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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Biological Weapons Convention, ensuring that the country does not develop, produce, acquire, or retain biological weapons.
This underscores Nigeria’s dedication to upholding international efforts to address the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and its commitment to the Biological Weapons Convention.
This commitment was reiterated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, during a Stakeholders Forum on Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, the event, organised by the National Authority on Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions (NAC&BWC) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), brought together stakeholders from various ministries, departments, agencies, private sectors, and academia to discuss the implementation of the convention.
Akume, represented by the Senior Technical Assistant to the SGF, Bolaji Babatunde, stressed Nigeria’s commitment to abide by the Biological Weapons Convention, which prohibits states parties from developing, producing, acquiring, or retaining biological weapons.
He also highlighted the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Council (IMC) comprising over 42 members to provide policy guidance and direction on biological weapon convention implementation.
The Chief of the Biological Weapon Convention Implementation Support Unit in Geneva, Daniel Feakes, expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s commitment to comprehensive implementation of the convention, which has contributed to reducing the proliferation of small arms and other dangerous weapons that pose threats to citizens.
Director-General/CEO of the National Bio-safety Management Agency (NBMA), Agnes Asagbra, thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for his support and assured the agency’s commitment to ensuring the bio-security of the nation.
