Biosafety agency wants partnership with media on awareness campaign


The National Biosafety Management Agency says it will partner with the media to strengthen awareness campaign on the importance, handling and use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the country.

Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General of the agency made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He said efforts had been made through the media to sensitise the public to the responsibility of the agency in ensuring an adequate level of protection, conservation and use of biological diversity.

“We have also taken into account the risk of human health in the application of modern biotechnology.

“The agency’s responsibility is for the safety of Nigerians. However, in the course of discharging our duties, there have been some reactions which may not be unusual because this is a very new thing.

“But some of the outcry in some sectors, as I would always explain, is borne out of misinformation and misconception.

He said the agency would collaborate with the media in that regard.

“The essence of Nigeria adopting this technology is to improve the economic sector and other sectors such as health and agriculture and provide raw materials to drive our economy.

“The Federal Government has established the agency to ensure the safety of Nigerians and the public should trust the agency as well,’’ he said.


He called on the media to cooperate with the agency in informing the public about the activities of the agency and the benefits of GMOs.

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