By Sunday Ani
The House of Representatives Committee on Nutrition and Food Security will begin a three-day national summit on nutrition and food security today to address malnutrition in the country.
This is coming a few days after the Global Prolife Alliance (GPA) raised concern over what it called ‘biotech sponsorship of terrorism and the assault on Nigeria’s food sovereignty.’
Themed, “Curbing Malnutrition and Food Insecurity Through Effective Synergies,” the programme starts today and ends on Wednesday, July 10 in Abuja.
According to the Chairman, House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Chike Okafor, the summit was designed as a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholders engagement platform to bring together relevant actors from the executive and legislative branches across federal, state and local levels, as well as key development partners and the private sector.
“The core objectives are to harmonise legislative, policy and pragmatic responses to nutrition and food security challenges across all tiers of governments.
“Examine innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms for nutrition.
“Engender public-private partnerships and formulate strategies for building resilient and inclusive food systems, particularly in the face of climate shocks, economic disruptions, and insecurity.
“Strengthen parliamentary oversight and accountability frameworks in the implementation of nutrition-related programmes and budgets and to align development partner interventions with national legislative priorities, ensuring coordinated and impactful support.”
He also stated that the expected outcomes include strengthened legislative frameworks for nutrition and food security at federal and state levels; improved budgetary appropriations and tracking of nutrition funding, clear recommendations for policy reform and inter-agency coordination and enhanced synergy between development partners and legislative stakeholders among others.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will be the special guest of honour, while the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, will be the chief host.
The GPA had, in a petition signed by its chairman, Dr Philip Njemanze, raised concern about how certain biotechnology sponsors have deliberately funded Boko Haram insurgents, razed farms of natural crops, and coerced displaced farmers into adopting genetically modified (GM) seeds, thereby capturing Nigeria’s food security and advancing a broader agenda of bio-exploitation.
The GPA further stated that an international foundation sponsored the passage of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act (NBMA 2015) and the National Health Act (NHA 2014) to provide the legal framework for the clandestine operations of seizing Nigeria’s food security and the harvesting women’s ovarian eggs in exchange for GMO seeds destined for tissue and organ cloning.
“The global organ-cloning industry is valued at $30 trillion. It is estimated that 10 million Nigerian women will die annually from complications of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, including liver failure, kidney failure, cancer, infection and infertility.”
It also disclosed that its key findings showed that biotechnology investors hired mercenary forces to clear natural farmlands in northern Nigeria, driving farmers into IDP camps.
The GPA, therefore, recommended “immediate investigation by the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security into the nexus between biotech funding and insurgent activities.
“Parliamentary oversight hearings to summon present and former ministers of agriculture, health and environment, as well as NGO partners, for full disclosure of the E-wallet programme, improved seeds and related farmer fatalities.
“Legislative safeguards prohibiting armed contractors in agricultural development projects, including repeal of the NBMA 2015 Act and NHA 2014 Act.
“Total ban on GM seed and plant-variety releases in Nigeria. Even one percent contamination with GMO-derived genes triggers bans in export markets (EU, Russia, China).
“International referral for sanctions and potential ICC scrutiny of those who weaponized public-health and food-security initiatives.”