FG Galvanizes Search for Indigenous Solution Through STI

Dr. OgbonnayaOnu, Minister of Science Technology and Innovation, has said that no nation can depend totally on outside help to meet the health challenges of her people.

Onustated this in a Virtual/Physical meeting with Scientists, Researchers and Traditional Medicine Practitioners, on claims of effectiveness of COVID-19 and Natural compounds, held in Abuja.

Onustated that few weeks before COVID-19 was detected in Nigeria, he announced a given away price of 36 million to any Nigerian Scientists/Researcher   who can develop a remedy to COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to him, this was part of the strategy to galvanize the development of Home-grown solutions with the aim of protecting Nigerians against COVID-19 diseases.

He noted that in response to his call, however, many scientists made submission of their herbal remedies to Federal Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation(FMSTI) which lead to the inauguration of Inter-ministerial Committee of Experts on COVID-19 herbal remedies in FMSTI.

The Minister explained that the essence of this was to review the claims and submissions by our Scientists, Researchers and Traditional medicine Practitioners.

The outcome of the claims, Onu said, was resolved in selection of several herbal remedies for COVID-19, through the conduct of Clinical Trials, to agree and discuss on all claims.

The Minister stated further that it was also at the meeting, that global community recorded significant progress in curbing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic through the cooperation of PFIZER, BIONTECH, Astra-Zeneca and host of others in developing vaccines which have proven efficacious in protecting against SARS-COVID-2 as well as its variants.

Onunoted that despite the disparities in percentage of vaccinating the rich and poor in the country, COVID -19 could not easily be won all over the world.

This, he said,evidently shows that no nation can depend entirely on outside help to meet the health challenges of her people.

Accordingly, he resolved that Nigeria must develop the capacity, through research and innovation, to look after the health needs of Nigerians.

FMSTI, he said, is committed to searching for indigenous solution to COVID-19 pandemic, which remains substantial threat to the health of the people.

Nigeria, he added, needs to find the best way to harness local expertise and resources in the development of home-grown vaccine, to ensure that our people are protected.

Earlier, the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Innovation, Barr. Muhammed Abdullahi who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Etah Akpan, thanked the Hon. Minister for his initiative, support and leadership towards the development of a home-grown solution for the treatment and management of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and beyond.

The Minister of State also commended the efforts of the scientist and researchers as well as herbal practitioners for their efforts at finding solution towards covid-19.