Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has urged scientists in the country to increase research efforts to find a homegrown vaccine for the prevention and cure of coronavirus (COVID-19) amid early signs of a second wave of the pandemic.
Obaseki gave the charge in commemoration of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, marked globally on November 10, by the United Nations and its sister agencies.
The governor also made a case for an urgent action by relevant stakeholders in the health sector to come up with innovative measures to check the spread of COVID-19, calling for sustained awareness on preventive measures to contain the second wave of the virus.
The governor, who expressed concerns over the second wave of coronavirus in Europe and other parts of the globe, maintained that there was need for increased advocacy, championed by scientists and civil society groups to educate the populace on preventive measures to check the resurgence of the disease.
He said, “On a day like this, it is important to reiterate the need for increased research efforts to find an effective cure for COVID-19 as well as coordinated action by all stakeholders in the health sector on management and preventive measures to check the spread of COVID-19 amid signs of a second wave.”
Calling on researchers to collaborate and share results from ongoing researches on vaccines capable of preventing the spread of COVID-19, he said, “in as much as progress is being made in developing vaccines to prevent COVID-19, there is need to fund local, home-grown research for vaccines to prevent the disease.”
According to the UN, “The rationale of celebrating a World Science Day for Peace and Development has its roots in the importance of the role of science and scientists for sustainable societies and in the need to inform and involve citizens in science.
“In this sense, a World Science Day for Peace and Development offers an opportunity to show the general public the relevance of science in their lives and to engage them in discussions. Such a venture also brings a unique perspective to the global search for peace and development.”
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