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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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Nigeria Will Take Good Shape In No Distant Time- Olawande

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande has urged the citizens of the country to be patient with the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in transforming the lives of its citizens through various policies and programs of the federal government.

The Minister made this submission while delivering his speech at the Joint Union Negotiating Council’s week of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development branch. This is the first edition since both Ministries of Youth and Sports had been damaged. The JUNC week which was held at Atiku Hall, Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja had its theme: “The working people in a volatile, uncertain, and complex economy”

In the words of the Honourable Minister: “I urge you to be patient with this administration. In no distant time, the country will take good shape and the lives of its citizens will be transformed”.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not a pauper, he is an acknowledged epitome of wealth, and so it cannot be said of him that he desires to loot the treasury of Nigeria. He has seen money and as a result of this, he is not interested in looting the nation’s treasury”, Olawande explained.

He emphasized that “leadership is all about being committed to serve. If you are a Minister now, tomorrow you will be addressed as a former Minister, likewise a Director because there is no permanent position but the impact that you made while in that office will speak after you”, the Minister reiterated.

Olawande expressed his gratitude to the workers of the Ministry for being supportive of the government policies and programs. He promised that the welfare of the staff would not be compromised, adding that workers deserve remuneration for being hardworking.

Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya admonished the staff of the Ministry to put in their best as “Performance Management System” which replaces APER is the criteria to be used for promotion effective next year. This, according to him is because the Performance Management System (PMS) records the best efforts and input of each staff which will in turn be used to grade such staff.

Olusanya who disclosed that the welfare of the staff is his priority as workers deserve the best for the services rendered. He opined that “the hungry man is angry and as a worker, if you are not treated fairly and properly, it is impossible to get the best out of you. As a result, all staff will be treated properly as motivation to propel the best in you”, he concluded.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, OON, MNI, in her address, informed that the activity to reinvigorate the Civil Service in a bid to ensure that Civil Servants carry out their duties with much diligence to have efficient and incorruptible civil service is currently on course. She advised workers to wake up and be committed to the service of the nation.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Jerry Akume, the General Secretary of the Union expressed his delight in celebrating this year’s edition of the Union week, while highlighting the achievements of the union so far. These include:

Upward review of staff welfare, prompt payment of repatriation allowances, payment of first 28 days allowance, assistance to the sick, general training of staff, and sending forth/retirement package for retired staff.

He also appealed to the Management of the Ministry, saying that irrespective of the aforementioned achievements, a lot still needs to be done in such areas as procurement of staff buses, upward review of welfare payment for festive periods, consistent general staff training, and procurement of office and work materials.

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