International Forum highlights Nigeria’s lack of preparedness for future pandemics
Ani Bassey
The Circle of Thoughts and Ideas, an International Forum on Contemporary Thinking and Ideas has raised concerns about Nigeria’s preparedness for a global pandemic.
This is a valid concern as pandemics can have devastating consequences from any country.
The forum disclosed this at its 2024 meeting in Calabar, Cross River State which brought together professionals in various fields to address the world’s pressing concerns.
Speaking during the forum, Roland Ndoma Egba, a professor of surgery and consultant surgeon said everybody knows what ought to be done but the government is not ready to do so.
In his contribution, he said “The world is aware there will be another pandemic but what is our preparedness.
“Everybody knows what ought to be done to prepare but government is not ready to do so.
“It’s not that the knowledge is absent but the facilities are not available and also the political will to prepare against three emergencies.
“Nigeria was producing vaccines in the 1970’s it over the years this has been abandoned due to the absence of political will”, he said.
He said America promised to send a man to the moon within 10 years and achieved this and India also became the health capital of the world within 10 years because they had the political will to do so.
In his presentation, Professor Francis Bisong, the Chair of Research, Operations and development of Circle of Thoughts and Ideas 2024 advocated for serious protocols that will come up with sanctions against those who create diseases.
He also said Africa has enough public health experts to contain pandemics like the Covid 19 and they should be properly engaged.
Also speaking, a technology expert, Okim – Alobi Oyama made a strong case for the use of technology in addressing contemporary challenges the country is facing.
Earlier, Professor Nchor Okorn, the Convener of the forum and emeritus professor of political science in Dillard University, USA, said they hope to challenge the status quo, inspire new thinking and foster connections that transcends the forum and contribute to lasting, positive solutions.
“This forum is a space for dialogue, exchange and reflection. It is platform where ideas are not only shared but critically examined where solutions are not only proposed but actively prepared for execution”, he said.
Six papers were presented by several experts and solutions preferred to help make the world a better place.
