Nigeria has reportedly signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Cuba to implement actions on contract manufacturing, technology transfer, vaccine production and commercialisation of the Cuban biopharmaceutical products in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba, Benaoyagha Okoyen, in a statement made available to newsmen in New York, said the two countries also agreed to partner in other areas.
He disclosed that both countries expressed interest to implement actions for the development of partnership, particularly in projects for scientific cooperation, academic collaboration, co-development agreements and licensing of innovative products.
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Mr. Okoyen and the President of the Cuban Group of Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industries (BIOCUBAFARMA), Eduardo Diaz, who represented the Republic of Cuba, signed the Expression of Interest Document.
According to the envoy, Nigeria signed the document with Cuba at the just concluded 2022 BIOHAVANA International Conference held from April 25 to 29 in Havana.
“The Embassy of Nigeria in Havana, through the leadership of the Ambassador played a significant role in taking the Nigerian delegation through the different stages of their participation in the conference, including the coordination of several relevant side meetings.
“The delegation included participants from the Ministry of Health; National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC); Federal Ministry of Science and Innovation; Sheda Science and Technology Complex; National Biotechnology Development Agency; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).”
The BIOCUBAFARMA, the organizer of the conference, is the Cuban Government business organization that produces drugs, equipment, and services through scientific and technical development to improve the health of the population and the production of exportable goods and services and advanced technologies in food production.
Delegates from over 50 countries witnessed the signing of 18 agreements by 12 countries, including Nigeria, Australia, Russia, Germany, Japan, Canada, South Korea and Turkey.
It’s a right and great move as was taken by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba, Mr. Okoyen. This is one of the lofty activities expected of a high commissioner serving in any country across the globe.
As an incumbent ambassador, you are required to look inwards to discover the areas the country you are serving in, is into and known for, with a view to working out modalities on how best they could be of benefit to Nigeria, or your country of origin, as the case may be.
Anybody who truly intends to grow, or become greater, in a certain area, must be ready to leverage on the activity of other people who have gone beyond them in the areas in question.
However, the move shouldn’t stop at that juncture. The concerned authorities, on the part of Nigeria, must endeavour to put the talk into actions, to ensure the needed growth and development is actualized soonest without further ado.