EBERE Agozie, a senior Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has won the 2018 coordinator’s award for ‘Best Print Media’ of the Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB).

The award dinner was held on Wednesday in Abuja.

OFAB is an initiative of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) hosted by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

It’s an informative platform which brings together stakeholders in the field of biotechnology and the public to enable interactions, sharing and exchange of knowledge, experience, contacts and exploring new avenues of bringing the benefits of biotechnology to the agricultural sector.

Dr Rose Gadido, OFAB Nigeria Coordinator said the award was in recognition of the reporter’s passion and commitment towards the promotion of biotechnology in the media.

“The award was initiated last year by the AATF across seven countries to bring the media closer in an effort to change the orientation of farmers and to get them to embrace genetic modification technology.

“All over the world, technology has become the corner stone responsible for bumper harvests and self-sufficiency in quality food production, and Nigeria must not be left behind”.

Gidado said that farming could only be attractive and meaningful if science and technology were injected into it and that the media has been helping in disseminating the information.

“We are today celebrating the contribution of distinguished media practitioners to our advocacy and sensitization effort by giving honour to whom it is due.

“The media has been our main ally since we set out to promote modern biotechnology in the country.

“My charge to the media is: stand with science in your reporting, don’t balance scientific facts with unscientific lies, science is evidence-based and so should not be politicised”.

Dr Rufus Ebegba, Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency charged the winners to report in the national interest.

“Do not compromise your pen, don’t destroy the country with your reportage, publish the facts because integrity is required before you can be trusted”.

He, however assured Nigerians that his agency would not compromise in its regulatory standards.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other reporters from different media organisations also received awards in different categories.

They include, the NTA, FRCN, Business Day Newspaper, bloggers among other consolation prizes. (NAN)

– Aug. 2, 2018 @ 10:49 GMT |