By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

A coalition of experts, farmers, women and youth groups, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called for a ban on the use and consumption of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.

The group, operating under the GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance and led by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), submitted a protest letter to the Human Rights Commission in Abuja on Friday.

The letter was also presented to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), as part of the group?s efforts to raise awareness and call for action regarding the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.

Simultaneously, rallies were held across 10 states, Rivers, Edo, Katsina, Plateau, Oyo, Lagos, Cross Rivers, Enugu, Jigawa, and the FCT, demanding the prohibition of GMOs, which they referred to as ?poison.?

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GMOs are products of genetic engineering that involve manipulating genes at the cellular level in a laboratory to create new plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Ms. Mariann Orovwuje, the Coordinator of the Food Sovereignty Programme and Friends of the Earth, speaking on behalf of the alliance, stated that many staple foods in Nigeria have been genetically modified.

She expressed concern about the rising number of allergies and cancer cases among children who would typically not be prone to such diseases.

?We are coming to the Human Rights Commission to present our petition so you can look into it.

?Nigerians do not want GMOs. Our farmers, if properly supported with infrastructure, can feed this country and even export food.

?We are here because this is not just an infraction, but an abuse of our human rights. If our food is abused, we are equally abused,? she said.

Upon receiving the petition, Mr. Harry Obe, the Director of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights at the National Human Rights Commission, commended the alliance for their peaceful approach.

He acknowledged that the issue of GMOs fell directly within the commission?s mandate and assured the group that their petition would be analysed, with necessary actions taken.

?This is the National Human Rights Commission, and our establishment is specifically for the protection and promotion of human rights in Nigeria.

?We will analyse your petition and get back to you as soon as possible,? Obe said.

He also encouraged the public to approach the commission whenever they feel their rights were being violated. (NAN)

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