Nigerian government have been urged to pay better attention to the regulation of genetically modified foods.

A nutrition security expert, Adedotun Owolabi, made this call , urging the government to focus on encouraging the fortification of locally produced food products to ensure they have the important nutrients.

He also noted that  Nigerian nation should look into the importation and consumption of foods containing genetically modified organisms because of the uncertainty about its safety.

Owolabi while stressing that such foods should be regulated noted that the absence of regulation on it was inappropriate.

The nutritionist noted that the safety of GMO foods is still a contentious issue around the world, adding that while most European countries have banned them due to health concerns, they have received favourable regulations in the United States and Brazil.

Recall that in 2021, Nigeria introduced genetically modified seeds through the National Bio-safety Management Agency.

Speaking at a workshop, the Director-General of the agency, Rufus Ebegba had stated that safe science and technology have been known to be drivers of economic change the world over, adding that Nigeria cannot be left behind.

Owolabi, who is a food and nutrition security expert, also noted that Nigeria should focus on the bio-fortification of food products to ensure that they contain nutrients that may be lacking in such food produce.

According to Owolabi, bio-fortification is the process of breeding staple crops to have higher levels of essential nutrients either through selective breeding or genetic modification.

“In Nigeria, we do not have regulations that support GMO foods. Instead of GMO foods, Nigeria should talk more about biological fortification of staple foods- Bio-fortification.”

“That is if a food product is lacking in a particular nutrient, this nutrient that is lacking can be introduced into the foods through conventional breeding or genetic engineering.”

The nutrition security expert said while there has been no conclusive evidence to support or ban the use of GMOs, it should still not be left unregulated.

He urged the Federal government to formulate policies and regulations on GMO foods to protect the citizens.

According to experts, genetically modified organisms are any organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

Some examples of it include a wide range of organisms, from insects and plants to animals used in food production.

According to a recent report published online, GMO products remain controversial among environmental and natural living groups.

According to the article, opponents of genetic modification worry that genetic changes may affect human health in unanticipated ways, adding that there is concern that the nutrients from these products may damage tissue or not metabolise as effectively as non-GMO foods.

It also noted the lack of knowledge on the long-term effects of consuming GMO products.

Owolabi said, “The safety of GMO foods all over the world, is still very uncertain that is why some countries such as France and Germany have banned growing genetically modified foods.”

UNICEF has lauded the Kaduna Government for capturing 680, 888 poor and vulnerable households into the State Social Register.

A Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna office, Dr Wilfred Mamah, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Men in Kaduna.

He commended the Kaduna State Operation Coordinating Unit (KADSOCU) for giving the ”poor and vulnerable a voice” during the process of generating the register.

Mamah however, noted that there was no inclusion of children in the Community-Based Targeting (CBT) process used in populating the register.

“We want to see children as leaders of tomorrow, contributing to decisions that concern them. UNICEF will work with SOCU to see how that can happen during the CBT process,” he said.

Mamah further pointed out that data management was critical in child protection system strengthening, adding that UNICEF would support SOCU in developing and managing credible data of the poor and vulnerable in the state.

He said that the measure was crucial, as dealing with children was different from dealing with adults.

He further explained that, the state Child Welfare and Protection Law 2018 provides the needed legal framework in handling issues related to children in the state.

He also said that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development in charge of child protection was handling data on children differently from the data managed by SOCU.

The child protection specialist stressed the need for working synergy between the two MDAs to share skills and understanding of children’s data management.

The State Government said that no fewer than 2.6 million individuals have been captured in the Social Register with 680,888 poor and vulnerable households.

The state Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Sani Abdullahi said that KADSOCU has delivered on a robust social register of poor and vulnerable households.

He said the state government is poised to reduce poverty and ensure social inclusion among citizens.

He explained that the state government has provided over N4billion in the 2022 Budget for pro-poor interventions that seek to support the vulnerable and ensure social inclusion among the urban and rural poor citizens across the state.