Ministry Working on Indigenous Solution for COVID 19- Onu

Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of Science and Technology, has said that the Ministry is working judiciously to develop the home-grown solutions to meet the urgent national needs through the effective application of science, technology and innovation (STI).

 Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of Science and Technology

The Minister stated this while delivering a lecture via skype for the participants of senior Executive Course NO. 42,2020 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos Plateau State.

Speaking, he said he is of the school of thoughts that deploying home-grown solutions to solving Nigeria’s problem is best approach as it will afford the nation’s economy the opportunity to solve its issues rather than depend on others to do so.

“We can export these home-grown solutions to other nations, who need them. By doing so, we will earn foreign currencies to help us make up for the loss of revenue from the decline in price of crude oil and natural gas.

“You will recall recently, that I challenged Nigerian scientists to find cure for the COVID 19, and pledged a financial reward of thirty six Million Naira (36, 000, 000.00). Since then, many institutions and individuals have written to us claiming their research results and natural products can cure the COVID 19. Accordingly, a Committee compromising Fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Science will help us review these claims. In addition to this, the Ministry has developed a strategy of prevention, tracking, testing and treatment (PT 3) in short, medium and long term basis. We are working for home-grown solutions. Our in the Ministry are working to provide indigenous solutions to the problems created by this pandemic,” Onu added.

He disclosed that ten out of the seventeen Agencies under the supervision of the Ministry have all been mobilized to start producing hand sanitizers, disinfectants, personal protective equipment (PPE) including high quality face-masks, body immune boosters, vaccines, test kits, disinfectant dispensing equipment, ventilator, telemedicine, etc.

He further said that both the Ministry of Science and Ministry of Health are partnering together with other related bodies to help fight and defeat the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The FMST boss lauded the institution for breeding innovative minds that will help proffer ideas to solve major national problems and further urged the participants to make maximum use of the opportunity towards building a strong and secured Nigeria as well as the world at large.