Renowned brand manager and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) ambassador, Michael Nwabufo, has called on the National Assembly to reject the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods in Nigeria.
A statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday, Nwabufo, popularly known as Mike Premium, made the call when he appeared before the House of Representatives on Friday.
He addressed concerns over a video he produced highlighting the potential dangers of GMO foods.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been controversies around the health safety of GMO plants being promoted by American billionaire and philanthropist, Bill Gates.
Nwabufo urged lawmakers to take decisive action to safeguard the health of Nigerians and protect the nation’s sovereignty from external influences.
“I stand here today as a patriot and a servant of the people, committed to building a healthier and more self-reliant Nigeria.
“I believe in the resilience of this National Assembly to make decisions that prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.
“I am glad that the House of Representatives is standing by us to kick against Genetically Modified Organisms called GMO foods,” Nwabufo said.
He urged the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari to rescind his support for GMO foods in the country.
According to him, the minister cannot make decisions of such magnitude that bother Nigerian wellbeing without recourse to the people and their representatives in the parliaments.
Nwabufo called on the minister to engage in thorough scientific and evidence-based research in certified laboratories to check the safety of GMO foods in Nigeria, before giving in to the proponents and defending plants.
According to him, some farmers have been brainwashed in Nigeria about GMO seeds.
He said that such people and farmers in their defence of GMO seeds, were saying “It is better to eat GMO foods and die than not to see food to eat”.
Nwabufo said that a lot of Nigerians seemed to be in the dark when it comes to food security.
He added: “Whoever controls our food controls our life forget every other thing and focus, this danger is looming!
“I believe the NASS knows what to do with the information we have brought, and I believe in your capacity to end this. I want to hit the nail on the head, I believe none of us wanted to die young.”
According to him, for example, ‘Tella maize’ created in laboratories, has been banned in several countries, including Russia, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, and some parts of the UK, such as Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
He said that some of these nations had taken such steps due to some concerns.
Nwabufo said that such concerns included the fact that “if you plant these seeds in our soil you won’t be able to replant it again, but depend on Bill Gates to always supply nations with his lab-made seeds instead of the one created by God.”
Nwabufo, who noted that GMOs had health risks, and environmental impact among others, called on the NASS to assess and regulate them through conducting thorough research and risk assessments before approving their widespread use in Nigeria.
He called for the promotion of transparency in healthcare, investment in local solutions and safeguarding of the nation’s biodiversity
“There are potential dangers to human health, including reduced lifespan and vulnerability to diseases.
“GMOs can harm ecosystems, disrupt biodiversity, and threaten traditional farming practices because their long-term safety remains unproven.
“There is the need to ensure that all healthcare interventions are subjected to rigorous safety checks.
“We must support the development of indigenous agricultural and medicinal practices to reduce reliance on foreign entities.
“We must protect Nigeria’s rich agricultural heritage and natural ecosystems.
“Indigenous crops, which are a critical part of our heritage, are at risk of being overshadowed by lab-engineered alternatives,” Nwabufo said.
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According to him, in countries like India and even parts of America, there have been reports linking GMO usage to harmful effects on both people and the environment.
“Bill Gates is a billionaire in dollars why does he think he can make more money investing in a country like Nigeria at this time if he does not have an ulterior Motive?
“He has spent millions of dollars pushing this agenda I personally tag population control,” Nwabufo said.
Expressing concerns about Bill Gates’ Interventions in Nigeria’s Healthcare, the CAC ambassador said that the nation must critically examine the foundation’s involvement.
He said: “There have been cases where vaccines, such as the polio vaccine, caused unintended harm instead of saving lives.
“While modern medicine has its place, we must ensure transparency and safety in any foreign interventions.
“Our ancestors lived long, healthy lives relying on natural remedies, herbs, and clean water.
“I am not advocating for a complete rejection of modern science, but I believe in preserving and modernising our traditional practices to build a sustainable and healthy future for Nigeria.”
