By Philip Yatai

The Biotechnology Society of Nigerian (BSN), on Wednesday began a five-day symposium to chart a way forward in the use of biotechnology as a tool for sustainable development.

The President of the society, Prof. Mohammed Yerima said at the opening of the symposium being hosted by the Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna, that biotechnology holds the key to the nation’s quest for sustainable development.

Yerima said that the theme of the symposium, “Biotechnology as a Tool for Achieving Sustainable Development in the 21st Century”, was necessitated by the advent of COVID-19, which calls for biotechnology response.

He defined biotechnology as the application of scientific principles to modify organisms, systems, or processes to produce goods and services, and improve industrial products for specific purposes.

According to him, biotechnology has the potential of creating the needed shift from a consumer nation to producer of goods and services that can generate foreign exchange for the country in the global market.

“It is my hope that this symposium, the first in Northwestern Nigeria will create a foundation to advance the understanding of scientific issues relating to sustainable development, particularly biotechnology.”

The keynote Speaker, Prof. Lawal Bilbis, Vice-Chancellor, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, urged biotechnologists in the country to join the race in harnessing cellular and biomolecular processes to improve the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians.

Bilbis, represented by Dr Abdullahi Yahaya, acting Head of Biochemistry Department of the university, pointed out that genetic manipulation of microorganisms would significantly aid human development sustainably.

He said that Nigeria’s development priorities on the sustainable development goals were on ending poverty, inclusive economy, health and wellbeing, gender equality, peace and security and partnerships.

According to him, biotechnology is the tool to take millions of Nigerians out of poverty and set the country on the path of sustainable development.

“The most prominent areas of biotechnology are the production of therapeutic proteins and other drugs as well as in agriculture through genetic engineering.

“Biotechnology can also be applied in diagnostic, food production, environment, chemical intermediaries and equipment.”

The Vice-Chancellor, KADSU, Prof. Muhammad Tanko, also noted that the application of biotechnology had enormous contribution to economic development.

Tanko disclosed that the university had commenced a Bachelor of Science degree programme in biotechnology in the 2020/2021 academic session to support biotechnology education in the country.

“The university will continue to support the programme with the needed manpower, facilities and funding to enable the programme gain full accreditation,” he said.

Declaring the symposium open, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, noted the correlation between biotechnology and sustainable development.

According to her, biotechnology, and its application, has become an indispensable tool in all sectors of life and its significance lies in its contribution to the socio-economic advancement and development of nations.

“Biotechnology revolution has spawned new industries focused on manipulating human, animal, plant and microbial agents to create hitherto unattainable products and services.

“It is particularly critical in the fields of food-production, renewable raw-materials and energy, pollution- prevention and bioremediation.

“Essentially, biotechnology occupies a very strategic position in the socio-economic advancement and development of a nation and the world at large.” (NAN)