Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State have agreed to build a strong knowledged based capacity building centre for biosecurity and biosafety system in Nigeria.
This was stated at an event where the two government agencies signed an MoU to kick start biosafety courses.
The Director General of NBMA, Dr Rufus Ebegba, said that the MOU creates opportunities for those who want to acquire knowledge in the area of biosafety.
“The MOU is to give opportunities to those who want to increase their proficiency, skills and knowledge in biosafety.
He further said that the MOU is signed to build a strong knowledged based capacity building centre for biosecurity and biosafety system in Nigeria which may likely be a first in it’s kind.
“The Nigerian system has been able to put in place strong biosafety system which is attested to by being the head of the African Union Regulator Biosafety Forum in Africa.
“We must be at the top of biosafety in Africa as Nigeria I can tell you that we have put in place strong system that must be sustained through capacity strengthening and building.
Ebegba urged those offering Genetic Engineering, Universities, Research Institutes and Researchers that will be dealing with matters related to GMOs to liase with the University.
In his response, FUPRE Vice-chancellor, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, said the MoU is a big boost to the University.
He said that by the time the University goes into the implementation of the MOU Nigerians would come to the University for knowledge and be better equipped in the area of biosafety and biosecurity.
He said that the signing of the MOU is in line with his vision, to build young Nigerians and graduates that have the capacity to venture to the technocrat world.
“We have to train graduates in the oil and gas related industry such that as they leave the University they can be ready for the market,” the VC said.
