FG Explains Role of Bio-ethics in National Development, Commends NABDA, UNESCO for Inaugurating Cttee
By Seun Adams
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, has said that the establishment of the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) is Federal Government’s efforts to assist United Nation, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the national bioethics of the country.
The Minister said this during the inaugural ceremony of the National Bioethics Committee, held recently in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the reason for establishing the committee is to safeguard the dignity, rights, safety and well-being of citizenry, who sought assistance in the treatment of their health as well as researchers in health and other related fields.
He stated that all over the world, the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) has become an emergent requirement for the advancement in the field of Science and Technology which requires diverse and broad professional views as well as great public concern.
In this regard, Mamora said that the field of bioethics in Nigeria is new and complex one, with multi-disciplinary nature, hence will attract many organizations from diverse sectors.
The Minister stated that developed countries are also confronted with challenges of advancement in Science and Technology which eventually leads to diversity of values at different place and time respectively.
He therefore noted that irrespective of the level of development of a country, there is need to establish NBC in order to strengthen sound, informed, acceptable and adaptable policies for the good of the society and its citizenry.
To this end, Mamora commended the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), UNESCO and other stakeholders for their efforts in the establishment of the committee and enjoined the Committee members to perform their duties diligently.
Speaking, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu said the challenge of bioethics in Government, health and pharmaceutical issues for citizens and other stakeholders is to create value with outcome of scientific research without violating existing moral and ethical values.
Adamu Adamu stated that the purpose of the Committee is to assist health care providers, hospital administrators, patients, families and the government by serving as a mechanism to develop, recommend and review with constitution standards, policies and procedures to bioethical issues.
In the same vein, the representative of the United Nation, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Mrs. Regina Priso said that Nigeria is a signatory to the 2005 UNESCO declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights which affirms that‘’ethical issues raised by rapid advances in the sciences and its technological advancement should be examined with due respect to the human dignity and universal respect for, and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms’’.
Earlier, the Director-General Prof of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, said that the quest to establish the National Bioethics Committee began 14 years ago when the first national bioethics stakeholders meeting was organised in collaboration with UNESCO.
He therefore called for support of media organisations by publicising the importance of Bioethics to the public for the desired research interest in the medical sector.
Nigeria Expresses Readiness to Collaborate with Japan
Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, has said that Nigeria is ready to collaborate with the Republic of Japan in order to strengthen bilateral ties in the area of technology transfer for the benefit of the country.
Ikoh, said this when the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr. Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the Ministry has technical departments and agencies saddled with responsibilities of various fields of technology, adding that Japan collaboration will enhance to transform the country’s potentials.
He therefore, commended Japanese Government for the long-standing bilateral relation between the two countries and assured the Ambassador that Nigeria is committed to working with Japan.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Monilola Udoh, said that presently Nigeria is gradually moving from commodity to knowledge-based economy in order to transform our raw materials into finished products in the market for economic transformation and diversification.
She reiterated the Federal Government commitment to the economic diversification of the nation, hence the need to collaborate with Japan for technology transfer.
Earlier, Kazuyoshi said the purpose of his visit is to seek for collaboration between the two countries in the area of technology transfer, noting that Nigeria has
Energy Security: FG Calls for More Investment in Sector
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora has said that Nigeria through her National Energy Policy and Climate Protocols has joined the rest of world to recognize Renewable Energy as one of the most cost-effective means of ensuring energy security.
Mamora said this while declaring the workshop on Capacity Building titled: ‘Accelerating Small Hydropower Investment’ in Nigeria open recently, in Abuja.
According to the Minister, Nigeria is blessed with a vast amount of Renewable Energy sources including Hydropower, wind, Solar and biomass, adding that small hydropower and biomass hold greater potentials towards providing access to firm Electricity as well as addressing climate change in the Nation.
He emphasized that proper investment in renewable energy is very necessary for Energy Security in Nigeria.
The Minister further stressed that Industrialization provides mechanism for sustainable economic growth and development but noted that meaningful industrialization cannot be achieved without adequate energy supply.
To this end, the Minister said that achieving sustainable industrialization of our nation amidst the challenges of climate change requires broad stakeholders’ involvement, active collaboration among policy makers, academia, public financiers and organized private sector actors (OPS) to effectively enhance investment in renewables and more specifically Small, hydropower in Nigeria is a necessity to successfully attain our desired goals.
He then commended United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for facilitating a crucial platform like this for dialogue that will enhance prosperity in Nigeria through the transformation of Energy Sector.
Speaking the Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) Prof. Eli Jidere Bala, said that Nigerian’s ambition for Industrialization and Economic development is reflected in its recent agenda 2050 development plan document, adding that the overall objective is to take Nigeria through to upper middle income, to high-income Country by 2050..
He pointed out that this feat cannot be achieved without adequate supply of Energy in a sustainable manner and at adequate cost in the Country.
Earlier, UNIDO representative to ECOWAS and Regional Director, Nigeria Regional Office Hub, Mr. Jean Bakola who was represented by Engr. Dr. Otu Osuji, said that Energy is a critical input for sustainable economic growth and industrial development in Nigeria.
According to Mr. Jean Bakola, in 2015 UNIDO with the support of Federal Government launched of Scaling of Small Hydropower project in Nigerian, of which the main objective is to promote investment in hydropower Technology and strengthen local manufacturing of goods.
Minister Advocates for Prioritization of R/D
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora, has called for prioritization of Research and Development (R&D) in Nigeria so as to achieve meaningful development in the Technology and Innovation sector.
The Minister made the call when the Director- General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, Major General Charles Ofoche paid him a courtesy visit in his office recently in Abuja.
According to him, for any nation to develop technologically, she must prioritize Research and Development in line with her areas of specialization and economic advantage.
Mamora, stated that most of the country’s R&D outputs are lying on the shelves which cannot add value to our economy until they are taken to the market as commodities.
He noted that Nigeria is blessed with untapped natural resources in all the 36 states which are yet to be utilized for the technological advancement of the country.
The Minister called on the Agencies of the Ministry to collaborate with one another to facilitate the speedy commercialization of their R&D products, adding that partnering with private sector is also necessary for achievement of the desired funding.
Earlier, the Director- General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, said that the purpose of their visit is to seek collaboration with the Ministry in the area of Research and Development value chain for the Military and Nigeria in general.
He further opined that proper management of R&D outputs will enhance transformation of our country’s technology and innovation sector.
