Suspend GMO initiative in Nigeria – AFAN, NGO, Smallholder farmers tells FG …says negative impact on human health alarming

By David Okpashi

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria, (AFAN), a Non Governmental Organization, Health Of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and Smallholder farmers in Nigeria have appealed to the federal government to urgently suspend the use of Genetically modified Organization (GMO) to grow crops in the country.

This, the experts explained would reduce the negative health implications in human being, stem increasing cases of cancer and other diseases in the country.

Speaking at a one day training organized by Health Of Mother Earth Foundation for small holders farmers drawn from over 15 states in Keffi, Nasarawa state, Programmes manager of HOMEF, Cadmus Enade, said there was urgent need for the suspension of the application of GMO on crops to reduce the negative effect on Nigerians.

According to Cadmus, agroecology farming system which is in line with nature to promote food sovereignty and sufficiency has been abandoned due to the instruction and initiative of GMO by the federal government.

While noting that agroecology farming system is safer than Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), Cadmus added that the system of farming has brought harmful chemicals into production of cropsin the country.

“We have overtime discovered that GMO is harmful to the health and well-being of people, the environment, animals and the biodiversity around. The practice of agroecology farming system can also curtail the causes of climate by replenishment of the ecosystem which has been destroyed massively with the application of chemicals that fast destroy the ecosystem today”.

“So this training is aimed at training community farmers in Nasarawa on how best they can use agroecology practices to enhance their food production and their livelihoods because agroecology is not just a practice but also a scientific way of producing safe food and making it sufficient for farmers.

“It involves using organic produce, organic items that you can find around your environment. It also means producing crops without any form of chemical involvement, usage. So we are encouraging local farming systems that boost food security and safety,” he said.

He however called on governments at all levels and regulatory bodies to focus the search light on some big stores who are currently sell GM foods but unknown to many customers who do not have the culture of reading labels before consumption and therefore not knowing exactly what they are consuming.

Mr. Enade hinted research carried showed that some of the GM seeds resulted in massive death of birds in farms, death of some kinds of grasses where these seeds are planted, which means those seeds are harmful even to humans over times

Also speaking, National Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Dr Yunusa Halidu called on the federal government to initiate a policy that would promote bio-fertilizers and organic farming rather than the GMO to enhance the production of healthy food and the environment.

Halidu stated that over time, most farmers across the country had continued to complain about the high cost of agrochemical products, especially fertilizers and pesticides as well as their adverse effects on humans and the environment.

He called on the federal government to reduce the emphasis on genetically modified crops and adopt local ways of crop production using natural resources to ensure food safety and a healthy environment.

Some participants, Mrs Ujomu Funke from Kwara State and Mrs Omolara Ayodeji from Oyo State noted that most smallholder farmers across the country cannot afford to procure agrochemical products due to the high costs hence the need for the government to set aside substantial resources to promote bio-fertilizer and pesticides production.

The training was organized for smallholder farmers in fifteen states including Nasarawa, Oyo, Kano and Plateau to train them on how to produce organic fertilizer and pesticides using local materials.
END

Sallah: Gov. Sule sues for peace, urges selfless sacrifice in Nasarawa

*** As Speaker donates Sallah gift worth N4m to constituents

By David Okpashi

Nasarawa State governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule has sued for peace, selfless sacrifice, unity and collective fight against retrogressive tendencies in the spirit of Sallah.

Governor Sule in a Sallah message, urged Moslem and other religions faithfuls to see the feast of Eid-el-Kabir as a test of faith in commemoration of the sublime submission by Prophet Ibrahim which stood for peace and sacrifice.

” This, indeed, symbolizes a call to all Muslims to live a life of selflessness, brotherhood, sacrifice and adherence to Allah’s commands.

“As we are all aware, the feast of Eid-el-Kabir is a test of faith in commemoration of the sublime submission by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him) to the call for sacrifice. This, indeed, symbolizes a call to all Muslims to live a life of selflessness, brotherhood, sacrifice and adherence to Allah’s commands.

“Let me, on behalf of the Government and good people of Nasarawa State, congratulate the Muslim community in Nasarawa State for joining their counterparts all over the world in celebrating this festival of sacrifice.

“Accordingly, I urge us all to continue to preach peace, show love, understanding, tolerance and good neighbourliness amongst ourselves and humanity at large in line with the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

“I, therefore, warn that Government will not spare the culprits of this heinous act, as the security agencies will continue to hunt them in their locations. I assure you that we will not rest on our oars to ensure a peaceful and secured Nasarawa State.

“I wish to also call on you to pray for our Brothers and Sisters who are currently performing the Holy Pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, as we also hope that they are equally praying for us and the general wellbeing of the State and, indeed, the nation’s economy at large.

“I wish to use this special occasion to call on my dear people of Nasarawa State to continue to pray for our President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all our leaders in order to sustain peace, harmony, socio-cultural and economic prosperity which our dear State and Nigeria are known for.

“”I need to also call on all citizens and residents of Nasarawa State to eschew any form of unlawful behaviour, capable of ruining the relative peace we are enjoying in the State.

In the same vein, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau has called for unity of purpose, love for one another and irrevocable interest in the development of the state among the citizens.

The speaker in a Sallah message issued by his Chief press secretary, Jubrin Gomnna reiterated his resolved to shape the legislative arm of the State to focus on people driven legislation to improve the lives of rural dwellers.

Speaking also while distributing Sallah package to the people of Kokona West constituency at Garaku, Kokona local government area, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau announced a donation of four million naira, 300 bags of rice and 15 rams for distribution to his people to enable them celebrate the upcoming sallah at ease.

Speaker Jatau used the medium to called on his constituents to avoid divisive tendencies to allow him continue to consolidate on his developmental initiatives aimed at improving their well-being.

Speaker Danladi Jatau then called for support to the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule to enable him provide more dividends of democracy, assuring his constituents that the state government is committed to constructing more rural roads in the area and other parts of the State to boost socio-economic activities for development to strive.

Appreciating the Speaker Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau for the gesture, his campaign Director General, Alh. Ibrahim Abubakar said the Speaker has proven beyond doubt that representation is all about the people.

He assured the Speaker of their total loyalty and support at all times to enable him succeed.