The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu says the federal government is creating an enabling environment that will enable the nation’s professionals and Scientists be involved in the production process of locally made vaccine.
The Minister gave the Indication when the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Clara Paulido-Escandell visited his office in Abuja.
Dr. Onu clarified that the essence of production of the vaccine locally is to help the country create job and equally reduce poverty levels
He further stated that Nigeria is intensifying its effort in research towards the production of Covid-19 Vaccine so that other countries can benefit.
Dr. Onu further reiterated that Nigeria will leverage on the existing bilateral relationship with Cuba and work in other areas of interest.
According to him, there are claims for the disease cure, which presently is being investigated at various levels and undergoing clinical tests.
He also stressed the need for Nigerian Professionals and the organised private sectors (OPS)to ensure that the Executive order No. 5 is fully operational, adding that if any Nigerian professional suffers any unfairness in the procurement process the Ministry should be notified.
In his words “we want all Nigeria Professionals to be at the centre of economic activities in the country and we believe strongly is the only way that enterprises, cooperation, growths will become very strong’
Earlier, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Her Excellency Clara M. Paulido-Escandell acknowledged that her last visit to the Ministry availed her the opportunity of working with some Agencies such as National Bio-technology and Development Agency (Nabada) and Shetsco development Institute to further achieve the local vaccine production. She also warned against the rising cases of New COVID-19 variant.
