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Stakeholders: Unchecked GMOs Will Undermine Nigeria’s Food sovereignty

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Stakeholders: Unchecked GMOs Will Undermine Nigeria’s Food sovereignty

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders have warned Nigeria on toying with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) food, asking the government to determine the model of agriculture to embrace.

They raised the alarm they allowing genetically modified organisms without proper checks would undermine the nation’s food sovereignty.

The stakeholders while advocating for the ban of GMOs in the country at the National Symposium on GMOs held in Abuja, said: “Nigeria is at a critical point where we must decide on the way forward for food sovereignty. We must decide which model of agriculture suits our context and meets our needs between industrial agriculture (dependent on GMOs and synthetic chemical inputs) powered by multinational corporations and an agroecological system powered by the local farmers who provide over 70% of our food.”

They insisted that: “Nigeria’s traditional agricultural practices, including seed selection, mixed cropping, crop rotation, and natural soil fertility management, have historically sustained food systems without external dependencies. The introduction of GMOs which thrive in monocultures is systematically displacing proven agricultural practices and undermining our food sovereignty.

“GMOs represent a paradigm shift in agriculture; they are not just an option or solution. We must think beyond the mythical temporary relief that is imagined or promised and consider what long term impacts they portend.”

The meeting which was attended by more than 80 participants from government, academia, civil society, local farming communities, environmental groups, the private sector and the media, brought together by Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Environmental Rights Action and the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance, noted that BT Cotton, the first GMO crop officially introduced in Nigeria, after three years of planting has not shown any advantage over conventional varieties but rather has brought about soil degradation as reported by the Cotton Farmers Association in Nigeria in 2024.

They added in a communique that: “Countries like Tanzania have achieved food security by over 128% through traditional and organic methods without GMOs, demonstrating viable alternatives for Nigeria.

“Several scientific studies link the consumption of GMOs with birth defects, immune disorders, tumours and other diseases. The claims that there’s no research confirming negative impact of GMOs on human health is outrageous and simply false.

“In Nigeria however, in spite of the intense controversy and examples of over 30 countries that have banned GMOs, the regulatory agency, NBMA has not conducted adequate, independent and long-term risk assessment before the approvals granted so far.

“The cultivation of GMOs threatens serious biodiversity loss and creation of uncontrollable genetic mutations in plant varieties.

“GMO technology creates seed monopolies that transfer right to seeds from farmers to multinational corporations.

“Small-scale farmers, who constitute the majority of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce and who produce over 70% of Nigeria’s food are at high risk from the introduction of patented GM seeds with restrictions on saving and sharing.”

They argued that: “Agroecology presents a viable solution to Nigeria’s food system challenges by ensuring increased productivity, soil fertility improvement and empowerment of local food producers.”

They said: “We must decolonise our agricultural system through the preservation of our indigenous crop and animal varieties, our traditional knowledge and by taking control of our food be it in decision making, science or practice.”

At the end of the symposium, the participants (stakeholders) unanimously called on the Federal Government to: Impose a moratorium on all new GMO approvals as extensive evidence exists to confirm their serious negative implications on human and environmental health as well as on our economy; Review the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) Act to include stronger safeguards, independent oversight, and meaningful public participation; Address the issue of food loss as recent studies show that up to 40% of Nigeria’s food goes to waste due to lack of proper processing and storage facilities; Strengthen agricultural infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve food distribution.

They also called for the support of small-scale farmers through improved access to land, credit, markets, extension service and non-GMO seeds; Revive and support the Nigerian agricultural extension service system; Address root causes of food insecurity including terrorism, poor infrastructure, inequalities and market inefficiencies; Invest massively in agroecology and traditional farming systems that have proven effective and sustain-able.

They also called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to promote and actualise the set up of seed banks and gene banks at Local Government and state levels to ensure the preservation of Nigeria’s genetic resources.

They called on regulatory agencies to: Prioritize public health over commercial interests in all regulatory decisions; Ensure rigorous testing of all GMO products with transparent reporting of results; Implement robust monitoring systems to track long-term effects of approved GMOs; and engage meaningfully with civil society, farmers, independent scientists and other stakeholders in decision-making processes.

The stakeholders also called on the National Assembly to: Amend the NBMA Act 2015 to enforce stronger democratic oversight and precautionary measures; Pass a comprehensive legislation requiring mandatory suspension of GMOs and strict liability for damages; Appropriate adequate funding for independent research on healthy, inclusive and sustain-able agriculture alternatives; and establish parliamentary oversight on GMO regulation and approval processes.

Nigerians, they asked to exercise their rights and demand for a ban on GMOs for a healthy, just and sustain-able food system.

Stakeholders: Unchecked GMOs Will Undermine Nigeria’s Food sovereignty

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Woman Accuses Police of Shielding Officers in Husband’s Disappearance, Seeks Justice Through Courts

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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

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Legacy Support Group Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Faults Opposition Over “Misinformation”

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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”

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West African Leaders Move to Deepen Regional Security Cooperation at Accra Conference

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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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