By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Director General, National Biosafety Management Agency, NBMA, Agnes Asagbara  said, Educating grassroots community on the importance of biosafety will contribute positively to Nigeria’s bio diversity conservation.

Agnes who was represented by Senior Scientific Officer, NBMA, Zakayo Hassan Aimas, said this at a workshop for Community Based Organizations, CBOs, organized by  Climate and Sustainable Development Network of Nigeria, CSDevNet, themed ‘Biodiversity Conservation Awareness’ on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said, 174 million hectares of land has been saved from being ploughed and cultivated through modern biotechnology.

Quoting a recent study between 1996 – 2015, the DG said 574M tonnes of products which was derived through modern technology has contributed to biodiversity Conservation in Nigeria.

She said Biosafety and modern biotechnology are two inseparable fields that are complementary in biodiversity Conservation and overall environmental conservation and sustainability.

Stressing on the need for conversations regarding biodiversity Conservation, Agnes said the event will no doubt lead to a paradigm change in the perception of stakeholders, which will in turn reach the common man in the street and the wider communities if implemented judiciously.

Earlier, National Network Coordinator, CSDevNet, Stephen Abu said the involvement of community based organizations is crucial for environmental protection and Sustainable resource management.

Abu who was represented by programmes Officer, Paul Joseph,  said that the discussions could create a lasting impacts on communities, and the environment.

The Executive Secretary of African Minister’s Council on Water (AMCOW), Rashid Mbazira represented by Monitoring Support Officer, Emmanuel Uguru said education plays a crucial role in advancing the sustainable and equitable use of biodiversity and it’s conservation.

He said, preserving biodiversity calls for an inclusive approach that actively engages all individuals; adding that, Advocacy on biodiversity should strive to communicate effectively across different age groups and community.