(ABUJA: May 29, 2023) Former Director General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Dr Rufus Ebegba, has said that his position as Nigeria’s chief biosafety regulator was due to opportunities facilitated by AATF.
“As a young biosafety officer, in the Federal Ministry of Environment, AATF facilitated my participation in a three-month course in Australia and this opened my eyes to the endless opportunities biotechnology offers and also the need to strictly monitor its development for the safety of humans and the environment,” Dr Ebegba said at an interaction with AATF leadership in Abuja.
Dr Canisius Kanangire, AATF’s Executive Director, held an interactive session with Dr Ebegba who stepped down from his pioneering position as the Director-General of NBMA after eight years of meritorious service.
Dr Ebegba noted that Africa can make the best use of biosafety regulation to ensure a food and nutrition-secure continent if more emphasis is placed on capacity development.
He emphasized that “with proper education, continuous training and a conducive atmosphere for learning, Africa can effectively regulate modern biotechnology and guarantee the safety of humans, animals and the environment,” he added.
Earlier, Dr Kanangire expressed profound gratitude from AATF board and management for Dr Ebegba’s leadership in biosafety matters in Africa and particularly Nigeria. He noted that Dr Ebegba was able to build a monumental biosafety system for Nigeria which now serves as a reference point for other African countries.
He said that under Dr Ebegba NBMA made significant strides in regulating safe handling and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. and His passion and expertise were instrumental in ensuring the success of biosafety regulations in protecting the environment, biodiversity and human health.
“You have been a true visionary in your field, constantly striving to improve biosafety regulations and standards in Nigeria. Your unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s natural resources and promoting sustainable development has been an inspiration to many, Dr Kanangire said.
He stressed that “ it is rare to find someone like you who combines expertise, dedication, and compassion making you a great leader, mentor and role model to those who have had the privilege of working with you.
About AATF (www.aatf-africa.org)
AATF is an international not-for-profit organization that is empowering smallholder farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa with a wide choice of agricultural innovations that contribute to food and nutrition security to generate health and wealth for their families and communities. Established in 2003 as an African-led entity, AATF works with public and private partners across the full food value chain to access, develop, deliver and commercialize innovative technologies that bring meaningful change to Africa’s agriculture. AATF is driven by a vision of a prosperous and food-secure Africa, one where millions of smallholder farmers can transform African agriculture with the same innovations that are transforming food production around the world. AATF believes the farmers in Africa will become globally competitive through the use of the best technology, optimal agricultural practices, strategic product value addition and boosted access to efficient markets within and outside Africa.
For further information, please contact: Alex Abutu, Communication Officer, AATF. +2348068701960 / a.abutu@aatf-africa.org
