On their part, the NABDA boss said NABDA is already taking the lead by adequately investing not only in biotechnology research but in the effective communication of the science of modern biotechnology through the establishment of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology and Biotechnology Awareness (OFABBA) Unit.
The Director General of National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha says the challenges facing Africa’s development has continued to grow due to the fact that the continent is yet to fully leverage on the promising tools provided by science.
Prof. Mustapha spoke yesterday at the ongoing international conference on Communication and Development in Africa organised by the Instituted of Strategic and Development Communications, ISDEVCOM, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
He insisted that for Africa to grow a and overcome its contemporary challenges, the continent must
fully leverage on the promising tools provided by science.
Prof. Mustapha, who identified science myths and falsehood among the notorious factors responsible for slowing the growth of science in Nigeria, maintained that adequate communication is the only remedy to pull out Africa from this menace.
“The challenges facing Africa’s development has continued to grow due to the fact that the continent is yet to fully leverage on the promising tools provided by science.
“We know that science myths and falsehood are among the notorious factors responsible for slowing the growth of science in Nigeria and adequate communication is the only remedy to pull out Africa from this menace.
“Making science understandable to the public can remove the existing disorientation in society and bring confidence in the future. Therefore, science simply must be open, understandable, and accessible to the masses, rather than hiding behind the doors of offices and university auditoriums. Science needs to be communicated with everyone in an understandable and accessible language.
“Many scientists are already using accessible methods to communicate. Novelties in medicine and viruses, new materials and environmental problems, digitalization of the environment, space exploration etc – scientists are already telling people gathered in everyday settings about the use of accessible methods to communicate.”
For him, event such as the conference provide the needed opportunity to jump-start the critical game-changing steps needed to make the objectives of promoting science communication and Development in Africa a reality.
On their part, the NABDA boss said NABDA is already taking the lead by adequately investing not only in biotechnology research but in the effective communication of the science of modern biotechnology through the establishment of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology and Biotechnology Awareness (OFABBA) Unit.
In addition, he said the agency has been partnering g with the institute for the past 3-7 years and that the partnership had yielded a lot of success stories, one of which was a competitive science communication grant obtained by ISDEVCOM led by Prof. Dandaura from Sci-Dev of London, funded by Robert Bosch Stiftung of Germany that has been credited with championing curriculum development in science communication in Africa.
“At the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), we are already taking the lead by adequately investing not only in biotechnology research but in the effective communication of the science of modern biotechnology through the establishment of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology and Biotechnology Awareness (OFABBA) Unit.
“We have been partnering with the Institute of Strategic and Development Communication (ISDEVCOM) Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) Nassarawa State, Nigeria for the past 3-7 years and this yielded a lot of success stories one of which a competitive science communication grant obtained by ISDEVCOM led by Prof. Dandaura from Sci-Dev of London, funded by Robert Bosch Stiftung of Germany that has been credited with championing curriculum development in science communication in Africa.
“We have built the capacities of science communicators in our Agricultural Research Institutes and as well bridged the knowledge gap that exists between journalists and science researchers.
“Our Tremendous efforts in biotechnology awareness is already lifting Nigeria out of food and nutrition insecurity and I am glad to let you know that science communication played key role in achieving this progress,” said.
He however, affirmed the commitment of NABDA in working with the institute in promoting Strategic Communication and Development.
Prof. Mustapha commended the Organisers for their relentless efforts in putting up the Conference which was part of ISDEVCOM’s 5th-anniversary celebrations.
Dignaries present at the occasion include: the Governors of Nassarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Audu Sule Your Excellency, the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Simon Bako Lalong, Vice Chancellor, Nassarawa State University, Prof. Suleiman Bala, Organizers of the International Conference, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, Director General of NIMC, former Director General.of NBV, Pprof. Tony Iredia among otjerr stakeholders of Nigeria’s Science Communication and Communication in Africa.