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Don’t Allow Frightening, Untrue Stories About Biotechnology Hinder Our progress- Experts

Published

5 years ago

November 9, 2019

Biotechnolgy experts on Friday admonished Nigerians to not allow frightening and untrue stories about proven technology to hinder the country’s advancement in the sector.

The experts gave the advice at the 2019 3rd edition of the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Africa, Nigeria Chapter Media Award Dinner in Abuja.

Dr. Rose Gidado, Country Coordinator of (OFAB) in Nigeria, organizers of the award, in her speech said that Science and Technology are not complete without communication.

“The Award was initiated to celebrate the tremendous work that journalists have done and recognized the important role of the media in shifting Nigeria’s opinion out of the recesses of dormancy by giving a voice to truth.

“Nigerian journalists have dominated the last two editions of the OFAB Africa award at the continental level having won the best and overall prizes, and to say that we are proud would be an understatement,’’ she added.

Gidado said that there is no developed country of the world that has achieved any meaningful social development without scientific and technological innovation.

“Africa’s chance to benefit from these technologies lies in its ability to efficiently communicate its potential benefits and shouldn’t be detracted by myths that have been proven false, time and again.

“The successful environmental/commercial approval and adoption of two genetically modified crops – cotton and cowpea are proof that Nigerians want a better country.

“Science and technology are at the base of solving our most pertinent problems, from climate change to food security and health, among others, towards ensuring sustainable development in Nigeria.”

She said that in the past few years, the media has been a veritable ally in the communication of credible scientific facts surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

“They have worked with us in demystifying genetic modification and enlightening our people, especially farmers, grassroots communities, CSO’s, policymakers on the power as well as the efficacy of this technology.

“So we must all ensure that the country makes use of science and technology to be greater than it is today,’’ Gidado added.

Prof. Celestine Aguoru, President, Nigerian Biosafety and Biotechnology Consortium (NBBC) advised that only professionals should speak on specific burning issues concerning their field.

“Only experts who are practitioners and researchers in the field of modern biotechnology understand the paradigm shift from the earlier stage to the current position.

“The development and application of modern biotechnology in dealing with environmental, health and agricultural problems that have defied conventional approaches is happening so fast, so non-experts may not understand and keep pace with it due to limited knowledge.

“The media must as a matter of urgency distinguish between experts who provide accurate information and pedestrians who dabble into subjects that they have no training in’’.

He said the media determines, directs and changes the narratives on every subject or discourse: and therefore should profile the pedigree of everyone making comments on the application of modern technology in Nigeria, to sieve out the grains from the chaff.

Dr Doyin Odubanjo, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Academy of Science, in his keynote address said that science has a great potential to drive the kind of change we want to see in our country.

In this century, applying innovative science will take us farther than we have gone.

The best way to prevent a subject from becoming controversial is to use verifiable information, in context, from reliable sources – truthful, accurate, and thorough and complete reporting.

Today, successes in vaccination and management of diabetes all over the world are as a result of the application of genetic modification’’.

Other stakeholders at the event included Prof. Alex Akpa, Acting Director-General, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Dr Vincent Isegbe, Director-General, Nigeria Quarantine Service, representative of Director-General of NBMA among others.

OFAB Africa organizes an award ceremony every year to encourage journalists and motivate them to do their best.

This year`s awards were in three categories, namely: Best TV, Best Radio and Best Print.

Some of the awardees are Abdullahi Tsanni of African News Page, Juliana Agbo of Leadership Newspaper, Josiah Buzun and Blessing Itumo of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and Collins Nnabuife of Tribune Newspaper.

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RMRDC: Making Giant Strides Under Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso

Published

6 hours ago

September 19, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.

This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.

Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago. This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.

The RMRDC, operating under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.

Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office, he said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.

According to him, “In the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.

“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; and Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations.

“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed further: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.

“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information to drive our mission forward.

“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC), at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.

“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research (JORMAR) will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector. “The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.

“The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.”Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program. “Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.

“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance.

“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.

“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.

He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.

“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.

“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

The DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.

In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.

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