Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja
The Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Rufus Ebegba, has said that the argument on the environment and health issues surrounding the practice and products of modern biotechnology should be based on scientific evidence not rumours or hearsay.
Ebegba disclosed this while presenting his keynote address at the 2nd South-west Agroecological Biosafety Awareness workshop at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
A statement issued Friday by the Agency’s Head of Information Unit, Ms. Ogbaki Gloria, stated that the director general also challenged Nigerian scientists to come out in their numbers and defend the usefulness of modern biotechnology to the growth and development of the country.
He wondered why the voices of those against the technology are louder while those in support of the technology are not heard.
Ebegba, who was represented at the workshop by Mr. Alex Abutu, stressed that: “Scientific evidence should guide the facts about GMOs. Therefore it is imperative for scientists to come out of their laboratories and tell Nigerians the inherent benefits of this technology and how it will transform our quest for self-sufficiency in food production.â€
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