Two Made In Nigeria COVID-19 Vaccines Await Clinical Trials – Osagie Ehanire

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has said that scientists in Nigeria have produced at least two COVID-19 vaccines that are ready for clinical trials.

The Minister revealed that the government is currently looking for resources that will enable it to take the vaccine for clinical trials, after which, it will be ready for entrepreneurs to reproduce.

Osagie added that the ministry is looking to establish one primary health centre in every political ward in the country.

He said this at the closing ceremony of the Technology and Innovation Expo on Saturday in Abuja.

The Minister said, “The Ministry of Health is honoured to be able to work with the Ministry of Science and Technology. We have been able to work on vaccines; we have at least two candidate vaccines which we are looking for resources to take to the level of clinical trials and after the clinical trials to entrepreneurs who will now boost the production of the vaccines.

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“At the Ministry of Health, we are looking to place one primary health centre in every political ward. I will like to say that we have over 4000 at the moment with about 6000 to go; many of them will be in the rural areas and we will have to work with the building research agency to find the lowest costing of building using domestic technology and resources to be able to construct a large number of primary health care centres at a cost that will be affordable to us. We want to achieve as many of them during the period of the administration of Mr President.”

On his side, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, said the past four editions of the Expo have led to the creation of many micro and small-scale businesses in the country.

One remarked, “I am happy to inform you that the output of our past four editions of the expo has led to the creation of many micro and small-scale businesses in our dear country. I invite the Organised Private Sector (OPS), to take advantage of the research results and prototypes showcased at the expo to create jobs for the people, reduce poverty and crime in the country as well as create wealth for both themselves and the nation.”