Godwin Obaseki Tasks Nigerian Scientists On Local Production Of Vaccines
The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has stated that the development of vaccines by Nigerian scientists will enhance their acceptability in the country.
He noted that the hesitancy being recorded in the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination exercise might be linked to a lack of local input in the manufacturing processes.
Obaseki, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said this on Wednesday, 15th September while addressing the Minister of State for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mohammed Abdullahi, who was on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
He said, “Science cannot be overlooked. Today, we are finding it difficult advocating, educating, and appealing to our citizens to take the vaccines because they were not made in Nigeria.
“If we have a system in place to manufacture the vaccines in Nigeria, I doubt that the level of enforcement that we are putting in place to curb hesitancy will be this strong.
“When our sons and brothers are the ones in the laboratories manufacturing the vaccines, there is going to be an attachment and belief that what they are doing is for the interest of their kinsmen. It is not going to be questioned as we are seeing today.
“But when everything has to be foreign, then there would be issues. We have all it takes. Nigerians are gifted: We can achieve anything that we want to achieve in this country”.
He further noted that there was a need for the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation to actively promote research and innovation.
He said, “Your ministry is a sensitive and important one, especially in the 21st century.
“Coronavirus has exposed a lot of things. We have a lot to do together. For us in Edo, we are taking advantage of our young population to create a technology hub.
“We are creating opportunities for our people to exhibit their skills. We want them to innovate and develop ideas that are not only lasting but are economically viable.”
The minister said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had given them the mandate to ensure that Nigeria becomes one of the 100 most innovative countries between the next five and 10 years.
Edo State Government has intensified the vaccination of citizens in the 18 councils of the state, urging those who have not been inoculated to get vaccinated to remain healthy and protected against the deadly virus.