COVID-19: Ministry to partner Cuba on vaccine production

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has expressed the ministry’s interest in working with Cuba on local COVID-19 vaccine production in Nigeria.

Onu made this disclosure when the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Clara Paulido-Escandell, paid a courtesy visit to his office on Monday.

This was contained in a press statement titled ‘FMST to collaborate with CUBA on vaccine production’ issued on Monday by Irondi Ifeoma and Maryam Zakari, members of the ministry’s press and PR team.

The statement read, “The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said that Nigeria is working very hard to produce a locally made vaccine to enable its professionals and scientists be involved in the production process.

“Dr Onu further said that the essence of production of the vaccine locally will help the country create jobs and equally reduce poverty levels.”

According to the minister, Nigeria will take advantage of its bilateral relationship with Cuba to intensify efforts toward vaccine production.

“Dr Onu reiterated that Nigeria will leverage on the existing bilateral relationship between the two countries to work together in other areas for the mutual benefit of both countries.”

The minister was quoted as saying, “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.”

The Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, in the press statement, warned against the rising case of new COVID-19 variants, adding that her visit provided the opportunity of working with key agencies such as National Biotechnology and Development Agency and Shetsco development Institute to boost local vaccine production.

PUNCH