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Rivers: Coalition Protests Against Genetically Modified Crops
A coalition of non-governmental organisations, yesterday, embarked on a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt, urging the government to ban genetically modified crops in Nigeria by repealing the National Biosafety Management Agency Act.
The coalition led by the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) averred that the efforts of the federal and state governments in the promotion of agriculture in the country were far from the reality, adding that research has shown that GMOs do not give higher yields and are not more nutritious than normal crops.
The protesters, numbering about 100, including, farmers, youths, women, scientists, medical practitioners, lawyers, civil society organisations and other Nigerians, maintained that food and agricultural systems were being threatened by the unrestrained release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the country.
In a letter addressed to the Rivers State Ministry of Environment and signed by HOME Director, Rev Nnimmo Bassey, the coalition stated “that Nigerians are consuming foods bought from the market shelves without any idea that they are made from the genetically modified organisms (GMOs).”
The letter further called for the nullification of the permits issued for the importation and release of genetically modified maize, beans, and cotton into the country.
“We are concerned about aspects that would scuttle these efforts and push our people into acute food insecurity in the long term. These concerns are highlighted in the report on the State of Biosafety in Nigeria which was launched by HOMEF on April 13, 2021. One of such concerns is that several permits have been granted for introduction of GMOs into the country by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
“These approvals have been granted without consideration for the concerns raised by stakeholders. Also, a market survey on GMOs carried out between 2018 and 2020 have revealed the presence of over 30 different products that are labelled as containing genetically modified ingredients even though the agency continuously says that there are no GMOs in the Nigerian market.
“We demand a ban on GMOs and a repeal of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, which came into force in 2015, and was reviewed in 2019 to include emerging and even more contentious aspects of extremely risky modern biotechnology.”
“GMOs are products of genetic engineering, which is a technology that allows scientists to create plants, animals and micro-organisms by manipulating genes at the cellular level in a way that is not possible via traditional or natural processes. It allows DNA from one type of organism to be introduced into another related or unrelated species.
“Nigeria does not need GMOs. They are promoted on false premises. Research has shown that GMOs do not give higher yields and are not more nutritious than normal crops. They do not use less herbicides and pesticides. With the many problems we are contending with as a nation, GMOs should not be allowed to compound our situation. We must not accept a technology simply because it is available. We must, as a people, determine what is good for us.
“We should address the root causes of the challenges of food production, including those of pest and disease. We should invest in an agricultural system such as Agroecology which promotes soil health and biodiversity and ensures collaborative research and innovations with farmers with increased/sustained production of healthy and nutritious food.
“Farmers should be provided with needed infrastructure, extension service, access to land and credit schemes and good road-market networks”.
Also speaking during the protest, Kentabe Ebirador, a representative of Environmental Rights Action and Coordinator, OilWatch African, stressed that the banning of the GMOs will enhance increase in local farming system.
He said, “The protest is looking at calling on the government for the urgent ban on genetically modified foods in our system, in our stable firms, and also the banning of the GMOs increases the chances of our local farmers to be able to use organic means of farming to feed the country.
“The Nigerian government is gradually relying on GMOs as an alternative for increasing the food system but we are saying that Nigeria can feed ourselves and we don’t need any GMO.
“Looking at it from the other angle, if you look at the clean-up going on in Ogoniland, the possibility of livelihood looked at and the fact that there will be rumours, stories that will come up to say that since the land is being worked on, there is every tendency, every possibility that improved seedlings will be introduced as regards to what will work with the soil to increase yield but that is a lie”.
However, the group has pledged readiness to work with the government to ensure that our people, the environment and the future of the Nigerian food is protected and preserved against the threats posed by the vested interest of biotechnology companies and their cronies.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.