GLYPHOSATE is the primary ingredient in the herbicide ROUNDUP®. GLYPHOSATE is a known carcinogen and teratogen; and it is developed and marketed by Monsanto (now Bayer), one of the major purveyors of GMOs.
Also, the actual chemical compound that should be in ‘NUVAN’ or ‘SNIPER®’ is DICHLORVOS actually known as DDVP and stands for 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate. It is an organophosphate insecticide commonly used for pest control in agricultural and domestic settings. However, one thing our ongoing research has found is that manufacturers now use Chlorpyrifos and brand it as DDVP in the commercially available ‘SNIPER’ found in agrochemical stores in Nigerian markets and even on the streets (it’s only in Afrika that the marketing of these poisons is not controlled). Now, while Chlopyrifos is also an organophosphate pesticide used to kill a variety of pests, including insects and worms, on crops and in other settings; its chemical name is O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate.
It is interesting to note that, Chlorpyrifos is banned in Nigeria by NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control). However, NAFDAC has scheduled the ban on chlorpyrifos to be effective from November 1, 2024. NAFDAC has also banned and is phasing out several other pesticides and agrochemicals due to their harmful effects on health and the environment. Some of these include:
- Paraquat (effective January 1, 2024)
- Atrazine (effective January 1, 2025)
- Carbofuran (immediate ban)
- Clothianidin
- Diquat Dibromide
- Diquate Dichloride
- Ametryn
- Anthraquinone
- Carbendazim
- Chlorothalonil
- Oxadiargyl
- Thiacloprid
- Methomyl
- Thiamethoxam.
What is however curious is why schedule the ban to take effect in a distant one year ahead, and not NOW; when it is verified that these chemical agents pose serious toxicity and hazardous effects on human and environmental health? Well, one may argue that this is Nigeria and there are many bridges underneath which a lot of foreign waters pass; perhaps to wash even more curious hands.
The question is, why must this be allowed to happen ‘in’ Nigeria?