…as FG Convenes Biotech Conference In Abuja
Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima has said that for Nigeria to begin to reap the benefits of biotechnology, both the government and other stakeholders need to walk an extra mile, seeking a buy-in attitude.
Shettima said this on Monday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the ongoing International Conference on Biotechnology ( ICoB24) billed to last for 5 days, organized by the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency ( NBRDA) in partnership with both local and foreign organizations.
The VP who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, a former FCT Minister, said the agencies working for the adoption of biotechnology in the country need to be more committed and also steadfast because biotechnology is an innovation.
He noted that the agencies promoting this innovation need to intensify efforts at getting more stakeholders to appreciate and buy-in the importance of biotechnology to the country’s agriculture and building a non-oil economy.
He urged them to apply a more consistent and effective advocacy approach, to ensure that Nigerians key into the technology.
In his remarks, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji who was represented by Agoro Olayiwola said that the government was not only promoting biotechnology for economic growth but for improved food production.
He noted that while biotechnology has the potential to boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) it also expands the output of the country’s economy.
Also speaking, the Director General of the National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency ( NBRDA) Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said that biotechnology will not just improve the country’s agriculture, but other areas like healthcare, environment and industry.
Mustapha, however, noted that achieving the full potential of biotechnology would require the efforts of all stakeholders.
On the essence of the conference, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee and Director of Agriculture biotechnology in NBRDA, Dr. Rose Gidado, disclosed that it was. “for exchanging knowledge, exploring emerging trends, and fostering partnerships among researchers, professionals, industry experts and policymakers”.