Salako Emphasizes the Vital Role of Biosecurity in National Security
By Lawrence Audu
Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has
emphasized the vital role of bio-risk management in fortifying environmental integrity, securing public health, and safeguarding the entire nation.
His profound remarks were delivered during the inaugural address of a prestigious two-day Executive Leadership Training on Bio-risk Management, masterfully orchestrated by the esteemed collaboration between the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) and the Health Security Partnership (HSP).
The event took place Monday, the 6th of November, 2023 in Abuja.
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The Minister further explained that “the training is crucial and important at this time, especially as this current administration holds biosecurity integral and topmost part of safety for this nation”.
“This training is apt as it is the responsibility of all leaders to ensure we are well prepared to resolve challenges of bio-risk management in recent times and this training will help to ensure we collaborate to enhance the security of our nation which is one major focus of NBMA”.
In her remarks, the Director General /CEO of the National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr. Agnes Yemisi Asagbra, explained that the agency is responsible for ensuring that biosafety and biosecurity measures are implemented to ensure the safety of human health, the environment, and the nation at large.
Dr. Asagbra emphasized that “bio-risk management transcends beyond academic and theoretical exercise, but is imperative to our nation with profound implications for the safety of our environment, human health, and national security. “In today’s dynamic and ever-changing landscape, it is important we respond effectively to bio-risks to define our resilience and preparedness”.
Dr. Asagbra highlighted that the core objective of the training is to understand the impact bio-risks have on our ecosystems, economies, and the general well-being of the nation.
“Therefore, this training would empower leaders to understand the latest scientific advancements and also learn best practices, and explore innovative solutions that would strengthen and safeguard our environment, human health, and the well-being of the nation”.
The program Manager from Health Security Partners, Rebecca Sherrod, commended the expertise of the National Biosafety Management and all stakeholders and also enjoined everyone to become an ambassador of biosecurity.
Other stakeholders and professionals assured that the curriculum and aspects of biosafety and biosecurity would be implemented in research activities and institutions.
The two-day training program has in attendance, representatives from the office of the National Security Adviser, research institutes, academia and stakeholders in the biosafety/biosecurity sector in the country.
