reactive. As a result, the conference resolved to work toward a permanent framework for cooperation that would strengthen collective responses, improve information sharing, and address the structural drivers of insecurity across borders.
A key outcome of the meeting was a renewed emphasis on a human security approach, recognising that military measures alone cannot deliver lasting peace.
The leaders pledged to prioritise governance reforms, job creation, access to education and healthcare, and community-based peacebuilding as part of national and regional security strategies.
On counterterrorism, the conference agreed to enhance intelligence and information sharing, harmonise legal frameworks to support cross-border prosecution of terrorism-related crimes, and expand deradicalisation programmes while upholding human rights standards. Measures to combat trafficking in arms, narcotics, and persons were also highlighted.
To strengthen border security, participants committed to exploring joint operational measures, including possible “hot-pursuit” arrangements through bilateral or multilateral agreements. They further agreed to develop a foundational Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation and security within six months, with Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs tasked with leading the drafting process.
The conference also addressed humanitarian and climate-related challenges, recognising climate change as a factor that intensifies conflict and displacement. Leaders agreed to integrate climate and food security into regional peace planning and to work toward a shared disaster preparedness and humanitarian response framework.
At the close of the meeting, participants agreed to institutionalise the consultative conference as a bi-annual platform and to establish a mechanism for tracking and monitoring the implementation of agreed decisions.
The conference ended with a renewed pledge by regional leaders to translate commitments into concrete actions that safeguard lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen stability across West Africa.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu led the country’s delegation to the meeting.
West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference
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