Connect with us

News

Nigeria to Upgrade Biosafety Management Agency to Keep Nation’s Biosafety Processes Top in Africa

Published

on

Nigeria to Upgrade Biosafety Management Agency to Keep Nation’s Biosafety Processes Top in Africa

By: Michael Mike

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr. Agnes Asagbra has said that the agency is ready to upgrade its technology in order to continue to be top biosafety and biotechnology regulatory body on the continent.

Asagbra, who address a press conference on Tuesday on achievements of the agency in recent time, said: “Nigeria’s biosafety processes are on par with, if not ahead of, those in other African countries like Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa. Our agency has received international recognition for its robust regulatory framework, which serves as a model for biosafety and biotechnology regulation across the continent.

“These countries also have robust biosafety regulations but our Biosafety system still ranks high because of the top notch international standard that is applied. For instance, Kenya has been at the forefront of GMO research and commercialization in Africa, with its National Biosafety Authority approving the environmental release of Bt cotton. Similarly, South Africa has been growing GMO crops since 1997 and has a well-established regulatory system.”

She said: “We are top here in Africa but not ready to rest on our oars. We want to upgrade on our technology in order to be on top of our trade.”

She explained that: “The Biosafety Law in Nigeria is more than just legislation; it’s a commitment to the nation’s sustainable future. It ensures that as Nigeria harnesses the benefits of modern biotechnology, it does so responsibly, with the utmost regard for the health of its people and the environment.”

Asagbra appealed that: “Let us embrace the advancements in safe modern biotechnology with an informed perspective. Let us trust in the rigorous processes that have been established to protect us all. Together, we can move towards a future where food security, environmental sustainability, and economic growth go hand in hand.”

She noted that the establishment of the NBMA has led to the development of biosafety frameworks of international standards, including a GMO detection and analysis laboratory, national biosafety policies, and regulatory instruments, insisting that: “These measures have positioned Nigeria as a leader in biosafety regulation in Africa, influencing other countries’ biosafety practices.”

Nigeria to Upgrade Biosafety Management Agency to Keep Nation’s Biosafety Processes Top in Africa

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary

Published

on

Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recorded a landslide victory in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election in Mafa Ward of Borno State, securing all valid votes cast in the exercise held in the home ward of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

The direct primary election took place at Mafa Central Primary School under the supervision of the Chairperson of the Presidential Primary Election Committee, Hajiya Inna Alkali Imam.

According to the results announced at the ward level, Tinubu polled 2,175 votes, representing 100 per cent of the valid votes cast during the exercise. Out of the 2,277 registered APC members in the ward, 2,175 were accredited and participated in the voting process.

Tinubu’s challenger, Stanley Osifo, an APC chieftain and businessman from Edo State, failed to secure any vote in the ward.

Governor Zulum, who served as the Coordinator and Collation Officer for the presidential primary in the state, said he participated in the exercise as an indigene of Mafa Ward.

“I am from Mafa Ward, and that is why I am here to witness and participate in the exercise. We have two candidates, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Mr Stanley Osifo,” Zulum stated.

The governor also commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise and the turnout of party members.

“So far so good, we have conducted the presidential primary election for Mafa Ward, and I am very impressed with the turnout. We have a total of about 2,277 registered party members in Mafa Ward, out of which 2,175 were accredited for the voting, and all of them voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the other candidate scored zero,” he said.

The APC presidential primary is ongoing in several states across the country, with the party expected to collate and announce final nationwide results at a later date.

Tinubu Sweeps Zulum’s Ward with 100% Votes in APC Presidential Primary

Continue Reading

News

I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi

Published

on

I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi

By: Our Reporter

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has recounted a touching childhood memory about former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon, portraying him as a compassionate leader who extended personal support to the family of a military officer killed during the 1966 coup.

Speaking during an interview on Signature TV, Sanusi reflected on his early years at St Anne’s Secondary School in Kaduna, where he attended school alongside Yusuf Pam, the son of the late Colonel Joseph Pam, one of the victims of the January 1966 Nigerian coup.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria recalled that despite the demands of national leadership, Gowon took a personal interest in the wellbeing of Yusuf following the loss of his father. According to Sanusi, the former Head of State frequently sent handwritten letters to the young boy, signing them “Uncle Joe.”

“What I remember at the age of eight was that General Gowon, as Head of State, would send a handwritten letter to Yusuf signed ‘Uncle Joe.’ That is a window into the person you are dealing with,” Sanusi said.

The Emir noted that the gesture has remained vivid in his memory over the years because it revealed a caring and humane side of leadership during one of the most turbulent periods in Nigeria’s history. He suggested that Gowon’s actions reflected empathy and a sense of responsibility toward families affected by the political upheaval of the time.

Colonel Pam was among several prominent figures who lost their lives during the 1966 coup, a pivotal event that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape and contributed to years of instability and conflict that followed.

I Remember At Age Of 8,General Gowon Would Send Hand Written Letter To Yusuf Signed Uncle Joe-Sanusi

Continue Reading

News

Troops Rescue Kidnapped Woman in Katsina Community

Published

on

Troops Rescue Kidnapped Woman in Katsina Community

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of 17 Brigade deployed at Yantumaki in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State have rescued a 30-year-old woman abducted by suspected terrorists during an early morning attack on the community.

Security sources said the troops responded swiftly after hearing gunshots from the outskirts of the town in the early hours of May 21.

According to the sources, the soldiers immediately mobilised to the area where frightened residents informed them that the terrorists had abducted a woman identified as Mrs Abida Rufai and escaped into the surrounding bush.

The troops were said to have trailed the attackers along their withdrawal route and subsequently engaged them in a gun duel.

Overpowered by the troops’ superior firepower, the terrorists reportedly abandoned the victim and fled into the bush.

Mrs Rufai was thereafter rescued unharmed and safely reunited with her family amid relief and excitement from members of the community.

Military authorities said troops have continued aggressive patrols and domination operations within the general area to forestall further attacks and reassure residents of their safety.

Troops Rescue Kidnapped Woman in Katsina Community

Continue Reading

Trending

Verified by MonsterInsights