Following the First World Bio Summit, 2022, which is scheduled to hold on Oct 25-26, jointly organized by the Government of the Republic of S. Korea and the World Health Organization (WHO). President Muhammadu Buhari departed Abuja for Seoul, South Korea on October 22, 2022, to participate in the two-day summit themed:” The Future of Vaccine and Bio-Health”. This was confirmed in a statement released in Abuja by Mr. Femi Adesina, who serves as the president’s spokesman.
According to Adesina, Nigeria was one of the six African nations that were chosen to participate in the summit by the World Health Organization and the European Union (EU). He stated that Nigeria had already been invited to participate in the transfer of mRNA technology and the establishment of a global training hub for the bio-manufacturing of vaccines on the African continent during the most recent EU-African Summit, which took place in Brussels, Belgium, in February of this year.
Global health leaders would collaborate to generate new ideas.
Adesina, the presidential aide, stated that other attendees of the World Bio Summit that are scheduled to appear prominently include CEOs of global vaccine and biologics companies. Speaking further, in lieu of the statement, he added that as defined by the organizers, all of those CEOs would work together in order to generate new ideas and discuss existing ones on the topic “global health security is profoundly dependent on the innovation and development in the bio-industry”.
Therefore, the purpose of the partnership between the World Health Organization and the Republic of S. Korea is to highlight the historical reality of the need for health security. Adesina explained further that it is also to emphasize the necessity of launching efforts on a worldwide scale on the nature of creativity and invention that is essential to containing any future health epidemic. According to him, it is anticipated that President Buhari would make a statement during the summit and will also hold a separate meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol of the Republic of S. Korea.
President would be accompanied by state leaders and ministers.
While the president makes his way to Seoul, South Korea, for the global event, as indicated, he would be accompanied to the event by the governors of Katsina state and Niger, Aminu Bello Masari and Sani Bello, respectively. Other members to follow him include Timipre Sylva, who is the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health; Adeniyi Adebayo, who is the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment.
Other members of the president’s crew include Retired Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno, who serves as the National Security Adviser; Amb. Ahmed Abubakar, who serves as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency; Professor Moji Adeyeye, who serves as the Director-General of NAFDAC; and Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, who serves as the Director-General of NCDC. In addition, the delegation is comprised of high-ranking government officials such as Bashir Jamoh, Director-General of NIMASA; Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of NiDCOM; and other officials.
More partnerships would be sought to enhance the country.
The presidential aide affirmed that during the president’s time in Seoul, he is scheduled to participate in a number of other engagements and meetings, during which he will reportedly look at further means of forming partnerships that are more efficient and have a good influence on the lives and security of Nigerians. After the conclusion of the conference, it is anticipated that the president will make his way back home. As expected, this will bring a lot of change to Nigeria’s health sector if it is appropriately utilized.
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WHO: Website
