…Gidado: By 2040, biotechnology companies can potentially contribute 20% of the world economy-Report
By Dele Ogbodo
The Director General, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA), Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha, on Wednesday raised the alarm over orchestrated and targeted campaign against the deployment of biotechnological tools to enhance agricultural productivity in the country.
The DG made the disclosure at a training session organized by NBRDA in conjunction with the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) in Abuja for journalists, broadcasters and media practitioners on objective and world class reportage to make a difference.
Mustapha, underscored the role of the media as wielding immense power to correct the misinformation against dissidents and nay sayers about biotechnology crops otherwise referred to as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
He said: “You wield immense power, the power to shape opinions, influence decisions, and drive societal change. Your words and narratives can spark revolutions, foster unity, and empower communities.”
According to him, with this power, comes great responsibility, a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of integrity, objectivity, and factual accuracy.
The DG, added: “Today, I stand before you to emphasize the critical importance of these principles in your work and to task you with a solemn duty—to integrate science as the core of your messages.
“In an era characterized by an abundance of information, misinformation, and disinformation, the role of the media as purveyors of truth and guardians of democracy has never been more paramount.
“Your duty is not merely to report events but to scrutinize, analyze, and contextualize them within the framework of evidence-based knowledge.”
Mustapha, said it is this same technology that had saved the world and provided scour from killer diseases including diabetes, Polio and recently COVID-19 Pandemic.
He urged members of the media to ask questions and seek to find out the basis of the campaign as the technology, adding: While is it accepted in the health sector and not in agriculture.
“Objectivity must be your guiding principle—an unwavering commitment to presenting facts without bias or distortion. As gatekeepers of information, you have a duty to separate truth from falsehood, to challenge assertions, and to hold power to account, regardless of political affiliations or vested interests.
“Factual reporting is the cornerstone of journalism. It is incumbent upon you to verify the accuracy of your sources, corroborate information from multiple angles, and refrain from sensationalism or conjecture.
“Your audience relies on you as a trusted source of information, and you must not betray their trust with careless reporting or unchecked rumours.
“However, beyond mere reporting lies a deeper responsibility—to integrate science into your narratives, to elevate evidence-based knowledge above rhetoric and conjecture.
“Science is not merely a subject of academic inquiry; it is a methodology—a rigorous process of observation, experimentation, and peer review that forms the foundation of our understanding of the natural world.” He said.
In a world grappling with complex challenges, from climate change to global pandemics, the DG, said, scientific literacy is now more crucial than ever.
While tasking members of the fourth estate of the realm, he added: “As media practitioners, you have the power to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public, to translate complex concepts into accessible narratives, and to foster a culture of critical thinking and inquiry.
“But this task requires more than mere lip service to science. It demands a concerted effort to cultivate partnerships with scientists, researchers, and experts across disciplines, to seek out accurate and reliable sources of information, and to present scientific findings in a manner that is both compelling and comprehensible.
“I urge you to embrace your role as custodians of truth, champions of objectivity, and ambassadors of science. Let your words be guided by the pursuit of knowledge, the quest for truth, and the noble ideals of journalism. For in a world besieged by ignorance and falsehood, the light of truth shines brightest in the hands of those who dare to seek it.”
Also, speaking at the training programme session, the Director of Agriculture at the agency, Dr. Rose Gidado, said, it is with the discovery of innovative biotechnology tools that helped in overcoming the annual fall army worm-induced losses.
According to her, the loss due to non-availability of the innovative biotech tools exceeded $268 million.
Gidado, said: “It will also save Nigeria a significant foreign exchange in the importation of maize over metric tons and $15.2 million annually, which is beyond the reduction in chemicals, adding that the economic implications are profound.
“It is estimated that N268 billion is spent annually in the purchase of chemical insecticides used to spray maize in Nigeria.
“Globally it is estimated that by 2040 biotechnology companies can potentially contribute 20% of the world economy (Global trends 2021, National intelligence Council Report).”