TVC News Correspondent, Lara Afolayan has emerged best reporter TV Broadcast category, in the
Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology Awards (OFAB Awards).
Afolayan also beat the best reporters in Radio and the print category to emerge overall best science reporter.
The award which was given at the The Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology, Nigeria chapter, tenth anniversary dinner, was also a night to celebrate the media which had been an active partner in positively projecting their researches and works.
Tai Amodu reports that “The Open Forum for Agricultural Biotechnology” has been at the forefront of this battle in Nigeria to establish the need for genetic engineering of produce to feed the ever increasing populace, who still farm within a land space that has not increased.
Those who set the foundations for the establishment of science and technology agencies in Nigeria, believe that Government needs to do more to firmly establish technology in agriculture and other science based areas.
Veteran broadcaster, Dr Tonie Iredia, who drew up a correlation between science and journalism in the key lecture, said there is need for scientists to be more open and less condescending of journalists who would communicate the veracity and need for their findings to the public in a language they can understand.
High point of the evening was the handing out of awards to journalists whose works had provided great advocacy for the agricultural biotechnology cause.
The Forum is optimistic that recognizing the efforts of Journalists in bringing out the truth about the GMO in Nigeria would further spur the Media to objectively investigate and be fair to all sides.