Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has said that the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is pivotal to achieving the food security goal of the Federal Government.
The Minister, who this during a familiarisation visit to the NBMA on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, applauded the agency for its work in the area of scientific research and safeguarding the nation. He encouraged the agency to continue in this spirit in order to be the first and foremost in the area of biosafety in the continent.
Lawal advised the agency to extend its work to other state governments as, according to him, collaborating with other states would enhance awareness about biosafety and contribute to a seamless nationwide implementation of the biosafety process.
The Minister also urged all members of staff to be punctual, imbibe team work and also collaborate with one another to achieve a more effective and productive job.
The Director General/CEO of NBMA, Dr. Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, in her presentation emphasised the impact and benefit of the agency in safeguarding human health, plants, animals and the environment.
Dr. Asagbra stressed that the agency has provided a robust enabling environment for indigenous and foreign scientists to practice modern biotechnology under a robust legal framework.
She restated that NBMA would not rest on its oars in ensuring safety in the application of modern biotechnology which is very essential to attaining food security in Nigeria.
