Nutrition expert urges lawmakers, National Assembly staff to prioritise health
A nutrition expert, Dr. Vivien Njemanze, has urged lawmakers and National Assembly staff to take their health seriously through routine medical checks, proper nutrition and regular exercise, while also calling
A nutrition expert, Dr. Vivien Njemanze, has urged lawmakers and National Assembly staff to take their health seriously through routine medical checks, proper nutrition and regular exercise, while also calling for science-driven safeguards in the adoption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria.
Dr. Njemanze who is Deputy Clerk (Administration) of the Senate, spoke in Abuja after her investiture as Nigeria Country Director of the Centre for African American Research Studies (CAARS), a United States-based research and development organisation.
The ceremony also featured the public presentation of two books on ageing and wellness Njemanze co-authored, titled: “Food as Medicine” and “Natural Healing and Integrative Health Practices for Healthy Ageing in Africa.”
Addressing journalists, she linked the growing debate around GMOs to broader concerns about nutrition, food safety and healthy ageing, stressing that scientific evidence must guide public policy.
“I am not an authority in that respect,” she said, referring to GMOs. “But it is a sector that is being reviewed and worked on. Science is still doing its part, and I hope we are able to harness the best of it and mitigate the dangers that are associated with it.”
Her remarks come amid increasing discussions in Nigeria on food security, biotechnology and agricultural innovation. While proponents argue that GMOs can improve crop yields and resistance to pests, critics have raised concerns about potential health and environmental implications.
Njemanze underscored the need for a balanced approach that does not dismiss innovation but ensures that regulatory vigilance keeps pace with technological advancement.
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She said what people consume plays a central role in ageing and overall wellbeing, making food quality and safety matters of national importance.
“Ageing is a progression of the human cycle. It is something that must happen to everyone privileged to live long enough,” she said.
“There is need to make certain adjustments as we go through the seasons of life, including what we do and the food we eat.”
She added that wellness requires a holistic approach.
Beyond the GMO debate, the Deputy Senate Clerk advised lawmakers and civil servants to adopt preventive health measures, particularly in light of recent losses within the federal legislature.
“We should take our health very seriously. Routine checks, exercise and community involvement are critical,” she said.
Earlier, the Founding Director of CAARS, Professor Nnamdi Nwandu, said the organisation was established 16 years ago by five professors to translate development theories into practical impact.
According to him, the Centre has expanded to 16 countries with 279 fellows and had operated without a Country Director in Nigeria until Dr. Njemanze’s appointment.
“Today, we are here for two reasons. First, to formally admit Dr. Vivien Njemanze into the fellowship. Second, to formally install her as a Country Director,” he said.
Professor Nwandu announced that she would oversee the Centre’s African Healthy Aging and Wellness Initiative in Nigeria, alongside other programmes such as the Africa Global Leadership Initiative.
In her acceptance remarks, Dr. Njemanze pledged to discharge her responsibilities with diligence.
