President Muhammadu Buhari will today depart Abuja for Seoul, South Korea, to participate in the first World Bio Summit, 2022.
In a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the summit, which is jointly organised by the Government of the Republic of Korea and the World Health Organisation, has as its theme, ‘The Future of Vaccine and Bio-Health’.
The statement explained that Nigeria was invited to the summit based on her selection with five other African countries by WHO and the European Union during the last EU-African Summit in Brussels, Belgium, in February, “for mRNA technology transfer and Global Training Hub for Bio-manufacturing of vaccines on the African continent”.
“Also expected to feature at the World Bio Summit are CEOs of global vaccine and biologics companies who will share and shape ideas on the theme, given that, according to the organisers, ‘global health security profoundly depends on the innovation and development in the bio-industry. The partnership between the Republic of Korea and WHO, is, therefore, to underscore not only the above historic truth but also the need to launch international stage efforts on the nature of creativity and innovation required to contain any future health pandemic.
“President Buhari, who is expected to deliver a statement at the summit, and meet separately with President Yoon Suk-yeol of the Republic of Korea, will also seek other ways of more effective partnerships that impact positively on the lives and safety of Nigerians during his other engagements and meetings while in Seoul.
“Accompanying the Nigerian leader are governors Aminu Masari and Abubakar Bello of Katsina and Niger states, Geoffrey Onyeama, Osagie Ehanire and Adeniyi Adebayo, ministers of foreign affairs, health, industry, trade and investment, respectively; and Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.
“Others on the delegation are National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Mohammed Babagana Monguno (retd.); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof Moji Adeyeye; Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa; Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Bashir Jamoh; Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as well as other top government officials.”
The President is expected to return to Nigeria after the Summit.
