The Nigerian government is partnering with stakeholders in exploring relevant technologies to enhance food security for Nigerians.
The government also said it was committed to adopting safe technology that would facilitate its food security and economic recovery drive for the country, in line with it Agriculture Policy, known as, The Green Alternative and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).
Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mr. Muhammad Abdullahi, stated this at the 6th National Bio-safety and Bio-security conference held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, with the theme;” Biological Safety- An imperative for increasing population, Food, Security, and Environmental sustainability.”
The Minister, represented by the Director, Human resources Mr. Lawrence Adigwe, said that the country must also look for ways to increase investment, through enhanced International cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research, technology development, for agricultural productive capacity.
“Nigerians should be rest assured of the protection of their healthy and the environment by the National Biosafety Management Agency on matters concerning GMOs. The NBMA works in partnership with other line Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, Youths, Women and Farmers Associations and the international community, in line with the United Nations Conventions to protect the environment. these partnerships are important if we are to succeed in ensuring food security therefore I wish to charge all of you to support the Government in her efforts to rejuvenate the economy and free our people from poverty.” He explained.
The Director General National Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA, Dr Rufus Ebegba said that the annual event was to showcase the Nigerian bio-safety and bio-security system and also to dialogue with stakeholders with a view of coming up with suggestions on how to improve the National Health System.
He noted that, the National Bio-safety is very important for the agency and the nation.
He however noted that the conference would give the participants the opportunity to dialogue, the discourse and look at issues holistically, on how to adopt a national security and safety system that would ensure safe environment and human health for malicious use or release of genetically harmful biological agents.
“Our gathering here today and tomorrow will enable us to come up with programs and activities that we can direct our bio-security about safety policy, to guide COVID decision decisions in this area. I want to thank the University of Abuja for agreeing to host this year’s conference and not just hosting it’s also supporting in the area of provision the venue are facilitating and also establishing local organizing committee.” He explained.
He noted that the National Bio-safety Management Agency has been working with other Ministries and agency in developing a national bio-security measures action plan to ensure that Nigeria have a blueprint for matters of Bio-security to help protect the environment from harmful biological agents.
“I want to thank the University of Abuja for agreeing to host this year’s conference, the venue are facilitating and also establishing local organizing committee. And I want to thank the members of the local organizing committee for working with the staff of the National bio-safety Management Agency in putting this together.” The Director General said.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Professor, Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, said that the theme of this year conference it’s an appropriate and timely in the history of the nation to gather experts, scientists and other stakeholders to discuss “Biological Safety as an Imperative for Increasing Population, Food Security and Environmental Sustainability.”
He said that conference would also help in addressing the food crisis and security as result of ever-increasing population of Nigeria and Africa at large.
He noted that issues of Bio-safety and Biosecurity are of no doubt sectors with great input in Nation’s National Development with so much galvanization of academic research in ensuring the sustenance of the system.
“As you all may be aware, Biosafety as an issue within the areas of Biological Diversity is aimed at protecting the environment and human health from the possible adverse effects of modern biotechnology and its products. This resulted to the emergence of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety of the Convention of Biological Diversity. the Protocol targeted to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living or genetically modified organisms resulting from modern.” He said.
Director, ABNE-AUDA-NEPAD, Dr Jeremy Ouedraogo, commended the NBMA
For its the leadership and great achievements towards making relevant decision for both Nigeria and Africa.
He said that NEPAD would continue to work on strategies for food security to improve the livelihoods of the people of Africa.
“Our continent is facing a lot of challenges when it comes to environment and also agriculture. That’s why through the agenda 2063 African Union main pathway documents under its aspiration number one for a prosperous continent. It called for modernization of African agriculture, mainly in the harnessing of modern Biotechnology in Africa.” He explained.
The National Biosafety Management Agency is posed to effectively regulate modem biotechnology and also with the collaboration of other stakeholders ensure bio-security for the benefit of Nigerians.
The Agency is to safeguard the environment, human health of all Nigerians, taking into consideration national interest and socio-economic issues from potential adverse impacts of modern biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOS).
The 2022 annual National Bio-safety and Bio-security has the theme; “Biological safety- An imperative for increasing population, food, security and Environmental sustainability,”
Lateefah Ibrahim
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