…Abdullahi commends Ministry, Biosafety Management in approval of biosecurity policy
By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Federal Government through the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, on Tuesday announced the review of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (2012).
The reviewed policy, the Minister and stakeholders averred will expectedly determine the roadmap on the deployment of STI and how it will impart every sector of economic and national life.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Barr. Mohammed Abdullahi, has commended the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in the development and approval of the National Biosecurity Policy and Action Plan in the country.
The Deputy Director, Public Affairs and PR Department in the Ministry, Mr. Afonja Ajibola, quoted the Minister as making the disclosure in his office in Abuja, when the committee on review of the operational guidelines on Energy Research Centres submitted their report.
Onu, while receiving the report acknowledged that the recommendations will be of utmost benefit to the nation, adding that the federal government will give it the attention it deserves.
He added that from the report, the nation will benefit tremendously in ensuring host universities and energy research centres work harmoniously.
The Minister further stressed that other research institutes will also benefit from the committee’s report.
He said: “In the past we have seen the universities and research institutes work in silos, we know that was not helpful so we believe that if there is cooperation and understanding there will be great benefits, we derive from one another and the nation will benefit most.”
The ministry, Onu, added is anxious to build a nation that the global community will respect, adding that Nigeria will find a way to catch up with the technological developed nations of the world.
He, expressed believe that the fourth Industrial revolution gave us an opportunity to embrace all emerging technologies as a nation by promoting Research and Innovation.
The Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria and Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, said that the committee is optimistic that the recommendations of the draft report will meet up to its terms of reference.
In another development, the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mohammed Abdullahi, has commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in the development and approval of the National Biosecurity Policy and Action Plan in the country.
The Minister made the commendation in a goodwill message he gave at the unveiling and presentation of the approved copy of the national biosecurity policy and action plan (2022-2026) organized by the Ministry on Tuesday.
He said considering the recent changes and trends in the emergence of disease in the country it is important the country continue to make progress by making sure action plans are put in place to tackle biosecurity threats to ensure a bio-secured country.
Abdullahi, further said that the country is utilizing biosecurity as a strategic and integrated tool encompassing policy and regular frameworks to analyze and manage risks in vital sectors such as food safety, animal and plant life health.
He also stated that the Ministry through its Department of Bioresources Technology (BRT) has made great efforts through collaborations with other Ministries and Agencies in the federation in September 2021, where it organized a National Counter Terrorism Strategy and biosecurity, with stakeholders acquainted with roles and responsibilities in biosecurity.
Earlier the Director General of the agency, Dr. Rufus Ebegba, said the agency was established in 2015 with the aim of ensuring the application of modern biotechnologies in environmental and human health.
He further said that the process is to improve the issues of biosecurity specifically, and to make sure measures are put in place in ensuring harmful biological threats are prevented in the country.
