By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal Government through the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN) over the weekend condemned in strong term in what they termed: alleged misrepresentation and falsehood by a certain Phillip Njemanze, founder of Global Prolife Alliance (GPA) for lack of scientific evidence that the new and recently approved TELA maize developed by Nigerian scientists will be used as bio terrorism war against Nigeria.
The President of BSN, Prof. Prof. Sylvia Uzochukwu, while reacting to Njemanze’s alarming claim in a letter he (Njemanze) titled: “National Security Threat: Biotech Terrorism Using GMO Seeds” to the Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio and others, she urged the lawmaker and Nigerians not to heed the scientifically unfounded advice as contained in the letter.
She said: “I am writing on behalf of the BSN, in response to the recent letter you received from a certain Dr. Phillip C. Njemanze titled: “National Security Threat: Biotech Terrorism Using GMO Seeds” advising the withdrawal of commercialized transgenic crops in Nigeria.
“As a plant and food biotechnology promoters and experts, we strongly urge you not to heed this scientifically unfounded advice.
“Genetically Modified (GM) crops are not a national security threat or form of biotech terrorism. They have been rigorously tested and regulated before commercial release to ensure safety for human health and the environment.”
GM crops have been consumed in Europe, America, South Africa, China and other parts of Asia for more than 25 years, without adverse effects.
Communications Strategist and PR Expert, Mrs. Gloria Ogbaki, also in a reaction through a telephone chat on behalf of the National Biosafety Management Agency, the Federal Government agency responsible for approving biotechnology crops in the country, acknowledged that the Federal Government gave approval to the cultivation and commercilaisation of the TELA Maize transgenic crop since 2021, adding that the launch by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji at the National Biotecchnology development Agency (NABDA) office was the official flag of the biotech crop, which she said will help the country (Nigeria) achieve its food security drive.
According to her, the TELA maize a product of biotechnology was adequately rigorously subjected to several stages of risk analysis, monitoring, public presentaion and assessment before approval and commercilaisation which the Minister did in January, 2024.
She urged the Pro-life founder not to draw the country back on unfounded allegations which lack scientific basis and evidence, adding: “This TELA maize, which is insect and drought resistant will be planted in any region across the country, it has potential nutrional value, higher yield for farmers and without any form of side effect to the body or environment.”
Uzochukwu, also underscores that: “Transgenic Cowpea and TELA maize were developed by Nigerian scientists to benefit our nation’s smallholder farmers. The transgenic cowpea is resistant to destructive pod borers, which typically destroy 80% of cowpea crops.
“This resistance is helping farmers boost their yields several folds. TELA maize is drought tolerant and resistant to fall army woarm to enable farmers optimize yield and profits.
“Withdrawing these crops would deprive farmers of tools to improve their livelihoods and boost food security in the country.”
Accoding to her, Njemanze’s letter’s incendiary language linking GMOs with terrorism is very dangerous mischief, and highly concerning, adding that it is calculated to spreads misinformation and fear without any scientific basis.
Biotechnology, the BSN Prsident, explained improves crops through very precise changes at the molecular level to introduce beneficial traits.
She added: “There is international scientific consensus on GM crop safety, upheld by regulatory agencies and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine globally, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agricultural AOrganization (FAO), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the American Academy of Science, African Science Academies, European Academies of Science and many others. Nigeria’s genetically modified products have also passed the usual rigorous biosafety assessments before approval for commercial planting.
“As lawmakers, we I urge you not to limit access to innovations that can alleviate poverty and ensure sustainable food security for the countrymalnourishment. Nigerian and international scientists have developed responsible, regulated solutions that guarantee yield better lives for smallholder farmers through modern crop breeding methods. Please always consider the humanitarian national implications and support our farmers and the general consuming public, by maintaining policies guided by science.”
While debunking Njemanze’s claim, she added that contrary to the claim that transgenic crops pose a national security threat, it is essential to note that rigorous scientific evaluations and regulatory processes govern the commercial release of genetically modified organisms.
The safety of these crops, the BSN President said is thoroughly assessed, ensuring they meet the highest standards before reaching the market.
“We urge the Senate to consider the overwhelming international scientific consensus on the safety and benefits of transgenic crops and to continue supporting policies that promote agricultural innovation.
“By doing so, we can secure a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for Nigeria.” She said.
Recall that the Federal government has approved the commercial release of transgenic insect resistant and drought tolerant maize varieties, known as TELA maize through which approval was granted by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock breeds/Fisheries (NCNRRCVLF) headed by Prof. Olusoji Olufajo at its 33rd meeting at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan on January 11, 2024.
The 4 varieties approved by the NVRC are, SAMMAZ 72T, SAMMAZ 73T, SAMMAZ 74T, and SAMMAZ 75T.
The new maize varieties are drought tolerant and are resistant to stem-borer and fall armyworm resulting in yield advantage of up to 10 tonnes per hectare under good agronomic practices.
The national average for similar hybrids is 6 tonnes per hectare. The varieties are suitable for Rain Forest, Guinea, and Sudan Savannas Stem-borer reduces maize production in several countries in Africa, while fall armyworm can destroy up to 20 million metric tons of maize in Africa each year, enough to feed 100 million people.
The release and registration of the four varieties followed environmental release approval in October 2021 granted by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA).
Development of the improved varieties was led by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Samaru, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria through the TELA Maize Public-Private Partnership coordinated by AATF.
The TELA Maize Project is currently being implemented in 5 countries – Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa. Prof. Ado Yusuf, Executive Director, IAR expressed satisfaction with the release of the new four maize varieties saying, “IAR is very proud of our scientists who are addressing the maize productivity challenges in the country and beyond.
These varieties have undergone thorough research and have been developedusing the tools of biotechnology over several years of continuous testing and revalidation.”Dr Canisius Kanangire, AATF’s Executive Director, said, “the release of TELA Maize in Nigeria will contribute to food and nutrition security in line with the Federal Government’s Agricultural Transformation agenda. AATF reaffirmsunwavering commitment to addressing challenges faced by farmers across the continent.”
The Executive Secretary, Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) Prof. Garba Sharubutu, said the approval of the TELA Maize variety in Nigeria is a critical milestone that confirms the potential of biotechnology in ensuring food and nutrition security, and improved livelihood of farming households in Africa.
The Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Prof. Mustapha Abdullahi celebrated the release saying that, with the advent of TELA Maize, farmers will reduce the use of pesticides on maize to the bare minimum which is beneficial to humans, livestock, and environment. Dr Sylvester Oikeh, the TELA Maize Project Manager celebrated the decision by Nigeria by calling on other countries in Africa to act for farmers.
‘I am encouraged by this decision by the Federal Government of Nigeria that reflects their commitment to the needs of farmers. I congratulate the scientists for their hard work and dedication that has seen the product getting closer to farmers and look forward to other countries making similar decisions for the good of the farmer, he said.
The other partners in the TELA Maize project include National Agricultural Research Institutes in Kenya, Mozambique, Ethiopia, and South Africa, International Maize, and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Bayer, with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID.
