DR. HAMZAT ON BEHALF OF GOV. SANWO-OLU EMPHASISES NEED FOR BIOSECURITY, HEALTHCARE ADVANCEMENT

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has underscored the importance of proactive biosecurity measures and the evolving landscape of biotechnologies in Africa.

The Governor stated this today in his address at the 9th Annual One Health and Biosecurity Conference, hosted by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in partnership with the Global Emerging Treatment (GET) Consortium at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, highlighted the conference’s pivotal role in addressing emerging health emergencies with precision and readiness and commended Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, and Dr. Ayodotun Bobadoye, Chief Operating Officer of GET Consortium, for their consistent efforts in organising the vital annual discourse.

He noted that the theme of the year’s conference, “Maximising Benefits and Understanding Risks of Synthetic Biology and Other Emerging Biotechnologies in Africa”, resonates deeply with Lagos State’s realities, stressing that despite being the smallest by landmass, Lagos houses over 20 million people and a significant economic hub, making it susceptible to biosecurity shocks.

Governor Sanwo-Olu reiterated his commitment to ensuring residents’ safety, emphasising the state’s proactive health security initiatives under the THEMES Plus Agenda.

He outlined his administration’s key biosecurity programmes geared toward residents’ safety, including investment in genomic sequencing, the establishment of an Infectious Disease Research Institute, the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform Project, and the promotion of the One Health Initiative.

Encouraging experts to contribute their expertise towards a healthier Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in the conference’s outcomes.