Why I support FG's move to import COVID-19 cure from Madagascar

Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi has backed the Federal Government’s decision to import from Madagascar a herbal cure that purportedly treats COVID-19.

The 2019 Vice Presidential candidate of PDP made his position known in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

Recall that Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had endorsed the importation of the syrup from the Indian Ocean island.

“Madagascar has made allocations to various countries and sent them to Guinea Bissau. We’re supposed to make arrangements to freight Nigeria’s allocation from Guinea Bissau; it’ll be subjected to the standard validation process for pharmaceuticals.

“Mr. President has given instructions for the airlifting of Nigeria’s allocation of the Madagascar COVID-19 Syrup; also given clear instructions that it must be subjected to the standard validation process for pharmaceuticals; there will be no exceptions for this,” he said during the daily briefing of the PTF on Monday.

Backing the decision, Obi said it would help the nation conserve FOREX as well as boost the morale of domestic researchers.

Obi wrote, “I firmly support the authorisation of President Muhammadu Buhari for importation and subjection of the Madagascar COVID-19 Syrup to standard validation process for pharmaceuticals, and possibly for use in the cure of this virus.

“Similar authorisation and encouragement should be given to local inventions. This will save us scarce forex and will give confidence to domestic researchers and inventors.”