Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, said the Federal Government would adopt the use of biotechnology to boost healthcare delivery and renewable energy in the country.
Onu said this when a team from the Biotechnology Society of Nigeria (BSN), led by its President, Prof. Benjamin Ubi paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Thursday.
The minister said the government would also use biotechnology to industrialise the country and boost food security.
“We are confidence in biotechnology to achieve food sufficiency and security in the nation, through the development of high-yielding and disease resistant food crops and seedlings.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is seriously concerned that all Nigerians have access to food and for the country to be self-sufficient,’’ he said.
Onu commended the association for its role in the development of science and technology, adding that such efforts would lead to positive development in the country.
He assured the association of the ministry’s support to give necessary assistance to effectively develop biotechnology in Nigeria.
Earlier, Ubi said the association had developed bio-entrepreneurship proposals as mandated by the Federal Government.
“We have established the first forensic laboratory in Nigeria which will fight crimes and solve issues relating to genetics,’’ Ubi said.
He also called for more cooperation between the association and the ministry in publishing its periodic journals to aid scientific knowledge.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ubi presented the portrait of Onu to him in company of the Minister of State, Alhaji Mohammed Abudullahi, and other officials of the association.
