Agricultural biotechnology stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, educated journalists on biosafety and biotechnology regulations and reportage during a communication workshop.
This is coming a couple of weeks after a similar forum held in Lagos on Wednesday, August 14. The agricultural biosafety/biotech communication workshop was themed: “Strategic Communication Training for Influencers/Reporters on Biosafety/Biotech Regulations.”
Organised by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the daylong event featured messages and presentations by Dr Agnes Asagbra, the NBMA Director-General/CEO; Chris Bielecki, Agricultural Counselor at USDA; Gloria Ogbaki, NBMA spokesperson; Abraham Isah of OFAB; African Farmer Mogaji; Hauwa Tahir Ahmed of NBMA; and Michael Simire, Editor-in-Chief of EnviroNews Nigeria, who spoke on “Crafting impactful messages that resonate with the public and policymakers”.
The workshop was aimed at promoting scientific literacy and dispelling non-science-based narratives about agricultural biosafety in other to enhance the media’s capacity to communicate complex biosafety topics to the public accurately.
Apart from providing in-depth knowledge of the NBMA’s role and activities in regulating agricultural biotechnology, the forum was also aimed at fostering a network of informed journalists who can contribute to the national dialogue on biosafety.
In her welcome address at the Abuja workshop, Dr Asagbra highlighted the benefits of modern biotechnology in minimising risks to humans, animals, and the environment.
She assured that the agency was committed to transparency and truthfulness in its communication channels.
“We are dedicated to utilising modern biotechnology to minimise risks to human health and the environment,” Asagbra said.
She promised that no unsafe foods would enter the public domain without certification from the agency through modern biotechnology.
Bielecki of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service in Nigeria noted that Nigeria is a continental leader in biotechnology.
He assured that the U.S. was willing to support Nigeria in achieving its biotechnology and biosafety goals.
“The USDA aims to promote agricultural trade between Nigeria and the US and support the development of Nigeria’s domestic agricultural systems.”
Bielecki expressed optimism that the enlightenment would foster a network of informed journalists and opinion influencers contributing to international dialogue on biosafety and modern biotechnology.
Just like they did in Lagos, the NBMA, in collaboration with the USDA, organised the Strategic Communication Training for influencers and reporters on biosafety and biotechnology regulations.
