In preparation for the forthcoming Biotechnology Society of Nigeria’s 33rd International Annual Conference with the theme: Harnessing biotechnology towards building a knowledge driven and sustainable bio-economy in a post-oil era, the Honorable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMMST), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has received executive members of the society in a courtesy visit on the 1st March, 2021. The conference, which will be taking place at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, will be declared open by the Honorable Minister, Dr Ogbannaya Onu.
Among other things, the BSN executive members expressed their gratitude to the the Honorable Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu for his tremendous supports to the society over the years and also updated him on some recent progress of the society, one of which is the Biotechnology Book Project that is being sponsored by the Honorable Minister.
Responding to the courtesy visit, the Honorable Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu expressed his delight at the progress made by BSN towards the advancement of biotechnology in Nigeria, most especially, for using the technology to address teething problems for wealth creation and employment generation in line with the Charge of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. Among other things, the Honorable Minister, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu emphasized the gains of a knowledge-driven economy for which biotechnology plays a pivotal role; the issue of food security and great developments aimed at reviving the textile Industry in Nigeria with the Bt cotton and Bt cowpea. He acknowledged the contributions of BSN pioneer president, Prof. Chiweyite Ejike (who passed on last month February, 2021) to BSN and to the country at large.