In order to ensure sustainability of the investments being made in biotechnology awareness and advocacy, there is the need to inculcate the concept into children. Except when this is done, the future for the technology will be uncertain especially when it bothers on deriving the benefits of the technology.Countries like China, USA, Russia, and Japan introduced children within the ages of 3 and 4 years to science and technology and its now paying them.
Based on the foregoing, OFAB Nigeria in collaboration with I-Fair-Skill G Innovative Centre Abuja held an Event to introduce the concept of Agricultural Biotechnology to children. The Event took place during the 2021 Children’s Day celebration on May 27, 2021.
Director General of the National Television Authority (NTA), Dr Yakubu Ibn Mohammed who spoke at the Event said popularizing science and technology among the younger Nigerians is a step in the right direction. He said it is strategic in equipping the future leaders with useful knowledge to practicing science from the grassroots. Other nations who towed this part are already reaping low hanging fruits produced. The DG was represented at the Event.
Also speaking at the event, Country Coordinator of OFAB and Deputy Director at NABDA, Dr Rose Maxwell Gidado explained that ‘Catch them Young Initiative’ is the way to go in this present time. “It is important to begin the grooming of children in the way of science because no nation of the world can develop without innovative skilled manpower, she added that genetic modification technology plays a very critical role and has the ability to revolutionize the economies of most developing countries if fully adopted. It is therefore incumbent upon nation to introduce children to innovative technologies early enough. USA, Japan, Russia and others are introducing young people to innovative technologies as early as 3, 4 years, Nigeria should not be excluded. Nigeria should prioritize technology, and biotechnology must be placed at the epicentre of nation discourse.
The Country Coordinator, represented by the Programme Assistant at OFAB, Nigeria chapter, Mr. Abraham Isah listed efforts by OFAB Nigeria in grooming children in science. Such efforts like ‘the inauguration of the first Biotechnology and Biosafety Club (BBClub)’ in Nigeria where students irrespective of their age are brought together and trained on current trends in scientific innovations. The innovations targeted at addressing malnutrition and food insecurity in the country are projected with a view to engendering better understanding and accurate communication of innovative agriculture. “We aim to train and expose school children to the different scientific techniques by which food security can be enhanced”, she said. “Food and nutrition security is very vital to the development and cognitive performance of children, so catching them young and teaching them the way out of food insecurity and acute malnutrition in Nigeria could play a very vital role in the future”, she enthused.
Continuing, Dr. Gidado said that the youths have been identified as a sustainable force in the promotion and creation of awareness about the technology. So, opportunities available should be used to increase knowledge.
Even farmers are willing to accept biotechnology usage in agriculture contrary to uninformed perceptions of anti-GM campaigners. This is a result of OFAB’s advocacy campaigns on agricultural biotechnology which has continued to dispel misconceptions and effective stakeholder engagement. Promoting communication of agricultural biotechnology results in increased demand for approved genetically modified crops by farmers.
Other Participants at the event include the Vice chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch, Bar Chioma Onyenukoro; the Secretary, FCT Education Secretariat, Miss Precious Emenike; Ambassador Charles Onyema, Legal practitioner; Representative of the Civil Society Coalition for Education (CSACEFE), Mr. Abdullahi Sani; the Nigerian Oil Magnate and Entrepreneur, Sir Emeka Offor, among several.