The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has collaborated with journalists in Nasarawa state on sensitization of Genetically Modified organisms’ safety and regulations in Nigeria.
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The Director-General of NBMA Dr. Rufus Ebegba said the sensitization workshop on biosafety in Lafia the state capital would give journalists the idea that any food that contained Genetically Modified organisms is not cancer-related as speculated in some quarters.
According to the DG, ” the workshop aims to sensitize Nigerians on the state of Biosafety in Nigeria with regards to genetically modified organisms and their safety,
“know that the fruits and some food items which are said to be genetically modified and available in the Nigerian market presently are not genetically modified rather, they are either hybrids or improved through conventional breeding technique, ”
He further said that “the federal government through NBMA is always poised to protect the health of its citizens and the environment by providing case by case analysis of GMO potential risk that may be associated with it”, Dr. Ebegba said
Dr. Ebegbe however, assured Nigerians that the federal government through the Agency is doing everything possible to ensure that all Nigerians are safe.
” The Agency has a responsibility towards the safety of Nigerians, urging NigTheans to trust the agency and need not to be afraid as their health and wellbeing are paramount in the mind of the Agency as they relate to Biosafety”, He added
Speaking, the Regional Representative, West Africa Office, Africa Technology Foundation(AATF), Dr. Issoufou Kollo said the AATF’s main focus is on agricultural produce and how biotechnology can be used in Africa.
“The AATF is highly dedicated to bringing any type of biotechnology that can Improve agriculture including Gto”, Dr. Kollo said
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