A coalition of civil society organisations led by the Peace Point Development Foundation has called on the Nigerian government to ban genetically modified organisms completely.

The group staged a walk around Calabar on Tuesday and presented a petition to the Cross River State House of Assembly, highlighting concerns about GMOs’ impact on human health, the environment, and food sovereignty.

GMOs are plants, animals, or microorganisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering. The long-term health impacts of GMOs remain subjects of ongoing scientific research and debate.

Umo Isua-Ikoh, executive director of PPDF, spoke on behalf of the coalition, demanding immediate action from the federal and Cross River governments to ban GMOs for planting and food production.

Mr Isua-Ikoh further called for the removal of bioengineered food products from Nigerian and Cross River markets.

He also urged the annulment of all GMO permits without adequate risk assessments. He also advocated for increased investment in sustainable farming practices like agroecology and organic farming to ensure food sovereignty.

Augustine Ukukong, assistant director on legislative matters, received the petition on behalf of Agbor Ovat, chairman of the house committee on environment and sanitation.

Mr Ukukong assured the group that their petition would be delivered to the House, and if necessary, the committee would address the issue, including introducing a bill for consideration.

He reiterated the 10th Assembly’s commitment to collaborating with CSOs on issues related to environmental protection and public health.

The petition is part of a nationwide campaign led by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation to protect Nigeria’s food system from the perceived risks of GMOs.

(NAN)