The then Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu described the outcome of years of research invested into the development of two GM crops in Nigeria – PBR Cowpea and Bt Cotton as evidence that science works.
Delivering a Keynote Speech during the 2nd Faculty of Science National Conference on Innovative Science at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University, Bida, Niger State, the Minister who was represented at the conference by Dr Andrew C. Iloh, said no nation around the world can develop her economy without science.
Citing the developments in the Biotechnology sector, he said the commercialization of the two Genetically Modified (GM) crops in the Nigerian Market is typical example of how science could be applied to meet the everyday needs of humans. He, therefore called on the participants to engage in innovative research that will contribute to national development. With the theme: ‘Catalysing National Economic Recovery in post Covid 19 era through Innovative Research,’ the keynote speech focused on the application of local content into science, technology and innovation within Nigeria.
While the Country Coordinator, OFAB Nigeria, Dr Gidado, Rose Maxwell whose paper titled, ‘Commercialization of Agricultural Biotech Research Outputs, a Panaceaa to National Economic Recovery,’ said biotechnology crops will continue to be important in meeting the 50 per cent increase in food demand by 2050 and can also help address challenges such as population growth; urbanization and ageing; climate change; agricultural productivity and innovation; transboundary pests and diseases; nutrition and health and food losses. Dr Gidado was represented by OFAB Nigeria’s Program Assistant, Mr. Abraham Isah.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of IBBU, Professor Abu Kasim Adamu stated that Nigeria has all it takes to engage in the application of scientific tools in meeting human needs. Innovative technology, according to him, can serve as a catalyst to mitigate economic hardship in the current post COVID-19 era.
Other participants in the conference included: Professor Abu Kasim Adamu (Chief Host); Professor of Mechanics Engineering, Federal University of Technology Minna-Niger State, Prof Abiodun Musa Aibinu (one of the plenary speakers); the Program Director, Set-Up Nigeria, Zainab Haruna (one of the plenary speakers); Dean, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Prof Yahaya Aliyu Badeggi; the President of the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), Prof MB Yerima (one of the plenary speakers); Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof Hassan; the Chairman, Lapai Local Government; the Commissioner for Health of Niger State, Dr Mohammed Makusidi; the Commissioner for Tertiary Trust Fund, Prof Baba Aliyu; and the Coordinating Director of Research, IBBU, Prof Nuhu Obaje, and others totalling to 450 majority of whom are students and lecturers participated in the event.