National Security: Agency Pledges Robust Implementation Of Biosecurity Policy

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) in collaboration with Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has unveiled plans to implement a robust safety and health security policy, a significant stride in fortifying the nation’s security.

The Director General/CEO of NBMA, Dr. Agnes Asagbara made the commitment during the Inaugural Meeting of the National Advisory Council on Biosecurity (NACB) and the National Technical Working Group on Biosecurity (NTWGB) held in Abuja, the nations capital.

The event, marked a pivotal moment as stakeholders and development partners gathered to address the imperative of ensuring the country’s safety.

Dr. Asagbara underscored the agency’s responsibility in implementing a comprehensive safety and security policy, assuring stakeholders of her unwavering commitment to transforming Nigeria into a secured nation.

Highlighting the importance of cooperation, Dr. Asagbara emphasized the role of tenacity and commitment in advancing Nigeria’s interests across diverse sectors, including security, food security, animal health, and the environment.

“The inauguration of two committees, the technical committee, and the advisory committee, is a strategic move to enhance the goals of the biosecurity policy,” he said.

The significance of National security was reiterated by the Nigerian National Security Adviser, ONSA and Chairman of the National Biosecurity Advisory Committee, NBAC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.

Represented by the Principal Staff Officer at ONSA, Pamela West, Ribadu emphasized the evolving nature of donor partnerships and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the committee’s responsibilities.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Environment and Chairman of the National Technical Working Group (NBTWG), Mahmud Kambarlin emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to implement and achieve the objectives of the new policy.

Kambarlin announced the committee’s first assignment, urging partners to organise a training session for members to fully grasp the intricacies of the policy.

“With effective collaboration, the group would successfully implement the policy,” he said.

In his speech, the Coordinator Africa Health Budget Network, AHBN, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, recalled the commitments made at the 2021 Covid-19 Summit conference and stressed the importance of engaging in the Biosecurity agenda.

Garba urged development partners to support the government in implementing the biosecurity policy and action plan over the next five years.

“We are glad that the Advisory Council and TWG are now inaugurated for the Biosecurity Policy and action plan. We sincerely hope development partners will key in and support the government to implement it,” he said.

Presenting the overview of the National Biosecurity Policy and action plan, the Acting Director of the Biosecurity Department, NBMA, Dr. Agah Agah said the issues of Biosecurity cuts across various ecosystem in Nigeria and its related activities. Hence the need for effective facilitation and collaboration is paramount.

“The NBP&AP is developed to address biosecurity coordination and set the overall direction on managing its activities in Nigeria,” he said.

Dr. Agah said a National Biosecurity Policy is now on the implementation phase and it is important to implement all the 24 thematic areas of the policy for the nation to be biosecured.

“All stakeholders are now expected to put all efforts to ensure that this policy is implemented,” he added.

Mercy Chukwudiebere