A coalition of over 100 civil society actors, farmers, scientists, legal practitioners, and academics representing some 100 million Nigerian consumers have placed a demand on the federal government to discontinue plans to introduce genetically modified potatoes and out-rightly ban GMOs in the country as, according to them, they (the GMOs) violate fundamental human rights and targets Nigeria’s food system for disaster.

GMOs are food items that have been made using genetic engineering techniques.

The coalition demand was made in a press statement shared with the media, following the announcement that the Federal Government will soon release a report on clinical trials on genetically modified (GM) potatoes.

Similar reports indicate that GM Potatoes will be commercially released in 2025.

Nnimmo Bassey, executive director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), noted that any further release of GMOs in Nigeria would be confirmed as a deliberate effort to destroy the Nigerian food system, jeopardise consumers’ health and degrade our environment.

“The House of Representatives in May 2024 announced a halt on introducing new GMOs and mandated an investigation on GMOs and the approval processes. To date, four months later, there is no information on the findings or results of this investigation, yet the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is warming up to release new GM potatoes. There are indeed vested interests on the side of the transnational corporations producing the GMOs and their allies in government undermining the health and safety of the Nigerian populace,” he added.

On the GM Potatoes, Bassey stated that it is a narrow and short-sighted technological fix that is inappropriate for smallholder farmers in Nigeria and that could lead to an irreversible contamination of indigenous potato varieties. GM potatoes are banned in Peru and elsewhere and have been continuously spurned in developed countries. It is a wonder that Nigerian farmers are already been painted to clamour for the Potatoes. This was the same strategy used in Uganda and Rwanda.

Dr Ifeanyi Casmir, a Molecular Biologist, noted that, just like Bt Cotton, Bt Beans, and TELA Maize, the GM Potatoes represents a gradual yet sure erosion of the original germ plasm of Nigerian crops.

He said: “We are being misled by half-baked parochial ‘scientists’ toward adopting a technology, whose products are mostly used as biofuels and feed for animals in other countries – not for human consumption. What our government needs to do is to address the instability in Plateau State and other potato producing states where banditry has caused farmers to abandon their farms – leading to poor productivity and rising cost of potatoes across the country. Potatoes growers in Plateau State and other places who will accept this genetically modified variety are being set up for devastation.”

Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje, Food Sovereignty Activist and Deputy Director of Environmental Rights Action, emphasised the regulatory lapses regarding GMOs.

She stated: “Up till now, there is no information on the application for the field/clinical trials on the GM Potatoes on the website of the NBMA whose mandate it is to regulate the use of GMOs and ensure adequate public participation in the decision-making process.  The secrecy and urgency with which GMO applications and approvals are handled is cause of serious concern.

“These GM potatoes are banned at the potato centre of origin in the Andes, with indigenous farmers warning that GM potatoes are a terrible idea. Additionally, Late blight is not a uniquely African problem, which raises the question as to why it is being forced on Africa, on Nigeria. The simple answer is commercial interests.”

According to Joyce Brown, Public Health Scientist and Director of Programmes at HOMEF, “There is no information as to whether there have been long-term feeding studies conducted on these GM Potatoes varieties. It is not sufficient to carry out field trials or short-lived clinical trials. This GM potato is the same which is being pushed on East Africa; a “cisgenic” variant of the Victoria variety that was originally from South America but selected for use in Africa. The GM Victoria was developed by the International Potato Centre (CIP) and is genetically engineered with three genes that were taken from Latin American relatives of the potato plant. Cisgenesis modification is still a new and unproven technique, and it is not yet clear how the stack of three genes will interact with each other or with the genetic material of the host plant.”

Lovelyn Ejim, a farmer and founder of Network of Women in Agriculture, noted that Nigeria does not need genetic modification to address the late blight disease.

“The disease is not new and simple organic methods have over time proven to be affective including choosing naturally resistant varieties, crop rotation, mixed cropping, providing proper crop nutrition, crop spacing, quick removal of blighted plants etc.

Nigerian farmers have not asked the government for GMOs. Late blight is a robust and fast-adapting pathogen and therefore will undoubtedly develop resistance to this technology.

“We are very concerned about the lack of participatory stakeholder engagement with farmers and consumers and the limited information available on the long-term consequences of GMOs, as well as the proprietary issues concerning the GM seeds,” she concluded.

Airtel employees have demonstrated commitment to a sustainable environment, through its beach clean-up exercise held at Baadun Beach, Ajah on Monday.

This event which was organized under the Airtel Employees Volunteer Scheme (EVS), served as a continuation of the company’s 2024 World Environment Day activities.

The event saw the participation of over 100 staff members of Airtel Nigeria and students from the Refiners Academy, Sangotedo, who are also students of the Green Fingers Initiative.

The students’ involvement aimed to foster inclusivity for those studying at the sustainability center, donated earlier by Airtel, while also reinforcing the recycling practices promoted by the GreenFingers Initiative.

While appreciating the efforts of employees, Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Carl Cruz, emphasized the importance of consistency in sustainability initiatives.

“Today’s exercise highlights the power of collective effort in protecting our environment. We are passionate about sustainability, and I encourage everyone to incorporate this into their daily routines, whether at work or during personal activities.

“The future we envision is one where we have a thriving community, a clean environment, and a healthy planet, and it starts with events like this. I am incredibly proud of the team and the hard work everyone has put in today,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Femi Adeniran, highlighted the role of the initiative in promoting sustainable environmental practices.

“This initiative is part of our broader effort to reduce plastic pollution and encourage sustainable living. By embarking on this clean-up today, we are leading by example and setting a precedent for other organizations to follow.

“What makes today’s clean-up special is that it is led by our very own employees, reflecting our internal commitment to sustainability. This is just the start of more sustainable engagement to come, as we work towards building a cleaner, healthier environment”.

The event, to which the sustainability Non-Governmental Organization, Green Fingers Initiative, was also invited, signifies Airtel’s commitment to promoting environmental sustainability through hands-on efforts, as staff enthusiastically cleared the beach of wastes and litters, making a tangible impact on the cleanliness and preservation of the environment.

The beach clean-up is one of the many steps Airtel Nigeria is taking towards fulfilling its environmental sustainability goals. By engaging employees and partnering with a sustainability focused organization, the company continues to demonstrate its commitment to reducing plastic pollution and preserving the environment for future generations.

Dr Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman, Zinox Group, a tech company, has stressed the importance of media representation for people of African descent and the need for Africa to build its mega media platforms.

Ekeh was one of the panelists at a dialogue on the Media of the Future, convened in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit of the Future held during the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79) High-level Week.

The dialogue had the theme: “The Media of the Future: Bridging the Gap Between the West and People of African Descent.”

The dialogue was convened by Mr. Simon Ibe, publisher/editor-in-chief, Global Patriot Newspapers.

UNGA 79 opened on September 10 while the High-Level Week began on Friday, September. 20, and will run through September 27.

Ekeh joined participants to discuss the challenges faced by Africans in having their stories accurately represented internationally, and stressed the need for them to take control of their narratives and destinies.

In his presentation, Ekeh spoke of his contributions to the transition from analogue to digital media in West Africa and emphasised the importance of knowledge and content in the media industry.

He highlighted lack of awareness about the innovative and creative abilities of black people and stressed the need for Africa to become part of the global community through greater access to the global media.

The Zinox boss shared his experiences in building a tech group and digital retail business and how insufficient access to global media exposure was a major issue, and encouraged the African media practitioners to find financial resources to develop their own mega media platforms, driven by technology.

Other participants also advised Africans to prioritise skills for sustaining economies, attracting investment, and creating wealth, and to leverage technology and leadership in the African economy to change media coverage and ensure adequate representation of Africa’s positive aspects.

Also, Yul Anderson, president,  African American Future Society (TAAFS), spoke on the need for coordinated messaging by African media outlets to combat disinformation and promote positive stories about People of African Descent.

He spoke extensively about the Black Futures Summit, held on the sidelines of the United Nations Summit of the Future.

Laolu Akande, editor-in-chief, Empowered Newswire, conveyed a message from the former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) expressing support for the team’s efforts.

Osinbajo commended the convener of the dialogue, Mr. Ibe for creating the platform for the discussion and expressed the hope that the outcome of theevent will positively impact the Media of People of African Descent.

In his presentation as a panelist, Mr. Akande spoke of the significant gaps in understanding and representation of Africa globally, emphasising the need for a more nuanced and empathetic approach to understanding Africa and its people.

He identified four gaps hindering Nigeria’s development.

These include the gap between the elite and the masses; the gap between the elite and the media; the gap between the elite and the people; and the failure of political leadership to deliver national development.

Akande, stressed the importance of the African elite taking responsibility for the continent’s fate, human capital and infrastructure development.

He pointed to the need for media leaders to invest properly in journalism and for African billionaires to fund media outlets to shape the narratives about the continent.

Ms Nicky Spencer-Coker, spokesperson for the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York, shared her background as a lawyer and activist.

In speaking, she discussed the significant role of the media in shaping society and narratives, emphasising the challenges faced by people of African descent in gaining access to global media outlets and having their stories accurately represented.

She highlighted the low percentage of black-owned media in the United States and acknowledged the rapid expansion of the media in Africa due to advances in telecommunications.

Spencer-Coker also pointed out the influence of American media on perceptions of Africa, often leading to negative and stereotypical portrayals.

She stressed the importance of African voices being heard and the need for more African representation in global media and leadership roles.

In her address, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), agreed on the importance of the conversation about media representation and moving the narrative forward.

Abike stressed the need to change the negative narrative about Africa and Nigeria in particular, suggesting that Africans should control their media image and invest more in the continent.

She highlighted the potential of the African diaspora, particularly in America, to contribute significantly to the continent’s development.

Abike also criticised the treatment of Africans by other Africans on the continent and encouraged the team to focus on promoting trade and collaboration among African countries.

She discussed the challenges faced by Nigerians in investing and owning homes in Africa, and mentioned the Diaspora Commission’s programs to facilitate home ownership and investment opportunities.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasised the need for collaboration between Nigerians at home and those living abroad to change the narrative about Africa through initiatives like the upcoming diaspora investment summit being organized by NiDCOM.

Toyin Umesiri, a global influencer and CEO of Nazaru, emphasised the importance of wealth creation and productivity in building economies, rather than focusing solely on poverty alleviation.

She discussed the challenges of promoting business and trade with Africa, particularly in the US, and stressed the need for individuals to take control of their own narratives.

Umesiri also highlighted her background in education and experience in training entrepreneurs and working with investors.

She argued against focusing on poverty alleviation and foreign aid, stressing the need to prioritise skills for sustaining economies, attracting investment, and creating wealth.

Also speaking, Prof. Akil Khalfani, director, Africana Institute, Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, emphasised the need for a rethinking of journalism and media representation, advocating a Pan African approach that utilizes a historical foundation to tell the story of Africa and African people.

Khalfani criticised the Euro-centric approach to education and suggested that African history and culture should be presented with a broader perspective.

Khalfani also highlighted the significance of African organizations and the need for Africa-centered strategies and critiques of other perspectives.

He stressed the importance of Africanizing ways of doing business, global commerce, and thinking about identity.

Mr. Simon Kolawole, founder and editor-in-chief, The Cable Newspapers, in his presentation, made a strong case for the empowerment of media of people of African descent for effective global outreach.

The highly respected columnist stressed that currently, Media of people of African descent were grappling with serious challenges that were constraining their operations and ability to compete at the global level.

Dr. Adeola Popoola, president, Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) New Jersey, proposed a stronger hold on the Guild of Editors to ensure all media houses contribute to a weekly digest of news headlines across the continent.

Ibe, however, thanked everyone for their participation and expressed his gratitude for the insightful discussions, mentioning that there would be a sequel in the future, especially as the issue was so crucial that it could not be sufficiently addressed at one sitting.

Credit: NAN