The Federal Government of Nigeria is counting on agricultural technology to help deliver food security solutions and address challenges brought by climate change. In his speech during this year's Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB)-Nigeria Media Awards, Nigeria‘s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Alhaji Sabo Nanono stressed that the country is relying on the contribution of genetic modification (GM) technology to improve the quality of food crops and benefit the Nigerian community.

"GM food is in itself the outcome of scientists' efforts and hard work on the account of the need to address real-life challenges by providing the capacity to deliver food security objectives," said Hon. Nanono in a speech delivered by his Technical Adviser Richard-Mark Mbaram.

OFAB-Nigeria Chairperson, Dr. Rose Gidado, appreciated the media for their relentless efforts to create awareness and sensitize the public on agricultural biotechnology even in the middle of a global COVID-19 pandemic. "Journalists serve as a bridge between science and society; they play a crucial role in informing and educating the public and policymakers on advances in science and technology including agricultural biotechnology," she noted.

Speaking during the event, Nigeria Press Council's Executive Secretary Francis Nwosu cautioned journalists against fake news, a challenge the Federal Government of Nigeria is battling on all fronts. Mr. Nwosu challenged journalists to help in the fight against fake news by ensuring accurate science journalism thrives. "As science journalists staying with science places, you are in a vantage position as specialized journalists. The public must trust that your information is correct – you must be rigorous, not necessarily the first to publish a story," he advised.

During the Awards gala, Pretty Onyejiaku, a reporter from African Independent Television (AIT), was feted as the overall winner having emerged the best in the television category. Rabi Hope Momoh of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigerian was the winner in the radio category, while Vincent Ayaka Yusuf emerged top in the print media category.

For more on OFAB-Nigeria Media Awards, contact Dr. Gidado Rose at roxydado91@gmail.com and Abraham Isah at abraham2637@gmail.com.