Prince Ned Nwoko, the founder of Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation and the initiator of Africa Malaria Eradication project, has reacted to the federal government’s approval of the Oxford University new malaria vaccine.
The malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M vaccine, developed by Britain’s Oxford University scientists and manufactured by the Serum institute of India, “has been approved for use in the children aged 5-36 months, the age group most at risk of death from malaria,” the statement from the University read.
Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), while addressing newsmen on Monday, 17 April, affirmed that the vaccine was taken on to alleviate and prevent clinical malaria among children between five months to 36 months.
Adeyeye stated that, in line with the Agency’s mandate, stipulated by its enabling law; NAFDAC Act CapN1, LFN 2014, has granted registration approval for the R21 malaria vaccine.
Reacting to the federal government’s approval of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, Ned Nwoko, who has resolutely engaged in various solution-oriented war against malaria endemic in Nigeria and Africa, noted that the vaccine is a welcome idea and a proof that his goal of eradicating malaria in Africa is achievable and not “a wild goose chase” as many had opined.
“Before I took up the challenge of funding researches into malaria vaccines and seeking malaria eradication in Africa, many people thought it was an impossible task.
“Infact, many people derided my efforts as wild goose chase. The results are coming in. More trials are taking place in four countries in Africa.
“The ultimate solution is a clean environment through waste management and recycling plants.” Nwoko said.
He commended the federal government for its smart decision of giving the vaccine a green light for use in Nigeria.
In December 18, 2019, Prince Ned Nwoko Foundation launched the Africa Malaria Eradication project; a project born from the desire of a clean environment and a quest to completely end the scourge of malaria in Africa.
So far, the Foundation has engaged five universities in Africa with research grants to evolve malaria vaccines. The countries include; Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique, DRCongo, and Cote d’Ivoire.
