…Onu inaugurates 11-man c’ttee to drive project
By Seun Adams
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on Monday expressed confidence in the capability of Nigerians to find a lasting solution to the yet unabated COVID-19 pandemic that is still ravaging the world.
This was swiftly demonstrated in his office while inaugurating the 11-Man FMST Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 herbal remedies and natural compounds in a bid to find a home-grown solution for Covid-19.
The Minister stated that COVID-19 remains a threat to the health and well-being of Nigerians and the national economy and reiterated an urgent need to develop a home-grown remedy and vaccine to tackle it.
Inaugurating the committee, Onu said the Committee, made up of eminent scientists and fellows of Nigerian Academy of Science is to authenticate claims by researchers, scientists and traditional medical practitioners of cure and herbal remedy for Covid-19.
The Minister urged members of the committee to vigorously scrutinize and evaluate all claims brought before it, adding that it should identify the remedies with the brightest prospects for providing protection and healing to affected persons or those at the risk of contracting the dreaded disease.
Said he: “I have no doubt that the discovery of a cure for COVID-19 in Nigeria would enhance the standing of our dear nation in the comity of nations”.
“It will also accord Nigerian scientists deserved recognition and help regenerate foreign exchange earnings for the nation as well as enable a knowledge economy that will facilitate economic growth and sustainable national development.” he added.
Onu further said that the quest for home-grown remedy for COVID-19 by the Ministry is in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to diversify the economy, especially using Science and Technology with creative innovative solutions.
He admitted that the Ministry is tirelessly working with all relevant stakeholders, particularly the Federal Ministry of Health, to find a solution to COVID-19.
Nigeria, he added, with 172 other countries has been making frantic efforts for an enhanced access to Covid-19 vaccines by participating in COVAX, a global initiative to provide worldwide access to safe and effective vaccines.
Dr. Onu added that COVAX currently has the world’s largest and most diverse Covid-19 vaccine portfolio, including nine candidate vaccines; seven of which are currently in clinical trials, with a further nine under evaluation and conversations underway with major producers.
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee and President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Motso Onuoha, expressed confidence in the minister’s drive to find solution to the pandemic when he in February challenged the Science community with N36 million bounty to find a local cure when WHO was yet to declare the virus a global pandemic.
He reiterated that Nigerians have the capacity to find solutions to the global Covid-19 pandemic, adding that the committee will work closely with all relevant stakeholders to scrutinize and verify claims on the cure for Covid-19.
He further appreciated the vigorous efforts of the Ministers and the Ministry to create a viable solution to the pandemic, while assuring that the committee will work faithfully in discharging its duties, adding that the trust reposed on members of the committee would be justified.
The members of the committee included: Pharm. David Erabhiemen, Prof. Oladele Kale, Prof. Charles Esimone, Prof. B.E.B Nwoke, Dr. E.J Udoh, Pharm. Abayomi Oguntade and Dr. Sam Etatuvie. The others are: Prof. Alex Akpa and Pharm Asma Begum Mirza.