By Esther Samson
AfricaSTI News’ Onche Odeh was the star of the night as he won the ultimate prizes at the prestigious 2024 Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Nigeria Media Award.
Aside winning the Print category, Onche’s work, which focused on factual communication of genetic modification, also earned him the Overall Best prize ahead of other entries in the competition described by the Coordinator of OFAB Nigeria Chapter, Dr Rose Gidado as ‘highly competitive.’
This distinction, according to the organizers, solidifies his position as a prominent voice in agricultural biotechnology journalism.
AfricaSTI’s Publisher and Editor in Chief, Diran Onifade described Onche’s win as “not exactly unexpected” because Onche, a Knights Science Journalism Fellow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is among the very best science journalism has to offer, not just in Nigeria but in the entire African continent.
The 8th edition of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB) Media Awards took place on Tuesday at the NAF Conference Centre in Kado, Abuja.
The event celebrated excellence in the field of agricultural biotechnology reporting, recognizing journalists who have significantly contributed to public understanding of biotechnology’s role in enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture across Africa.
This year’s awards focused on the intersection of media and intellectual property rights, emphasizing key insights that journalists must be aware of when covering scientific topics.
The OFAB Africa initiative aims to honor media professionals for their exceptional efforts in promoting scientific innovations, particularly in agricultural biotechnology.
The ceremony was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, scientists, journalists, and leaders from the agricultural and biotechnology sectors.
Dr. Umar Bindir, former Director-General of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), congratulated the awardees, highlighting their role in fostering a more informed and food-secure Nigeria.
“By upholding principles of sincerity, journalists can effectively communicate scientific information to the public, helping to build a deeper understanding of science and technology in Nigeria,” Dr. Bindir said.
Professor Mustapha Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Biotechnology and Research Development Agency (NBRDA), emphasized the importance of informed decisions in biotechnology, particularly concerning food security.
“The decisions we make today regarding modern biotechnology will have a profound impact on our ability to feed ourselves and strengthen our nation,” he stated.
This year’s OFAB Media Awards reaffirm the vital role of science journalism in advancing agricultural innovation and addressing food security challenges on the African continent.
The winners’ dedication to accurate, insightful reporting is seen as crucial in driving forward discussions about biotechnology’s potential benefits for Africa’s future.
Onche will be joining winners from other African countries hosting OFAB in a contest for the continental prize to be awarded at a ceremony in Malawi.
