‘Misguided technology views hinder wealth creation, industrial growth’
Misguided technology views by anti-biotechnology advocates are standing in the way of wealth creation and poverty eradication drive of government, a senior official has said.
Director General of the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) Dr Lucy Ogbadu said in Abuja that those who want Nigeria to remain backward are campaigning against biotechnology and government should not listen to them.
She said all the claims about biotechnology’s side effects are unfounded.
Dr Ogbadu added that the World Health Organisation had not found any risk associated with the consumption of Genetically Modified foods.
“According to WHO, GM foods currently on the international market have passed risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health. In addition, the general population in the countries where they have been approved has shown no negative effects on human health as a result of the consumption of such foods”, she said.
She said biotechnology could contribute immensely to agricultural productivity, affordable health care delivery services, sustainable environment and industrial growth. Computer Warehouse Group (CWG Plc) is to lead a consortium of technology companies to deliver the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), the first of its kind in West and Central Africa, the company has said.
The project was recently commissioned by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Jonathan Ebele Goodluck, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. The President in his opening remarks explained that, “To ensure the broadband infrastructure and services already provided are maintained and improved upon for the use of all education and research institutions in Nigeria, I hereby approve and therefore direct the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to provide the necessary funds for this purpose.”
Also, the Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson in her remarks noted the major milestone in local technology advancement with a network of this magnitude wholly designed by Nigerians, built by Nigerians and managed by Nigerians.
CWG’s CEO Austin Okere said the company was chosen because of its track record of performance in terms of ICT.